Insane FE30 issue

[teach]

Hey folks. Kind of got a strange issue with my boat. Nothing seems to want to stick to the bottom of the hull. I have gone through 3 sets of velcro so far. Any one have any super secret tips to help me?

On a side note, what a great running hull.

[properchopper]

Hey folks. Kind of got a strange issue with my boat. Nothing seems to want to stick to the bottom of the hull. I have gone through 3 sets of velcro so far. Any one have any super secret tips to help me?

On a side note, what a great running hull.

Hmmm.. My velcro sticks just fine; didn't even clean off the hull before adhering.
Maybe some mfg. goo needs to be cleaned off with a solvent & roughen up with grit paper.

[AlanN]

Depending on the resin used to make the hull it can be futile to try and stick something to an untreated surface. As Tony said, use some rough grit sandpaper in the area you want to stick your velcro and clean with something like alcohol. I usually put a drop or two of thick CA on the hull where you want it to stick. Some epoxy's like West Systems cures with an oily surface and must be treated this way or fully cured which may take some time.

[MarkF]

I sand and clean with acetone then I use a little CA on the surface were I stick the velcro. The CA is good for keeping the velcro down if it ever gets wet. Also use good 3M velcro not the cheap stuff.

Mark

[v-spec]

I sand and clean with acetone then I use a little CA on the surface were I stick the velcro. The CA is good for keeping the velcro down if it ever gets wet. Also use good 3M velcro not the cheap stuff.

Mark

That would explain why I had to use a pair of vice grips to pull your velcro off my boat!

[teach]

Thanks a ton folks. I know it seems like a dumb problem but it gets annoying.

[teach]

Some epoxy's like West Systems cures with an oily surface and must be treated this way or fully cured which may take some time.

This might be what I am fighting. You can still smell the fiberglass resin. It was a rush job to get a boat in time for our Nats.

[tth]

I sand and clean with acetone then I use a little CA on the surface were I stick the velcro. The CA is good for keeping the velcro down if it ever gets wet. Also use good 3M velcro not the cheap stuff.

Mark

This is the truth. It costs a little more but you wont pull it out of the hull when you pull your packs out. I do the same thing.

[Old Sloppy]

I buy my Velcro at WallMart,
I get the 3M brand "industrial strength" or at least that is what is printed on the box.
I wipe the desired area with a acetone damp rag.
It sticks like crazy.
In fact when I have to remove it, I need pliers.

Harry

[ozoneone]

When it absolutely, positively, has to stick:
Scotch 3M "Recloseable Fasteners" (velcro) laid down on fully cured brush coated thin layer of epoxy on inside of boat cleaned well with isopropyl alcohol. I think the hull will rip before this velcro will come off. You need a really smooth surface to stick it to. I don't think rough surfaces stick at all.

[Old Sloppy]

Does anybody have any problem removing their batteries after a run?

I have used popsicle sticks, slid under the cells to separate the velcro.

Otherwise I cant get the cells out without twisting or bending them.

This system works great, I just wonder how others do it.

Harry

[v-spec]

I just pull mine straight out no prob at all. I'm using a Puretech velcro battery strap to hold mine in though. Are you using 2s packs?

[properchopper]

Does anybody have any problem removing their batteries after a run?

I have used popsicle sticks, slid under the cells to separate the velcro.

Otherwise I cant get the cells out without twisting or bending them.

This system works great, I just wonder how others do it.

Harry

Hello Harry ! Been several years now from the the time you gave me some helpful advice setting up my Drifter S with the 8XL - which is still rippin' & trippin', now in Brad [FE Wannabee's] hands.

I use a flexible 12" plastic ruler to dislodge/unseat the velcro layers between boat & battery - works great !

Tony

[Old Sloppy]

I just pull mine straight out no prob at all. I'm using a Puretech velcro battery strap to hold mine in though. Are you using 2s packs?

I have 3 setups,
1) 5s2p 7,400 mah lipo (1 of these in each sponson)
2) 16 cell Nimh (2 packs for 32 cell voltage)
3)20 cell Nimh ( also a 22 cell pack for 42 cell voltage) this is comparable to 14s voltage (just higher IR + higher weight)

the 3rd setup , the 2 packs look like water ski's (very long packs) so it is no wonder the velcro is so feirce.

Harry