Lost Flex Cables

[worriedsick4u]

I lost 3 .187 cables today. Along with 3 x452 props. After the first one I really cranked down on the collet. After the second one I change the collet. Who sells the cable locks that go between the collet and stuffing tube? Thanks guys

[Chilli]

I've only used the 1/4 inch size for my gas boats but I think this is what you need.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#shaft-collars/=ith06l

I think what you're looking for will be the one piece Aluminum Clamp On shaft collar with the 3/16 bore.

[siberianhusky]

That sucks, buddy of mine has lost 3 in the last 3 outings, 2 broken zippkits .187 flexes, and one when something happened with the 3 piece collet. Brand new prop and everything each time.

[Chilli]

I was testing props on my gas boats and the flex cable kept on loosening up. Those collars really worked nice untill the third time when I forgot to tighten it up.....:blink:

[lackabucks1]

Use a 3/16' model aircraft wheel collar between the collet and the stuffing tube.

[worriedsick4u]

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

[Fluid]

When you install a shaft saver, put it up tight against the coupler. Otherwise it can cause cable whip and risk breaking the smaller cables.

If your flex coupler is loosening, get a better quality one...some of those on the RTR boats are kinda flimsy. And be sure to use a small amount of antiseize compound on the coupler threads. That will increase the holding force of the coupler quite a bit.



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[silver]

I going to use the MHZ cable lock hope they will work well.
see here the web side

http://shop.mhz-powerboats.com/category-11/category-25/Flex-Safety-Clamp-3-16---4-75mm-.html

[osprey21]

These work well and they're relatively cheap, as least here in the US.

http://shop.dubro.com/products/productdetail/Dura-Collars+3/16%22+%28QTY/PKG%3A+4+%29/part_number=141/101.0.1.1.5161.5171.0.0.0?pp=12&

[grsboats]

What kind of collet are you using? I would see for something misaligned in your boat maybe the collet that will produce lot of vibration capable of loosening the hex......also do not run unbalanced props that cause lot of vibration to the flexcable.Gill

[worriedsick4u]

It's an OSE 8mm to .187. Everything is aligned. Can't detect vibration with the naked eye. Really has me baffled. Just bought a 3 piece. Will putting a little solder on collet side of cable help?

[grsboats]

It's hard to detect minor misaligments with naked eye or at low rpm ,just be sure the shaft of your motor is aligned.a quick test is remove the coupler and speed it with no load to see how it runs.I had a 4082 that came with shaft misaligned and almost destroyed my rigger in its first accelleration.Gill

[jcald2000]

You must solder the collet end for about 1/4".
The collet will compress and move the strands around which loosens the cable then bye bye cable and prop.
The collet must have something solid to get hold of.

[worriedsick4u]

That makes a whole lot if sense. I tried it last night and the only way I could get solder to stick was to heat some solder up in a copper cap and dip the cable end in it. My cheap soldering iron could not get the cable hot enough. Thanks for your help.

[Fluid]

You must solder the collet end for about 1/4"..Not true. I haven't soldered a cable in years, just a few drops of LockTite 603 does it even on my SAW boats. Of course I use only high quality cable, some cable is relatively soft and does compress. And once a cable slips in the collet and overheats it is best to throw it away. It then will always have the risk of coming loose again.



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[Mel279]

get the ETTI collet, it grip very tight and never failed, or go for MBP collet. As for the collet saver, go for the MHZ, better balance since it uses 2 grub screw.

[jcald2000]

Jay, agreed on the different cables Hughy are the best I've found.
Does the 603 work on your big, 6s up oval boats??

[Bone]

I can certainly understand the very real benefits of fitting the shaft collet to save the flex cable. But if the shaft came loose on a boat with the rudder inline with the prop / shaft (eg: Genesis) wouldn't the rudder act as a barrier to the shaft moving any further backwards? Or am I being too optimistic in my thinking?

[Chilli]

In the case of an inline rudder, it would be a barrier. But you risk destroying the prop, rudder, strut or all of the above.

[iamandrew]

My shaft on my genesis actually only has about 1CM between the end of the shaft and the rudder, it did come loose once and hit the rudder, but the good thing was because it is so close, it came directly backwards and hit, so the shaft was still alligned in the strut. COuld do a lot of damage if the prop hit it