RE: NEW to FE? BUILDING a boat? What's a LiPo? Look Here FIRST!!
Drive Hardware Setup
There are two types of outdrives that are commonly found on RC boats. These include the Stinger outdrive and strut drive. Stinger drives are usually only found on mono hulls. They house the prop shaft completely from the transom to nearly the prop. This provides a unique appearance to the hull.
A strut setups is more commonly found on all hull types. This holds the prop shaft usually a set distance away from the transom.
The drive dog is used on the prop shaft to transfer power from the prop shaft to the prop. There are different sizes for each shaft size. Select the one that works best. The distance between the drive dog and strut/stinger should be the thickness of the cable. If you are using a .187” size flex shaft keep the distance between the drive dog and strut/stinger to .187” or 3/16”
Flex cables shorten when under load. This set distance will allow the flex cable to shorten and not wreck havoc on the motor, strut or create extra drag from binding. Keep in mind this will never be seen on the bench, it only occurs when the boat is running in the water.
Flex Coupler. This component couples the flex shaft to the motor shaft to transfer the power. Also known as Flex Hex. It is wise to place a thing coating of solder on to the flex shaft in the area the flex coupler will hold it. This maintains a nice snug grip while not separating the winds from the flex shaft.
Stuffing Tube.
The stuffing tube supports the flex cable shaft. It provides the shape the shaft will follow. It should be placed as close to the motor as possible and usually goes right inside the strut or stinger. The stuffing tube in some cases house a Teflon tube which also is used to support the flex cable.
The stuffing tube can be made out of K&S tubing with sizes as follows:
Stuffing tube Size when used with Teflon tubing.:
3/16" tube for Octura .098 Teflon tubing.
7/32" tube for Octura .130 Teflon tubing.
1/4" tube for Octura .150 Teflon tubing.
9/32 tube for Octura .187 Teflon tubing.
11/32 tube for Octura .250 Teflon tubing.
Stuffing tube sizes when used with out Teflon tubing:
5/32" tube for Octura .098 Flex Cable.
3/16" tube for Octura .130 Flex Cable.
7/32" tube for Octura .150 Flex Cable.
7/32" tube for Octura .187 Flex Cable.