SuperVee Problems

[Unsullied_Spy]

I just purchased a "lightly used" SuperVee 27 off eBay. Everything appeared to be in good shape and checked out when I dry-tested it (radio system works fine, ESC boots up and works fine, etc.) I took it to a local pond today and it got up on plane nicely but it cut out after about 2 seconds of being on plane. I got just a short blip of throttle out of it after that and then it died. Of course I didn't bring any retrieval equipment with me, so I got a bunch of twine with a weight on the end but it was too far out to catch. I let the current carry it in, but as it got closer to the shore I noticed it was lower in the water than it was. It got within 20 feet of the shore and I got to watch the nose go straight up and the boat sank into the water (with bubbles and everything). The floaty foam did it's job and the nose stayed above the water, but it took a while to get it back.

As you can imagine, I'm a little upset with my boat. First off, is it normal for them to simply cut out during a run? The batteries were fully charged, my antenna was fully out, and I turned the radio off and on a few times trying to reboot the ESC but it didn't work. I've tried to get it to shut down again since then but it all works perfectly.

I dried everything out and it all still works, so I put it in a bath tub full of water and came back in 20 minutes to find it was already taking on water. When the boat is moving I'm sure it won't take on any water and since this boat is made to be either moving or not in the water I figure this isn't too bad of a thing (until your ESC or radio dies) but I don't think a boat should take on water at all. I sealed up where the outdrive tube goes into the hull (sorry, I'm not too familiar with all the nautical terms) with some Shoe Goo, but it still seems to be taking on water. Could it be coming in through the screw holes for the trim tabs?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, this thing seems like it would be so much fun if it didn't sink

[Fluid]

The SV27 is well known to have "leaks" around screw holes etc, this has been discussed earlier in this forum and is easily fixed. As to the cutting out - this is not normal and with used equipment the cutting out is tough to diagnose. The first suspects are the packs - what packs/cells did you use and how did you wire the packs? What charger did you use? What type of connectors are between the packs and the ESC?


.

[Doby]

Crappy battery connectors can cause the controller to stop, Deans connectors can have intermittent contact on occasion. Heres a hint, when it stops on the water, wait a few seconds and repeat the arming procedure, that fixes my problems sometimes.

[Unsullied_Spy]

OK, thanks guys. I typically run a search before asking but I didn't have an account when I tried to search (and it wanted me to have one) so I just went ahead and asked. I'll look for the thread on how to seal it up.

As for the batteries, they are GP3300s with Deans on them. The cells are still in great shape (they take ~3800 mAH on a full charge ). I charged them with my Hyperion 5i charger. I wish I could replicate the problem so I could single out the issue but I haven't been able to purposely cause the problem. I tried several times to re-arm the ESC but it would not power up.

[Steven Vaccaro]

If you are sure you will stick with the hobby a good fm radio would be the first place I would start.

[Unsullied_Spy]

If you are sure you will stick with the hobby a good fm radio would be the first place I would start.

I've got a Spektrum receiver waiting to go in it I need to get a pack of good balloons for the receiver though. I've had SR3000s work when wet before, but in the long run they stop working.

[planezero]

Some ideas....

1 Check the wiring connectors from the motor to the esc, make sure the insulation is in place on all six wires and there is no short circuit possible. The insulation on mine was really crap when it was stock and shorting...

2 Are you using 2x 6 cell packs ? Using 2x 7 will cause problems for the stock esc. and you will need a separate bec or receiver pack.

3 Did you spin violently before it happened ? In that case the batteries might have slid violently from their tray position and disconnected the deans ultra plugs. This has happened to me several times in the beginning and leaves your boat dead in the middle of the pond.
Fix the packs by using velcro strips (bigger than the stock ones).

4 Was there a standard prop on the boat ? If not maybe you overloaded /smoked the esc if it was too big ?
Does everything still work now you have dried & regreased ?


Fix the leaks, sort this issue out and you will have tons of fun with this boat.
(and always make sure you have some way of retrieval or at the very least stand downwind from your boat :) )

HopeThisHelps,
Berry

[Unsullied_Spy]

1. They look fine
2. Yep, 2x6
3. I basically just held the throttle down and then when the prop stopped cavitating it took off like mad! I was worried about taking a turn at that speed so I backed off the throttle and then it stopped working. I would like to add velcro straps that come up over the top of the batteries to keep them in place better.
4. It has a 3 bladed prop on it (I think it's the optional GrimRacer one).

Thanks for the help. I keep watching the videos of these things on YouTube and I can't wait to get mine sealed up. I added some threads from this forum to my favorites menu so I can go through some day and get it all sealed up (good winter project). Seems like the stock water jacket and the stuffing tube are my biggest concerns right now.