Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
a bit of progress today
I went to the local hard ware store and got a dremmel copy, very happy
So I got rid of all the little bits inside the boat, and cleaned it up
Then I made a new transom from some 3mm ply, which I fibre glassed into the boat to make it a bit stiffer and to have somewhere stronger to mount the gear
Pictures attached, it's all curing right now
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
a bit of an update...
Transom is finished, rear holes blocked and sanded.
The cast holes are filled out
I've made a piece of ply fit as a floor, to stiffen the boat on the length. It will be glued in place
I also painted the bottom outside of the hull, and it came up sweet
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
I'm running Turnigy Nano-techs only now, I've got one zippy at 45C...
Never lower, learned that quickly from my jet boat
I've been looking around for a few more props...
might get some when I've actually built the boat
I'm sure the bigger prop will get the boat up to enough speed to show some potential
performance will come with tuning I hope
Mike, why would you want the batteries hand warm?
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
hey guys
I made a servo and Rx box on one side of the hull.
I made a servo and Rx box on one side of the hull.
I don't really like the balloon setup, I can't seem to get the servo to sit 100% still when it has a balloon wrapped around it, so I made this, it'll be water proof... as much as a baloon or glued up glove anyways
...and how is this for close on the weight, ESC weighs in at 105g and the servo, Rx and the wooden box is 103g I'll do a final calibration once in the water, but that's very close
...and how is this for close on the weight, ESC weighs in at 105g and the servo, Rx and the wooden box is 103g I'll do a final calibration once in the water, but that's very close
a few pics of the progress so far... I think I'll be waiting on hardware, it should all arrive this week, hopefully
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
used wet and dry sand paper to clean up the bottom of the boat, then it got another coat of paint
Inside got painted black, then white specks around, like a real boat
The outside of the hull will be silver grey, I'm going to go get the paint this afternoon
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
another little update...
I've finished the bottom of the boat, it's been sanded with wet and dry and is as smooth as a baby's bum
Now I've started painting the rest of the hull, the silver paint is coming out great!! First few coats are on, and I'm letting it dry in the sun as I type
I will probably hit it with a few more coats before leaving it over night to cure
Tomorrow I'll wet and dry sand it all, some red accents, then a few coats of clear, and it should be good to have it's radio gear installed
I'm still waiting on the motor, but expect it here this week. It's the same for all the other bits, they should all start arriving in the next few days, so gotta get the boat ready
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
OK, postman arrived with some presents
I've finished off the paint, except the red accents... I'll do that later... as I stuffed up the hatch a little bit anyway, and I'd like to redo it...
getting the rudder and stinger on wasn't too hard, I'm glad I bought the stinger and flex stuff from the same page... mixing and matching seems like it couldeasilyturn into a headache...
enjoy a few more pics... I'm waiting on more stuff to arrive
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
hey guys,
I'm soon getting ready to put all the hard ware into the boat... just wanting it to cure for another day before starting the butchering...
So I got a few questions
1) How do you get the stuffing tube into the brass tube? It seems SUPER fiddly, and they two are pretty much identical in size...
2) What way of mounting the brass tube? Epoxy at the transom I'm guessing, but is there a support needed at the motor end?
3) I've been trying to keep the boat pretty centered weight wise, motor mounts:
I imagine them just forward of where the ESC/ Servo box ends, does that seem like a good idea?Or should I attempt to get the motor as far back as possible, so I can slide my battery back and forth for COG?
Cheers in advance for the help
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
OK, I've gotten answers to most of the questions I had, mega thanks to everyone for their input
1) How to get the liner inside the brass tube:
RC Boat Bitz: Use a heat gun, get the brass a little warm (not hot hot) and it should slide in much much easier.
2) How should the brass tube be mounted correctly?
"someone" (on OSE): Epoxy for anchoring stuffing tube at transom and stuffing tube extends into stringer x-amount.
3) Where should I mount my motor?
"someone" (on OSE): If 1 lipo like 5000maH is used, place motor m/mount about 4" from transom. Also 5000 lipo in front of motor to see if it balances and see how much room you have between lipo and motor for CG movement.If 2 lipos are used , place m/mount at balance point. Stuffing tube support is required after having been epoxied in and m/mount is in place. Then a lipo on each side of motor for adjustment.
I'm hoping the motor will arrive soon, I'm going to have a look on the tracking site
cheers for now
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
wooohoo, I've picked up the motor and remaining bits Can't wait to get this thing skimming along the water... hope I might be able to make it this weekend... possibly
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
well... motor is in, stinger is on, rudder is mounted, servo is in place... All dry now (as I did it last night)
So I pulled out my trusty Turnigy Aquastar 120 amp, soldered the 5mm plugs on, hooked it all up and poooof, bloody ESC died....
I only have one ESC left, a little cheap 70amp one, which I was going to use with my new jet sprint boat... hmmmm
How long does your ESC last? Mine was bought15/07/2012... It should last longer than 5-6 months hey???
I seem to go through them like they were beers in my fridge on a Saturday evening... that reminds me, need to refill that too LOL
Thanks for your input,
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
ran the boat this afternoon!! my oh my!! It's fast, but not scary fast... I still have a bit of trimming to do, CG is a bit out and the stinger is a bit too negative... I've also got to balance the prop
I ran it using two 2200 mah batteries at the front, only one connected... and it still skips around LOL
I found a small leak by the stuffing tube/transom which I'll sort out before running it again
The 120amp Turnigy ESC was dead, so the maiden voyage was done with a Birdie "Cheap Cheap" 70amp Water Cooled ESC... It got a little hot, but not very hot by any means... I'm quite impressed actually, but miss the instant kick from the Aquastar (comp spec I believe)
anyways, the video is attached, apologies for not having the boat in focus all the time, I did the running and video myself...
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
thanks mate
How did the boat go with 2 motors? Did you get it in the water yet?
I'm thinking of using my props/shafts from the original boat in a twin-motored hydrofoil, should be fun
I've found a few little things to fix up before taking it out next time and I'm waiting on a prop balancer, although my prop seems very smooth in operation...
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
So I managed to get a quiet morning = having done all the trim I was thinking of (minus prop balance)...
I took it out again, and it's a completely different beast!! It rides more stable and way faster, in fact, it handles max throttle very well...
The 70amp ESC is holding up quite well, 6 batteries run through the boat so far, no problems It doesn't even get that hot, I can put my finger on it no worries...
So, if the ESC runs fairly cool, the motor cool, and I'm getting a 120amp ESC replaced, should I go bigger prop for more speed?
It was previously suggested that I should go to a smaller prop than what I have on it currently... Suggestion was a 33mm @ 1.6p, I'm currently running a 37mm @1.4p (which has about the same pitch distance per revolution, ~1mm in favour of the smaller prop actually)
I'm not sure what prop to move to next, advice would be appreciated
I made a little stand to put on my Tx while running my boats, so that I can film them easier I took about 15mins of film today, so I'll edit that a little first, and then post it up I'm very happy with the stand, I'll take a photo as well, although this was just a prototype
cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
video from the weekend, after I trimmed the stinger up to about neutral angle... so much better
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Xbekbq-7w
I am away on training in Brisbane this week, took the boat down to Brekky creek and ran a battery through it
STICKS!!! bloody sticks and leaves! smashed the rudder up a few times, I'm sure the boat nose dived on a couple of impacts... All good though, coz the rudder just flips up a bit...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60Xbekbq-7w
I am away on training in Brisbane this week, took the boat down to Brekky creek and ran a battery through it
STICKS!!! bloody sticks and leaves! smashed the rudder up a few times, I'm sure the boat nose dived on a couple of impacts... All good though, coz the rudder just flips up a bit...
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
well, I read this article, that you should regrease the flex shaft after every day (or after 3 sessions if you do many a day)...
It seems a bit excessive, but I thought to myself, I've not even had a look after running 8 or 9 packs through it, I'd better check...
Grease was still in there (using a marine auto grease) Everything came apart easy enough and it's been properly cleaned off.
According to the experienced people, I should just leave it disassembled until next use... So probably assemble it this evening then LMAO
Boats are soooo adictive!!
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
a wire came loose inside my servo yesterday... That gave me the opportunity to take it all apart, re-grease it with marine grease and apply some silicone for extra water proofing all sitting drying at home right now
I also applied a bit of silicone inside my servo/ Rx box, as it kept getting water inside it... so I assume there is a tiny hole between paint and glue...somewhere... Hopefully that'll sort the leak
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
Just got back from running my B. Musculus. Who would think that on Dec. 1 in Ohio we'd be running boats. Modified my little boat with HK rudder and 30 amp brushed esc to which I added a water cooling plate. Control by $16 HK 2 channel. Boat is a hoot - with original motors and props I get just over 20 MPH. Not real fast, but turns on a dime and I have less than $45 in entire setup.
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
That's awesome mate sounds like a cold run for the boat... Hit much ice?
show some pics of your setup, very interested in what other people have done
I ran mine this morning, but its 28 degrees here 37 on Tuesday apparently... I'm getting a larger prop, as the boat just screams for more speed...alternatively, I'm going 4S
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
Hey guys,
That cheap 70 amp ESC gave up life the other day... it nearly took my boat with it!!
That cheap 70 amp ESC gave up life the other day... it nearly took my boat with it!!
I've ordered the above, based on some kind guidance from one of the local boat racers here on the Sunshine Coast
Attached are a few pics of the mishap... lucky I was able to grab the boat and pull the offending ESC out in time... pretty close call I reckon...
I seem to go through quite a few ESCs... this is the 4th ESC I've burnt in a year probably... Not to mention the 3 doa ESCs I've received over the past year too... Anyone else have these dramas? I'm getting sick of soldering new plugs on
do you guys do anything to the ESCs? Mine is just sitting glued to the side of the hull, up where it's dryer... Otherwise I put it on a little platform, again out of the bit of water you might get into the hull...
Cheers
Martin
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RE: Brushless Balaenoptera Musculus
YES!! Tracking on my new gear suggests it will arrive today or tomorrow However following up on all the ESCs I have to send back seems to be a slow painful exersice... I hope this 180amp ESC is near bullet proof and that I can get some better lifetime out of it...
I can't wait to get the boat back in the water!! So addictive these things
I can't wait to get the boat back in the water!! So addictive these things
Also, I'm heading up to a tropical island for the Christmas break, so I'm hoping to get some insane footage