I could use some help

[DeltaAPmech]

Hey Guys, I have really jumped off into the deep end with my new boat.
I have never had a piece of equipment like this. Lots of years playing with everything R/C but this P sport hydro is a whole new game.

Building the boat wasn't too tough, there are so many images and videos on the net showing for help.

What's turning out to be the hard part is running the boat.

I don't think I have the right prop for the boat. Its quick, it has hit 67mph but speed isn't everything. I don't know if it has the stamina to complete a whole race. I think its drawing too many amps but since I don't know much of anything about racing ( not even sure how many laps are involved ) I just am a bit lost what i need to do to this boat to be competitive and have fun with it. I have joined a club but my work schedule is making getting there when others are there tough. So I have the great folks on the net to ask for now. I know its tough without seeing it run in person, but I have the castle logs from three different days and some lame tripod video.
I am not able to run lap after lap, my driving skill isn't there yet and the boat hasn't settled down completely.

Im not sure how to post the castle logs, they wont upload like pictures.

GSX338V2 Hull at 10.6lbs
TP4070 2Y 2250KV motor
XLX2 esc
two 4000mah 100c 4S batts
wire drive
I have ran both an ABC 1815/17 prop and an ABC 1815/3 23 50 prop

Thanks
Pete

[DeltaAPmech]

Here are screen shots of the data

[leski379]

Is your RPM (pole count etc) in castle link set up correctly? That a lot of RPM

[DeltaAPmech]

Well I?m learning already ! I had no idea that needed to be set. I did some searching and found my pole count - 4 and how to enter it. Let?s try this again

[Peter A]

Try an Octura prop. You might be surprised how quick they can be and a bit lighter on the amps. You will have to raise your strut as they have more lift. For example, I am running my 1/8 scale 10s 5200 mah, 900kv, in testing the other day I settled finally on an X447. I was originally running a 447/3 M cut, and I tried several props other including X448, 548. Topped out on gps at 105 kph and came in at 35% after six wot laps, enough for a heat race. I did try an 1815 but the boat didn't like it so much.

My 8s hydro runs a TP4070 1090 kv on the same 5200 mah cells and pulls either a 1915 or 2014 for 115 kph plus, again I can heat race it and come back at 35%.

Try as many props as you can, perhaps club members will lend you some to test and when you find the prop that works you can get your own one.

[leski379]

That's a lot less RPM than I would expect out of that high of a kv on 8s. Are you running way wetter than you think?

[DeltaAPmech]

Peter A - I can make one of those props my next one. So I guess its all trial and error huh ? Thats hard to hear, those little buggers arent cheap. Both of mine were prepped by someone else so that added to the cost. I didnt want to have to learn how to prep a prop at the same time as figuring out this boat. Guess I better get a handle on that too :-)
It would be nice if guys will lend out props. hopefully I can get out there when other boats are running

[DeltaAPmech]

leski379 - oops I didnt say that important info in my first post - this is running 4S so those packs are parallel

[Bande1]

double post

[Bande1]

not sure what the logs say real hard to read.

[DeltaAPmech]

ok I am going to try to share the files thru dropbox here are the links one for each log file I have then click the - open in - button to see it in the castle app

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rjed11m9wolojd0zbdvvw/hydro-run-1-67mph.csv?rlkey=xv60nt0gtjsucvkp367fvosz7&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/iw1fkfuzwgo95eyekgio5/hydro-run-2-66mph.csv?rlkey=xl03xu3bq0v8pve4wd5inkqh8&dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xmjxnc56sawg7iimyda7k/hydro-run-3-67mph-3-blade-prop.csv?rlkey=rod7at793kxpdv3xruip1kohn&dl=0

[lohring]

If you want to race P, you need to run your packs in parallel. It looks like that's what the voltage shows. My P limited hydro runs an ABC 1715-19-38 at a little higher KV. That prop will reduce the current draw into a safer zone. I would only log rpm, current, voltage, and ESC temperature. You can turn them off except for one to get a clearer picture of each. Current and ESC temperature are the important things to watch.

Good luck.

Lohring Miller

[DeltaAPmech]

Thanks Lohring, thats good info I appreciate it. I am running the packs in parallel. The data is pretty neat to have and Ill isolate those parameters for next time. looks like i have a few props to get

Here is a really short video of the most recent day out. its the log with the three blade prop. cant see much because its just a phone on a tripod. The rest of the running wasnt worth looking at. I was having steering trouble and chased it down to a loose servo horn mount screw.

https://youtu.be/9CQTdDCE1wU?si=1ANRtcxGZ4K4nn--

[Bande1]

Thanks Lohring, thats good info I appreciate it. I am running the packs in parallel. The data is pretty neat to have and Ill isolate those parameters for next time. looks like i have a few props to get

Here is a really short video of the most recent day out. its the log with the three blade prop. cant see much because its just a phone on a tripod. The rest of the running wasnt worth looking at. I was having steering trouble and chased it down to a loose servo horn mount screw.

https://youtu.be/9CQTdDCE1wU?si=1ANRtcxGZ4K4nn--

is there supposed to be something wrong with it? its nose heavy a little 3 blade props lift more inherently. its likely fine the way it is for heat racing where you need it to be more wet for stability. hydros hop in corners because you are turning the rudder which shifts weight forward lifting the rear. you can go back to the 2 blade 17-45, lift the strut a tad, shift weight back. the boat will constantly need a little setup change based on conditions so from here you are going to have learn and react to what it needs on the fly.

[DeltaAPmech]

I guess what I’m worried about is if the boat can complete a heat. The club I joined is part of the IMPBA and I don’t know how long a race lasts under that organization. How long should I expect the battery to last. Seems like I drain the battery pretty quick with the setup I have now. So that makes me question the amp draw and my setup.

what in the video gives away the fact that it’s running a little wet ?
it’s something I need to learn to spot, seems like you could see it easily.

lts kinda cool that the boat doesn’t look half bad running on the water to you, I must have gotten some of this stuff right��

thanks for the heads up that setup needs to change depending upon conditions. I naively thought - get it right and is good to go from then on. This is great to hear though so I can learn. I’m not out to stand on the podium any time soon, but it will be fun trying to get there even if I don’t pull it off.

Thanks to all you guys for taking the time to share your experience and help this new guy out it’s great !

Pete