Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: U-33 on February 06, 2015, 11:20:12 am
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I've got myself a f/glass springer hull coming, just for a bit of fun sailing down the local lake...it'll have a Motorflote lookalike superstructure fitted, made from styrene, now I need to think about fitting it out.
What motor would be best? I have an Action 550, a Graupner 400, and a couple of MFA 385's to choose from.
Battery..I have a 12v 7a/h gel cell, a 6v 4a/h gel cell, and several 7.2v nimh packs of various capacities to choose from.
Esc..Mtroniks Vipers in 15 and 20amp sizes.
Props...any recommendations?
Radio gear will be Planet 2.4gHz.
Your advice would be much appreciated, chaps...
Rich
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Hi Rich I would go for the 550 on 6 or 7.2 also are fitting a kortz nozzle guys in our club have them fitted great steering regards Bill..
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Morning....no, afternoon Bill...that sounds good to me. I'd already decided to fit a nozzle, I can soon knock one up out of plastic tube, so that's that sorted. I'm thinking of two 7.2v 3500a/h nimh battery packs wired to give me 7.2v @ 7000a/h, that should give me best part of a day's sailing, and I can move them around to adjust trim/balance/etc.
What do reckon for prop size...35mm? 40mm?
Rich
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Hi Rich,
I've got a Models By Design F/Glass Springer hull fitted with a 550, two 4.5A 6VSLA
I Have Andy's Kort Nozzle kit with a 40mm Kort Prop and it handles just fine.
It comes to the pond with me twice a week and usually does at least one rescue :-))
Just ballast her stern down and be gentle on the throttle or you will be back to
submarines again. :} :}
Ned
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My hull is from Omega Models...same as the MBD one, I guess, it's a standard size Springer (18" x 8").
A 550 I have, gel cells I have...nozzle I can make, prop I'll get from Cornwall Model Boats.
Ned, if you get five minutes, could you post up a pic of the internal layout of yours, please?
Thanks mate,
Rich
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http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,26241.0.html
Your wish is my command young Sir :-))
Ned
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Spot on, uncle...just what I needed to see.
Rich
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A couple of pics I've just taken Rich.
Ned
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Terrific...thanks ever so much, Ned.
Rich
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Ned/s answered all the questions sounds good to me Bill...........
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I notice a lot of you guys use watercooled motors in your springers...mine will be used mainly used for pottering around on our local lake, occasionally rescuing other stranded boats, and sometimes pushing a barge (when I get round to building one for it), so will I need to watercool the motor in mine?
And if so, where would be the best place to place the water pickup pipe, bearing in mind I'm using a steerable nozzle?
Rich
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Rich
Water cooling shouldn't be required. Like bilge keels you really only need to fit it if running the model shows it to be necessary. As far as I know your motor is a high torque low speed one and it would be very difficult to overheat it unless you used a much higher voltage and/or larger prop.
That said, what do I know? If you want to make life more difficult and expensive for yourself then why not also consider a system which automatically moves the batteries backwards when you increase the throttle (to counteract the springer's tendency to sticks its back-end up in the air under power); a cooling fan in case the water cooling fails; a reserve motor and prop in case the main one fouls some weed, and a solar-powered charger to top up the battery as you sail. Add a retractable mast and sail, some lights and a sound system and you have a proper job - or "dog's dinner" as we know it round here.................... :kiss: (K.I.S.S)
DM
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Good old Dave...clear and concise information.
Thank you sir, I'll not be bothering with movable ballast, sounds, masts, fans, spare motors, or solar power. Might install a couple of lights, but that'll be about it.
Rich
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I felt sure this was going to be "unterseeboote" shaped :((
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Good old Dave...clear and concise information.
Thank you sir, I'll not be bothering with movable ballast, sounds, masts, fans, spare motors, or solar power. Might install a couple of lights, but that'll be about it.
Rich
Wot? No bilge keels either?? ;)
DM
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I will admit, I was sorely tempted to have a sub superstructure on it...I do have a spare sail and top deck from a scrapped Revell Skipjack in my cupboard, but I bravely fought against temptation and decided to go for something more tug shaped. I have two choices...either a scratch built Motorflote cabin, or a ready built cabin from eBay.
Rich
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No Dave...no bilge keels. Might do the wire stand underneath it as per the Motorflote...
Rich