The Villain EX is going brushless!

[FighterCat57]

Instead of prop sizes, I have a few gearing choices to start with.

Nothing fancy, twin 60 amp esc's and 3900kv for a good 2s setup. Will be twin 5k 30c 2s batteries.

New in December 09, the Villain has seen more action than any other boat I own. Since becoming a rescue boat, it's basically been used on every run that I make. (seems like!)

There'a s bit of corrosion from salt water spray, but overall it's in great shape and has been a great reliable runner. The only boat I've not had to rescue.

[Make-a-Wake]

I tried dual brushless with stock outdrives and it was way squirelly..............went to single direct drive on 6s..........highest clocked speed is 38.7............havent heard of one faster yet........kinda proud of the achievement. I'll be watching your build....good luck!!

[FighterCat57]

Oh, not going for speed at all. This thing is silly dancing at 20mph. Just going for reliability and power, it is only used as a rescue boat. =)

[Make-a-Wake]

Cool...........but you know how we all are.......you'll start the tweaking and looking for more speed............its what we do!!!

[FighterCat57]

Yeah I was thinking about re-designing the "skis" for less water resistance and more speed during rescue's!

[FighterCat57]

Well fooey.

The motors I ordered aren't large enough to mount in the hull. There wasn't a bolt pattern diagram, just assumed that they would fit a 540 mount, but they don't.

So, not sure what I'm doing with it just yet. I will have a cheap pair of water cooled motors for sale though!

[Unsullied_Spy]

Nice to see a Villain getting some love. With my luck with FE boats I'm tempted to buy a Villain EX and leave the thing stock, my old 7.2V Villain (now converted to dual brushless) has been the only boat I've had fun with...it actually works and doesn't cause endless problems like all my other boats. I run steel bottom gears and Graupner U-Joints with 51mm CF props. Thus far I've only run stock gearing on 2s lipo with some cheap 34x30mm Turnigy motors (around 2,000 KV) and it was fun to drive and very stable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J1hP_SXJ_I

[FighterCat57]

Nice vid!

I think I may just order a cheap pair of 540 motors and go with it. It uses 32p gears, so I can easily use a 3mm or 5mm shaft motor. The HK ESC's are cheap... Just finding the cheapest pair of 540 sized motors... I've ordered the wrong size motors twice now... =(

[Jesse J]

I just acquired a Villain IV... one that was left for dead, but now it has a new heartbeat. I threw a pair of BJ motors in (from my Intruder) and removed some of the interior tub to make room for lots of batteries. Also ended up redoing the rear servo platform to make room for another battery back there. The problem is that now I am running low KV motors on 2:1 gear ratio with those stock flat props. I ran last night with 5S and would estimate low 20s. I have been toying with removing the gearing and go flex shaft through the steerable outdrives, but wanted to see how stable she is first. Eventually I will remove all interior tub crap and fiberglass the hull, making for very strong and hopefully more stable at speeds.

seems pretty good, but might need some turn fins. I will post a series of vids and some pics in a build thread once I get her running acceptable.

Hey Spy, give me a call, I have lost ur number. No luck with the Titan? lets race Villains! Also, I want the old 8.4V ESC from your Villain if you still have it.

[Make-a-Wake]

Here's mine.........................37.6 is the top speed i GPS'd. Has a Neu 1515 1500 kv being installed in a couple days. 6s in the vids with a Feigao 1445kv and a Graupner x640. The Neu will bust the 40 mark for sure.

The first vid is a while back and it runs a little wet in the first half. I have it all dialed in now as you will see in the second vid..................im kinda proud of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjZBzkXeru8

Second vid is the documented 37.6 mph run

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T968_ZJixko

[Jesse J]

Nice vids, I like the first one - pretty lake! I have had pretty good luck filmin and drivin, just watch it when you get close to shore.

I love that Neu you are getting, can't wait to see her run.

I am liking the idea of keeping mine twins... but don't care much for the gear noise. Might have to stay with the steerable outdrives, don't know that rudders would have much of a place back there with two struts... Yuck, not scale atall. Maybe those MHZ z drives (just $500 a pop - imagine a grand just hanging off the back of a less than $100 hull)?

[FighterCat57]

Cool. Just ordered a pair of 450 adapter plates and used some bonus points to get a pair of 50a esc's.

Looks like I can use my 450 heli outrunners with Holmes adapter plates!

The ESC's I ordered from HK, but only because I had bonus points to use up, so they were free!
The motors call for 40amp ESC, so figured a pair of these would work: http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbyking/s...dProduct=10013

Once they get here, I'll measure the heat sink and get a pair of OSE water cooled heat sinks for them and waterproof them with some conformal coating.


=)

[Make-a-Wake]

Nice vids, I like the first one - pretty lake! I have had pretty good luck filmin and drivin, just watch it when you get close to shore.

I love that Neu you are getting, can't wait to see her run.

I am liking the idea of keeping mine twins... but don't care much for the gear noise. Might have to stay with the steerable outdrives, don't know that rudders would have much of a place back there with two struts... Yuck, not scale atall. Maybe those MHZ z drives (just $500 a pop - imagine a grand just hanging off the back of a less than $100 hull)?

Been there.......done that. The twin outdrives with brushless is a nightmare.............squirelly as can be. I had two castle 4600's with the 2:1 reduction.............was very fast for the few seconds i could keep it straight. Pic below of the setup.

The Neu im getting will run on 6s pf course, with the 640 to start..........642 will follow I bet it does around 45................not bad for a Villain IMO.

[Jesse J]

I am pretty happy with my Black Jack motors (two himodel 125amp speedos I water cooled and plastidipped). Here is video of her on twins, still 2:1 gear reduction and stock Villain IV props, so pretty stinkin slow, but I actually like this speed and how she sits/rides.

I am gonna see what I can do with the brushed version, if too slow might go back to these BJ motors but direct drive with flex shafts and no gear reduction... wheel sea.

I am gonna reserve my speed demon for another boat.

[Make-a-Wake]

Nice vid Jesse. If you wanted just a tad more speed, throw a couple 16t pinions in there.

You have got the most beautiful scenery behind your lake........almost breathtaking. Is that what they call "Gods Country"........heard that before somewhere.