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[ianchimneysweep]

Any suggestions on the best way to lay out the R/C gear for my Northlight puffer. Is it reccomended to waterproof the reciever and speed controller. Links to photos etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

[Bunkerbarge]

Ian, once you have done all your initial ballast experiments and calculations and determined the battery you want to fit my only suggestion would be to ensure that the battery is easily accessible and as low and central in the hull as possible.  Probably under the main hatch but towards the stern end would be a good starting point.  All the other components are very light in comparisson so accesibility rather than ballast considerations are probably more valid.  They could perhaps go at the forward end of the area under the hatch.

The only concerns as regards waterproofing would be to ensure that your removable deck structures have a good sealed coaming and possibly fit a wear across the hull in front of the stern tube so if you do get any leakage from there it will be contained at the aft end of the boat.  If you do get enough water in to get the reciever wet then you have quite a problem that needs immediate attention so I wouldn't bother waterproofing the reciever and speed controller.  Keep a close eye on things during initial experiments to check that you don't have any water going in and you should be fine.

If the boat is built well it should be able to sail through quite rough water without any water entering the hull.  I would pay attention to the following in particular:

1) High and well sealed coamings around all openings.

2) The model is ballasted to the correct waterline or higher.

3) The motor is not too powerfull for the model.

4)  All internal components are well secured and cannot come loose even if you shake the model.

5) All deck draining arrangements are suitably arranged and designed and free standing water quickly clears.

[barryfoote]

Ian,

Bunkerbarge really does know his stuff. Spot on as usual. Welcome to the mad house..

Barry

[barriew]

There's a photo of Colin Bishop's model here http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=9767.msg96987#msg96987 and I will post one of mine later today.

Barrie

[barriew]

Ian,

Here are three photos of the inside of mine. The two circuit boards on the left are a Voltage regulator and a latching switch for the LED lights. On the right is a home made fuse board. At the moment the ESC is mounted is mounted on the hull side. There is no fuse between the motor and ESC as the ESC is rated at about 50A, and the motor stall current is about 2A. This may change as I plan to replace the Fleet Rx and ESC over the winter. I mounted the Rx on a shelf to ease access for crystal changing. Switch on the left is for the lights - off, switched , on. Right switch is main battery switch.

(Floating blue plug is from the RX battery - never got around to fitting a switch!)

Hope this helps.

Barrie

[ianchimneysweep]

Many thanks everybody I really appreciate the replies and photos it was just what I was looking for.
If I get the time I hope to make a start on installing the R/C & electrics this week. I will take photos and post them on photobox as I go along.
Once again many thanks

Ian