I need to replace both ESC's . What to replace them with?

[vinnyp]

I called Horizon tech again today. They were good enough to warranty me 2 new ESC's. Cant say enough good things about these guys and their service. Thumbs up to them.
Now for the next issue. How to seal the caps on the new esc's to stop this from happening again. I don't know too much about electronics, but I don't think that caps get hot??? I also don't know why they were not sealed up better in the first place. That loose heat shrink that is on them, isn't much protection from water intrusion. Is it left open like that for a reason? When I get the new ESC's, I am thinking of cutting open the heat shrink, applying liquid tape to the circuit boards, then sealing it up with the heat shrink tubing that has glue in it. Does anyone see this being a problem?

[Erroneous]

Quick set two part epoxy. The only downside in my opinion is that it will trap heat in the caps.

[photohoward1]

You are going to trap in the heat. Just keep the boat dry inside.


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[vinnyp]

[QUOTE=photohoward1;696221] Just keep the boat dry inside.

That seems to be easier said than done. My boat was never "wet" inside, just some spray. If the electronics truly are waterproof, then a bit of spray shouldn't destroy things. Getting back to sealing the caps better. I didn't think that caps got hot. I never shot them with the temp gun. I am leaning towards using some liquid tape on the circuit board.

[CraigP]

Caps get hot!!! The liquid tape or that goop people dip their hand tools in for grip. You want something thick. May take multiple coats. Not sure what you mean by "spray", is your stuffing tube leaking water then getting on the drive shaft? Spray is worse that low levels of standing water. Spray gets everywhere under the hatch! And it's salt water to boot.. I suggest you fix that, there are many suggestions on the site if your stuffing box is leaking.

[vinnyp]

I suppose " spray" may not be the correct word. After a run, there is always a bit of water lying in the hull. Its not like everything is covered with water. There is barely enough to get a trickle when I pull the plug. I cant say where it is coming from. There is nothing evident pointing to a leak.
Is my boat the only one that has a bit of water in it after a run?

[CraigP]

Not trying to bust your chops at all! But salt water is rough on everything. My boat comes in dry... I float tested in the bath tub, until it came out dry. My water was coming in on the turn fin. If your ok with some water, I'm ok...

If you want to make it a no-brainer, have you thought about getting a small box and potting the whole ESC? Bring your water and electrical lines up out of the potting. That will make it impervious to the water!

[mikiek]

Vinny - I am always complaining about all the water that gets in my boat. Sounds like a lot more than what you describe. Those in the know keep telling me to tape the hatch - even though it clamps down onto the rubber gasket. I still haven't tried that and I still get lots of water inside.

You might try floating the boat in the bath tub for a few hours. I found 1 leaking spot that way.

[vinnyp]

I will try the tub test. Although I have limited experience with rc boats, its a boat. Its going to get wet at some point. Why are the electronics marketed as " Waterproof" They should be marketed as water resistant. They are obviously not waterproof.
In any case, looks like Horizon is covering it for me. It will be up to me to find a way to prevent this from happening again.

[CraigP]

FYI, I haven't seen a hatch latch that doesn't leak water. I got about $50 in hold downs that never saw the boat. Right now I'm using tape, but hate that! I'm working on a seal system for the hatch that won't need tape. I hear ya about it being a boat. But it's an electric boat, and that makes a difference. It's one of the few advantages of gas boats. With that, just seal the receiver and servo, put an auto-bailer in it and let 'er rip!

[vinnyp]

I had some time today. I removed the remaining electronics and motors from the boat. Filled up a big plastic bin with water in the garage. Floated the boat for a few hours and found only a couple of drops of water. Seemed reasonable to me. I started thinking if it was possible that water would climb up the flex shafts under load. If you think of how the flexes spin, they should push water out. I tried to put some weight on the hull to sink it a bit, simulate the running weight. Let it sit for a while, found some water was coming in, not a lot, but there was water. Couldn't see from where it was coming. I was thinking the white plastic tubes that steer the rudder, as they were now under water. I got the boat out of the test bin, put it on my work stand, tipped the bow up and poured water in the hull. Found water coming out from where the white plastic tubes go through the hull. Blew the hull out with air and called it a night. Tomorrow , after it is good and dry, I will try to seal up those tubes.
While this test did reveal a problem, I don't think it was a big problem. Particularly since the tubes are definitely not in the water when the boat is running. Maybe they are under water when sitting there at full running weight. Not sure yet. I am not talking about much water. But, any water leaks should be eliminated as best as possible.
I want to try an upside down test. Once I get the hull to hold water, I want to see if the hatch is letting water in after a blow over.

[REDLINE1]

Pull the struts off and remount them with silicon sealer Put a little sealer in the bolt holes when remounting. that's the only thing I did to mine. I don't even have a drop of water in mine when done running. I'm also running wire drives. Not a bad idea to seal up those tubes as well

[CraigP]

Nice troubleshooting Vinny!

[vinnyp]

Thanks for the reply. The struts have been off, sealed up well and are not leaking. The tubes seem to be causing the leak.

Thanks Craig... Next is the hatch. As you said, I doubt it will hold water out.

[CraigP]

I'm working on my hatch now... The tape works, but man is it ugly! I need a pretty boat. If I hit on something that works, I'll post some pics. Good luck!