JIngalls007

I've decided to purchase an Aeromarine Mean Machine, it's been about a year since I was last on these forums (or even boating for that matter) and i'm sure alot has changed. I want to do this build right but I am out of the loop on Batteries, ESC's (i've got a Cuda .125 I can use), motor suggestions, harwdware and where to buy it..etc etc? Much appreciated.

SV27dayton

What do you want this boat to do?

JIngalls007

I'm not going to be doing any racing but I would like a decent run time with good speed. I've seen other sites and utube videos where poeple get these little boats running pretty fast. It would be nice to have a lot of speed and a long run time but i've blown ESC's and burnt up pricey lipo's and i don't want to go through that again. thx

Ron Olson

My Feedback: (1)

Make sure that you get one with a light lay-up as Aeromarine themselves will build one for you just for electric power. Fun R/C Boats also sells them as the hull only or RTR.

SV27dayton

There's a guy that comes around here some times, (Jamie), not as often as in the past but he built an BL MM from an old gaser, so I imagine it was the heavier hull. Thing moved out! I'll see if I can find the vid but he goes by Orange cruch (name of his first SV). But I'm pretty sure that the power is idetified in the vid. It would be a good place to start. He may be able to talk reliability with you now as the boat probably has some hours on it. Last I heard it was still running well.

Found it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGVdNT76M0w

ryan_t888

What is your budget?
Speed and runtime is a give or take relationship. Which do you prefer? What speed (mph) would you hope for?

Ryan

JIngalls007

I would like to stay in the 45-50 mph range if possible w/out blowing it up. My SV would do high 30's and it wasn't stable enough to make a turn at that point so I want stability at higher speeds as well (why I chose the catr vs. the V). My budget will be within the $400 range w/out the HULL. I'm really looking for a list of items (quality brands) that i can build it up with, batteries (lipo or NiMH), what turn Faeigo, I've got the esc covered, etc. AND where's the cheapest place to purchase those items. Thank you all for your help.

JIngalls007

Thanks Scott, I think Orange Crush used to be on RCU but I heard he was leaving the site(??). I could be wrong so don't quote me on that one..

ryan_t888

Cheapest Proven LiPo's
http://www.rclipos.com/Elite.htm
I'd go with 2 5s packs. Running them in parallel will increase reliability and run time. Running only 1 5s pack would reduce performance and output of cells increasing heat.

A Feigao 9XL will get you over 45mph, but will heat up with the longer run times. A better quality option would be to look at the
http://www.castlecreations.com/produ...rs/nm1500.html
NEU 1512 1.5Y
NEU 1515 2D

The 1515 2D would be over 50mph for sure when properly set up.

Cells - $169 x 2 = 340
Motor - 9XL from OSE - $70
All up cost $410

A NEU 1515 would run you 255 bucks.

Ryan

SV27dayton

I don't think he stops in as often but I've seen him within the past month. Saw him on a different forum recently too. He's still boating. Don't know if he still has the MM, sounded like it was for sale.

ryan_t888

I found this interesting:

I'm looking for info on car audio and ended up running in to a post from jallen355 (orange crush) in a full scale boating audio forum. What are the odds?

The post date was May 14 2008, just a couple days ago so I know he's on the computer as well.

Ryan

SV27dayton

In the other forum his signature mentions that he's restoring a checkmate. That's a full size boat brand, might be what he's looking for audio for. I don't know anything else but I can bet it takes up his time. I think he's a busy body. Hopefully he'll get re addicted to FE and come back. I learned alot from him.

JIngalls007

To keep it a bit cheaper for now, would you receommend that I get some IB's 4200 NiMH (if they still make them that is)? The Neu Motors are pricey but are they worth the extra money? if so how is that going to differ from the Faeigo? Sorry I have so many questions but I've been out of the game for a year and don't want to Blow up another $500.00 boat like last season.. Thanks for your help I appreciate it..

ryan_t888

Feigao motors work great when comparing the price. I'm not going to tell you how to spend your money but IMO NEU motors are worth the cost. Keep in mind, I also race.

NEU motors run cooler, more efficient, outperform and can handle greater loads then Feigao motors. You may be pushing your motor hard to achieve about 50mph. NEU motors stand out most when they are pushed hard and deliver!

I honestly would not recommend using NiMh cells. With the lower priced LiPo's these days you may as well go LiPo and save money in the long run. With the setup you desire you will be drawing the current to pull off the speed. IB 4200's won't last you a year. I would not be surprised if you only get a minute or so of run time. Not due to capacity, but due to heat build up in the cells. A 2P LiPo setup will outperform the NiMh in both speed and longer life span. Maintenance on IB cells are much higher than LiPo's.

If you want to save money do so on the motor not the cells.

The key to not burning up your equipment is to match the right Kv motor to the hull type. Also run the smallest prop recommended for a specific setup. Running a small prop will keep the current down allowing low heat build up.

Number one rule: Always check heat every 45 seconds or so on your motor, ESC, and cells as you run a newly setup hull. It's a big pain in the begining but once you know which prop runs best and for how long your setup can handle that prop, it will pay off rather than getting you to pay out. Did you follow this rule before you blew 500 bucks?

Ryan

Scott: Checkmate was the full scale forum I ran into.

JIngalls007

I overzealously over propped my SV last year which cost me 250.00 in Lipo's, 150.00 ESC, and screwed up my 70.00 faiego motor... and I did check the batts and they ran a little warmer then per the norm but of course looking for more speed I just had to run it till it all blew up.. NEVER again will I do that.. Thanks for your help guys, where should I ge tthe hardware for this little guy?

ryan_t888

OSE

Ryan

SV27dayton

I'd be surprised if you killed everything.

joeysan2

In the Winter 2008 issue of RC Boat Modeler magazine there is an article by Jay Turner where he is comparing NiMHs to LiPos.
His test boat is the Mean Machine.
He states that he is using a Hacker9xl with a MGM16024 ESC (NO idea what that is) and a m545 prop for his base testing.
The article might be worth checking out as it has pretty good pic. of his set up.
Try rcboatmodeler.com. Might be able to find that issue.

BB Modss

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ghw91rfTHaY


8xl
4s2p lipo's
hydra 120
running 47~52mph with x440/3, x640, x642, x642 back cut and pitched up at the tips.

JIngalls007

I was also thinking about getting a NUE motor for this. Which suggestion would you have for the motor?

http://www.castlecreations.com/produ...rs/nm1500.html

NEU 1512 1.5Y ?
NEU 1515 2D ?

JIngalls007

Also, what kind of run times do see with that set up?

SV27dayton

Woha. BB? Where you been? That boat really turns well.

JIngalls007

What Strut do you receommend for this, and would you receommend I get one with a Skeg?

RCFlyer55

My Feedback: (28)

I am building a MM with a Feigao 10XL, Hydra 120(not HV) am thinking about Lipos 4S2P(3800-5000mA) or 12 cell IB3600NiMH It was suggested by Jay(the auther of the article) to go with either m445, x642, m545 or m645. I have no idea the difference between any of them but I plan on getting one balanced and sharpened so at $35. a pop I can only get 1. I'd like to see 40mph or faster without frying the batts, ESC or motor. Which prop should I go with???

jdoug

I would think you'd want the hull to be strong. It seems to me that with all the electronics and battery packs that an electric version would be heavier than a little .21 with some fuel. Maybe not, but I'd still want a strong boat.