Finally got round to upgrading my US Coast Guard cutter to twin brushless motors. This is the Billings kit I built some six years ago. Originally I had powered with twin 385 type motors controlled by an Electronize ESC from a 12v 1.2Ahr SLA. Worked OK but speed soon dropped off and model was always sluggish due to the weight being carried and the sheer bulk (beam) of the hull.
Easy to renovate as the whole of the cabin top lifts off together with the rear cabin so easy access. Removed the motors and fixings together with the ESC. Trial fitted a motor and fortunately it aligned with the motor casing just resting on the false floor already fitted. I had a piece of aluminium right angle of sufficient depth and by gently bending this was able to match the required mounting angle. I used a piece of brass tube on each prop to mark the centre for the motor mounts.
The motors came with their own mounting plates so alignment of the centre and four mounting holes was easily achieved. Centre popped and drilled with bevelled edges resulted in a very solid attachment. Previous experience with brushless motors makes me very careful to ensure all fixings are tight and can't shake loose
I like HUCO couplings so matched two new brass inserts to the motor shafts and tried in situ. Worked ok so I mounted the Aluminium angle to my false floor with screws.
Fitted the ESC's in built up mounting plates and connected up. One ESC red wire is not connected to the receiver. Using 2.4Ghz so receiver mounted towards the bow on a small platform just in front of the removeable cabin. This ensures the antenna are well above the water line. Using my Futaba T6Ex so I can control the speed with the EXP settings.
11.1v 2200mA battery in rear cabin completed the work
So much better and I now need to add some weight as stability is not as good and the model rolls alarmingly at speed. Ran for about 30 mins and no evidence of overheating of any components.
I have not used the wattmeter in the water but a bench test indicated a free running current of about 3 amps per motor. I will update my power setup page once I have added more ballast and checked the on water current.
Well worth the effort and proves to me that I can now safely update my 1:16 Trent to brushless. 😀

Didn't have the photos when I posted the blog so here they are.

I have now found a way to add the required additional ballast. Originally I had fixed a ply plate across the hull bottom at the stern to hold the 12v SLA. I am now using LiPo so needed to reballast. This Is a very beamy model and rolls quite freely In any sort of swell. I needed therefore to get the ballast as low down as possible. There Is a hollow deep keel running from the stern to midships so I drilled (carefully) Into the ply plate and opened a slot, through which I have Inserted flat lead sheets cut Into suitably sized strips. Easily added to or removed and once tested I can make a solid piece to allow for removal.
Will be tried on Sunday and I will post final details.