Fri the 3th strikes again...

[gsbuickman]

I decided to run up to Settlers park today when I got a chance, because tomorrow is free fishing day and there's no way in hell I'm getting anywhere near the water

It's a cool 65° out & I decided to start things off by running my Villain on 4s Eben though the water is teal low. This is bad because of the rocks that ring this pond. I should have known better, right of the get go I lose a prop so that means the villain is done for the day

I decide to try my luck with my mm on 4s even though the ESC is acting a Lil' strange after getting wet on my first 2 runs out with it. she's running great, handling nice and cornering like its on rails with that extra long rudder, until it grabs rock and slings it right into the bank

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rnqRduRH2ZM

The boat itself is alright, but it snapped the rudder blade off, part of it is still in the mount as well as snapping an ear off the 645mg servo. It also snapped a battery lead, part of it is still in the soldered connector & I think it smoked the 200A ESC. This is only the 3rd run on it too .... altogther a somewhat expensive day.....

[gsbuickman]

Any suggestions on material stock for a new rudder blade ?. The marine specialties aluminum snapped, so I am thinking flat stock steel w/ a blade ground on it. Spring steel is wicked but too hard to work. Diamond plate would look kool, but then again so would a real nice hardwood, but not likely...

[capnswanny]

I'd stick with the aluminum...better a broken rudder blade than a big hole in the transom!

[Doug Smock]

I'd stick with the aluminum...better a broken rudder blade than a big hole in the transom!

The Capt. makes a very good point.

[tlandauer]

Sorry to hear your mishap, my friend!

If you don't need to have a rudder water pick up, CF plate of the same thickness should work. I have made a P-Spec hydro turn fin out of G-10 FG, worked better than all others that I have tried.DSCN1185_4712.jpg. CF is stiffer and will be nice, I also did a rudder bracket extension with CF plate, that was the exact thickness of the Speed Master aluminum bracket. DSCN3937_4114.jpg DSCN3935_4112.jpg

[gsbuickman]

The Capt. makes a very good point.

Yes, the capn' always makes a good point , however I don't have to vorryvabout a hole in the transom when its 5/16" thick . Note the pic of my rudder above. The original blade was a breakaway w/ a single bolt for the pivot point. When I hung the xl blade on it, I drilled it and ran a second bolt for a solid mount.

It hit the rocks so hard that it snapped the rudder clean off at the 2 mounting bolts, snapped an ear off the servo and ripped both 5.5mm connectors off my 4s pack However the yransom and rudder bracket are just fine. I don't think any other boat I've had would have survived w/o ripping the rudder & bracket right out of the transom.

BTW: the rudder was 1/4" billet aluminum

[gsbuickman]

Sorry to hear your mishap, my friend!

If you don't need to have a rudder water pick up, CF plate of the same thickness should work. I have made a P-Spec hydro turn fin out of G-10 FG, worked better than all others that I have tried.[ATTACH=CONFIG]116706[/ATTACH]. CF is stiffer and will be nice, I also did a rudder bracket extension with CF plate, that was the exact thickness of the Speed Master aluminum bracket. [ATTACH=CONFIG]116707[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]116708[/ATTACH]

Nice job Tim ,

It just happen this afternoon. You know me, I'll look at options and get r' done. I am concerned about this 200A esc though. 3 runs and I think she's done just from the water. If thats the case, I might say to hell with it & drop a big bad Cordite SS-1 in it on 5s (2500kv & I have 2 here ).

With an Astroflight ESC, they"all run underwater all day long for all they care

[capnswanny]

I'd say cut that ESC open and see what ails her. If nothings burned and the caps look good, clean all the crud off with alcohol and an acid brush, squirt it with corrosion x, and try it again! Not much to lose...

[gsbuickman]

I'd say cut that ESC open and see what ails her. If nothings burned and the caps look good, clean all the crud off with alcohol and an acid brush, squirt it with corrosion x, and try it again! Not much to lose...

Yeah, I'll check it out Capn'. It might be a bit of a chore peeling all the plasti-dip off it. I am glad it peels off & releases clean .....

[gsbuickman]

Wow, it looks good & still works...

I got the ESC opened up this afternoon and got a better look at it. 2 of the motor leads were popped off the board. No wonder the motor wasn't responding after that crash .

Other than that, everything looks ok, nothing burnt, swelled or burst. It doesn't smell burnt, smells like its been hot but not burnt. I soldered the motor leads back on it and tried it and the damn thing still works. it has a bit of a hesitation when I squeeze the throttle but it still works. Sometimes I can give it a little throttle & th he esc beeps & the prop wiggles but won't spin. If I tap the prop (being careful of course) It ttakes off & runs fine ?. maybe it's just a glitch it's gotta work out on its own, who knows

[capnswanny]

In that first picture it looks like the FET in the middle is damaged and the leads are brown. It might be coffing because that row isn't putting out full power. The first FET in the upper row also looks damaged.
Also the white looks like corrosion, but it's hard to tell on my cell phone. If it is, moisture might be making it's way in.
If those components are damaged I wouldn't risk it...the resulting stinks is hard to get out of your boat
Real possibility out won't work under a load.
What brand is this ESC?

[capnswanny]

Oh, and in the last picture it looks like 3 of the 5 caps are puffed (toast).......the ones on the left.

[gsbuickman]

After a bit of filing w/ a flat needle file, I agree. 2 of the FETs are damaged. As far as the caps go, those 3 have plasti-dip on them. I thought they were OK, but I plugged in a 5s and something blew w/ a bright light & a snap. Now the bec works but it won't do squat. I am sure its toasted. Its a 200A mystery w/ 3 runs on It.

BTW: the white residue is thermal paste I use on PC CPU's....

[capnswanny]

Love the bright lights and snap....keep the bowels working!