Topic: I HAVE more power! (Read 9186 times)

sunnybob · « **on:** July 06, 2008, 08:37:59 pm »

So I had this old 12volt 7 amp hour battery in the garage that has been flat for 4 years.

17 hours of charging on a motorcycle type automate charger, and some deft work remaking the battery holding platform later and I'm ready to test my old cabin cruiser with the bent prop shafts, in the bath.

O M G!!!!!!!!!!

Power? oh yes I have power

The boat nearly clawed its way out the bath. holding the front to protect the paintwork, the back dug in and I had an instant jacuzz

Why oh Why didnt I use this in the first place? I cant wait till tomorrow night to test it down on the water.
I've only gone from 6.6 amps to 7 amps, but moving from 6 volt to 12 volt has bought those props alive. As this battery is up front, and about 10 times the weight of the nimh ones, i shall have to put some ballast into the stern to stop it going submarine when i open up, but it was well above the water line before, so now even more water will be moved by the props.

I've also taken the advice offered here a while back now, and relocated the props so that the twin screws are turning into the keel rather than away from it. I think there will be some very shocked moorhens tomorrow

:)

Continued from "I need more power!! "

http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11503.0

justboatonic · « **Reply #1 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:05:10 pm »

Good luck!

But I'd suggest you take it easy at first. The extra weight if higher up could make the boat a little unstable.

sunnybob · « **Reply #2 on:** July 06, 2008, 09:53:53 pm »

No, I'm fine, this boat has a lot of room, and the 2 kg battery sits about 1/3rd of the length of the boat from the front, and its on the water line in a secure tray so it cant shift.
I've got to add some lead shot to the rear, as there is not much height back there. I considered pouring some molten lead in to get as much as poss as low as poss, but i dont think the planking will take the heat, so it will be loose lead shot, with a glue of some kind over the top to stop it from moving.

DickyD · « **Reply #3 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:10:03 pm »

DO NOT go anywhere near your boat with molten lead unless you want to incinerate it.

Lead shot and silicone is good. Easy to remove if needed.

sunnybob · « **Reply #4 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:17:36 pm »

aw richard, you old spoil sport you

I was working out a theoretical method. if i lined the bottom with tin foil, and had the boat in the bath... Its ok, I'm joking, i know all about molten lead and water not mixing ::) ::) My dad only built boats for a hobby, he was an architechtural iron founder, made railings and all other metalwork. taught me all I know, which is about a 100th of what HE knew.

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:22:05 pm »

sunnybob,
Instead of adding weight is there any way you can move the battery further aft as it would be better to have her slightly nose light.
And less weight does equal more speed.

Bob

sunnybob · « **Reply #6 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:48:33 pm »

No, I cant move the battery aft. (hey, nautical term!

)
The whole layout is now immovable. and if you look at the pic, the motors are under the front cabin, and interior space drops dramatically as you go to the rear of the boat.
The battery is fully under the front decking (just).
and the boat sat high in the water anyway, as it was originally designed for the weight of 1950's radio gear and mechanical gear box splitter. i remember from a child that i had trouble lifting the original motor.

Even with the extra battery and rear ballast, it will still be higher then the water line.
Oh, and I sanded the prop shafts again, as when I swapped them over I saw that there were a couple of rub marks around the centre of them, so that should reduce friction slightly. ::)

Shipmate60 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 06, 2008, 10:49:47 pm »

sunnybob,
Just glad you are getting there.

Bob

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #8 on:** July 06, 2008, 11:03:45 pm »

Its a nice looking boat sunnybob

OMK · « **Reply #9 on:** July 06, 2008, 11:48:19 pm »

Sunnybob, for a while there I couldn't help thinking it's a shame that you couldn't get your battery closer to centre of gravity. Like ShipmateBob says, it's a shame when you have to resort to dragging around extra weight.
But then you said that she's barely on the W/L - even though the battery is where it is. Well, if you think about it, that's not so bad, after all. Them cruisers love it loads more when they're sitting where they should be sitting. So if it means you have to stuff some extra ballast at the aft, then I reckon you'll be well glad you did.
Besides, you said you had an instant jacuzzi when you opened her throttle. From where I'm sitting, that sounds like you're doing pretty damn good.
And I was real surprised that you managed to recharge a 4-years-dead battery.
I hope to god that your first name is Frank, because I'm useless at remembering names. I looked at your photo and suddenly the name Frank popped into my bonce.
I think it's probably because Frank N.Stein was the only other bloke I know of that could bring things back to life.

That really, really is one gorgeous boat you got there, Frank. You're a lucky bloke.
I take my hat off to your old man. The dude was obviously a genius.

<edit>

Oops!
I just re-read...... it's Bob (not Frank).

Bummer. Wrong again.

malcolmfrary · « **Reply #10 on:** July 07, 2008, 11:14:15 am »

Modern ESCs fall into two basic types for reversing - the very modern designs like Mtronics and Action, where it is all very compact and done electronically, and the electronise type where there is a relay fitted within (but usually poking out of) the unit.
Going 12 volts with the same motors, you actually have four times the power available, like the man said, apply that power with a bit of caution, stick with "cruising" and you should get good long runs.
If the stern ballast is removable, it leaves the option of fitting some extra toys in the future.

sunnybob · « **Reply #11 on:** July 07, 2008, 05:57:42 pm »

PMK.... Bobs the name all right, never been a frank

But your little piece on resucitation made me smile

. To be honest, i was almost at the point of dumping that battery, it was actually in my scrap metal pile, but it came good after all.
Whether it will last is another matter, but i dont really need it long term, just for a couple of hours more.

The back end (oops, STERN) needed to be lower, as there is very little bodywork below the water line, and before i think the props may have breached the water surface at times.

Malcolm, I have an electronise FR30HX esc, its a square black box with nothing sticking out of it, and it says "microprocesser system" on it, so i think your info might be out of date? (I know nothing, and cannot comment)

Bob

malcolmfrary · « **Reply #12 on:** July 08, 2008, 02:07:36 pm »

Time does move on, and looking at http://www.electronize.co.uk/fr30hx_technical.htm , it is processor controlled, but uses a relay for reverse. The relay must be a flat type that can live within the case. Power to work the relay is derived from the main drive battery. Being processor controlled, it is unlikely that it could be set up reversed, so thats one possible problem eliminated.

OMK · « **Reply #13 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:09:18 pm »

Nope it's still definitely Frank. Sunny and Bob mixed together makes for a neat handle aright, but Frank is gonna be the only name I'll remember you by.

Listen, can I be a pain and ask you a favour?
Is there a chance you could put up a couple more photos?
Now don't feel that I'm putting you on the spot. Pse don't bust a gut on my account. It's just that I'd like to see more of the top view. The deck looks like it's on two level and I'm wondering how he (your dad) managed to do that.

Like I said, don't bust a gut.
Just two or three-hundred shots should do it.

sunnybob · « **Reply #14 on:** July 08, 2008, 05:02:05 pm »

There are some shots of the rebuild on my brothers web site here

http://www.pbase.com/john_cooper/boat_rebuild_project

I have a LOT more

I now have (thanks to Colin) a photo of the boat it was copied from, and the original plans for the build as well.
If you do want any more angles, let me know, only too happy to show off his handiwork. :angel: :angel:

Bob (aka Frank)

OMK · « **Reply #15 on:** July 08, 2008, 07:13:23 pm »

If you don't mind, I'll take you up on that.
On your bro's site, photo #5 shows a slight hint of where the stairs meet the upper deck.
Do you have one with just the superstructer on its own?... perhaps one with a sideways view so I can see how he wangled it for those steps?

Thank you, Frank. Appreciate it.

justboatonic · « **Reply #16 on:** July 08, 2008, 08:18:19 pm »

That looks a fine boat for 50 year old.

sunnybob · « **Reply #17 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:11:54 pm »

PMK, its just two decks, and three steps to join them. one side of the steps got broken before i got it, so i inserted aanother piece of mahogany.
the superstructure slides in from the rear as I hope you can see in these pics.

The cabin unit has warped over the years, and is not as good a fit now as it was, but it would be impossible to reshape it, so thats just more character ::)

sunnybob · « **Reply #18 on:** July 08, 2008, 09:13:14 pm »

I can only attach one pic per post, so heres the other one.

let me know if more are needed.

OMK · « **Reply #19 on:** July 08, 2008, 10:29:06 pm »

Ah, I see it now. Thanks.

But where on earth would you even BEGIN to build a boat like that? The sort of things I've been building are straightforward because the deck is all on the same level (see pic). So how did he manage to build that upper deck there?

If you want to post more than one pic at a time, click '(more attachments)' just the r/h side of the 'Browse' icon. I think the max. photos you can post at any one time is 27,394. I'm not the sort of bloke to grass on you if you should clog-up Martin's server, but try posting just one or two hundred first.

BTW, her W/L is nowhere near as bad as I imagined.

sunnybob · « **Reply #20 on:** July 08, 2008, 11:30:21 pm »

I'll have a go at resizing some more tomorrow.
that photo in the water is with the smaller batteries. Even with adding a 2 1/2 kilo lead acid battery to the front its still not down to the waterline. I'll have to find some lead shot to counterbalance the rear. trouble is that then its going to be very heavy to carry to the water. :'( :'(
Rain has been so bad that I havent had her in the water yet wit the new "supercharged" propulsion. I think I might have to fit hydrofoils

pomybill · « **Reply #21 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:32:44 am »

Hi Frank'
Isn't this a model of the Gwen Eagle or a very good take off of it?
She is splendid model. I have on the wall of "The Boat Shed" (my garage workshop) an original of the old Reed plan but only the suprestructure as the rest of it dissapeared in the multitude of moves I have made between The U/K, Australia, Canada,The continent, and various other places . I will one day build a model (God willing!!!) of her.
I thin it is a credit to your Fathers skills.
Carry on the good work.
Regards, William.

sunnybob · « **Reply #22 on:** July 09, 2008, 04:20:13 pm »

Pomybill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
are you kidding?????
Ive spent 30 years trying to find anyone who knew about the gwen eagle. No-one nor any search engine had ever heard of her. I only found the answers this year on this site, when I was sent a pic of her on sea trials, and that link led to me now having a complete set of drawings and plans, which you can still buy!(if you know where to look)

There are a lot of posts on here about my search for info and outfitting the internals.
Its a great boat and I have now restored her and am really pleased with the outcome. I have always hated the name though, so renamed using my mothers name.

Which part of the world are you berthed in now?

sunnybob · « **Reply #23 on:** July 09, 2008, 09:09:59 pm »

pmk, I think this shot shows best the way the top deck is made, see the formers up front? they are all the way across.
the boat was built exactly as real one. Keel laid down, formers (correct word?) on to the keel, mahogany planks cut, shaped, steamed to curve them, then glued and pinned to the formers. Then the top deck laid with thick teak veneer with plank lines etched into them.

pomybill · « **Reply #24 on:** July 10, 2008, 02:59:37 am »

Hi Frank.
I am berthed in Australia Now and have been for over 40 years with stop offs in Canada and France.
I live in Bondi home of the famous beach.
Semi retired for last 7 years.
Regards William aka Pomybill.

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Author Topic: I HAVE more power! (Read 9186 times)

sunnybob

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OMK

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OMK

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OMK

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