Topic: Dave Milbourn's Huntsman (Read 17365 times)

KitS · « **on:** January 21, 2025, 02:20:51 pm »

Having bought Dave Milbourn's lovely Huntsman prototype, I also bought a Hi-Tec transmitter that I thought should link with the Hi-Tec receiver already in the boat. Sadly that wasn't the case as they didn't want to talk to each other so I've replaced the Rx with one that does talk to the Tx.

Try as I might I can't get the motor ECU to have it's zero-throttle position to stack up with the Tx LH stick's mid position. It may be that the ECU doesn't go into reverse anyway, but I can't identify it to figure that out. Currently the motor is at zero throttle with the LH stick all the way back and at FULL throttle (and I DO mean full!

) all the way forward.

Here's some pics of the motor and both sides of the ECU, so hopefully someone can identify the combination and I can get the boat running.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2025, 03:56:45 pm »

This ESC has dual running modes, forward only or forward and backwards, see specs here:

https://www.componentshop.co.uk/catalog/product/view/id/44883/s/30a-waterproof-brushless-motor-speed-controller-esc/category/768/

Sounds as if it is in the forward only mode.

If you contact Component Shop and tell them it is Dave's model I'm sure they will be happy to send you the operating instructions.

Alternatively, it looks like this is the same as the Hobbywing Sea King ESC

https://www.hobbywingdirect.com/products/seaking-30a-v3-esc?srsltid=AfmBOorv2oO5VtnOr6LnEkmy7NNlchKGKLMEB2XESam-a6O8VMMcck9g

There is a manual for this here:

https://www.hobbywingdirect.com/collections/seaking-v3-manual

Hope this helps,

Colin

KitS · « **Reply #2 on:** January 21, 2025, 04:31:12 pm »

Thanks Colin, that looks very helpful.

ChrisF · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2025, 08:27:13 pm »

Ah, I wondered who'd bought Dave's Huntsman. I bought the Huntress to reunite with the other Huntress prototype I bought off him some years ago.

What Hi-Tec Tx have you got as it should communicate with the Rx OK? The first Huntress had a Hi-Tec Rx, being Dave's favoured equipment (and now mine) and I did the same, buying a Hi-Tec Tx and had no trouble binding them. Hi-Tec became my go to for Tx and Rx and it's a real shame they stopped manufacture. I have three Tx's now, different models and vintages, and fortunately was able to stock up on Rx's whilst I still could. I'm assuming the original Rx was a Minima?

Chris

KitS · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2025, 10:58:32 pm »

Yes, the original Rx was a Minima ST with two aerials. Realising that I had to use a HiTec TX with the AFTSS coding I bought one from ebay, the only chance to buy one they're not made any more. The one I got was an Optic 6 Sport, which has the AFTSS coding, but no matter what I did it wouldn't connect with the Minina ST Rx.

I fitted the Optic 6 Rx in the Huntsman and that connected right away, but the ECU won't respond as I'd like it to. It looks as if Dave had it setup for 'Forward Only' mode, and I'd prefer 'Forward & Reverse' but it doesn't respond as I'd hoped.

I downloaded the the manual of the similar system that Colin suggested, and the ECU doesn't work as that suggests, so I've emailed the Component Shop to see if they can help out.

ChrisF · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2025, 06:08:05 pm »

Do you mean Minima 6T Kit? I use those and 6E which are the same but the connectors are on the end. When I bought the first Huntress I bought the cheapest Tx being the Optic 5 but when I started building models I bought a Flash 8 as you can add multiple models and it has more adjustability.

When I bought the second Huntress I bought Dave's Optic 6 (non-Sport) which I haven't tried yet. All three of these Tx can use the Minima 6E and 6T but the Flash 8 can also use a 6S as well and I think Dave also had a computer radio as well in the Aurora 9 so perhaps your Rx only works with that?

Anyway, glad you have that part sorted. I doubt that Dave would have set the ESC up for forward only but as Colin says this appears to be the case now.

He is also spot on with saying the Leopard Hobby ESC is the same as the HobbyWing SeaKing. I ordered a Laopard Hobby one from The Component Shop and when it arrived it was a SeaKing! Was going to send it back but when comparing specs found they were the same and so kept it. I subsequently standardised on HobbyWing SeaKing and their non-watercooled the Quicrun and am very happy with them.

Note in The Component Shop blurb that a program card is available but the 30amp ESCs can't use one. This is a pity as its a doddle using one but I did manage to set my Quicrun up OK using the bleep method.

KitS · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2025, 06:21:47 pm »

It definitely says Minima ST on the Rx, but I don't know the range of Hi-Tec stuff to know the finer differences between models.

I contacted Component Shop and they've suggested I get the Program Card to change the setup of the ECU, which I've bought, and I'm expecting it tomorrow, the Post Office willing, that is.

I'll post updates as they occur hopefully.

ChrisF · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2025, 06:35:15 pm »

Overlapped when I was modifying my post. Note what I say about the program card! Component Shop spec says there is no programming port.

Minima ST is a new one on me and whilst Google threw up a reference to it on another forum it wasn't of any use. Sounds as though it's not compatible with your Tx though.

Can't even find it on the HiTec web-site for discontinued radio gear.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2025, 07:37:07 pm »

How frustrating! The model obviously worked OK when Dave had it.

Colin

KitS · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2025, 08:09:40 pm »

All will be revealed tomorrow I expect.

I sent pics of the motor and the ECU to Component Shop and they recommended the Card, so if it won't work on the clearly marked 30 Amp ECU I shall be a more than a little upset.......................

ChrisF · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2025, 08:39:10 pm »

In the meantime here is a photo that Dave sent me of the two Huntress prototypes.

KitS · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2025, 10:09:21 pm »

Cor, what a wonderful pair they make.

But I'll have to post a pic of mine now.

ChrisF · « **Reply #12 on:** January 25, 2025, 09:49:36 am »

A very nice threesome!

Have fun with it - when you get it going as you want. I've run the first one a few times, though it spends most of its time gracing the top of a unit, but haven't had chance to try the latest one yet. Must see if it works with the Optic 6 Tx.

KitS · « **Reply #13 on:** January 25, 2025, 02:20:09 pm »

Well there's been some sort of progress, but not much.

The Programming box arrived this morning and after de-cyphering the instructions I connected it to the ECU and set it up as I wanted, with it in Forward/Reverse mode. Mind you, it said it was ALREADY in that mode anyway...........

Then I tried to get the Tx to operate the ECU but with zero success. The rudder servo operates just fine, but the ECU just bleeps its LED at me and sends out four tones, one after the other, then repeats itself ad nausiam.

So I went back to the Tx manual, which is MIND bogglingly complicated, and is only designed for aircraft, but using its 'Acro' setting should be applicable for boats too. But try as I might I CANNOT get the Tx to do what the manual says.

The problem would seem to be in setting the throttle end points but the manual says to set the throttle trim button to 0% in the menu and it will select the throttle channel setting itself. It doesn't......................

Does anyone have experience with these HiTec Optic 6 Sport Txs and know a trick to get the thing to do what it's told please?

KitS · « **Reply #14 on:** January 25, 2025, 02:49:41 pm »

Further to this I did a couple of 'worth a try' tests by plugging the rudder servo into the throttle channel of the Rx, and the servo works perfectly off the Tx throttle stick, ie full forward gives full right rudder and full reverse gives full left rudder, so I tried the opposite trick.

Plugging the ECU into channel 1, the rudder output of the Rx, resulted in a couple of bleeps, a short pause and the motor went full throttle forward with the stick at neutral! Full left rudder on the stick dropped the motor to zero speed and full right stick raised the motor speed to something astronomical and the ECU flashed green LEDs at me, so I shut it off fast.

What the devil is going on? I can't figure out which component of the system isn't working properly.

ChrisF · « **Reply #15 on:** January 25, 2025, 07:22:21 pm »

That's frustrating Kit, though you may have been using stronger words!

It's been awhile since I set up my Txs so I need to reacquaint myself with what's what. The Optic 6 is quite similar to yours so I'll have a look at setting it up with the Huntress.

Interesting that you can infact use a program card! Where does it plug in?

Chris

KitS · « **Reply #16 on:** January 25, 2025, 07:37:45 pm »

Quote from: ChrisF on January 25, 2025, 07:22:21 pm

Interesting that you can infact use a program card! Where does it plug in?

The card has two sockets that take servo shaped plugs and you just plug in the lead that comes from the ECU and which normally goes to the Rx into one of them. The other socket's for a separate power supply if your ECU doesn't have a BEC, but mine has.

ChrisF · « **Reply #17 on:** January 25, 2025, 08:21:50 pm »

Oh OK. Just checked the specs and indeed the Seaking 30a does have a program port whereas the non-watercooled Quicrun doesn't have one.

Whilst I do have some higher amp Seakings I don't water-cool my models. If I'd realised the 30amp Seakings could take a program card I would bought them especially as they are only about a pound different in price.

Anyway, not helping you!

ChrisF · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2025, 06:19:52 pm »

As long as the Tx is OK I'm thinking it's maybe a set-up thing?

With mine I have for the Rx the ESC going into CH1 and the rudder servo into CH3.

In the Tx I have CH1 for the throttle and CH3 for the rudder. Mode 4.

This is for my Flash 8, haven't looked at the Optic 6 yet.

As for your Rx that wouldn't play ball, I'm more sure it's one that worked with Dave's Aurora 9 Tx as I have a label in the Huntress saying Aurora 9 stuck to the Rx, in this case an Optima 7 that is OK with my Flash 8. Don't know about the Optic 6 as nothing in manual.

I've decided to use the Huntress with the Flash 8 as its tried and tested and I know how to set it up and I don't want to risk the Huntress with the Optic 6. I'll maybe try it with one of my yachts.

Have you got any other models and radio gear? If so it might be worth swapping the Rx and using with another Tx. What was the Rx that you got with the Optic 6 Sport?

KitS · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2025, 08:39:34 pm »

Your Rx is setup the exact opposite to mine, mine's got the rudder on Ch 1 and the ESC on Ch 3, Mode 2 according to the Tx manual. I'm not even sure that my Tx has a Mode 4.

It is the Rx that came with the Optic 6 Sport, yes.

I've got a fair number of other boats, and numerous other radio sets, back to 27 Mhz even, but I'm about 120 miles from them all at the moment, but the friends I'm staying with at the moment are also modellers so I maybe able to try some of their sets as well.

It's very odd that the swap tests I did showed that the Rx seems to be working properly, it's just that the ECU doesn't understand it.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2025, 08:44:01 pm »

RC boat control used to be pretty simple. Where did it all go wrong?

Colin

KitS · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2025, 09:03:48 pm »

Indeed so, with a Bob's Board and a big DEAC it was difficult to go wrong.

Colin Bishop · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2025, 10:08:11 pm »

Yes, those Bob's Boards worked surprisingly well if you had the right match with the motors.. I had a lot of success with them with my Isle of Wight ferry Shanklin back in the 80s.

Colin

Circlip · « **Reply #23 on:** January 27, 2025, 09:02:28 am »

Still have a NIB (that's new in bag) example of it.

Regards Ian.

KitS · « **Reply #24 on:** January 30, 2025, 11:05:01 am »

Some progress on this problem, but in the wrong direction.

I got another Tx-Rx combination and hooked it up to the boat, and checked the rudder channel works correctly, but the ECU still does crazy things like running at full throttle after a slight pause after switch-on, no matter what the throttle setting.

I carefully set up the throttle end points so that zero throttle was at the 50% position, full forward was at the +100% and full reverse was at the -100% position, and it STILL went to full throttle on switch-on!

Moving the throttle caused a slight hiccup and then it went from zero speed with the throttle at -100% and full forward with the throttle at +100%, just as if it was programmed to be a 'Forward Only' ECU, so I checked it with the programming box, and that still insists it's a 'Forward-Reverse' ECU.

I don't believe it and I reckon the ECU is knackered, but I've no way of checking any further so I'll get back to the guys at Component Shop and see if they can test it for me.

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Author Topic: Dave Milbourn's Huntsman (Read 17365 times)