HK Genesis setup Help

[japtj2000]

Hi,
I am new in the forum and to RC boating. After have been reading the forum for a while I decided and I just bought a HK genesis using stock motor with 180 Amp HK marine esc. I am running 2 packs HK nanotech 2s 6000 mah 65c in series so the system is running 4S. I bought an Octura 637 prop since it was the only one sharpened balanced I found in stock on OSE (I wanted to buy x440 but it was out of stock, so I went a bit smaller and higher pitch). The boat seems to be running slow to be on 4S (I don’t have GPS to measure the speed). I have been reading the forum and looks like this boat should be running fast and getting high temperatures running 4S.My batteries only are lasting 5 – 6 min. After the run temperatures were ok the max temp was on the batteries and it was 101. ESC 97 F and motor 90 F. The wires from the esc to the motor were 110 F. My question is why my batteries are lasting only 5 min? It is Ok? What could be wrong on my setup? The prop? How long should they run with my setup and how fast? I noticed the 1 of the batteries swelled a bit.
Any help would be greatly appreciated since my knowledge on RC boating is almost cero.
Thanks in advance.

[iamandrew]

yeah somthing is up with that, could be anything
you might have to upload some pics of your series connection etc.
Mine ran quite well on 4S with the stock motor
65C batteries should not swell with that low of amp draw, having said that, an out of balance prop or vibrating drive shaft can cause the bats to swell

[japtj2000]

I bought the prop balanced and sharpened from OSE so I guess it is OK. The shaft is stock I haven’t upgraded it yet. It may be vibrating, how could I check that? when I go full throttle without a load (at home) the hull vibrates a little bit, nothing bad but I think “I think it is normal” so if you put a battery over the hull and you go full throttle the battery will star moving a bit due to a little vibration, please correct me if I am wrong. Attached you find the pics. I installed 5.5 bullets per what I was reading in the forums at the batteries and ESC. I left stock bullets in the motor since the motor wires are very thin compared with the ESC. Running 4S I was expecting to get my components a bit hot and some more speed. I will try to post a video next time I go to the lake.
How long the batteries last with your stock setup? How many MAH are you using?
Again many thanks for your help.
20130414_174423.jpg20130414_174643.jpg

[TristanJones]

5mins would be max run time for those packs I would think.
Have you set the throttle range on the esc?
Where is the COG and what height is the strut?

[japtj2000]

5mins would be max run time for those packs I would think.
Have you set the throttle range on the esc?
Where is the COG and what height is the strut?

Ok it is good to know. I thought 5 min was very short run time. Like I said I am new to this. My COG is at 30%. It is according to what I have been reading thru the forum, not 100% sure if it is right. I Ieveled the strut by putting the boat in a flat surface and having the strut bottom flush with the bottom of the hull. My throttle range is at 100%. Should I set it at 120%?
Run time was 1 concern and you clarified it for me. My electronics dont get hot as I have been reading the should be running 4S. Would it means I could go with bigger props for more speed or going to 5S?. What I noticed yesterday was my ESC is cutting off while the batteries still had some charge. It cut the voltage at 3.8 volts per cell. I had it set for cutt of at 3.4 volt per cell.
Many thanks for your help.

[TristanJones]

Set the end point to 110% or so I do, just to be sure.
Thats not what I meant by setting the range though, you need to read the instructions, it involves holding it at full throttle then turning it on to enter programing mode and setting it up.
These ESC are known to have issues cutting out at higher voltage than set to. Best idea is set it at 2.8v and set a timer to 4mins per run, run 4mins pull it in and see how many mAh you put back in when you charge it up. Over drawing packs will cause them to puff up or worse catch fire. Also anymore than 4s and you want to disable the BEC and get an RX pack and run the servo and RX off that.

[japtj2000]

Sorry about my miss understanding. Yes I set the escfor full throttle and neutral I verified the esc was full throttle because a red light on the Esc come on.
I will follow your advise. I will set the esc cutt off lower and check it after 4 min run.
For now on my learning curve I will continue with 4S untill I can have the boat setup right.
Again many thanks for your help

[TristanJones]

I would run it for 1 min then check temps, charge it and see how much goes back in. and then go from there.
BUT.
You said it came back cool after 5mins so start at 3 or 4 (3 is better) and charge, check and try again till you work out a good run time. When you prop up you will need to do this again as more load = less run time (and more heat)
The 440 I had on mine was ok 40mph (70km/h) on 4s.

[japtj2000]

My system is running cool with x637 prop. I ordered a m440 yesterday. (I will have to balance and sharpen it myself.... is going to be a challenge...).
I will follow exactly your advise.
I really appreciate your time helping me. I will try the boat this coming weekend and see how it goes.

[TristanJones]

No problem helping out.
When sharpening then balancing you will need to wear gloves and mask and to be sure I file the props underwater in a bucket. if you breathe in that bust you will get very sick.
Your going to be needing a bigger/stronger flex shaft, strut, collet to suit soon. The upgrade kit on here looks decent, bolt on.

The longer you run your batteries the hotter they will get. Same as motor and ESC. Generally drive at part throttle all the time and the ESC gets warm, drive at full throttle and the motor gets warm.

[motorfixer1]

You might want to invest in a stand alone low voltage cutoff instead of relying on the run times or the built in LVC in the T180. Also are you using an adapter bushing for those 3/16" bore props? The stock prop shaft in the genesis is a 4mm.

[japtj2000]

Thanks for the tip.. I didn't know it was harmful to breath that bust.

[japtj2000]

Yes, for now I am running the adaptor with the stock shaft. It looks like will brake very soon.I will try what tristanjones advice me. I think it is a safe way to do it without having to spent extra money in extra LVC. I am just reading about theT180 and lt has alot of issues with the LCV built in. I will upgrade the shaft soon, I am a bit concern how to install the new tubing but I will try. It is my first electric boat and first cat so everything is new to me.
I really want to get the boat running smooth and fast for the setup I have and then I will upgrade it.

You might want to invest in a stand alone low voltage cutoff instead of relying on the run times or the built in LVC in the T180. Also are you using an adapter bushing for those 3/16" bore props? The stock prop shaft in the genesis is a 4mm.

[TristanJones]

Thats how I did it.
Changing the stuffing tube is not as hard as you think , I was new to RC boating 12mths ago id happily do a stuffing tube in any hull now.
You can get away with not changing the tube at all and still run .187 or 3/16th cable and shaft. The upgrade kit on here looks great to me.
If you do decide to change it over, its quite easy and I can talk you through it if needed.

[jim82]

I have ran this boat with stock stuffing no liner , .187/3/16 cable, leo 4082 1600kv, t/sk180 , and spinning a y547 just a couple passes and managed gps passes of 79.9mph and 79.6mph...