Livewire's EKOS Build

[Livewire121]

I applied 3-4 coats on everything from the ESC's to the BEC

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Shrink wrap it again and you're done!

[Livewire121]

Well while I was waiting for parts to come in, I thought I'd add some lights. My friends and I usually meet up in the evenings to run, and we pretty much push it until we can barely see the boats! This should solve that......I should add that these are controlled by the third channel on the receiver.

[Livewire121]

After I finished the hatch, some of my parts came in. I removed the red anodizing and polished the venom parts. After these pics I trimmed the battery trays, took 1/8 off each side. So I can get the batts as low as possible and so I could carry bigger packs. Here's the mock up of the final layout. I epoxied in the motor mounts and servo tonight.

[Livewire121]

Oh yeah I also added sponson water pickups, that was no fun at all. I've got some touch up paint work to do at the end of the build.

[Livewire121]

I was going to pickup some 45mm 1.8 pitch 3 blade props for my Leopard 2860 2190kv motors, before I got my ARC 3665 2080kv motors. I just checked the speed calculator and it says the boat should reach 94mph on 6s with the ARCs!! Is that right and how accurate is it?!

[Rocstar]

Looking good....The lights are a cool touch. 6s is a pretty hot setup for those motors in the EKOS. I think your pushing the limits of the T-120 ESC's also. That boat would rock on 5s with x442's IMO.

[Livewire121]

Looking good....The lights are a cool touch. 6s is a pretty hot setup for those motors in the EKOS. I think your pushing the limits of the T-120 ESC's also. That boat would rock on 5s with x442's IMO.

Thanks about the lights. Last season my Leopard 2860mm 2190kv motors handled 6s no problem. I thought by going down in the kv these motors would have handled 6s even better? I never had heat problems with the smaller motors, do you think these motors will pull very high amps?

[Rocstar]

The motors should be fine, it's the ESCs. If set up correctly 5s could put you in the 60mph range, I would run 6s for SAW only and keep the props reasonable as I think you'll be over the ESC current limits and any extended runs could let the smoke out.

[Livewire121]

I might have to save my lunch money and step up the esc's to 200 amp swordy's lol or maybe a pair of Navy Race 150 Optos

[Livewire121]

Well another order came in and I was able to finish the final layout. I still need to complete the wiring, battery positions, rudder/servo setup, touch up paint work, and flotation. I'm still not sure what I'm going to use for flotation though? Either 2 part close cell expanding foam or pool noodles....any suggestions?? 2013-03-02 14.07.11.jpg2013-03-02 14.06.40.jpg2013-03-02 14.04.23.jpg2013-03-02 14.04.06.jpg2013-03-01 19.38.00.jpg

[mtbenjamin77]

use pool noodles they can be easily removed and dried out and or replaced.

[Rocstar]

Looks good man. I would used noodles also and if you have an old life jacket, the layered foam inside works well too.

[Livewire121]

I still have the original foam that came with the boat.

[Livewire121]

Tks....I can't wait to get her out in the water! Joel I had made some cap banks for the t-120's, hope it helps with smooth out the high voltage demands from these motors?! The caps are low esr 50v 1000uf, 4000uf per esc.

[Livewire121]

I see that Atomic (Venom) are releasing another 34" cat. Oh wait that isn't a new boat, it's just a rebadged EKOS. Same motors, same esc's, same problems. I guess they don't mind missing a chance to improve their models!! And the kick in the pants is, it has no real world licensing fees like they had with the King Of Shaves. You would think there would be a price drop, but know it's listed $30 more then the EKOS!! I had to up grade this thing right out of the box just so I could run with my friends proboats, aquacrafts, and spartans. IMO this is there chance to make this a more competitive rtr....just my two cents!