The official 36" zelos twin modding thread

[arrover]

I like the older Garmin Forerunner series like the 101, 201, 301 etc. You can buy them used on ebay pretty cheaply. They display speed in decimals, they're waterproof, and fit in boats and in battery straps well. Mine is a 101. The higher models can download their data to a computer.

[Keagan-Z06]

Thanks arrover. Checked em out, reasonable for its sole purpose.

[Rafael_Lopez]

If you can get a 201, get it. I got a 101 and a 201 and lost the 101 when it got wet. The 201 has been submerged for at least 15 minutes with no issues. The issue with the 101 is that it uses AAA batteries so it's not sealed like the 201, which is also rechargeable.

[kfxguy]

If you can get a 201, get it. I got a 101 and a 201 and lost the 101 when it got wet. The 201 has been submerged for at least 15 minutes with no issues. The issue with the 101 is that it uses AAA batteries so it's not sealed like the 201, which is also rechargeable.

I agree. I much prefer the rechargeable one. It's thinner and lighter too.

[kfxguy]

I've got some good useful info for you guys that wanted to know about timing changes and their effects on speed. I ran it back to back making only one pass (to not drain the packs unnecessarily) and recorded the speeds.

So here's the results:

3.75 degrees went 74.7mph
7.5 degrees went 76.0mph
And 11.25 degrees went 74.8mph

I didn't go higher or lower than that because conventional wisdom told me what's the point lol. So the sweet spot seems to be 7.5 degrees which I think is the factory timing. For the record, I've never seen any increase in speed from timing except in this case. I'll admit I never changed timing at the lake which is probably why because conditions change day to day and so can speed. However, this boat has clicked off speeds within .2mph on three different days with totally different conditions on one of those days. I must say I'm still impressed with this boat.


Now....my new best after testing I put a fresh set of packs in.......

[arrover]

Nice number and thanks for the timing data!

[Keagan-Z06]

If you can get a 201, get it. I got a 101 and a 201 and lost the 101 when it got wet. The 201 has been submerged for at least 15 minutes with no issues. The issue with the 101 is that it uses AAA batteries so it's not sealed like the 201, which is also rechargeable.

Thanks Rafael, rechargeable is needed! You have been quiet these past days, are you working on a little secret?? Do tell!

[Rafael_Lopez]

Thanks Rafael, rechargeable is needed! You have been quiet these past days, are you working on a little secret?? Do tell!

Nah, I'm on the net helping people by choice. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with questions and need some time away, or just look from the sidelines. I've completely disconnected from FB for a while. I'm sure I'll go back to hundreds of messages, all asking what the best prop for this boat is, lol.

[kfxguy]

Nah, I'm on the net helping people by choice. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with questions and need some time away, or just look from the sidelines. I've completely disconnected from FB for a while. I'm sure I'll go back to hundreds of messages, all asking what the best prop for this boat is, lol.

I started this thread with thoughts partially of answering those types of questions. Hopefully most people that own one of these somehow make their way to this thread. It has some useful info. One thing is the boat will break 70 with the stock props if they are sharpened and balanced and the boat is dialed in. Not sure how much faster anyone really needs to go with this boat (excluding myself lol). 70+ is moving for any boat, especially a rtr. Things could be devastating at these speeds should you flip and land just the right (wrong actually lol) way. At 70 this thing looks and sounds fast as hell. Plus it handles very well and it's a Very fun boat to run. Can't wait till mine is finished (it's apart right now getting a paint job).

[Rafael_Lopez]

You mean a fiberglass boat cant take a crash at 70+? But water is soft. What a piece of crap. I crashed my RC truck in to a curb at 70mph and it held up just fine.**Sarcasm**

[Keagan-Z06]

Yeah Rafael, totally understand. We appreciate all you do for us. Take it easy! On a side note. I had the worst day ever! I'm thinking maybe I'm not cut out for this. I lost the drain plug Again for the Zelos. It was a bit snug and when I got it out it flew outta my hands and into the river. So much for that! The voracity was the worst, put the strut back to neutral since I no longer run in rough waters and after 5 mins of spontaneous burst, we brought it in, no signs of any incidents. Open the hatch and smoke is coming out. Capacitors are toast but the ESC still operated normally. I will post a picture when I can of what I'm talking about. I'm assuming I'll need a new ESC now. I already had a power button defect on the Zelos Twin and now this. Wooooosaaaaaahhh!!! Lol

[kenrid]

Great thread. It is time for me to get one of these boats. With so much info here, it seems I should get 100kp/h [63mph] out of the box with sharpened and balanced props.

[IRON-PAWW]

That's right Ken :-) You know you want to! Remember that LHS that has one sitting all alone.........

[Rafael_Lopez]

Yeah Rafael, totally understand. We appreciate all you do for us. Take it easy! On a side note. I had the worst day ever! I'm thinking maybe I'm not cut out for this. I lost the drain plug Again for the Zelos. It was a bit snug and when I got it out it flew outta my hands and into the river. So much for that! The voracity was the worst, put the strut back to neutral since I no longer run in rough waters and after 5 mins of spontaneous burst, we brought it in, no signs of any incidents. Open the hatch and smoke is coming out. Capacitors are toast but the ESC still operated normally. I will post a picture when I can of what I'm talking about. I'm assuming I'll need a new ESC now. I already had a power button defect on the Zelos Twin and now this. Wooooosaaaaaahhh!!! Lol

Actually all you need is to add a cap bank as close to the board as possible. The caps blowing is a sign that you somehow went over the ESCs peak amperage for a longer time that the safe burst rating. Somehow they got worked so hard they went out. Congrats, you're the only person I know of to find the cap's limits on this ESC........too soon?

[Keagan-Z06]

Actually all you need is to add a cap bank as close to the board as possible. The caps blowing is a sign that you somehow went over the ESCs peak amperage for a longer time that the safe burst rating. Somehow they got worked so hard they went out. Congrats, you're the only person I know of to find the cap's limits on this ESC........too soon?

Way to make me feel better Rafael! Oh and to add to the mess, my brand new 1 day dingy got ripped too! Man overboard!!!!