Brushless Top Speed 2

[Fast Guy]

Well I couldn't resist. I had a spare SuperVee motor and ESC just sitting collecting dust. I have always been fascinated buy tunnel hull boats so I got a Top Speed 2. At $90.00 it is $20.00 cheaper than the bare SuperVee hull and comes with all the hardware and a real nice stand. I also bought a complete carbon fiber lower with electric motor mounting kit and drive adaptor. It kinda hurt to cut up my new boat to mount the new radio-battery box I built after arranging the components to keep the balance point at 9 1/2in from the stern. The motor cover is from an Aquacraft EP1 and I fabricated lower cover to make it more to scale and route the cooling pipes. The motor and the ESC are water-cooled. It took about 20 hours to complete the project and I'm very pleased with results. I live in a summer vacation area where electric power makes the neighbors smile. I don't have a GPS but my new Brushless Top Speed 2 is faster than our SuperVees and is rock solid at top speed where the SuperVees are on the edge.

Hull cut out for radio-battery box.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2Build009.jpg

Lower half battery box installed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2Build003.jpg

Upper half battery box installed
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2Build007.jpg

The speed control is mounted below the servo and receiver. Don't worry, I didn't use the stock radio, just sizing up the receiver location with the Aquacraft stuff. I made the box in two parts so it would be easier to get at the ESC cooling lines and wiring. I also cut down the transom about 1/2in to better route the wires and lines. Everything has to be positioned so the boats balance point is 9 1/2in from the stern.

I assembled the SuperVee motor to Fullers Carbon fiber Lower using the supplied adaptor plate and a 5mm Motor to Outboard Flex Shaft Coupler I also purchased from Fullers.
I also fabricated and installed a lower motor cover along with the Aquacraft's EP1 upper cover to help seal out unwanted water. I mounted the whole assembly to the transom with Dubro's 3.5cc motor mount.
I ran a cooling line from the cavitation plate up through the lower motor cover, out the cover front to the ESC, then back to the lower cover to the motor cooling coil and finally out the rear corner of the lower motor cover.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2Build008.jpg

I also fabricated a band clamp to seal the joint between the upper and lower motor covers and also provide an attachment point for the steering links.

[Fast Guy]

PART 2

The totally sealable radio-battery box.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2003.jpg

The finished product.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2005.jpg

Action shot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2004.jpg

The Movie (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/?action=view&current=TS207.mp4)
Enjoy

[Doug Smock]

Good work!! Great pics and video. Cool slomo blow off.:)
Thanks,
Doug

[Jeepers]

that is a cool build, I think that may be my next project:D ya dont mind if I copy do you? its hard to mess with perfection!

[SJFE]

Awesome..I want one

[adreher]

That awesome! great build man, i like it.

[Fast Guy]

Thanks everyone. I really enjoyed this build. Throughout the project I wondered if the SuperVee motor would be able to make the TS2 perform. I pleasently surprised.:)

[Fast Guy]

I also setup the outboard so by removing 4 nuts and unpluging one cooling line the power head seperates from the lower leg to allow easy access to the flex cable for servicing. I also like the way the electric outboard gives it that scale look. :cool: The nitro outboard looks like a 1930 Johnson racing motor.:eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v206/NitroFlash/RC%20Boats/TS2Motor.jpg

[Steven Vaccaro]

Thanks for sharing that build and video. Nice job! Are you using a123 cells? If so how do you like them?

['83 chevy]

love it, i wanna build one now

[Darin Jordan]

I want one too! After watching the OPC tunnels at the Nats... using 700/SS1 motor and 4S Lipos, I thought that would be fun... Only problem with the TS2 is that it's kind of heavy... BUT, with the SV27 package, and 4S Lipos, you'd likely be saving some weight and have a heck of a power package... NOT too expensive either...

Hmmm.... ;)

[Fast Guy]

Thanks for sharing that build and video. Nice job! Are you using a123 cells? If so how do you like them?

The cells are E-Moli from Milwaukee power tool battery packs. I tried them over the 123 cells because they are the same voltage as the other Lipo cells and can be charged with most current lipo chargers and balancers. I'm running two 2s2p packs in series to make 14.8 volts. The packs are 6000ma each and at 10c deliver 60 amps. They have got wet a few times and it doesn't seem to bother them at all. They also work very well in the SuperVee as they are very close to the weight of my 4200wc six cell packs. I built the packs myself and installed the balance taps. Lipo batteries do make life easier. You can buy them from Big E-RC (http://bigerc.com/index.php?osCsid=c2b45bdc5a49c038c5785df857a76dd4) and I do like them a lot.

Emoli Cell Info

Cell Type IMR26700 Manganese
Size 26mm diameter; 70mm length
Weight 100g
Capacity 3000 mAh
Voltage 3.7V nominal
Continuous Discharge 10-12C
Max 15C Burst
Charge up to 3C
Steel Casing - Very damage resistant.
Charge and balance just like regular Lithium based cells. No need to upgrade chargers or balancers.
Safer Chemistry - Won't combust or thermal runaway

[SJFE]

How do the BL motors hold up to getting wet. Is the cowling water tight? I would love to build one of these next winter but I don't want to waist motoe after motor.

[Fast Guy]

The water doesn't seem to bother the brushless motors. I made the cover water tight so I haven't had a problem yet. When I first got my SuperVee I got the motor real wet. Just dried it out and it has been good for hundreds of runs.

[SJFE]

That is good news. I am going to shop around for some hulls. I would like to try and score a Maus tunnel. I have loads of time to look around. The TS2 is a nice looking hull. I like to go a little diffrent if I can. Thanks for the information :)

[Darin Jordan]

Tom,

I've been told by several that this Hydro and Marine Skater is one of the fastest/best-performing FE tunnels around:

http://www.finedesignrc.com/boats/hmskatercollage.jpg (Link to purchasing page: http://www.finedesignrc.com/hullshydromarine.asp )

I think one of these won the Nationals a year or so back (2005??)... Very well built, nice hulls... and not too badly priced for the quality and weight...

[SJFE]

That looks like the hull for me. Looks like a lexan cover is in order. I wouls assume the Fuller carbon lower is the only way to go here hu?
Thanks Darin.

[Fast Guy]

The Skater looks like a good hull. If I knew that my boat was going to turn out so well I wouldn't have minded spending more. I figured I could risk $90.00 on the TS2 as it came with all the hardware and a nice stand. If it was a flop I could go nitro powered.

[Darin Jordan]

The Skater looks like a good hull. If I knew that my boat was going to turn out so well I wouldn't have minded spending more. I figured I could risk $90.00 on the TS2 as it came with all the hardware and a nice stand. If it was a flop I could go nitro powered.

I think you did an awesome job on that TS2... And you are right... For $90.00, it's well worth the effort...

I'd like to see some more pics of what you've done, and also can't wait to hear the "action" reports to see how it works out on the water...

[Fast Guy]

I think you did an awesome job on that TS2... And you are right... For $90.00, it's well worth the effort...

I'd like to see some more pics of what you've done, and also can't wait to hear the "action" reports to see how it works out on the water...

What pics would you like to see?

[SJFE]

I agree after seeing the price diffrence. 90 bucks is much more like it. I can keep the entire build well under 300.

[hammertime]

sjfe i think iferguson has one up on the swapshop dont know if it sold yet

[hammertime]

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/showthread.php?t=569

[Darin Jordan]

OK Guys... I have everything in the pipeline... Should have everything I need to do my own TS-2 FE conversion shortly... We have about 4 or 5 guys in our club doing the same, so it should be fun once they are all finished...

We'll all be running the SV27 setup on 4S1P Lipos...

Stay tuned!!

[SJFE]

What outboard unit are you guys going with?

[Darin Jordan]

What outboard unit are you guys going with?

I think everyone that doesn't already have a modified K&B 3.5 Legg has puchased a new REK Carbon lower legg assembly from Fuller's... They come ready to bolt a motor to for $89.95... I also had Steven order me an Octura 3.5 Outboard mount...

The Lawless mounts and those fancy CnC'd andodized adjustable mounts are nice, but they are kind of heavy, and the experts in our area (like Jerry Dunlap...) say the Dubro or Octura mounts work just fine...

[Fast Guy]

Darin, make sure to take some build pics. With eveyone running the SV power package it should make for some good racing. If I was building I would make the battery box at least 3in longer towards the bow. Mine is too cramped.

[ace028]

where can you get the super vee power package?

[kck741]

ace 028=you can get it here http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=dh-blcomboaq

[ace028]

cool thanks, I hope to maybe start this conversion after I finish a few projects, it looks awsome and fun!!!

[kck741]

I was planing on doing it with a 800 outboard but after seeing this.....................................well you know

[Darin Jordan]

OK Guys... EVERYTHING IS HERE!! I'm just about ready to get started...

WHAT A GREAT PACKAGE this is!! Talk about "bang for the buck!"...

I've already looked it over and have a plan for the conversion... Mine's not going to involve ANY cutting of the hull... I plan to use the STOCK radio box for the batteries, and build a secondary box to mount just behind it to hold the Steering and RX... I'm going to use the SV27 ESC WITHOUT the cooling plates, opting instead to just apply some tubing to the outer aluminum housing of the ESC... It will be much easier to mount without the extra bulk, and may even cool better... I'm going to use the stock servo tray inside of the secondary box to ease servo installation...

If anyone has already done away with their stock radio box, I'd be interested in obtaining it for my project... you can PM me or contact me at Banzai240@yahoo.com...

This has really gotten me excited about racing tunnels!!

[andym]

Here's my interpritation on the TP2 . I found that to fit 4 or 5s lipo you have to cut the tub otherwise the CG on the horizontal will be to high. 8xl feigao, hydra 120 and x637 prop on 4s will hit 39mph, have not been able to get a speed on 5s as am still working on the handling and I is getting very hairy at 43mph with more to go but have blown over twice trying.

[Fast Guy]

andym, nice job on the battery-radio box. Where did your balance point end up? What height did you set your prop depth? You motor looks to be mounted high.

[andym]

Thanks, the balance point was spot on 9 1/2 inches from transom. Have moved it back to 9". Prop depthis very close to the set up in the instructions at about 1/8 above bottom and yes the motor is giving me some grief being that high, have shortened the mount standoffs as much as I can but still wants to tip over in tight turns. Will try a L size motor maybe 10L as they are not as long and put the 8xl in a hydro.

[whiplash]

andym, how do i find a TP2? and is this normally an electric tunnel hull?
or is it converted, if so where do you find the leg?
heres pics of my only tunnel hull in the works, and my latest prodject just
finished. Thanks.

[andym]

The TP2 is an aquacraft hull and easily avalible for about $80 US. It is a nitro kit and takes a bit of work to go electric. The lower leg on mine is a REK but there are many alternatives. I am not entierly happy with this hull, seems to crack easily and am looking at alternitves that will be stronger and handle the weight and power better but as a cheap F1 build they have alot of merit as the postings here and on RRR show.

[whiplash]

Thanks for the info......If you wish to sell one later with everything except the RX and TX and Batteries let me know. send me a pm. ALOHA

[bill payne]

Darin, make sure to take some build pics. With eveyone running the SV power package it should make for some good racing. If I was building I would make the battery box at least 3in longer towards the bow. Mine is too cramped.

hi . really enjoyed your build withe aquacraft tunnel and the fuller leg and brushless motors. i am curently building the 1/5 scale version of bill blackwells kneel down hydro . i also bought the plans for the 1/4 scale version. . here is my saw dust pile so far. bill payne