LiPo batteries

It is almost 9 months since I charged the new LiPo batteries for storage. Unfortunately I still have not used the 4s 4500 batteries since then but I do check them every 4 months to see how they are. They have been good so I have not had to do anything with them. I decided on this visit to replenish the storage charge on all of the batteries. I was shocked to find out that all of the batteries were almost perfect with only a few minutes of charging required, but the two 4s batteries, the oldest, did not take a charge at all. They are still very good. I will use them when I return here in August.

6 hours ago by 🇬🇧 MouldBuilder ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

RC & Electrics

Tug towing

Hi George, Yes. I ran mine on 12V without problems but not all day long at full bore!💥 Remember, even if the batt attached to the ESC is 12V you are not always applying the full 12 to the motor. (Or are you?😉 A 'pedal to metal' kinda guy?) Even at full bore the supply voltage to the motor is pulsed by the ESC so the average V applied is less than 12V. Just in case start with a 7.2 / 7.4V accu (NiMh 6 cell / LiPo 2S). You should be able to go to 9.6V (8 cell NiMh) without problems. Check the motor temp with your finger tips on testing. If you can keep your digits on the motor without screaming you're OK😊 As said by others as well; I'd take a long hard look at the prop and shaft alignment as well. Dodgy's tip with the spring balance pull testing is good too. I've been doing that using a redundant fish scale. Gives a good (if relative) indication of push and pull. I also use a little Wattmeter as well. Useful for initial shaft alignment. Twiddle things around until the motor runs sweetly and the Wattmeter shows the minimum current. Before each test use a little accu capacity meter to make sure the accus are up to scratch and the playing field even for each test. Pics show the ones I use. Available all over the shop, e.g. FleaBay😉, for peanuts. Black one is checking an NiMh, white one a LiPo. Happy tugging. Doug 😎

7 hours ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)

RC & Electrics

Motor, speed controller

Hi Dodgy, "P.P.S. You might want to consider a clover-leaf aerial. That enables what they call 'circular polarity' transmission, which is really useful for drones when the transmitting aerial is performing contortions in the air. For boats, a vertical aerial pumping out vertically-polarised waves may suffer from 'bounce' off the water surface, which turns the reflected waves horizontal. But these are very cheap anyway, and can be experimented with" Yes I'd noticed the clover leaf. Not the most efficient antenna but agree it's a nice compact design. Agreed the reflections can cause some polarisation distortion. A vertical antenna (properly earthed) also produces a ground wave propagation which travels especially well over water, but admittedly not so long range at 5.8Gigs. Works best at lower frequencies where the absorbtion rate in water is lower. Those operating in salt water lakes on the coast are better off in this respect than us fresh water sailors! So I was thinking of using antenna diversity, one vertical and one horizontal. Just like most 2.4Gig TX/RX sets already do. A vertical stub antenna at the top of the TX case and a horizontal antenna in the handle usually. Of course if you hold the TX flat on it's back then you are relying on the horizontal antenna component!! At the RX end two 12,5cm wires, one vertical, one horizontal is the counter part. Works well in my Sea Scout. For 5.8 Gigs the wavelength is a little less than half that at 5.1688cm so the clover leaf is a reasonable compromise. Didn't spend my professional life working on all types of radio systems, from VLF/HF through personal mobile and cellular systems up to full COMMS suites with datalinks on naval vessels for nuffink. Some of it stuck! 😉 Having successfully hijacked Ken's thread (Sorry Ken😭) I guess we should continue this discussion (if required) in a new thread! Cheers, Doug 😎

8 hours ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)

RC & Electrics

Upload problem

Thanks. I have taken your advice and success! Thanks again for the solution.😊

10 hours ago by 🇬🇧 MouldBuilder ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Website Related

CNC boat kits...?

Sounds like you might not have been waiting long enough for the Arduino to boot and load GRBL, so the port refused to connect, and then just stayed 'busy'.... If it happens again, try opening and closing another port, and then going back to 8. That seems to reset the flag...

11 hours ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Hobby Chit Chat

Unsubscribe

In your My Account page you can turn off all notifications. If you want to close your account completely, please use the support page. Thanks

18 hours ago by 🇬🇧 Fireboat ( Warrant Officer)

Website Related

Fatal Error - Half my Profile is missing! ;-/

Muchas gracias👍 Hope you managed to enjoy the Bank Holiday and could let the grey cells cool down a bit😉 BTW: Dodgy's query reiterates the need for the Forum Categories! Keep on coding man😁 All the best, Doug 😎

19 hours ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)

Website Related

RC Model Shark

The fin does submerge due to the fact that it's hollow and there is a square cut out near the top that is camouflaged with screen painted at the same time as the fin.

1 day ago by 🇨🇦 Alex ( Able Seaman)

Building Related

Look for a simple balsa build

"..... EezEbilts are all relatively easy to make even if there are a few minor errors which are so easily correctable......." Since they are intended for beginners, ANY problem needs to be looked at. If it's a problem with the plan then I need to correct it - if it's a problem with the user not understanding something or getting it wrong, then I need to change the instructions or some other aspect of the plan to avoid the problem in the future. The boats are intended to encourage modellers by helping them get a boat right first time. It says a lot for GMan's perseverance that he is still looking for a model to build after some initial frustration, no matter how it was caused...

1 day ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Happy Easter Everyone! 🐣

Thank you and to you too

2 days ago by 🇺🇸 Puddle-pirate ( Leading Seaman)

Non-Hobby Chat

3000mah 6 cell lipo's

Selling as part of estate, These are Turnigy 3000mah 20-30c discharge 6 cell packs.. All are in storage mode and have been well cared for. £15 each is a bargain, there is one with damaged heatshrink, cells are fine, no puffing, but that is £10 due to damage, or £60 for all of them in one go! posting lipos is very difficult, if you want them posting I will do it at cost, but if the package is opened, and they are destroyed, its your risk, no refunds, collection preferred. If you are going to Hooton show, Im not far away north Wirral

2 days ago by 🇬🇧 pmdevlin ( Sub-Lieutenant)

For Sale/Wanted

8000mah 6 cell lipo as new

Selling as part of estate,. This is a 6 cell Turnigy Nano-tech massive 8000mah! 25 to 50c discharge. As you can see, the tag is still on the leads, its well cared for, no puffing, and is in storage mode, The plane this was for was never flown and was unfinished, so I doubt this has ever been used. These are very expensive, well over £60 each plus postage, Ill offer this for £30 ono. Posting lipos is very difficult, I can use my hermes at cost which would be confirmed but its approx £6.00 due to weight, but it the package is opened, and the lipo is destroyed its your risk, as you are not supposed to post lipos, so collection is preferred.

2 days ago by 🇬🇧 pmdevlin ( Sub-Lieutenant)

For Sale/Wanted

boat building jig

Hi all, for the second time, Im disposing of a deceased estate. The chap was rc planes and helis, but, he was also building a boat for his wife as a present. I have taken on finishing the boat, but this appeared, I found the details here https://www.alwayshobbies.com/tools/workshop-organisers/hobbyzone-professional-building-slip-for-model-ships So based on the price of £50 plus postage new, I would offer this for £20. Its a very comprehensive jig, so must be worth that, and I need to sell it quick. Proceeds are returned to the widow. I live North Wirral, so if you are going to the Hooton show its not far to pick up. I can post at cost, but the base board is heavy so collection is preferred. Cash or paypal, but if you want it saving for a few weeks then I must ask for payment in full immediately.

2 days ago by 🇬🇧 pmdevlin ( Sub-Lieutenant)

For Sale/Wanted

Plan Sources

There are few of us prepared to put that amount of work in. Well done!

2 days ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Hobby Chit Chat

Seaplane tender

bits of information coming in now, excellent.

3 days ago by 🇬🇧 SelwynWilliams ( Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class)

General Resources

Model Boat kits

The post above is there actual website. This is for you RC's. Ahhoy

3 days ago by 🇺🇸 retirement-hobby ( Petty Officer 1st Class)

Website Related

Noodle Jet Boat

"........there isn’t a huge amount of swivel on the buckets, was thinking of putting a mixer in rather than a rudder?, I suppose it’s just trial and error.... ...." If you put a small 'dagger plate' on the keel, like the power racers do, that will improve the turning no end....

3 days ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Editing photos

Do ypu mean Model Boats magazine? https://www.modelboats.co.uk

6 days ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Website Related

Big Blue (test facility)

Thats slick!👍

7 days ago by 🇺🇸 Cashrc ( Leading Seaman)

Non-Hobby Chat

Propellors

I always use a grub screw to lock my propellors where possible. I have lost a few myself mostly when using reverse.

8 days ago by 🇬🇧 John2 ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Swordsman or Huntsman?

As DodgyGeezer says the model in question is an Aerokits Swordsman with an aft cabin under the deck - others versions had an aft cabin with a higher roof just under the side coamings (I'm building one) or a full length open cockpit, which is the one that many models are based on. The Huntsman 31 was available in two versions, the more common version with the aft cabin and the rarer open cockpit version the Sport. The Huntsman 28 and as stated the Huntress are open cockpit only.

9 days ago by 🇬🇧 ChrisF ( Petty Officer 2nd Class)

General Resources

posting problems

Me too😭

9 days ago by 🇩🇪 RNinMunich ( Fleet Admiral)

Website Related

POSTING PROBLEM!

Hello, congratulations on the new website. When a picture is enlarged with the up arrow (on a iPhone), I haven’t found a way to reduce it again in order to keep browsing other than to close the app and start again, am I missing something?

9 days ago by 🇬🇧 Brianaro ( Master Seaman)

Website Related

Ballcap!

I've got my Ballcap! Do you have yours? It's well constructed and adjustable! Support your local Website! 👍

10 days ago by 🇺🇸 figtree7nts ( Commodore)

Hobby Chit Chat

Thames Barge Plan Kitty

Hi MAGAZINE AVAILABLE FROM E BAY CHEERS

10 days ago by 🇬🇧 TOWN3810 ( Leading Seaman)

General Resources

Veronica

Can’t recommend Mastman enough, had loads of bits from him, if he’s not got it listed just ask, he’ll make it!

12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Shopper ( Master Seaman)

Building Related

Model boat w gas motor/nitro

If you use a fuel that has castor oil rather than synthetic you can say its organic!

12 days ago by 🇬🇧 Haverlock ( Sub-Lieutenant)

General Resources

I know NOTHING about hobby plywood!!!

Thanks

12 days ago by 🇺🇸 retirement-hobby ( Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

Model Boat crew....

I think I understood that - it looks as if using computers is getting very close to being a general option for people instead of being an approach that only specialists would consider. I have successfully made up a CNC cutter and am starting to use it to cut model boat parts. I had no prior skill in that field and it cost me about the same as a Billing Boats Absalon kit. If people will put their work up on the web for free download then we can create a very useful resource for the modelling community. All someone who wanted a 1:8 scale winch would need to do would be to download the file and take it to the local library or MakerSpace for a cheap replica. I think that this is the way things are going, although the model parts companies are going to be very unhappy about it...

15 days ago by 🇬🇧 DodgyGeezer ( Chief Petty Officer 1st Class)

Building Related

My Harbour

Hi All, The harbour photos bug has been fixed, but some of you may have lost the photos that you originally posted. Sorry. Hopefully you can edit and upload them again 😊 Thanks, Stephen

15 days ago by 🇬🇧 Fireboat ( Warrant Officer)

Website Related