Motor and ESC suggestions for Apache Cat

[FE Wannabe]

I am planning on converting a Proboat Apache 24 Cat to brushless, but I don't want to make a $400 boat out of it either. I am leaning towards an Ammo 36-56-2600 and an 80 amp ESC of some kind, on 3S Lipo. I figure I can do this motor and ESC for around $100 - $120. Would this work, or does anyone have any suggestions otherwise? I am looking for speed in the upper 30's to low 40's.
The boat weighs about 2.6 lbs RTR with battery and stock motor and ESC.
Let me know if you need any more info from me.
Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Brad

[fastbaltek]

i think that motor is for sale on here... mystery 80amp esc's are cheap on ebay as well.

[fastbaltek]

actually i think you can buy the esc and motor in the swap shop.

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ead.php?t=2836

http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...ead.php?t=2514

[FE Wannabe]

Thanks for the links Fastbaltek.

I am really just looking for advice on the motor and ESC at this point. I was wondering if anyone else had converted an Apache Cat to brushless yet, and what they had used?

[SJFE]

I have not had a chance to test this hull yet. It's on my list. From the pictures the abs looks ok. I would not push it due to the abs and it only being 24". If I where to do it I would run a Feigao 12L on an X-Power 100amp esc. I would do the flex cable to a 3/16th propshaft mod. Buy & assemble both 3/16th & 3\16th to 1\8th drop down shafts. You will need allot of prop options seeing as how you will probaly be the first person to do this mod. You may also want to instal a more sturdy motor mount. I for one would love to see this attempted so go for it.
Best of luck.
Tom G

[dno]

Done! feigao 8L, Hydra 120, 098 flex drive, X435 prop. Runs nicely on 6 cells,
inside is a little to small for my GPS, I'll have to tape it to the outside.
Thanks to Steven and Diegoboy among the many others on this site for all the help.

[FE Wannabe]

Welcome!

Dno,
Glad to hear someone else has converted their Apache to brushless. A few questions, if you don't mind:
1. How does it ride with that motor, is it on the ragged edge at full throttle or could it handle a little more motor?
2. Did you change out your stuffing tube for the .098 flex cable conversion? And if so how tough was it to remove the stuffing tube?
Are you using a teflon liner?
3. Did you modify the motor mount, because even stock it looks like a weak point.
Sorry for all the questions, but you appear to be one of the first people to run this boat brushless and your experience will help me greatly.
Thanks in advance.
Brad

[FE Wannabe]

Tom,
Thanks for the reply. As always I appreciate your input.
It looks like I may be doing the conversion sooner rather than later, since I just "let the magic smoke out" of my stock 550 brushed motor tonight. Oooops.

[dno]

Brad, glad to help. The hull could certainly handle more motor, very stable and turns great. I did change the stuffing tube easily and I am using a Teflon liner. The stock motor mount was used, two additional mounting holes had to be drilled in the base to move the motor forward and accomodate the short flex hex coupler and thrust bearing. I used Marine Tex to bed the attachment point for the motor mount, so far it shows no sign of wear, but will have to be beefedup due to flexing in the hull plastic.

[FE Wannabe]

Stuffing tube replacement

Dno,
How exactly did you go about removing the stock stuffing tube in your Apache?
I was looking at it last night and I am not sure if I should just twist the stuffing tube on the transom end to break it loose, or if I should loosen it up by the motor first.
How did you anchor your new stuffing tube after the new one was installed?

I am planning on using a .130 flex cable with teflon in mine.

Thanks again,
Brad

[dno]

Brad,
From the looks of the stock tube, I used pliers on the transom end.
There is a silver collar that is glued on to the tube, start with that, it will slide off easily.
The stock tube was pretty thick so it can handle some force, the main attachment point is epoxy poured over the tube into the keel. Rotate back and forth until it pops. I wish I would have installed 7/32 tube for the .130 cable, but anyway you'll have to drill the transom end a little and hand bore the other end since there is no room to drill.
I cut the new tube with a 1/16 inch protruding on each end.
Remove the reciever and you can pour some epoxy on the tube to secure it.
Hopefully all goes smooth, let me know how it works out, glad to help.

Dan

[SJFE]

Brad if you heat the stuffing tube up it will seperate from the epoxy easy. With no twisting or chance of cracking the hull. Be carfull not to over heat it and melt the hull. You will hear the epoxy crack when it's hot enough.
Tom

[FE Wannabe]

Thanks for the help

Dan and Tom,

Thanks again for the help.

I am picking up the 7/32" brass tube tonight.

I will use a soldering iron to heat the stock brass tube to get the epoxy to release, unless you think that is too hot.

Brad

[dno]

Tom,
That's good advice on heating the stuffing tube, I'm new at this.
Dan

[SJFE]

A 20 or 40 watt iron will take a bit of time but will be safe. A 100 watt gun will be much faster but you will need to be carfull.