Brushless in Boat?

Post by **mrlexan** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:54 am

I need to precurse this question with the fact that most of you know that I don't run but one car that I own. So, I am a total nob when it comes to anything to do with the new running gear.

Since we have moved back to the lake, I really want to build up my electric Graupner Systems cat I have had since I was 15 or so. Can I put a Brushless system in a boat? There are two different drive set ups, one with dual motors and one with a single motor. Can I use two? Or it is not worth the trouble? If I use two, how would I set it up.... batteries, ESC, etc? Heck, what radio should I run. I don't need the top-o-the-line stuff, just need some reliable equipment.

Thanks in advance.

Jay

Post by **RC10Eh** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:37 am

My two cents......Hi Jay, I have been running fast electrics for a while now, and currently building up a Graupner Eco , Love the Systems Cat, I opted for the Cobra BITD. I would set the boat up with a single drive , save the weight , Two motors don't mean twice the speed. To be honest with you, I still run all my old electronic equipment in my boats including Novak and Futaba Magnum JR, Have fun with it and post some pics once your done. PM me if you need any parts .

Post by **mrlexan** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 10:45 am

RC10Eh wrote:Two motors don't mean twice the speed.

I know, but I've got the 606 kit..... bought back then, cause I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I know Hobby Lobby still sells the single drive system, the 605 or something like that.

I just want to get away from NiCaD for some run time (I think).

Thanks for the info.

Post by **klavy69** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 11:40 am

2 BL motor setups makes for a really cool machine. Last year or so before hobbytown went outta business they had a twin vxl E-maxx setup they were installing into a boat. Lipo 4500 mah batteries were supposed to make for some decent run times but I never seen it run so can't attest to that.
I do know that my little WaveRocket was amazing with a vxl in it. Tried a lipo 12k mah maxamps battery and it went on forever(til I actually got bored) and a 4000mah elcheapo lipo was just enuf to make it jump out of the water. The waverocket is a single motor boat that was given to me as extra parts in an auction so I wasn't out anything if it didn't handle the power. Took the vxl out before I got 3cell lipos though so I'm kinda curious enuf to put it back in again. Either way, post up some info for us once you get it figured out. Really like seeing out of the norm once in awhile

.
Todd

Post by **murphy3428** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 1:53 pm

to answer your question on dual brushless motors inline through single drive won't work you will burn out the motors unless you run two completly different drives with to speed controls linked together with your radio, you will also need to run a left and right prop. As far as power goes running a single is plenty for that hull, the model you have will only handle about 30 to 35 mph before it becomes a sea plane a good set up for that would be a 9 or 10 540xl on twin 2s packs with a castle 120 speed control hitec radio system is good, if it were me I would go with the 10xl you will get a longer run time with the 10 turn, the only other problem with that boat is that it is a shaft drive and not a flex drive make sure to keep an eye on bearings and knuckles they will ware fast. If you have any questions feel free to ask , I have been building and running fast electic boats for 20 years

Post by **murphy3428** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 2:00 pm

Here is a good place to start, you will find everything you need here and there is a section for boat set ups http://www.finedesignrc.com/

Post by **badhoopty** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:21 pm

lipos are soooo 2008, Life's are the bomb...

http://www.maxamps.com/categories.php?cat=223

Post by **murphy3428** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 3:32 pm

badhoopty wrote:lipos are soooo 2008, Life's are the bomb...

http://www.maxamps.com/categories.php?cat=223

I would not recommend using the maxamp lipo's in a boat they can't handle the loads with the boats you need to spend the extra cash on the better quality batteries like thunder power I tried the
max amp batteries once and that is all it took to blow them up it is much more cost effective to buy good quality batteries the first time around

Post by **mrlexan** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:12 pm

I've got two of these kits NIB, I might go the classic route for old time sake, then the new way for a quick runner.

Post by **RC10Eh** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:21 pm

cool choice

Post by **murphy3428** » Sun Jul 05, 2009 4:33 pm

mrlexan wrote:I've got two of these kits NIB, I might go the classic route for old time sake, then the new way for a quick runner.

that is probably the best choice with that hull a brushless system in that hull is over kill and the hull does not warrant the cost, you could make one into a twin screw with twin graunper bl motors that would be pretty cool

Post by **Kcal** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 2:33 pm

Some of this has been covered but you can not run two brushless motors without two seperate speed controls or one will constantly get lost or out of timing. A single motor would be easiest as was proposed and if you have any issues with the factory drive switch to a surface drive (maybe 30-40$ and add a rudder) this will allow the prop(s) to unload as only half of the prop is in the water at any given time. Water cooling of motors and speed control would be mandatory. The hull is limited in the power it can handle and a single brushless will put you way past that limit, twins would only worsen the problem. Now with all the negatives out of the way it would be prudent to build up your stocker first with regular brushed motors if you have a selection have at it and see what you like best also add water-cooling from the start for your esc and motors and also a metal prop sharpened and balanced that will give you something to explore and from there if your so inclined you can modify her till your hearts content.

I have always wanted that tunnel hull since I saw the 1/1 boat in a ACR Systems Cat livery in St Armbands Circle in Sarasota FL for the sun coast off shore grand prix, they just ran this weekend always around the fourth awesome sights and sounds. I ended up with a MRP Fountain mono hull cut and modded to twin motors twin drives to look more scale like fun big boat but back in the 90's brushless wasn't around so never as fast as I'd like. FWIW my .02$.

Post by **mrlexan** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 6:48 pm

Kcal wrote:I have always wanted that tunnel hull since I saw the 1/1 boat in a ACR Systems Cat livery in St Armbands Circle in Sarasota FL for the sun coast off shore grand prix, they just ran this weekend always around the fourth awesome sights and sounds.

It was cool, wasn't it? I ended up being friends through another friend with Sean Lanier, son of Randy Lanier, Bob Kaiser's throttle man, back in my community college days. I lived in the Cocoa Beach area and there were based out of Ft. Lauderdale. I did get to go to the shop one day as I went down that way quite often......... talk about cool stuff! The boat was there (obviously). I really wanted a ride, but walked away with a poster..... still have it too. Sean talked about giving me a ride, but it never materialized. About a year or so later, there was a race at Cape Canaveral. They came up and raced the Budweiser entry.... thought I was going to get a ride then, but

I got to hang out with them and got some swag. It was still cool. The friend that introduced me to him, still races as far as I know. Although it's been a few years since I talked to him.

That's way I have always held onto the boat, I tried to explain it to the wife, but she didn't get it. I'll get her running.

Post by **aconsola** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:03 pm

I guess your poor dogs can't even swim in peace now!

Post by **Kcal** » Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:09 pm

The Popeyes was the boat to beat back in the day four engines and surface drives she was "it" but something about the lines on that riveted aluminum cat boat left an indelible mark on me I looked over every inch of that hull I have seen many boats since but always remember that one perhaps almost a hybrid between a boat and a WWII fighter I don't know. I am not 100% sure how or why but she came back a few years later again in different livery (after a DEA sale IIR)

It would be for some real good action pics but if you feel unwilling or unable ill sharpen and balance a prop for you, please keep it two bladed or let me know the size as I may have one prepared when you get to that point.

And I don't mean to hijack your thread but a couple pics to inspire your build the ruler is 12".