Getting ready for the maiden voyage after the extensive winter upgrade and stumbled across an article on programming Hobbyking ESCs.
Have always been concerned about the “stuttering” of the brushless motors. This is more correctly identified as “cogging”, often caused by incorrect motor timing. Changed the timing to “Automatic” from the incorrect previous setting, which was for inrunner motors not outrunners. Now much smoother acceleration from neutral to full speed.
On the water, first, the brushed motor centre screw concept works well. It allows controllable maneuvering and powers the model nicely in a displacement mode. No planning, but with a reasonable bow wave. The model weight is a little high, as she rides towards the top of the boot topping.
Tried the brushless outer screws and realized my efforts to “detune” the motors were overdone. The model performance was adequate, but still had difficulty in getting both motors to run consistently and smoothly. Think the water drag was slowing the motors more that expected as they had worked satisfactory on the bench.
Adjusted the ESC output back to 100% - much better. After 45 minutes of running the battery alarm came on, curtailing trials. She planes very much as the real vessel did, lifting the forefoot clearly out of the water. Had a spare battery, but 3S not 2. Was apprehensive about the increased power this would bring, but as the model was operating satisfactorily decided to try it.
Better still! Motors now work consistently smoothly and in concert throughout the throttle range.
The top speed exceeds any picture I have seen of the Brave class though. Can readily get a third of the hull out of the water.
Will conduct more trails, but need a larger pond to give time to experiment with the various control settings. Hope to post a concluding blog with pictures shortly.

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Hi Ron,
We sailed at Lake Lisgar near Tillsonburg today. Ice has gone, bit windy though. Now 17 in Ancaster.
Be patient, one day the ice and snow will go - Inshallah!

Thanks, could not readily find anything that was more specific that the Berwick launch.
Interesting site though, going to work my way through it.

Thanks Ron, already have that picture and have extrapolated the dimensions. Was hoping somebody had another perspective.
If nothing else arises that will have to do
Thanks again
Rowen

My next project will be the above LRRSC Launch, operated by the R.A.F. as the Marine Branch closed.
The drawings for the vessel are generally adequate, but with one omission. The dimensions for the stern weapons recovery slipway door are not shown.
Can anybody help advise what they were or suggest where I might find them?

Can you advise the total finished weight of the model please?

Hi Doug.
I have the centre brushed motor on the LH stick, separate from the brushless which are on the RH. The LH side to side is now the rudder.
The article is by Glynn Guest and is in one of this years magazines. It is called something like Modes. Sorry cannot be more specific as the mag has been passed on to other enthusiasts.
Enjoy Malaga, should be ice free by now!

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Hi Doug,
I have now introduced the ELEVON function on my twin, independently controlled screw models. That puts both motors on the RH stick (up/down) for simultaneous speed control and LH/RH differential operation for side to side.
Tried to explain it in more detail in a recent Brave Borderer blog update. It is also covered in a recent Model Boats mag article.
With twin, independent motors find it so intuitive that I like it. Previously had one motor on LH stick and the other on the right. Found them difficult to synchronize and then steer accurately.
Pity my only tests are on the bench as no sign of ice free water here yet.
Will report water tests in due course
Rowen

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It does not "kick me out" as such. Once I turn the phone off or close the App it erases the "cookie" so I have to log in again.
This does not happen with other sites such as newspapers. Once logged in you are always in even after the phone is turned off and restarted.

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With this new site, I find that to avoid the "Log in or Register" script across photos, have to keep on logging in. The phone does not retain my log-in details after closing the site.
This is different from most of my other apps which retain the phone details to avoid logging in again?

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Hi Doug, not worth worrying about. Anyway, far too busy converting all my twin screw models to single lever Tx control. Seems more intuitive than the traditional dual lever.
Signs of Spring finally, the ice is retreating so the time to get back on the water is almost nigh.
Ice still around in Bavaria?
R

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Seems as if the ranking system controversy has detracted from the excellence of the updated site. Why bother at all? Much better to abolish ranking and concentrate on the hobby.

Hi Doug,
Probably could and also add my Teakwood and Beagle. Not interested in gong hunting though, I just enjoy the hobby.

Dave. Have experienced a similar demotion and am disappointed.
Have written 4 build blogs and see little point in writing any more if the effort goes unrecognized

Haverlock,
If the smell is an issue, why not try new nappy liners?

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Looks good Ron, what scale is she?

Canabus,
Hope this helps,
Rowen

Using the FS-I6X instruction Manual, dated 8/10/2018.
This Tx allows infinite experimenting with the various control functions and ultimately reverting to factory settings if dissatisfied with results.
After several attempts at setting the ELEVON function (V-TAIL could be similar, but the Tx channels would be different), decided this works best for me. it puts both brushless ESCs on the RH control lever. Moving it up operates both screws in the forward direction and down into reverse. Going from side to side speeds up or slows down the motors, so the boat goes in the direction the lever dictates. This was accomplished by:
1) Page 14/57 Establish the Tx Stick mode, mine was # 2.
2) Considering ELEVON, need to determine which layout allows the Aileron and Elevator controls to be operated by same lever.
3) Use Elevator for throttle (fwd & astern) and Aileron to “turn”. The Aileron will accelerate the motor on the outside of a turn.
4) Plug Port & Starboard motor ESCs into channels 1 & 2 respectively.
5) Refer to Para 5.10 and set Elevon mode on Tx.
6) Use channel 4 (LH lever side to side) for rudder and Channel 3 (LH lever up / down) for any other function needing proportional control. I am using it for the centre brushed motor.
This means that my control levers, which had previously had throttle on the LH lever and rudder on the right are now totally changed.
There is also an article in the March edition of Model Boats that explains the concept.

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Canobus,
Have not done a circuit diagram yet, but can explain the Tx settings. if that will suffice can write something up shortly. The instructions are fairly sketchy.

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During our protracted wait for Spring, have had chance to reflect on the earlier tribulations with the brushless motor installation. My enthusiasm was sparked by an article on getting the best from your Tx in a magazine and the advantages of using the Elevon or V Tail facilities if available.
My Flysky Rx/Tx has this facility, so after some experiments, set the boat up to use the Elevon function. This puts both motor ESCs on the same control lever, so advancing the control accelerates both screws equally and moving to either side accelerates, or slows the appropriate motor. Think this will reduce the coordination previously required to sail in a straight line.
Fresh from that success decided to experiment further. The Tx allows reducing Servo throw, so tried that too so could reduce the max. ESC output, it also seems to work.
One problem with the original layout was that if the forward speed was reduced quickly it was very easy to move the lever through the neutral point, overshooting into reverse. This immediately reversed that motor causing erratic operation. The Tx also has a “Dual Rate” facility to adjust the lever response from linear to various alternate rates. This allows the neutral point zone to be increased, so the tendency to overshoot into reverse is reduced. Bench tests of these adjustments suggest the model will be easier to operate. Hope they will make controlling the models performance better in our closest pool, which is quite small.
A further precaution to prevent inadvertent operation of the brushless motors when using the centre, brushed one, was to add two small relays; one into each of the white ESC signal wires. This allows a another channel on the Tx to be used to select, or deselect the brushless motors.
Anticipate that by turning this channel and thus the brushless ESCs off, manoeuvring can be accomplished without the operation being overwhelmed by a brushed motor inadvertently being operated.
My patience for Spring is getting thinner!

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Looks great Norm, well done.

Will send you the plans (such as they are - these are sections and the General arrangement) to your personal address.
I am pleased with the model from ever perspective. She sails well and looks good; was also a rewarding challenge to build.
She does require either skill or much patience to build.

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Winter seems to encourage modeling, have spent many hours in hibernation working on the deck and superstructure details.
A supplier offers a full set of Perkasa fittings, most of which would work on the Brave B. At one point considered buying a set. They are made in both resin and cast metal. Eventually parsimony prevailed, so only purchased a small number of hatch covers and other intricate shapes that would be difficult to make well. The items duly arrived and the quality is good. Was surprised by the weight though, so am pleased had embarked on making the other items from the usual materials. There should be an overall weight saving, along with a reduction in my surplus styrene and wood stock.
One of the design tenants of the Brave class was flexibility. The vessel could operate as a MTB, MGB or Raider, or with a mixture of these capabilities. The weapon mountings were designed to allow armaments to be installed and moved around to suite the requirements of the role.
Have reviewed many Brave class photographs trying to establish a “standard” armament configuration, to reproduce. Not only does the configuration define the weapons installed, it also establishes the ammunition and flare storage cabinet arrangements. Eventually decided upon the 2 x 40mm Bofors gun arrangement with 2 x 21” torpedoes and 4 x extended range fuel tanks.
The model is now essentially complete. No doubt as I keep examining it will add further small details and refinements.
Only disappointment so far is that it does not achieve the original weight target of 6 lbs, it is 9.5 lbs. The 6 lbs may possibly have achievable using one screw and motor etc., but once three are installed, not likely.
The real test is when finally back on the water. Will close this blog then with a concluding report.

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If you decided to go the gf hull route suggest look at the MTBHulls site. The have s welll deserved reputation for accuracy and quality

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Unless you are determined to build to scale, the single motor/screw combination is probably the best. Have encountered several challenges with my triple motor/screw Brave Borderer (the predecessor to the Perkasa) layout. Now have the satisfaction though of setting off to build a scale model and have achieved it.

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Thanks Canabus,
Guess will not know if I need to do something like that until we are back on the water in Spring, but food for thought.
Rowen

Hi Canabus, Do you have before and after photos as this sounds intriguing? A video would also be helpful if you have one.
Thanks
Rowen

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Thanks, probably explains why the original motor is out of stock with no estimated replenishment date.
Will update my notes to the 3639 750 kV
Rowen

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Well Canabus, certainly fast! Very envious of seeing open water too.
If was not obsessed with building to scale, looks like your power train combination would be ideal.
Once the water is Canada regains liquid form will be returning to my Brave B. Am confident it will now be much better, although potentially still overpowered.
Have various methods available for controlling the performance in mind now. However, if nothing really works could, with some minor modifications fit a powertrain rather like yours.
More food for though!

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Thanks for your suggestions. Once we get back on the water in the Spring will investigate further. My last run in the fall indicated that the performance was now satisfactory and predictable. Cannot wait to try again and confirm.
This is my first foray into a high speed vessel and it gives plenty of food for thought as even minor adjustments can make a big impact

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After completing the cowl, turned to the rear structure covering the gas turbine and other engine spaces. This can readily be made from styrene sheet. The sides and top were cut out, reinforced with “L” shaped angle and fitted together with CA glue. No particular challenges, other than determining where the various section transitions occur. Luckily had two different sets of plans to compare, so the nuances could be established.
It was not until the rear structure was fitted into the cowl, the assembly fitted to the removable deck and placed on the hull, realized just how important this milestone was. Once everything is firmly located the accuracy of build becomes readily apparent. Any inaccuracies show up as an obvious misalignment.
Was able to check the alignments and squareness using eye, rules, squares and a spirit level and was pleased with the outcome. A subtle sanding of about .020” off the base of one side of the superstructure and everything became square, parallel and correctly aligned. Quite a relief!
Have always stressed the importance of accuracy throughout a build. This supported that recommendation.
Once the superstructure was completed realized my plan to lift the deck off to gain access to the electrical control switches was impractical. Have thus cut a small access hole in the rear deck to facilitate access. Still undecided how to best disguise the hole, but at least access is now relatively easy.
From now on, until the test program can be continued on the water, will add detail to the model. Doubt there will be much to describe is that of interest, or that has not been covered by others.
Will continue this blog once there is anything significant to report.
In the meantime, best wishes for Christmas and 2019,

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