Engel Lafayette
 

Thinking of getting a engel Lafayette. I have heard its easy to build is this true? Dose any one have the plans or directions so i can take a look at them. Dose any one in the us carry them?

Which kit would be best?

http://www.engel-modellbau.eu/catalo...roducts_id=434

http://www.engel-modellbau.eu/catalo...oducts_id=2199

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Too bad you weren't closer? I have one for sale completed but it is too heavy to ship that far.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

XXL,

Yes, the Lafayette is the "beginners build" of Engel subs. I had one, loved it, and in a moment of stupidity sold it. Wish I had it back now. It is not difficult to build but it is not something you can shake the box of parts and it appears. My advice would be study the instructions, the CD that comes with it and build it according to Engels instructions. I did and mine performed flawlessly. I never had one minutes worth of trouble with it. I also have one of his Master Series Typhoons and a Gato. Very impressive but not for beginners. You can't go wrong with Engel. My advice would be to order online. Engel is very quick to ship and usually they appear on your doorstep within a week or so.

regards,
Pete Olson

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

You may want to look at the new 212 kit. It builds very fast and is complete down to the decals. It is very fast in the water and turns on a dime.
Frank

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Have you seen it i expect engel did not skimp on anything right

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Hi Guys, I need a bit of help. Just bought of some one Engel Lafayette, no radio,but receiver only, the motor shaft seems a bit stiff when turning by hand,don't think it is normal,I can't check it under power until I find 75mgh, futaba or jr I would like to open the aft, compartment to check the motor,but can't figure out how.Does any one have the building instructions,would greatly appreciate and don't mind to pay. Thanks.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

I would just remove one motor wire ,then set up another esc and radio to control that motor and the other for comparison.

Then you can diagnose right down to the component.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Thanks for replying, this morning I actually disconnected the motor wiring and tried 12v directly to the motor,it will not turn.A million dollar question now,is how to get to the motor,it seems as a sealed compartment and the only way to get to the motor is to cut the body along the length. Hope I'm wrong and there is another way to replace the motor.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Wow thats a bumer that a kit that cost so much is not desiged that well in that one of the most important components,the one that is used the most, is super critical in operation and keeping one from having to go swiming for it lul,is so hard to just bloddy change.
I would see if there was any other way to get to it but if you have to cut open the hul then so be it its done on the full scale subs since its a bit tugh to sqeeze a reactor by the hatch.

It should come out realy nice though , added weld lines never hurt:D.

I noticed that problem in my Gato also and right away decieded way before I ordered the sub that I had to redesigne the internals to my standards that as a hole the the entire internal casing must come out  so that the above would never occure.Its only common sence to be able to gain acsses to the motors and any other impotant part of the sub if not it becomes an expensive papper wieght and a pain to just replace the motor.
Fotunatly the Gatos full open hull is a breeze to modify, anything can be installed in her but with other closed hulls a difernt aproach though similar outcome must be made to make it simple to service this great sub. 
I would if I where you would be to gut out the sub and make an Aquacasing for her,i know that is alot of work but in the end its worth it.  </p>

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Thank you for the input AQUASUB, I guess there is no easy way to do it,good idea about welding lines.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Before you go ripping into anything go to the Engel website and download the instructions. Here is the link:

http://www.engel-modellbau.eu/catalo...oads.php?kat=2

Hope this helps.

Dan

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Much appreciated Dan.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Its easy to remove the the motor. First you need to undo the 4 allenhead bolts that hold the rear tech rack to the rear bulk head. Then you need a hex head driver to reach into the rear hull half to undo the 4 bolts that hold the aluminium motor mount to the rear bulkhead (you'll need to the detach the propeller first). That it.
This is assuming the original builder didn't both anything up. BTW the Engel system is way better than than any aqua casing...

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Wow, a million thanks,now I see why I should of waited another 3 hours,would spare me from cutting the tail section open,but,better late then never,discovered that the shaft seal got old and hard and was letting some water in,probably the cause of motor problem,one of the motor mounting screws was corroded, going to order replacement from Engel. Mean while I'm still hunting for the radio,the receiver in the sub. is:quantum 6ch. futaba stile, 75mhz. Some one offered me futaba am on 75mhz, is it ok? or I should stick to FM? Thanks again for your help Taxidriver.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

If I had to go threw what this poor fella is going threw to just replace a motor or a simple driveline part I would not be in this hobby,no matter how he does it, it is not going to be as easy as what I have been building for years easy acsses is the name of the game and I do not need to order to Germany to get spares just the local hardware store .BTW if those facny locking rings should start to leak they to must be replaced at mucho bucks and they will,metel to metal equals...... Mine there is no wear that can harm anything,the parts are avilable at any RV store here in this little town there are 5 sources! 22.00$ bucks and you are ready to go.
In my Gato I have totaly eliminated the Engel casing and in so doing the sub will come in at around 30lbs lighter with FULL acsses to all components in a clear depth tested to 35 feet casing of shear engineering beuty,thats right it is a sewer tube that realy holds up!
So one has the choice of continueing with a designe that is good but not in many aspects or one that is more userfreindly and cheaper.Taxidricer have you seen the Aquacasing up close in person?You would be impresed with all of the things it can do.
For the cost of what it would take to replace the rings an entire Aquacasing couldbe had with extra left over and the old rings can stay where they are!
Noted from experiance.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Definately stick with FM. May as well get a full set with receiver. if you want a basic 4 channel set then this looks good value http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCJG8**&P=0
That Simmering seal does not like being run dry - gets hot rubber melts and fouls up. Lubricate with greeze or better still run it when its in water.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Good advice,will certainly do. Jack

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Or if you want to stick with Futaba http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXEFJ4**&P=0

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Yes those rubber seals fail at the wrong time ,I have never had to replace a shaft brass oilite bushing yet in any stuffing box I have made.If its lasting so long it must be good and have never changed the desine no need to and at 3 to 8 cents a bushing its a great investment.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

I actually have this radio,but in 72 mhz.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Brass olite bushings are not water tight seals. You are using packing grease as a water the seal at the bushing to stop the greese from leaking. You will have higher wear on your shaft, much more friction and probably leak (unless you are using heavy greese - much more friction) under pressure of a piston tank. Simmerings are proper, self compressing oil seals, that will respond proportionately to increasing pressure. You find them in all sort of machinary for a good reason.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Last night I ordered replacement simmerings and motor from Engel, hope it will arrive fast, still don't know if piston system working properly,will find out once I have the radio. Thanks guys.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

I like bushing system as well, but until now used it exclusively on my surface boats and you right ,never had a problem.Thanks.

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Brass oilite bushings are the best most reliable marine shaft seal out there at the best price period .I have a Neptune Sb-1 which leaked from the simital main seal not long after its first run,I replaced it with my own modified stuffing box,now I have zero leaks and go even deeper than the maker suggests,cost 2 bucks!
The secret to making the best stuffing box is is the choice of the right materials,a stainless steel centerless shaft which is a instrument grade shaft,and the right size bushings and regular grfite grease or marine grease.
If one thinks that alot of friction is present than he is flying Airplanes or Helicopters where power loss is a factor,in Subs this sizethat is a minimal consideration since the props are usually geared down ,unfortunatly the Lafayette is not ,in other words the amount of power loss is so minimal in ageared down drive that it makes no dent in the run time.
If the Lafayette had at least a 3 to one reduction gearbox the runtime would be much longer and even the motor would run cooler.

If I where you check to see if there is a bushing in the motor mount's shaft right behind the simitars seals seat area if there is none than the seal will only fail again and again no mater how much grease is used becuse these seals must have a support bushing to prevent shaft woble and rubber seals do not make good shaft supports.
They are designed to have it bushed that way in Automotive applications and Marine though not comon and I can see why not very reliable.
Sometimes the oldest simplest way just works the best and why redisigne it if it works.
BTW I never had to add grease to any of my stuffing boxes and they number in 30s.
Also I can personaly garranty that if made correctly the shaft will not leak,can Engel do that?

Dave Amur Sub Yard

RE: Engel Lafayette
 

Ah, what a fine article Dave, and the pictures better then a thousand words, I can see that you are a fine modeller, I'm new to subs. till now did Tamiya tanks and trucks in 1/14 and 1/16 scale,plus scale r.c. boats and have a lot to learn about subs,the purchase of Lafayette was spontaneous trade and I had no idea what am I getting into,although I did build a Robbe U47,but never fitted R.C. inside.For now will have wait for the replacement parts from Engel.