help what to run

[STI-rex]

G'day from sunny Australia

G'day team
I have just bought an HOR apparition cat and am very new to the boat scene previuosly been into ep heli's and r/c monster trucks

But i had never had a boat so i thought i should give it a try but it all seems a bit confusing, I have been around lipo's and brushless for a few years now with the heli's and trucks etc

the boat came with
1 x fesiuda 540 L 1620kv brushless motor
1 x suppo 125 amp esc
and a tiny 11.1v 2200 mah 20 c lipo which i have put into use in a small heli

now i have run the boat on some 2 X 2s 4000mah lipo's in series and it seems to go not too bad but i am sure it can go better

The prop was a 35mm plastic unit until i hit a turtle at the local pond and is now no more

so what size prop should i be running on a boat this size with the above fitted and will

Cheers in advance
James

[ozzie-crawl]

welcome to the forums
the 540l is a little on the small size,not saying it wont work but a 8-9xl is a better bet in the apparition
if sticking with that motor a x442 or will see a large improvement over the 35mm plastic prop.
what is your goals with the cat run time or speed ?

[STI-rex]

Mostly after a bit of speed without going over the top but also a bit of run time as the nearest decent lake is a 45 minute drive from where i am in Gympie

Barumba dam is the biggest usable body of water near me that is freshwater

And the local council has restrictions on some of the dams for r/c vehicles

I have 4 sets of 2 x 2s lipo's and a pair of 7 cell nimh batteries at my disposal

might have to look at a 540 xl motor or similar and maybe a 42-45 mm prop

It seems to get up and plane reasonably well now but it could always do with more

I just know that this is going to become another addiction just like my 1:1 car and the rc toys that i already have

[Mel279]

U might wanna try 5s with your existing motor, it goes much faster than 3s that u used. Anyway, is your esc programmable?

[STI-rex]

Thanks for the replies guys

it seems that my esc is programmable and it has an option for 6s lipo's but i am not too keen to try that option as it may end with

but it seems to go good on 4s lipo's and even the 14 cell nimh packs ( 2 x 7 cell in series)

I haven't even tried it on 3s lipo's as i donated that battery it came with to a small electric heli and

I tend to think that 3s lipo's are best left to 380 size motors in a boat or small r/c cars

where in the boat would you mount a 5s lipo as my motor and esc are in the middle of the hull taking up 80% of the room there

I usually mount my 2s lipo's in the outer part of the hull 1 on each side and have a series lead connecting them to the esc

the lipo's that i am using are 7.4v 5000mah 40c discharge with 80c burst

OR

7.4v 4000mah 30c discharge with 45c burst

I do have a couple of sets of 11.1v 3s 5000mah 35c lipo's at my disposal out of my monster truck also

[sailr]

Be careful with the prop sizing. You don't have a very big ESC, Amps wise. If you get too big on the prop you'll blow the ESC!

[Mel279]

Thanks for the replies guys

it seems that my esc is programmable and it has an option for 6s lipo's but i am not too keen to try that option as it may end with

but it seems to go good on 4s lipo's and even the 14 cell nimh packs ( 2 x 7 cell in series)

I haven't even tried it on 3s lipo's as i donated that battery it came with to a small electric heli and

I tend to think that 3s lipo's are best left to 380 size motors in a boat or small r/c cars

where in the boat would you mount a 5s lipo as my motor and esc are in the middle of the hull taking up 80% of the room there

I usually mount my 2s lipo's in the outer part of the hull 1 on each side and have a series lead connecting them to the esc

the lipo's that i am using are 7.4v 5000mah 40c discharge with 80c burst

OR

7.4v 4000mah 30c discharge with 45c burst

I do have a couple of sets of 11.1v 3s 5000mah 35c lipo's at my disposal out of my monster truck also

Could u post some pics of the interior of your boat?
U might try connect in series of your 2s to make it 4s, or 2s with 3s to make 5s, a pic would be great so we can suggest where to put the battery, do u know how to program the esc?

[STI-rex]

Could u post some pics of the interior of your boat?
U might try connect in series of your 2s to make it 4s, or 2s with 3s to make 5s, a pic would be great so we can suggest where to put the battery, do u know how to program the esc?

G'day
Thanks for your reply

I am already running the 2s lipo's in series with a series lead to give me a 4s lipo

and i am not too keen to run a 2s + 3s in series as i have seen the results when people have tried this in heli's even when the mah and c rating have been matched

this is the layout as i got the boat





remember boating is new to me but brushless and lipo's i have been playing with for 5 or so years now with big electric heli's and monster trucks

this is the speed controller programming stolen from another forum

SUPPO. Speed Controller Programming Instructions

For Advance programmable Normal Aircraft/Boat ESC 50A/70A/80A/100A/125A/200A ESC

Important Note: these ESCs are all Opto, without BEC to your Receiver, you need extra power source for your receiver. You can use a UBEC, a voltage regulator, or extra batteries as the power source for your receiver. If you hear the music tone repeat again and again for more than 3 times, you may need to check your power source to the receiver.

1 Enter programming Mode

1. Connect your motor and receiver to the speed controller, but do not connect the battery yet. 2. Turn on your transmitter and move the throttle stick to the full throttle position (full up). Please Note: Most Futaba transmitters have the throttle channel reversed by default. 3. Connect your battery and the controller will initialize with a musical tone.
2 Programming

After 3 seconds, the controller will start beeping a sequence of tones . a musical tone followed by one or more beeps. Each sequence represents a parameter that you can program and is repeated 3 times. The parameters are:
Music Tone + 1 Beep - Options 1. Cell Type and No. of Cells
Music Tone + 2 Beeps - Options 2. Throttle Setting
Music Tone + 3 Beeps - Options 3. Brake Setting
Music Tone + 4 Beeps - Options 4. Direction and Cutoff Type
Music Tone + 5 Beeps - Options 5. Timing Mode
Music Tone + 6 Beeps - Option 6. PWM setting
Step 1.

Starting, Enter Sub-optins. When you hear the sequence for the parameter you wish to program, move the throttle stick to the Center Position to Enter Sub-options. The controller will then start beeping a Morse code sequence of short and long beeps representing the possible options you may choose for the selected parameter. See table 2 for a list of all programmable options. Each option sequence is repeated 3 times.
Step 2.

Select and save, the select the option, move the throttle stick back to the 2 Full-up-position., When you hear the sequence for the option you wish to select. The controller will then save the selected option, and sound a long beep as a confirmation. It then goes back to the beginning of the programming sequence (phrases 2).
Step 3.

Complete programming and exit programming mode. Setup all the parameters you need to change. When complete, move the throttle stick to the Lowest (Down) Position. The controller will save all options and re-initialize in normal running mode so you can start your motor. The table below summarizes the various programming options for each parameter:
Option 1.1 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for 50A/60A/70A water cooled / 100A / 125A watercooled / 200A-LV (LV as 2S-7S)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 7S Li-Po (25.9V) . 21V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 3 Long 6S Li-Po (22.2V) .18V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 5S Li-Po (18.5V) . 15V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 4S Li-Po (14.8V) . 12V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 3S Li-Po (11.1V) . 9V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 7 Long 2S Li-Po (7.4V) . 6V Cutoff Voltage
Option 1.2 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for 70A (MV as 4S-8S)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 8S Li-Po (29.6V) . 24V Cutoff Voltage**
1 Short + 3 Long 7S Li-Po (25.9V) . 21V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 6S Li-Po (22.2V) . 18V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 5S Li-Po (18.5V) . 15V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 4S Li-Po (14.8V) . 12V Cutoff Voltage
Option 1.3 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for 80A-HV/100A-HV (HV as 6S-10S)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 10S Li-Po (37V) . 30V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 3 Long 9S Li-Po (33.3V) . 27V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 8S Li-Po (29.6V) . 24V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 7S Li-Po (25.9V) . 21V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 6S Li-Po (22.2V) . 18V Cutoff Voltage
Option 1.4 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for 80A-12S/200A-12S (UHV as 8S-12S)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 12S Li-Po (45.4V) . 39V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 3 Long 11S Li-Po (41.7V) . 33V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 10S Li-Po (37V) . 30V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 9S Li-Po (33.3V) . 27V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 8S Li-Po (29.6V) . 24V Cutoff Voltage
Option 1.5 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for100A-SHV-15S / 200A-SHV-15S (SHV-15S LiPo)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 15S Li-Po (45.4V) . 39V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 3 Long 14S Li-Po (41.7V) . 33V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 13S Li-Po (37V) . 30V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 12S Li-Po (33.3V) . 27V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 11S Li-Po (29.6V) . 24V Cutoff Voltage
Option 2. Throttle Setting

2 Short + 1 Long Auto Throttle Range *
2 Short + 2 Long 1.1ms to 1.8ms
2 Short + 3 Long Hard Acc*
2 Short + 4 Long Soft Acc
Option 3. Brake Setting

3 Short + 1 Long No Brake
3 Short + 2 Long Soft Brake*
3 Short + 3 Long Medium Brake
3 Short + 4 Long Hard Brake
Option 4. Direction and Cutoff Type

4 Short + 1 Long Clockwise Rotation *
4 Short + 2 Long Counterclockwise Rotation
4 Short + 3 Long Soft Cutoff
4 Short + 4 Long Hard Cutoff *
Option 5. Timing Mode Setting

5 Short + 1 Long 1o - For 2-4 Pole Inrunner Motors *
5 Short + 2 Long 7o - For 6-8 Pole Motors
5 Short + 3 Long 15o- For 10-14 Pole Outrunner Motors
5 Short + 4 Long 30o - For 10-14 Pole High-RPM Outrunner Motors
Option 6. Pulse Width Modulation(PWM) Setting

6 Short + 1 Long 8KHz . For low RPM and low pole count motors *
6 Short + 2 Long 16KHz . For most out runner motors
* is Default Setting

Cheers
James

[Mel279]

Thanks for the pics, 4s would be ok, but u might wanna try 9xl or 8xl as suggested by ozzie-crawl and u would be happy with the outcome using that motor. Program your esc as I've highlighted in red, if u haven't done it yet.

Option 1.1 Cell Type and Number of Cells

Only for 50A/60A/70A water cooled / 100A / 125A watercooled / 200A-LV (LV as 2S-7S)
1 Short + 1 Long NiMh/NiCD Auto Cell Count - 0.8V/Cell Cutoff Voltage *
1 Short + 2 Long 7S Li-Po (25.9V) . 21V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 3 Long 6S Li-Po (22.2V) .18V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 4 Long 5S Li-Po (18.5V) . 15V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 5 Long 4S Li-Po (14.8V) . 12V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 6 Long 3S Li-Po (11.1V) . 9V Cutoff Voltage
1 Short + 7 Long 2S Li-Po (7.4V) . 6V Cutoff Voltage
2 Short + 1 Long Auto Throttle Range *
2 Short + 2 Long 1.1ms to 1.8ms
2 Short + 3 Long Hard Acc*
2 Short + 4 Long Soft Acc

Option 3. Brake Setting

3 Short + 1 Long No Brake
3 Short + 2 Long Soft Brake*
3 Short + 3 Long Medium Brake
3 Short + 4 Long Hard Brake
Option 4. Direction and Cutoff Type

4 Short + 1 Long Clockwise Rotation
4 Short + 2 Long Counterclockwise Rotation
4 Short + 3 Long Soft Cutoff
4 Short + 4 Long Hard Cutoff *

Option 5. Timing Mode Setting

5 Short + 1 Long 1o - For 2-4 Pole Inrunner Motors *
5 Short + 2 Long 7o - For 6-8 Pole Motors
5 Short + 3 Long 15o- For 10-14 Pole Outrunner Motors
5 Short + 4 Long 30o - For 10-14 Pole High-RPM Outrunner Motors

Option 6. Pulse Width Modulation(PWM) Setting

6 Short + 1 Long 8KHz . For low RPM and low pole count motors *
6 Short + 2 Long 16KHz . For most out runner motors
* is Default Setting

[STI-rex]

Cheers for that and yes i have set up the esc as you suggested it took me about half an hour to find that info when i first got the boat

I currently get 4 mins runtime with 2 x 2s 7.4v 4000mah 30c lipo's and that is with putting 3100 mah back into them on the charger ( 77.5%mah usage ) with 3.15 volts left per cell after running

This is with a 35 mm brass prop i was donated (exactly the same as the stock plastic one)

This will obviously become a shorter run time with a bigger prop


Thank goodness we have a solar power to main grid system on the roof with all these batteries to charge

Now i just need to find a job to keep my r/c addictions supplied with cash

[Mel279]

Cheers for that and yes i have set up the esc as you suggested it took me about half an hour to find that info when i first got the boat

I currently get 4 mins runtime with 2 x 2s 7.4v 4000mah 30c lipo's and that is with putting 3100 mah back into them on the charger ( 77.5%mah usage ) with 3.15 volts left per cell after running

This is with a 35 mm brass prop i was donated (exactly the same as the stock plastic one)

This will obviously become a shorter run time with a bigger prop


Thank goodness we have a solar power to main grid system on the roof with all these batteries to charge

Now i just need to find a job to keep my r/c addictions supplied with cash

U might wanna try a bigger props, u'll get addicted as soon as your boat getting faster and faster. Anyway, do u run your boat on freshwater or saltwater?

[Rumdog]

With a 1620 kv motor, you can certainly run 5s, as long as the esc can handle it.

[ozzie-crawl]

i personaly wouldnt run 5s on one of those motors,i think 4s is a push.
are you sure the motor is 1650 kv,seems really low most of the apparitions came out with higher kv motors 2650-2950
if it is 1650kv and came with a 3s lipo thats around 18,000 rpm,really makes me wonder about some of these places selling electric boats

[STI-rex]

U might wanna try a bigger props, u'll get addicted as soon as your boat getting faster and faster. Anyway, do u run your boat on freshwater or saltwater?

Normally freshwater as the east coast near where i live is a bit too choppy for this size boat

But it is great for surfing I have seen a few guys out on the coast but they are usually bigger gas powered deep vee types

We have a big dam for water supply about 45 mins drive away from where i live there is usually a few people water skiing on it though so you need to pick your times or the little boats get a bit swamped from the wake of the ski boats

I sometimes go down to the local park that has a duck pond but it is only about 85 meters in length and has quite a few weeds to get snagged on and turtles to hit

Just found a local computer shop that stocks m3 nylon bolts for the rudder breakaway (dam pesky turtles)

[Mel279]

I usually run my boat on freshwater too, my motor get heat up fast, cant run too long or else I burnt the esc and motor. But it was different when I ran it on saltwater, motor just warm and much faster, even longer runtime. But I need to clean up the metal part to avoid getting rusty.