rc boat problem
 

hey guys - i left my rc (electric) boat out in the rain and the controller.

i drained the boat and then dried out the controller.

everything works fine up close but it seems the radio distance is gone.

like a 5 foot range!

what can i do to fix this?

thanks!

RE: rc boat problem
 

help!

RE: rc boat problem
 

If the boat was "full" of water, there may still be water in the equipment.
Same with the transmitter, if there were puddles of water sitting on or in it.

Open everything up and "really" dry them out.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153344

RE: rc boat problem
 

umi - you are a godsend - i appreciate it.
i will dismantle and alcohol rub the circuits.
get the rust off too. thanks very much bro........

RE: rc boat problem
 

Even if the water is gone, the residue will still be there and cause problems for you. You need to CLEAN all circuit boards that got wet with alcohol . Scrub them with a brush and wash down with more alcohol until all the residue is gone. Make sure all connectors are clear of moisture espically under/around the crystal. As a final step, after cleaning with alcohol, bake everything as disassembled as possible in the oven at no more than 120 deg for 12 hrs. If all else fails or you are not comfortable doing any of this, send it back to the manufacturer for testing and repair. It usually is not very expensive and gives you a warm and fuzzy that everything is checked out well.

RE: rc boat problem
 

wow skoda! thanks!
i think i can bake it in the hot sun here for a couple hours?
do i have to take boat apart or just remote?
im thinking just remote correct?
you guys know your stuff.

RE: rc boat problem
 

ok i took the controller apart and the boat and cleaned with rubbing alcohol.
i blew with canned air.
the distance is farther - range is now 10 feet.

one thing - where the hell is the crystal? what does it look like?

i wanna get this little sukka goin!

thanks!

RE: rc boat problem
 

Did you take apart the Reciever and the servos in the boat?

Crystals look like small metal cans with two prongs. They have the frequency printed on them, or paper tags listing the frequency.

They look like this
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...al&FVPROFIL=++

Unless this is more of a "toy" boat in which the frequencies are sometimes hard wired into coils.

RE: rc boat problem
 

thanks so much man. yeah i took apart the receiever and boat but not the servos.

it is weird. everything mechanically works right but the distance is reduced.

cleaning all the parts made the distance pick up a little maybe need to dry more?

been two weekes since the water logged incident.

this is more of a toy but it doesn have a crystal like that.

RE: rc boat problem
 

What type of boat is it? If it is something like a Nikko or Radio Shack kind of boat, you won't really see a crystal like one that a regular reciever that is normally used will have. I've used a Mineral Spirits based waterproofer on my sevos and recievers and has brought recievers back from the dead, one that had sat in my basement for 2 weeks.

RE: rc boat problem
 

its a nikko.
i will try again tonight.
thanks guys!

RE: rc boat problem
 

the damn thing is not responding from anything over 10 feet.

i cannot figure this out.

the motor and servos run perfectly when the control is up close to the boat.

what is going on?

thanks guys.

[:@]

RE: rc boat problem
 

I don't know electronics but this can happen to the best radio systems. It must be that when you switched on the wet reciever you fried some components.

RE: rc boat problem
 

Hopefully that is not the case.
The coils, the little square metal cans, on the circuit board may still be holding water. It may take a while to really dry out as they are sealed. [&o]

RE: rc boat problem
 

i thought i may have fried some stuff to but up close that thing runs like a charm.

waddya think i should do?

dry those cans?

i appreciate your help guys.

i really do. if fried - then what?

RE: rc boat problem
 

well then you need to do this in order from 1 to watever number i end on.

1. click on this - www.offshoreelectrics.com

2. click on the main page.

3. click on electric boats

4. click on whatever boat u think looks cool

5. click add to cart

6. type in where you want to ship to, credit card #, etc.

7. wait for your new fast electric that will blow your nikko out of the water

o and make sure you buy batteries and charger from somewhere too:D

RE: rc boat problem
 

I had a similar range problem after submerging my Futaba receiver, turned out a coil was shorted out and severely limited the range, like you described.
Sent it to the manufacturer and got the coil replaced, works fine ever since.

Regards, Jan.

P.S.: I doubt though, if it's worth the trouble with your Nikko boat, inquire about the costs involved before you ship it.

The Offshore tip is good!

RE: rc boat problem
 

When you buy a Nikko, Radio Shack, NKOK or any other low dollar boat and have problems with them, usually you're outta luck. Most aren't worth the time or cost of repairing them so the get tossed. With the low cost boats coming out today like the Zig-Zag Racer and Reef Racer, it's money better spent because you can get parts for them if needed plus for the same cost you'll get a better and faster one.

RE: rc boat problem
 

if you want to dry really hard to reach places, pack those components into an airtight tupperware and throw in a few of those silica gel bags with it. They are dessicants and are designed to absorb moisture.

you might be able to get a few for free if you ask at a camera shop

RE: rc boat problem
 

I had a similar range problem after submerging my Futaba receiver, turned out a coil was shorted out and severely limited the range, like you described.
Sent it to the manufacturer and got the coil replaced, works fine ever since.

Regards, Jan.

P.S.: I doubt though, if it's worth the trouble with your Nikko boat, inquire about the costs involved before you ship it.

The Offshore tip is good!
-


the range is getting better - i took everything apart and rubbed and blew away.
sounds bad but i did it.
if it does not get the full range back - i will send the receiever back!

thanks guys for all your help on this.

you are really good people.

now its off to ireland and scotland! later!