Questions from a newbie...

[GregS]

Depends on the equipment I bet. 80 watts may not always be 80 watts.

I've been using a 60 watt iron that has worked fine for this. I bought another one of these (exactly the same model) and the new one was not up to the task. Not nearly as hot as the original. In this case 60 watts was not 60 watts - one of them is wrong!

Greg

[Flying Scotsman]

150w iron, nothing like rabbit hunting with a AK47. LOL

Fellas 5mm connectors can be soldered to #10 wire all day long with a 40w iron. Most pencil irons I've seen come with different size tips. The key to solder jobs that require more heat, is to use the larger tips. (more mass = more heat)

Doug

On the button. Too much heat will destroy other components.

Douggie

[Chop]

Removing plugs from the receiver

O.K., here’s a real simple one…

Is there an easy way to remove the servo/esc plugs from the receiver?

I have a tendency to grab the plug, but end up pulling on the wires! I don’t suppose there is a handy tool for removing them (like the tool that is used to remove automotive fuses).

I suppose most of you will just say, "Be careful!"

[Chop]

Motor temps.

O.K., maybe there are some dumb questions. I guess I’ll just be more careful pulling the plugs out of the receiver.

How about this one…

I have a Graupner mini hydro (thanks FE_Chris). Fun little boat, but it is air cooled – no active cooling (no water, no fan). After bringing it in the other day I noticed the motor is hot to the touch. I didn’t have a thermometer with me but I did today (for you other newbie’s this is a great tool http://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pro...XP3100&cat=19).

Boat is set up with a Graupner speed 400 motor and an 1100Mah 11.1v 3s1p lipo battery. After running for 7 or 8 minutes I checked the motor temp. – hot to the touch, 105ْ F. Is this an allowable temp. or is it too high?

[Rex R]

the old rule of thumb was; if you can't hold your finger on the case for 5 seconds then it was too hot. 105F after 7 minutes I would consider an advisory notice; that it would be advisible to moniter temps more closely if, running longer or proping up (or if the weather gets hotter)

[Chop]

Delicate ESC's???

If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all! I have purchased two used boats, a SV27 and a BJ26. I had arming issues with the SV and ended up replacing the ESC – the problem disappeared along with an additional $60. Now I can’t get the BJ to run.

Batteries were freshly charged.
Connectors to the ESC are good (checked with a continuity tester).
When the 7.4v batt’s. are plugged in, I get .04v coming out of the ESC (pull trigger on Tx, measure voltage going to the motor via the ESC).

I plug in a receiver pack and have power at the receiver, but not when the (two, 7.4v) batteries are plugged in. It does not look like the speed control is serviceable.

The rudder does not move when the Rx pack is plugged in, but this might be normal. I would assume that the receiver sends a signal to the servo, but the servo gets its power from the 7.4v batteries thru the speed control.

That’s my guess anyway. Are the ESC’s that delicate? Could the problems be the result of rough handling during shipping?

[calcagno45]

There should be no need to connect a reciever pack unless you have disconnected the BEC coming from the controller.

[Chop]

There should be no need to connect a reciever pack unless you have disconnected the BEC coming from the controller.

Sorry, to clarify: I was checking to see if the receiver was the problem. By hooking up the receiver pack I was assured that the receiver had power and was working (it's a new Rx). I had unplugged the two battery packs.

[justneedspeed]

Im lost on the bullet connectors thing. Do you connect them battery, ESC and motor or motor to ESC, or another way?

[Chop]

Reviving a Dead Lipo

Can I save this battery???

I have a 1200 mah, 10C 3S lipo. The name on the battery is U2O (web site: www.U2Oglobal.com). I forgot to take it out of the boat after running it. I did turn the ESC off but did not take the battery out of the boat until the next evening.

I try to charge it with my Hyperion 6o6i but I get the following message: “Check the Batt. Low Voltage”

There is no balancing tap on the battery.

Is there a way to nurse this battery back to life?

[Chop]

Bump

Crickets chirping...

[Chop]

Reviving a Dead Lipo

Well, I'm going to ask this one again 'cause I did it again (you'd think I would learn).

Can I save THIS battery...

I have a 1800 mah, 20C 3S lipo. This one is a (much more expensive) PolyRC; I forgot to take it out of the boat after running it. I didn't take the battery out until the next day.

I try to charge it with my Hyperion 6o6i but I get the following message: “Check the Batt. Low Voltage”

Is there a way to nurse this battery back to life? I'll probably answer my own question when I say that the shrinkwrap is puffed out like a baloon!!!

Thanks.

[Rex R]

ahhh er um... methinks that pack is a gonner, kaput etc. etc. time for the pail/bucket of saltwater. my condolences for your loss.

[ED66677]

agree with Rex!
Always unplugg bat and then turn of Tx after a run! Rule #1! you'll save money and avoid injuries!

[Chop]

Okay, thanks for the feed back guys. The first battery (1200 mah, 10C 3S) wasn’t too bad to replace, about $15 but the newest mistake (the 1800 mah, 20c 3s) has cost me a $54 battery!

I WILL LEARN!!!

I promise.