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Old 05-11-2011 | 12:59 AM
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From: gilmer, TX
Default water proof



I'm getting ready to fly my first float plane it's a trainer. I'm wondering do i need to water proof the servo's and receiver if so what should i use.
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Old 05-11-2011 | 03:32 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Receiver is the most important.
Wrap it in a plastic bag.
Old 05-11-2011 | 04:03 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Yep, wrap the Rx in a plastic bag. Not much you can do for the servos, however after you put the wing on, you can put a piece of tape on the seam where the wing meets the fuse. That's where 99% of the water gets in, so a piece of tape can do wonders to keep it out
Old 05-11-2011 | 06:05 AM
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Default RE: water proof

One thing to watch is if you wrap the RX in a plastic bag or similar, if it's sealed tight you may get condensation building up inside the bag. Keep an eye on it and at the end of the flying session, open up the bag to let it air out.
Old 05-11-2011 | 06:41 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Put some pictures of the plane!
How did you sealed the fuselage?
What if it gets soaked?
Old 05-11-2011 | 07:22 AM
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Default RE: water proof

For the receiver, use an UN-lubricated condom. Takes less room and works great. Also a great time to "have that talk" with the kids.
Old 05-11-2011 | 11:21 AM
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Default RE: water proof

You can allso take the RX out of the case and dunk it in Corrosion X pat dry put back in the case, RX is now waterproof for the season. If you do dunk the plane the RX will still work. Just open up the RX at the end of your float fly session and let it dry out, your good to go till the next float fly.
Old 05-11-2011 | 11:37 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Thanks for all the anwsers I'm useing one of those orange 2.4 with a sat.from{hobbyking }do you do the same with it if you use the corrosion X . or would it be better to use the bags beings theres two parts to this type receiver.
Old 05-11-2011 | 02:31 PM
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Default RE: water proof

Cheap ballons around the RX is what I use ...

Scott.
Old 05-11-2011 | 04:57 PM
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Default RE: water proof

Bluebird standard size servos are water tight. I have tested this twice.

First, I dunked my Neptune. The rudder servo was a Hitech and it was full of water. The elevator servo was a Bluebird and it was dry inside.

SEcond, just to really check, I got another Bluebird standard, hooked it up to a 2.4 receiver and battery and dropped it in a glass of water. I moved the transmitter stick for a couple of minutes. The servo was moving around because the arm was touching the side of the glass. After I got tired of wiggling the stick, I turned off the radio and checked the servo. Bone dry. I use Bluebirds in my seaplanes.

Old 05-12-2011 | 04:03 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Another tip: Wad up a paper towel and put it in the aiprplane at the balance point.
Whe you're done flying, toss it. Most of the water will have gone with it.

Most trainers have the round-neck tanks that stick through the firewall. Trainers float on the wing, feet up, nose down. If (when) the plane flips, water will come in through that opening or through the fuel line holes..

You can kill yourself trying to make a plane watertight. Wet happens. Slow-Stiks fly from water just fine with everything exposed.
Dry everything when you are finished, and put corrosionX on your receiver, speed control (electrics) and the connectors.
Old 05-12-2011 | 04:33 PM
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Default RE: water proof

ORIGINAL: Chip_Mull

For the receiver, use an UN-lubricated condom. Takes less room and works great. Also a great time to ''have that talk'' with the kids.

I try to not have that talk unless it's my evil spawns. However I have that same adult humor, read my tail numbers carefully.



If anyone questions it, I'll just say that the NE stands for Neptune, and the numbers represent the production number.

My wife says I'm a dirty little runt. LOL

Pete
Old 05-12-2011 | 07:58 PM
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Default RE: water proof

I used to use baggies and all the other tricks and the water still got in if I dunked a plane. Then I discovered Corrosion-X. Now, like Crash-RCU, I just open the case of my RX and all the servos, dunk them in the Corrosion-X and hang them up for a while to let the excess drip out. That's it. The RX and servos will still work even if completely under water. The stuff is just great.
Old 05-13-2011 | 04:10 AM
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Default RE: water proof

OK you have convince me were do you get this corrosion -X. also i know this is not a water question but were do to put the weight when you balancing . on the plane or on the floats this plane is real tail heavy I think most of the weight is in the floats also i'm going to fly this plane only off water.
Old 05-13-2011 | 04:31 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Ideally, you want to balance the plane with wheels (adding weight to the plane). Then you add floats and re-balance by adding weight to the floats. This way, any time you switch, the plane will be balanced.

In your case, I would still add the weight to the floats since it will take lees weight because you can add it so far forward. Usually a few stick-on weights added to the front of each float works (If it takes 4oz, add 2oz to each float)
Old 05-13-2011 | 04:37 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Here's a few pictures of my float plane.
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Old 05-13-2011 | 05:48 AM
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Default RE: water proof

It looks like you have an incidence problem. The plane seems to be pointing nose down.

With the top of the floats level, the wing should sit with about 2 degrees of positive incidence.
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Old 05-13-2011 | 07:22 AM
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Default RE: water proof

That first pic looks like the floats are too far back, or is it just the angle of the picture. Your step on the floats should be about 1/2" back from the CG of the plane. The tips of the floats should be around 2" past your prop. If your floats are back to far that is why you are so tail heavy. You can get the 6 oz spray can of CX thru True Vallue Hardware stores for $9.95, my local store had to order it for me as they did not even know what it was. It is listed in there store order book under lubes and oil, I had to call CX to get TVs part #. You then need to empty the spray can into a jar. I just put a lillte hole in the lid to put the spray straw into then plug the hole when the can was empty. I have been using the same jars worth for 3 years now so it will last a long time.
Old 05-13-2011 | 08:24 AM
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Default RE: water proof

I buy Corrosion-X at True Value Hardware. It can also be ordered directly at http://www.corrosionx.com/corrosionx.html . I use their product in the red container.
Old 05-14-2011 | 03:07 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Well I went to www.gettingairborne.com and looked and read about float plane setups although i did install the floats just as great plane instruction said to they were mounted wrong they were to for back and {over 4inch Behan the cg} and the wing was not level with the floats and many other problems i desided to take the flosts off and not use this plane as a float plane. but i want to thank everone the tryed to help me thanks.
Old 05-14-2011 | 03:17 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Luker!

Don't quit now, you're almost there!

Everybody makes mistakes rigging his first floatplane. 

I have a website to help you. It's also a sticky here.  www.smilesandwags.com/floats.html


Old 05-14-2011 | 08:24 AM
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Default RE: water proof

Hey Luker, I agree with Jim, that plane looks like it should be an exellent float plane, high wing with a good amount of wing area, everything you want in a float plane.

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