RC boat didn't last the course... why?
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RC boat didn't last the course... why?
I have been running a club for some of the kids in school and they built an electric boat for a race. It was easily twice as fast as the other competitors and was way ahead but slowed then stopped after two laps. The motor was too hot to touch and we didn't have any cooling in place, this we now realise is a problem.
Am I right in thinking the motor is burnt out (yokomo pro stock 2 - brushed). It will now run for a minute or so before cutting out. In a tank test the same is true. It now does not get hot but cuts out after a short time loaded then starts after a minute or so and then cuts out even quicker.
The boat as you can see is a little stubby thing limited by the vacuum former at school, it is fairly heavy but i think that is deceptive because of the weight of the motor and batteries.
If I replace the motor and cool it this time is it likely to burn out again because of the boat shape etc.
any help and advice much appreciated as I'd like to get them back on the water soo after this dissapointment (2nd place is not 1st!)
thanks in advance
Am I right in thinking the motor is burnt out (yokomo pro stock 2 - brushed). It will now run for a minute or so before cutting out. In a tank test the same is true. It now does not get hot but cuts out after a short time loaded then starts after a minute or so and then cuts out even quicker.
The boat as you can see is a little stubby thing limited by the vacuum former at school, it is fairly heavy but i think that is deceptive because of the weight of the motor and batteries.
If I replace the motor and cool it this time is it likely to burn out again because of the boat shape etc.
any help and advice much appreciated as I'd like to get them back on the water soo after this dissapointment (2nd place is not 1st!)
thanks in advance
#2
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RE: RC boat didn't last the course... why?
Hmm, too hot can mean a few things. Two things come to mind especially in a beginner type setting.
Too many amps and not enough cooling.
Too many amps: Make sure you aren't over driving the motor, too much batteries (too high a voltage) and that you aren't running to big a prop (try a smaller prop). These could be problems for you, but below seems more likely.
Not enough cooling: From your picture, it seems like you have NO cooling on either your MOTOR or your ESC There maybe a thermal protection unit that maybe shutting your ESC down. A motor like you have doesn't have any protection as it will keep running until it melts or breaks itself. And your symptoms seem to point to an ESC overheating then shutting down and then repeating that cycle.
I would try adding cooling to your ESC first, either water or air cooled. Can you just open a little hole on the top, side or back? How hard to bend and run some aluminum or brass tubes with a water pick up to cool down your esc?
Maybe the easiest thing is to try a smaller prop if you have one. I think you will continue to have these problems until your ESC sees some cooling down.
Good luck!
Rafael
Too many amps and not enough cooling.
Too many amps: Make sure you aren't over driving the motor, too much batteries (too high a voltage) and that you aren't running to big a prop (try a smaller prop). These could be problems for you, but below seems more likely.
Not enough cooling: From your picture, it seems like you have NO cooling on either your MOTOR or your ESC There maybe a thermal protection unit that maybe shutting your ESC down. A motor like you have doesn't have any protection as it will keep running until it melts or breaks itself. And your symptoms seem to point to an ESC overheating then shutting down and then repeating that cycle.
I would try adding cooling to your ESC first, either water or air cooled. Can you just open a little hole on the top, side or back? How hard to bend and run some aluminum or brass tubes with a water pick up to cool down your esc?
Maybe the easiest thing is to try a smaller prop if you have one. I think you will continue to have these problems until your ESC sees some cooling down.
Good luck!
Rafael
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RE: RC boat didn't last the course... why?
Thanks for the input.
The boat ran initially very well then got hot and now cuts out very quickly. I think the motor is damaged due to overheating. The esc has auto overload protection and I think this is cutting in as the motor draws too much current. I put a very small prop on it today and it ran for a lot longer ( a few minutes only) then cut out again. Iam adding cooling and a new motor to run with the smaller prop and will see what happens.
These are the basics of this hobby so Ido appreciate your critique.
The kids will be desiging a new boat to race for next year with lessons learned !
cheers
The boat ran initially very well then got hot and now cuts out very quickly. I think the motor is damaged due to overheating. The esc has auto overload protection and I think this is cutting in as the motor draws too much current. I put a very small prop on it today and it ran for a lot longer ( a few minutes only) then cut out again. Iam adding cooling and a new motor to run with the smaller prop and will see what happens.
These are the basics of this hobby so Ido appreciate your critique.
The kids will be desiging a new boat to race for next year with lessons learned !
cheers
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RE: RC boat didn't last the course... why?
Answer; get rid of the Tamiya white plastic connectors and the tin bullet connectors-male and female is the problem. Those items are a fire hazard.
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RE: RC boat didn't last the course... why?
My boat got hot . melted connections it would do the same thing , mess with connections , check for resistance with multi meter, or just jiggle them while running the motor.
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RE: RC boat didn't last the course... why?
that brushed motor needs cleaning after awhile too its possible the brush dust may be interfering with it too ? doubtful but its a possibility