Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => DC Motors (Brushed) and Speed Controllers => Topic started by: zooma on November 03, 2020, 05:09:54 pm

Title: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: zooma on November 03, 2020, 05:09:54 pm
Earlier this year I picked-up an old Sea Queen to add to my list of boats needing to be restored.


This boat had apparently started to "smoke" during it's last voyage with its previous owner who threw the smoking ESC away and suspected that the MFA Torpedo 850 motor may have been the cause - but the motor was left in the hull in any case - so I have it now!


The motor runs OK from a 12 volt battery for long periods without getting at all warm, so I am hoping that the motor is OK - and if it is not - I have a spare 850 motor on the shelf in any case - but I have a question about a suitable speed controller for this motor.


This is not the only time I have heard about MFA Torpedo 850 motors blowing-up speed controllers  - we had an MTroniks ESC  blow up whilst driving an 850 motor at our local club the other week,  but I don't know if it was a suitable choice for the battery and motor or not.


I happen to have a new and unused Electronize FR30HX that has been looking for a suitable home for many years, but ESC are really inexpensive these days so I am not adverse to buying a new more suitable ESC if it would be a better choice.


Any advice would be appreciated - especially is anyone has been running an MFA Torpedo 850 without problem for an extended  period of time.


Battery wise - I am not too worried about what type to fit as long as it will give the boat a brisk performance and a reasonable run time - so any thoughts on a suitable battery  and ESC would be welcome too!!



Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: unbuiltnautilus on November 03, 2020, 08:11:48 pm
The Electronize kit is an excellent choice, but will need some sort of 4.8v to 6v feed to power up the receiver as most of the electronize range were non-BEC equipped (ie, no stabilized voltage supply to power up the Rx, just a feed to the motor.).
On the subject of Mtroniks controls, I am going out on a limb on this one, but I would guess it was a 6 to 12v, 15amp Viper that went pop. totally unsuitable for this motor ( haul me over the coals if I am wrong! ). I would suggest a Mtroniks Viper 25HV unit. This is rated for 12 to 24v and is ideal for this setup.
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: zooma on November 03, 2020, 08:19:58 pm
Thanks for your help - I will try the FR30HX first and see how I get on.


It is a pain (these days) having to run a separate rx power supply, but we had to do this for years in the past so its not really a problem - but I bet it is possible to buy a little 'widget" to plug in somewhere to tap of a 4.8 volt supply for the rx?


Do you know what sort of battery people use these days to power-up the Torpedo 850 to give a nice brisk performance in a Sea Queen ........with reasonable run times?


Bob.



Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: zooma on November 03, 2020, 08:30:26 pm
I have also read somewhere that although this is a really inexpensive ESC, it works well with a Torpedo 850 :-


https://www.modelsport.co.uk/index.php?product_id=404964

Any thoughts?
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: J.beazley on November 03, 2020, 09:39:06 pm
I run a pair of the 1060 ESC in one of my boats driving both a pair of 850 and 800 motors and they handle the high current draw fine.


Jay
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: zooma on November 03, 2020, 10:02:56 pm
I run a pair of the 1060 ESC in one of my boats driving both a pair of 850 and 800 motors and they handle the high current draw fine.


Jay


Thats interesting Jay - what batteries are you using on each of the Hobbywing Quicrun 1060 with your MFA Torpedo 850 ?


It looks like can run 2S or 3S LiPo cells or up to 9 cells (10.8 volts) NiMh.


Bob.
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: mudway on November 03, 2020, 10:22:39 pm
Someone gave me an 850 recently, so I did some in water tethered tests using a 3S lipo and Graupner  stainless steel props. Results attached FYI
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: DaveM on November 03, 2020, 11:07:45 pm
I bet it is possible to buy a little 'widget" to plug in somewhere to tap of a 4.8 volt supply for the rx?
Do you know what sort of battery people use these days to power-up the Torpedo 850 to give a nice brisk performance in a Sea Queen ........with reasonable run times?
Bob.
Bob
The Electronize should do the job, and here's a suitable 'widget'. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/5a-max-7-5a-universal-battery-eliminator-circuit-ubec-2589.html (https://www.componentshop.co.uk/5a-max-7-5a-universal-battery-eliminator-circuit-ubec-2589.html)     I'd suggest a 3S LiPo battery pack with as large a capacity as you can afford.
Dave M
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: J.beazley on November 04, 2020, 02:24:21 pm

Thats interesting Jay - what batteries are you using on each of the Hobbywing Quicrun 1060 with your MFA Torpedo 850 ?


It looks like can run 2S or 3S LiPo cells or up to 9 cells (10.8 volts) NiMh.


Bob.


I run the majority of my boats on 12v gel cell lead acid batteries usually from 7ah upwards the biggest one i use in my largest boat is 12v 28ah.
Title: Re: What Battery and ESC for a Sea Queen with MFA Torpedo 850 ?
Post by: zooma on November 04, 2020, 07:14:42 pm
Bob
The Electronize should do the job, and here's a suitable 'widget'. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/5a-max-7-5a-universal-battery-eliminator-circuit-ubec-2589.html (https://www.componentshop.co.uk/5a-max-7-5a-universal-battery-eliminator-circuit-ubec-2589.html)     I'd suggest a 3S LiPo battery pack with as large a capacity as you can afford.
Dave M


Thanks Dave.


I will get a widget and give the Electronize FR30HX a go.............but I think I will get hold of a Hobbywing Quicrun 1060 and give it a go too - they are so inexpensive - "it would be rude not to"  - especially when I have a spare 850 to use in something else as well!


Bob.