Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length.

[Paul2407]

Hi,
Can someone please give me some advise on the motors and ESC to use on a Billings Smit Rotterdam, currently it's got unbranded 540 cans and they are old so I would like to remove these but this is the first r/c I have had with 2 motors (except a tank) so do I need 2 esc's and work the motors independently or would they be best running in parallel?
I would like if possible to run the boat from 1 x 12v motorcycle battery (or better if someone has a better idea)
this is currently the state of it and will be renovated over the next few months and as you can see it came a lovely brand new!! antique Hi-Tec SP6/10A 

All ideas and helpful advice will be taken on board as I need as much as possible




thank you
Paul

[dougal99]

To run two motors independently you would need 2 ESCs. From 1 ESC you need to remember to wire your motors so that they contra rotate ie swap leads over on one motor. You can get a sort of independent control by using a mixer. The jury is out on which is best; mixer or two ESCs. It comes down to personal preference.

[Paul2407]

thank you for the quick reply, so in that case I think I will start with one ESC and see how it goes and then I can always change to 2 later on

Is there any good ESC to go with? for a 12v motorcycle battery I can only seem to find Chinese one's on ebay and the like?

[T33cno]

Hi Paul
I'm building mine right now and I've installed Mabuchi 555's and will fill the action electronics ESC mixer
Motors are £9 each at component shop or £11 with mounts

[Paul2407]

Hi Paul
I'm building mine right now and I've installed Mabuchi 555's and will fill the action electronics ESC mixer
Motors are £9 each at component shop or £11 with mounts

Ah perfect thank you, I'll have a look now at the Mabuchi 555's the motors as they are a bargain at that price  do you have a build thread for yours?

[T33cno]

Not had the time but I keep uploading pictures here
https://techno.smugmug.com/Smitt-Rotterdam/

[Paul2407]

Cool I'll have a look 

What ESC are you going to use?

[T33cno]

Cool I'll have a look 

What ESC are you going to use?

It's the action electronics P94 at £79
This is a mixer also

[16-21]

Paul,

Have a good look at action you could purchase one of there esc that controls both motors and mixes them
Tank steering
Battery wise go Nimh
You want to keep the weight as low as possible in the hull.

[T33cno]

Link
http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Smit%20Rotterdam%20-%20Ken%20Brotherton.pdf

[T33cno]

I just fitted the same controls in this Afon Alaw
It will be more difficult in the Smit

[Paul2407]

Link
http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Smit%20Rotterdam%20-%20Ken%20Brotherton.pdf

thank you that makes sense now  they seem to get good write ups too so I'll look at one of those  seems a much better idea than what I had 

[T33cno]

Only component shop sell the action electronics
Handy as they sell the motors too
I chose the mabuchi as it is low revs direct drive and perfect for this model

[Paul2407]

Paul,

Have a good look at action you could purchase one of there esc that controls both motors and mixes them
Tank steering
Battery wise go Nimh
You want to keep the weight as low as possible in the hull.

Ah ok that chap I bought it off suggested he ran it on a motorcycle battery and he also said you'll want some lead or similar as ballast, although in the battery area he's half filled it with filler foam so that will only make it pop around like a cork, it will be being removed at the weekend

[T33cno]

I'm using a 12 volt 9ah laid on its side


Motor link
http://www.componentshop.co.uk/mabuchi-555-dc-motor-mounting-bracket.html

[Paul2407]

I'm using a 12 volt 9ah laid on its side


Motor link
http://www.componentshop.co.uk/mabuchi-555-dc-motor-mounting-bracket.html

thank you you've been a great help, i'll update here one my progress of the refurbishment, and I'll keep an eye on your lovely build

[16-21]

12v 9ah on its side is okay
Just sit it as low as possible.
If it needs ballast try and use a nicad or Nimh pack
You could then use that battery for the bowthruster or even lights etc.

[Paul2407]

12v 9ah on its side is okay
Just sit it as low as possible.
If it needs ballast try and use a nicad or Nimh pack
You could then use that battery for the bowthruster or even lights etc.

perfect thanks for the advice Batfish  , I don't think I'm going to do a bow thruster for the simple reason as the boat has already been built and I'm just doing a refurb and I've looked at the chances of getting on into the position needed and to be honest I don't think I would get my hands anywhere near there is just not enough room now without stripping off some of the hull planks

[Paul2407]

Right ordered 2 mabuchi 555 motors and 2 suppressor kits (as wasn't sure if I needed them) think I do

Whilst I was there I was going to order an Action Mixer P94 but saw that they had a special on the 12v 9ah batteries at ONLY £8.50 each!!! Complete bargain, so I bought 4 of them instead knowing that I could buy the P94 mixer in the near future  and as the mixer is not needed yet just yet 

Also some toggle switches etc... for the lighting & smoke install

Thank you T33cno I wouldn't have known about that shop if I hadn't spoken with you 

[T33cno]

My pleasure Paul, it's all new to me too as I only started in January 
Check the voltage of the batteries as soon as they arrive, I received a duffer at under 8 volts that refused to take a charge. They sent me another without quibble.


I'm sure that more ballast will be needed than the battery and I'm going to use lead shot set in resin with cling film beneath to prevent it sticking to the hull (a tip gleaned from here)

[Paul2407]

yes I was going to use lead, but I will make a mould to the shape of the hull with some putty then make the reverse mould and pour the lead in, I make lead weights all the time for fishing 

I will check the batteries on arrival, did you have to send the duffer back at your expense?
Also maybe a daft question but what charger do you use for those? I've got a few lipo chargers like the imax B6 and overlander rc6-vsp as I think a 12 car charger kicks out too many amps 

[Paul2407]

yes I was going to use lead, but I will make a mould to the shape of the hull with some putty then make the reverse mould and pour the lead in, I make lead weights all the time for fishing 

I will check the batteries on arrival, did you have to send the duffer back at your expense?
Also maybe a daft question but what charger do you use for those? I've got a few lipo chargers like the imax B6 and overlander rc6-vsp as I think a 12 car charger kicks out too many amps 

Don't worry I've found that one out doing a bit of research found out that sealed lead acid batteries are Pb batteries and all chargers have got that one with upto 12v so perfect

[T33cno]

yes I was going to use lead, but I will make a mould to the shape of the hull with some putty then make the reverse mould and pour the lead in, I make lead weights all the time for fishing 

I will check the batteries on arrival, did you have to send the duffer back at your expense?
Also maybe a daft question but what charger do you use for those? I've got a few lipo chargers like the imax B6 and overlander rc6-vsp as I think a 12 car charger kicks out too many amps 

No they asked me to dispose of it.

[Paul2407]

That was good service then as sending it back would have cost as much as the battery  going to start stripping the hull at the weekend, not going too mad on the topside just a light sand on the crazing and then a re-paint it'll get me back on the water this summer the worst bit is the hull just need to make sure it's watertight

[Stavros]

WOA....if the paint has crazed then dont bother to recoat it as it will react....it needs to be rubbed down all the way though the crazying




Dave