Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => The "Black Arts!" ( Electrics & Electronics ) => Topic started by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 05:57:09 pm

Title: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 05:57:09 pm
Howdy folks from across the pond! Looking to do a tug and as it is my first I'd like some advice on what yall think, im partial to harbour tugs but pushers are a possibility  (actually had a pusher hull built when I was younger but its been lost to time, maybe put away from frustration). Also thinking about purchasing a dremel tool kit, looks very useful for this.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: Big Ada on June 27, 2015, 06:07:53 pm
If you ike Pusher Tugs then have a look at all the Springer Tugs that Mayhem Members have built, the plan to build one is on here somewhere.

Len.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 06:13:21 pm
Might have to take a look at that! Now that I think about it, I've seen youtube videos of the springers! Look like fun boats!
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on June 27, 2015, 06:15:38 pm
What part of Texas do you live in?  I am in NW Houston (Tomball)


My first tug was a Springer, a nice little push boat.  Very easy to build, very maneuverable.  Plans and instructions are available on the Northwest RC Shipmodelers website, http://www.shipmodelers.com (http://www.shipmodelers.com)


I have also built a Model Slipways Loyal Tender and a Jim Wilder.  Both good kits.  The JW is a very good handling boat, too.


And yes, a Dremel tool comes in handy now and then.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 06:24:01 pm
College station area actually, good ol A&M Gig'Em! Well i might give the springer a go then, looks like its robust and a good rescue tug for when my future nicer models malfunction.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: tony52 on June 27, 2015, 07:14:20 pm
On your side of the pond, Dumas sell some neat tug kits. Carol Moran looks a good starter kit.


http://www.dumasproducts.com/product_info.php?cPath=136_53&products_id=247 (http://www.dumasproducts.com/product_info.php?cPath=136_53&products_id=247)
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 07:27:59 pm
Wow i do like that model Tony, have you personally done it? If so any tips?
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 27, 2015, 10:46:12 pm
It should also be noted that I have a 70 cm 4 channel 2.4ghz controller already, should this be good?
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: tony52 on June 28, 2015, 09:37:34 am
CaptTex,


Not one I have built, but there is a build on this site -


http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=41282.0 (http://www.modelboatmayhem.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=41282.0)
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: inertia on June 28, 2015, 10:07:14 am
CaptTex
The Carol Moran is nearly all plastic moulding and so pretty easy to assemble, although it's not very big. I am currently building another (larger) Dumas kit, the Lord Nelson Victory tug, and I can say that in over fifty years of making models this is the worst kit I have ever handled.
The quality of the wood is dreadful (I've had to throw all of the planking away); the die-cutting of the plywood is lousy and crunches up the edges of the frames, and the superstructure is made of some high-density foam plastic board which is heavy and very reluctant to bend and glue. It will probably be replaced with ply. When finished - if I ever get that far - my model will be over 80% non-Dumas parts and material. All in all £250 wasted. Whatever you choose, avoid this one - it's a dog!
Dave M
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on June 28, 2015, 02:53:40 pm
I am in the middle of building the Dumas CG 36500 model, and had the same problem with the balsa supplied.  It snaps at the slightest provocation.  Solution:  Replace it with Midwest balsa.   I built the Midwest Jim Wilder kit, which is also plank-on-frame and had no problem with the balsa planking.  Midwest sells their balsa on line, if your local hobby shop does not have it.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on June 28, 2015, 02:55:25 pm
http://midwestproducts.com
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 28, 2015, 08:56:44 pm
Wow all great advice guys, I'm currently trying to decide on the model (too many choices!).
As for running gear and hardware? I've found tons of stuff but no idea what's good or not, I'm also possibly looking at the Dumas Foss tug, which is twin screw any advice? Also can anyone tell me if the Tx I mentioned is any good, its off a 4 channel heli.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 29, 2015, 10:09:00 pm
 
For those of you still following this post, I just bought the Carol Moran from my local hobby shop ($30.00 cheaper!).
I am wanting to spruce it up a little and add lights for night running, any particular brand yall would recommend?


Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on June 29, 2015, 11:27:25 pm
I am no expert on lights.  I installed LED navlights in my Loyal Tender.  Others can tell you more.


Do you have a place in CS to run a scale boat?  I have recently moved to the Tomball, TX area from Washington state.  Having mucho difficulty finding a suitable pond.  One with flat banks from which to launch, parking nearby, permission or no prohibitions by owners or authorities.


BTW I am a Texas Aggie, too.  Class of '67.
Dave
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 29, 2015, 11:58:00 pm
Yesir I am class of 2015, so recent graduate! Well there are quiet a few ponds around College Station/Bryan to run I still have a parking pass for on campus so I'm gonna try the pond behind George Bush Library. I found some 10mm lights on a site maybe check with my hobby shop first, use google earth to hover around the area and scope out ponds most in the parks that I have found have cement edges and look relatively safe.






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on June 30, 2015, 12:08:15 am
Be happy to join you sometime.   :-))
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on June 30, 2015, 12:11:30 am
Gonna be a while! The kit doesn't come in for another week or so....the bad part about saving the money! What colors did you use on your Carol?






Cheers, Tex
Title: Carol Moran Lighting
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 04:55:02 am
Howdy folks!


I'm awaiting my Dumas Carol Moran tug kit, and whilst I have bought the paint, detailing materials and rc gear, I cannot figure out my lighting situation (I want to go ahead and do it in one go instead of a refit) I'm wanting to buy lights from Harbor Models, the Carol Moran will need 3 mast lights, both Port and Starboard lights and a search light. I also want to mix in a couple of deck lights for aft lighting just because. My only concern is that they are mix matched 3v and 6v lights, I'm having trouble with this...... {:-{ . Should also keep in mind she is 17.75 inches or 438 mm long and 4.75 inches or 121 mm wide, she is small but I want her to be a good working tug for future use. Any help would be appreciated!






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: inertia on July 02, 2015, 08:45:37 am
You have the choice of either having separate 3v and 6v circuits with all of the bulbs on them wired in parallel, or wiring the 3v bulbs in series pairs in parallel with the 6v bulbs to operate from a 6v supply.
How many of each voltage have you to fit?
DM
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 03:13:40 pm
I have 5 3v and 3 6v, I guess my main question is that can i run 3v on 6v according to your response?






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CGAux26 on July 02, 2015, 03:36:07 pm
What kind of lights are they, LED, incandescent, or what?  That determines how you wire them up.  LED's of different colors run at different voltages sometimes.  You get involved with resistors to balance them out.  I am no expert at this, having equipped only one boat with LED's.  Google the subject or search on this site or RCGroups.com for some good help.


LED's can be found at Radio Shack and from Aimee Eng in Portland, OR at http://myplace.frontier.com/~aimee.eng/id12.html, and many other places.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 04:09:07 pm
Little incandescent bulbs, I wasn't sure about LED because I thought they may be too bright!






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: Martin [Admin] on July 02, 2015, 04:52:07 pm
 
You might find 'warm light' LED will last a lot longer, don't get hot, lower power and easier to fit!

Something like these:  eBay item number: 251814644820
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 04:55:41 pm
Guys yall are seriously awesome! Gonna order multiple colors and get wiring/switches/batteries from another source! She's gonna look great when finished! :-))  Thanks Martin for that useful info!






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: inertia on July 02, 2015, 04:57:44 pm
For bulbs you'd need an even number of 3v bulbs, because they need to wired in series pairs to run from a 6v supply. This shows 6 plus your three 6v bulbs:
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 05:02:18 pm
Very useful diagram Inertia, explains what you mentioned earlier very clearly! So even if I were to run 6v through a 3v there arent going to be any negative effects?






Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: malcolmfrary on July 02, 2015, 05:31:55 pm
Very useful diagram Inertia, explains what you mentioned earlier very clearly! So even if I were to run 6v through a 3v there arent going to be any negative effects?






Cheers, Tex
Running a 3 volt lamp off 6 volts will be bright, but short lived, unless there is something in the circuit to limit the current - as Dave shows in his diagram, another identical 3 volt lamp.
Whether using incandescent or LED, the usual problem for nav lights is that they are too bright.  The cure for incandescents is to run with a bit less voltage (say, 4.8 instead of 6), for LEDs, a higher value ballast resistor does the job.  I've watched ships at sea at night, because nav lights "only" fulfill a legal need, they tend to be the last thing you see if deck lights are on.  Deck lights are much brighter because the crew need them to see to do work, and that is a cost with a return.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 05:37:52 pm
Ah ok I see what youre saying, so if I were to do the LED's like martin mentioned then I wouldnt need a resistor unless I needed to dim them, in which case I would use a ballast resistor?
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: inertia on July 02, 2015, 06:49:24 pm
Tex
My advice would be to
a) Go and sit in The Den with a large JD (my first father-in-law was a Kentuckian who lived in Dallas. In sympathy for me for marrying his daughter he taught me some very good hiding-holes!):
b) Suspend your disbelief; and
c) Read these words of wisdom.
http://www.componentshop.co.uk/led-exp/ (http://www.componentshop.co.uk/led-exp/)
It ain't rocket science.
It was written by a long-haired bloke from Preston.
DM
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 02, 2015, 07:08:10 pm
Thanks Inertia! I'll give it a look!




Cheers, Tex
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: malcolmfrary on July 02, 2015, 08:52:46 pm
Ah ok I see what youre saying, so if I were to do the LED's like martin mentioned then I wouldnt need a resistor unless I needed to dim them, in which case I would use a ballast resistor?
With LEDs you ALWAYS need a resistor.  The only question is what value and where in the circuit it might be.  More resistance, less current, dimmer.  Less resistance, more current, brighter.  This has its limits.  Not enough resistance, too much current, a lot of brightness, but not for long.
Title: Re: Texan looking for help
Post by: CaptTex on July 03, 2015, 03:48:02 am
Ok resistor either way, now I just need her to get here so I can make a more educated placement of the lights that arent on the mast or side boards. Umi's lights look to be top notch, so I might have to go with her as I also see that she has bumper accesories as well!






Cheers, Tex