Cheetah rebuild

[Rumdog]

Wow! Daddy like!

[larryrose11]

Hello all,
Lots of progress, just no posting. Ill try to keep it in order to make sense

ESC work!!
I was never happy with how an esc was set up, so, Im trying something different. Im starting with a t180 I have given a cooling mod to all ready.
The idea, is to mount all electronics to a sled, and have it attach to the hull with channels at on end, and velcro at the back end. Most of it will be under the ESC cover.
First, I need to modify the T180 wire mounts, and capacitors.
I cut the capacitors off, and machined off the existing wire connections.



solder on the new cap bank, lying flat.


For the motor connectors, I came up with the idea of a socket that I can mount the connectors in. It needed to be tough, water resistant, and non-conductive.
I chose Delrin.


This mount block would need 2 passages, for the water lines, so here is the prototype of the sled, with blocks to support the connectors and provide clearance for the water lines.


I decided to use machine screws through the ESC to serve as a post style wire mount. So I soldered the screws to the ESC from the bottom, so the post sticks up.
I also had to make my own wire eyelets. So I took some 8 cause wire eyelets, and drilled them with tiny holes to the machine screws. I clipped of the norma eyelet.

[larryrose11]

Skipping ahead a little, I soldered som machine screws into the wire holes to be a mount post, soldered the connectors together, and covered the connector mount in CF sticker, because CF is a semi conductor!!



Here ya can see the whole rig. The foam block to the left of the ESC contains the capacitors, to hold them in place. The esc and the foam block are siliconed the the sled, which is made out of ABS plastic.
to the far left is the Castle BEC, and my receiver.



Here is the end view of the connector block, and I outlined the cooling line passage



It all tucks nicely under the front opening of the cheetah!!

[kfxguy]

Nice. Guess it makes it easy to work on everything? My cheetah should be delivered today. No idea what I'm doing for power just yet.

[larryrose11]

Made some progress.
Rudder bracket, Strut bracket, and battery tray are mounted.
Sorry for the ugly target bag over the top, but I have to protect the finish.

[Fluid]

Sorry for the ugly target bag over the top, but I have to protect the finish.

Lose the cheap plastic bags and buy a roll of 2" blue painter's tape. Cover the paint with the tape - it gives far more protection than a loose, flimsy bag does!


.

[kfxguy]

Lose the cheap plastic bags and buy a roll of 2" blue painter's tape. Cover the paint with the tape - it gives far more protection than a loose, flimsy bag does!


.

Much agreed! the bag tears easily. been there. I cover the whole boat in 2" wide masking tape while building it lol.

[larryrose11]

Motor mount install. Trying my best to get it lined up.



Stuffing tube outer installed, so is the motor.
The actual stuffing tube fits inside the tube pictured here. I installed the strut and the motor, stuffing tube, and the shore outer pictured here, then epoxy the stuffing tube outer in place. Makes alignment perfect.


Motor and spiffy outer holder is in place.


Here is the cooling concept. Both are supply lines.
They are aluminum lines with some flexibility built in for an easier install.
For the transom passthrough, I out a short section of aluminum tube that is 1 size larger, so it just slides in place
To bend this thin wall tube, I used a tubing bender, and a flex cable. The lines are 4MM ID.


and its just gotta look good, so they get braided cover

[larryrose11]

Getting her into running condition!!
Only a little more to do, like the ESC Cover, and some hatch seals.
Check out the servo horn I made. I used a heavy duty servo horn I had, and trimmed it down to a square . Took some thick CF stock I had, drilled out a hole, and filed it square. I then cluesd tome CF stock I made that has the same pattern as the interior hull.

[larryrose11]

Well, maiden voyage out, and the servo broke!!
I suspected it may. Lesson learned.
The replacement is a Savoix sc1251mg.
I had to mill out the mounting holes to make it fit, but it still looks good I think.

[kfxguy]

I've had good luck with the savox waterproof servo...the blue one. You can get them for about $43 shipped. They are in all my boats and all my builds.

[larryrose11]

UPdTE:
I made some modifications the the battery sleds.
I put some CF angle stock On the sled, with foam to add some cushion, and future adjustment of Revoletric batteries.
Now, with 1 Velcro strap. I can securely hold the 6S pack in place. Since it holds in in the same place every time, I can adjust the battery sled placement to dial in the balance.

[larryrose11]

Dogh!!,
I wont be able to post a final running video, or a pic of the GPS unit, before the end of the calendar year.
The forces of the universe have thwarted me, preventing me from getting the Cheetah all dialed in before the end of the season.
- the trusty T180 bit it, and I could not afford a new one,
- The cheep_a$$ Turnagy NanoTec I bought, started puffing on the shelf!!
I got in a hand full of runs on 6S, running a S/B M645.
Worked so well, It would LEAP out of the water if I goosed it too much from a start.
GPS said 55, but I don't have a pic to prove it.
I will have a new Swordfish 220A Pro arriving in a bit, but too late for the season.
I also plan on getting some RevoLetric Silver batteries in the spring.

[larryrose11]

OK, Finally got a sunny day that I was home for, time for the final glamor shots, as final submission to the build thread.







I was able to convert a keyboard case into a carrying case. I just leave the rudder unnatached.
It is in the cloth with the rubber band.

[ray schrauwen]

Nice build, sorry to here you had some difficulties with esc etc... For a 6S2P hull like this I prefer a SF200 8S esc or a SF240. It has a bit more voltage ability and almost same amp rating. I will save my 220 for a 2S or 4S boat.