Model Boat Mayhem
The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Springer Tugs => Topic started by: fuelman8 on July 19, 2008, 01:20:34 pm
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Would it be possible to use a Springer to rescue 4' - 5' vees and cats on the lakes?
I'm not sure how much power it would need or if the batteries would last long enough for a possible 10 minute rescue.
Any suggestions are welcome.
As you can tell I'm new to springers!
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Build yourself a rescue boat and by definition it will perform rescues....de da :D :D
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My Springer uses a 550 geared motor and will push our 8 foot rescue dinghy with one man in it.
So they should be up to the job.
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Would it be possible to use a Springer to rescue 4' - 5' vees and cats on the lakes?
I'm not sure how much power it would need or if the batteries would last long enough for a possible 10 minute rescue.
Yes, without a problem... O0
I would suggest going the twin 6v 4.5ah batteries for more running time... i get about 2 - 3 hours on a full charge
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YO DUDES !.....at our recent regatta day one of the guys managed to get the prop of his swordsman wrapped up on the mooring line of one of the course marker bouys...these are anchored down in the mud with a flower pot full of concrete . Cue fubar my rescue springer......this is a legal springer , no korts or big motors etc , runs on two 6 volt 5 amp hour batteries......Nudge up to the side of swordsman apply full forward and hey ho it picked up the swordsman and the anchor and pushed the whole lot to shore .....boat..flowerpot...mud...the whole shooting match...so don.t relly see much of a problem with recovering almost anything.....
regards...bob.
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That's good to hear djobbo.
I think I'll be picking your brain as I go along if you don't mind?
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I think I'll be picking your brain as I go along if you don't mind?
Eeeeeewwwwww... messy! :P
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Hi fuelman.......not a lot left to pick these days ...but feel free to ask , thats what were here for.........
regards....bob.
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What is the angle of the drive shaft going through the bottom of the springer?
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Hi ....i dont think there is a set angle........i try to keep it as horizontal as possible...i.e paralell to the water line as this gives the maximum amount of thrust from the prop..........with regards to the prop......use a three blade for maximum thrust.....two blade will be faster but flat out speed is no good for a springer.......they try to become a submarine..... O0
regards......bob.
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Thanks Bob. Don't want to be a sub :(
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I've seen several different 540 motors and am not sure if I should get the geared or straight drive one :-\. What's the pros and cons of these motors?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
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See: http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11880.0 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=11880.0)
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Thanks Martin
I had read that thread earlier and decided on a 540 motor, that's what made me ask about the pro's and cons of geared vs non-geared motors.
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My Springer was a Geared Robbe drive when it fell off the slipway!
I soon changed it to direct drive due to the 7.2volt & 40mm prop limitations.... didn't have enough grunt. :-\
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Martin
So if I go with the 540, direct drive with a 38mm prop I should be ok.
Tony
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Should be!
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Hi tony.........both of mine use a standard 540 motor with a 38mm prop , straight drive ...no gearbox.......powered by two 6 volt 5 amp hour gel cells..joined together so its still 6 volt but lasts longer......cen never remember if its series or paralell :D........doh !
regards......bob.
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Fuelman, check Towboat Joe`s site for pictures of his recovery boat. A Springer could be adapted with his outrigger style pontoons as the "grab dock" , he has a few clips on Youtube.com that should be easy to find. A floating yoke of some sort is needed to make sure the drowned boat stays in position during recovery, it isnt always just a straight push to the shore. Even more important if it is windy or rough water. If the recovery takes place during a race or with other boats dashing about I think an armoured low profile top should be used, perhaps with a hi-viz balloon. Half inch ply sides and 1/4"ply top wont go wrong !!!!! :o Check the shuffling and misses I had on calm windless day on www.youtube.com/MacSpringer . All my Springers are bog standard 540 cheap generic motors , direct drive, cut down 40mm to 38mm plastic 3 blade prop. Like Robbo I use two 6v gell cels 4.5 ampHr batteries , still 6volts. I prefer a brass 40mm for speed and better reversing but drains battery quicker at my usual wide-open-throttle capers. www.towboatjoe.com
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Bob parallell gives you the 6volts with longer cruising time, series would give you 12v but, if I remember not always half the cruising time. Something to do with the way the batteries discharge, can not remember what. I am sure there are other with more knowledge on electrics can explain it.
Brian
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Must be parallel then brian ......6 volts with a longer run time is how it is....never can remember.........i put it down to a senior moment O0
regards...bob.
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Thanks for the answers, plus the rescue vid which was cool. I had my question about gel cells answered before I asked it, you guys are good O0
I have a "yoke" made up already to install on the springer. It is long enough that when I go after a 50" boat it won't turn sideways when pushing it back.
I'll post some pics as I get a little further along.
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Fuelman,The floating pontoon rig was posted on youtube by Captain Nasty I think or Old River Bill but I`m sure Towboatjoe will chime in :embarrassed:
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I'd like to see that rig and make some changes to mine if necessary ;D
I glassed the inside of my rescue springer last night for some added strength and am not going to do the outside unless someone says I should. I am going to epoxy the outside and then paint it.
Arrow what do you consider a "cheap" price for a 540 motor?
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A fiver..
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That is five UK Pounds, under US$10. Toesup or any of the US expert Springerites will chip in with prices and sources. I think I`d glass the outside too if you have the stuff anyway. Use lightweight cloth (model aircraft wing skinning grade) just for ding-proofing more than strength, if you can add pigment it`ll save some trouble. Resin alone will crack as the wood swells and contracts, needs the glass to stabilize it. I`ll try and find a link to the pontoon "Get-um-backer", anybody ????
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Toesup or any of the US expert Springerites will chip in with prices and sources.
A 'cheap' 540 would be the Tamiya motor from Tower Hobbies @ $11.99 http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXPML4&P=7 ;)
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Thanks for the link Toes.
Is the heat created by the brushed motor going to cause a problem with the receiver or ESC.
Or should I be looking at a brushless motor :-\
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Is the heat created by the brushed motor going to cause a problem with the receiver or ESC.
Nope...
Templeton, Mrs Toes Springer uses one of these (direct drive) and has no heat issues. Just keep the RX away from the motor and ESC in case of any electrical interferance.
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Hi dudes !....i do now watercool my springers if i know i'm going to do some heavy duty pushing......I have so far managed to fry two 540 motors :'(
No problems now i've got the wet stuff going round the motor . in fact with the old fashioned water pickup behind the prop, when fubar is pushing hard the water outlet looks more like a fire monitor O0
regards....bob.
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Thanks Arrow. O0
Mine is setup like the Big BD but i sure like the looks of the Diversified boat ;D
I guess I could make the same using florist foam.
Is there a thread that I haven't found with the steps to installing the motor, cap and drive for a Springer?
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No, no, no, NOT florist foam. If it is the same as the UK "Oasis" it is made to absorb water ! You want expanded polystyrene foam as used in the construction industry. Comes in light blue or pink. Dow-Corning is one is one manfacturer, absorbs less than 1% due to closed cells,easy cut and sanded with normal tools or can be hot-wire cut. kids swimming pool floats and Boogie-boards are another source of suitable material , nice multi colours to ! The be all and end all source of Springerism is on www.RCGroups.com in the Boats section under Dock Talk, Springer Class. The history, design, how to do it etc etc. But dont be leaving here, we still want to see you here with pictures and progress. O0
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Thanks again
I don't know what I was thinking :embarrassed: I knew florist foam absorbs water in the back of my wee brain.
The boogie board might be just the thing to cut and shape to fit O0
I'll check RC Groups right now as I'm already a member.
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Here's the hull with a layer of glass on the inside.
I wouldn't leave here, this is the most friendly RC site i've found ;D
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Here's the hull with a layer of 7 1/2 oz glass on the whole inside and bottom and a layer of 1 1/2 oz on the sides.
I'm going to leave the natural color because of the name of the boat and what it will be used for
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How about an open cockpit, car windscreen, chrome fittings, mahogany planked deck...Riva or Chris Craft.8) A millionaire`s Springer !
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Grass deck, lawn chair, beer cooler and outhouse :D
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Nah ! somebody has done that I think. I thought with all that lovely coloured wood it is just screaming to be a retired tug skipper`s luxury runabout :police: white Yottie`s hat of course. :D
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I'll work with that luxury runabout idea O0
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Grass deck, lawn chair, beer cooler and outhouse :D
A redneck springer :o ::) O0
Andre ;)
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I'll work with that luxury runabout idea O0
Some inspiration. Two views from "FatBeech" in Germany.
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Arrow
I've built deep vee racing boats also and my next one is going to be a shovelnose hydro along the same lines. I really like the look of deep natural wood ;D
Andre
That's the idea and i've got the perfect name for it too ;)
Tony
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Funny you should say a shovel-nose. When I was building my Sprub I thought if I painted it blue and silver and put an open cokpit instead of a conning tower I`d have a Springer K4 ala Malcolm Campbell 1939 record boat. {-)
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I'm going to mount the motor as horizontal as possible but was wondering is there a good distance up from the bottom or down from the top to have the propshaft at? :-\
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Well you`ll need a block of wood to sit the mount on and allow for a water-cooling coil (recommended even in UK climate). I`ve taken to siliconing the motor mount in a box filled with the stuff and held on position until cured (24 hrs). Generaly keep the motor low down and a straight shaft, with u/joint of course, prop clearance at other end will be a clue. Dont angle it "up" at rear to cure diving, it`ll just cause a roostertail. Diving best cured by rearward ballast to give about three or four degrees bow up when static. Hope this helps, I`ve been known to be wrong before >:(
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I'm going to mount the motor as horizontal as possible but was wondering is there a good distance up from the bottom or down from the top to have the propshaft at? :-\
This may help you with your 'line' for the drive / motor...
http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3471.msg36640#msg36640
O0
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Thanks Arrow & Toes
Arrow, It's good to know not to have the drive on an upward angle. I was going to use a straight shaft but I'll put in a U joint per your suggestion O0
Toes, I had the springer plan you sent printed out full size last weekend and have been taking the measurements off it, but it showed the angle of the shaft on a downward angle that is why I asked the question. Good article on the testing. :)
Tony
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A slightly shorter prop-shaft than shown on Toes` plan will bring the motor back to the deepest part of the hull. By the way we demand pictures of your progess >>:-(
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Will do, as soon as the motor, shaft and prop show up O0
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Nice one on YouTube: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=S5jEo8Dwi3M&NR=1
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Martin
Nice vid. I think billboards on the forks to sell advertising might be a good idea :D
Haven't forgotten to post pics but have had some fires to put out before I can get on with the build.