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[BORIS]

 i need a little help with this one...When you buy a speed controll ...im lost..   i mean just how do you go about finding the right amperage ..i have fleetcontroll on 2 boats but i have two buy some new ones  for my other boats now which have "TORPEDO 500 6V MOTORS" AND my other boats have 6V DECAPERMS.......
Allso do you swap motors/speed controlls etc etc for each boat ..i mean i set for every boat you have instead of bying them individually for every boat..as this can cost a bomb!! 

[Ghost in the shell]

probably go for a Proboat or overlander 50, and fuse at 20A :)

no need to set up they're plug and play

[boatmadman]

Lots of questions!

well, to determine a speed controller - ask here! or else, connect battery straight to motor with ammeter in line, put in test tank - bath - and see what amps are pulled, then buy esc at least 10% over those amps.

Trouble with swapping esc across different boats is being sure that the esc is up to the job. If you have done as above and are confident the esc can handle the load, then ok, otherwise you may just have to buy esc for each boat.

You should also fit an inline fuse on the positive  between battery and esc that is rated less than the esc - protects the esc - a fuse is cheaper than the controller.

Hope this helps

Ian

[DickyD]

Overlander 50amp forward 20amp reverse with a 20 amp fuse works for me. No setting up, just plug in and play.

[FullLeatherJacket]

Sorry, chaps, but could you please explain why you would want or need to fit a 50A speed controller to a Torpedo 500 motor which, according to MFA, draws typically 2.8A?
Also - as I read Boris's note - he has some concerns about the cost, yet you have recommended a speed controller which costs £35 !! This is well in excess of what he might need to spend, even if he bought the dreaded Moroniks car marine ESCs.
Am I missing the point somewhere?

FLJ  ???

[malcolmfrary]

If Boris just wants to buy one controller to use in several models, then he will need one with lots of capability not just for what he has now, but for future motors/models. 
Working on the principle that with modern ESCs, what will control a lot will control a little, an ESC that will handle a high current makes sense.  Personally I prefer to get a controller for each model and leave it there, but this is a choice.
As someone once said "Suit yourself"

[DickyD]

Sorry, chaps, but could you please explain why you would want or need to fit a 50A speed controller to a Torpedo 500 motor which, according to MFA, draws typically 2.8A?
Also - as I read Boris's note - he has some concerns about the cost, yet you have recommended a speed controller which costs £35 !! This is well in excess of what he might need to spend, even if he bought the dreaded Moroniks car marine ESCs.
Am I missing the point somewhere?

FLJ  ???

Question FLJ.  The Torpedo 500 draws typically 2.8amp, what does it stall at please?

[RantandRave]

I like Speed controllers with BEC (Battery Eliminator Circuit).
I've used the simple Hitec 'gold bricks', Mtroniks, Action, Electronize, Ripmax Xtra.
Don't like relays, don't like 'trim pot setups' - water proof and "autoset" speed controllers are the ones to go for!
Expensive is NOT always better with electronic speed controllers....

[Bryan Young]

Even for my very heavy (100lb plus) I have been very satisfied with the RC Lines (+ BEC) units. They also have a water cooling facility should it be needed. About £30 each? I know some club members who do not like them and others like me who do. (No relays, by the way). I think that those who don,t like them are "drivers" who happily go from full ahead to full astern without a pause. These units have an electronic "braking" system that requires a pause of perhaps less than a second. Try one. BY.

[Bluebird v2]

hi all,

personally, I think when choosing a speed controller, there are several things to bear in mind:

1.  This has already been mentioned, the maximum current/amperage drawn by the motor

2.  How deep is your pocket?

There must be literally dozens of speed controllers on the market now, some cheap and nasty imports - to some all singing and dancing super duper ones.  They all do the basic same thing, control the motors speed. 

The only advice I would give to someone is, if possible, those who are intending to fit a speed controller into fast boats is, avoid a speed controller with a braking system these tend to have 100% full power in forward and only 50% in reverse.  Remember there are no brakes on a boat, apart from a reverse, and, I dont think there is a model boater out there who can say 'Ive never had a minor collision or nobody has ever bumped their model'.  In that case its always wise to have 100% speed in both directions.

aye
john e
bluebird

[DickyD]

My PT boat only has 50% reverse and it stops very quickly. If I was to go 100% reverse it would drag itself under the water. :-\

[Bluebird v2]

Hi all,

Dicky, the idea behind 100% reverse brake is you only apply it until the model stops, the other reason your model digs in is its got a flat transome or blunt end.  You will note if you reverse any flat stern boat at any speed over a crawl it will tend to 'dig in'.  This was one of the biggest problems they had with the design of MTBs, also, Air Sea Rescue boats during and after the war.   The flat stern also contributes to bad sea keeping in following seas, it tends to add to the problem of the vessel broaching.  Whereas, the back of the boat tends to overtake the front of the boat.

The good side of a flat stern is, when the propellors are mounted near the stern of the vessel, it creates a lifting property, which brings the boat onto the plane quicker.

Its all to do, my friend, with the vacuum created at water level at the back of the boat, as the boat moves forward.

aye
John e
bluebird

a bit off topic, but nevertheless, it may answer some questions  :)

[DickyD]

Thanks for the answer John mate, just one thing, what was the question ??? :-\ :angel:

[Shipmate60]

DickyD
Only having half astern is fine on a fast boat, but not good on say your corvette.
Dave had this fitted originally but soon changed it as she took ages to stop.

Bob

[DickyD]

Havent got one on the corvette Bob its 100% forward and reverse.

[Martin (Admin)]

What speed controller is favoured by the scale boys & give good low slow speed control?

[ministeve]

the best i have used were made by a guy called stothers from Scotland. i wish we could get them still they were brill going to try some others i saw at the epic when i can get funds they looked close to the ones we used to use

[Bryan Young]

hi all,

personally, I think when choosing a speed controller, there are several things to bear in mind:

1.  This has already been mentioned, the maximum current/amperage drawn by the motor

2.  How deep is your pocket?

There must be literally dozens of speed controllers on the market now, some cheap and nasty imports - to some all singing and dancing super duper ones.  They all do the basic same thing, control the motors speed. 

The only advice I would give to someone is, if possible, those who are intending to fit a speed controller into fast boats is, avoid a speed controller with a braking system these tend to have 100% full power in forward and only 50% in reverse.  Remember there are no brakes on a boat, apart from a reverse, and, I dont think there is a model boater out there who can say 'Ive never had a minor collision or nobody has ever bumped their model'.  In that case its always wise to have 100% speed in both directions.

aye
john e
bluebird

Hi,John. Is it really true that you only get 50% power in reverse? I always put the sluggish response down to the inertia of a heavy model! Perhaps I should think again...but advice would be welcome (no relays please). BY.

[malcolmfrary]

Much truth has been spoken above, and forms rules.  All rules are liable to wear, tear and breakage.
This is especially true of the specification of various types and designs of ESC.  The best bet is to figure out how much you are prepared to pay, and see if this will buy a knobbly enough one.  Hopefully this will be tough enough for what you need, but with the power control system most used, a controller that will handle a large, current hungry motor will also handle a low current motor. with equal precision.
Any of the controllers suggested above will do the job adequately, but some will do it cheaper.  Happy shopping.

[FullLeatherJacket]

Question FLJ.  The Torpedo 500 draws typically 2.8amp, what does it stall at please?

I went out to the workshop earlier and did a little empirical testing. I have a Torpedo 500 with 2.3:1 gearbox, as recommended by the manufacturers of Boris's kits (see his other post). I connected it to my Palstar 30A bench PSU @ 6v and used a towel to try to stop the output shaft from rotating.

When I got to the point where I was wondering what sort of load in a model boat installation might possibly slow down a motor to a speed where the fabric of the towel was getting hot and my fingers couldn't hold on any more, the current read 7.3 Amps.

If there's a case to rest then there goes mine.

FLJ

[Robert Davies]

the current read 7.3 Amps.

If there's a case to rest then there goes mine.

I know of a very nice chap that does a well specced 10amp ESC, the unit may, or may not, be named after a rather large South American bird.....



-Rob

ps Discount to forum members too apparently!

[pakirk]

Hi I do ESCs for £40. Thay can handle up to 35A. there is a post on them under Ultamate Speed Controller.
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3911.0
there is  some of the spect listed neer the end.
They come with a TWO year garentee and I Garentee you will love it.
I am curently developung a 10A one should be £20-£25 with BEC., comeing soon.
If you want more info Email me.
[email protected]

[Ghost in the shell]

What speed controller is favoured by the scale boys & give good low slow speed control?

I use in slow-scale boats Vipers and Marine, though for fast things, Proboat Tornado's :) the Viper doesnt have a brake as such, but seems to go to a soft start from forwards going into reverse, yet reverse to forwards is instant bite

[RantandRave]

Hi there,

I'm building 2 tugboats with twin 380 sized motors and I need 2 speed controllers. I don't want to fork out wodds of cash, what are the cheapest speed controllers on the market please?

[Martin (Admin)]

What about these?
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3231.0