lipos for the spartan...

[Diesel6401]

To me the 46mph run on 5s prevously posted is more logical. The risk involved and stress on the system on 6s isn't worth the extra few mph to me just to break the 50mph mark. That's just me... to each is own. I don't have a lot of extra money to spend on this hobby like I did in the past on burnt up parts, reliability is more important then speed in my head.

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[Warlock]

I have to agree with you on the reliability issue. If I had only ran the stock nimh batteries I could have been going fast enough to catch any air and I would not have flipped over. Up untill the point where I dunked the motor in the water, I had not one issue other than a twisted drive cable after drag racing it over 20 times one day. The sudden start is just too much for the cable in 6s form over and over. Its the drag races that make the nitro guys wonder why they showed at all. So I keep spare cables and tubes as well but have not needed them yet and its been run 5 to 6 days a week at work at least one hour a day, just like you saw it in the video. No fires, no melt downs, no special cooling. Stock Spartan.

Traxxas was good enough to send me a fresh new motor free, after knowing what happened to the one I had, and the fact it was out of warrenty. I sent my motor to them fully expecting to pay for a rebuild kit or a new motor. They called it a "one time courtesy" I appreciate it.

The fact is, yes if you run 6s and pull the trigger on your boat and hold it till it quits and limp in and do it again and again, I am sure you could burn something up eventually. But I can run less than half throttle on 6s and run faster than full throttle on the nimh's that come with the Spartan. 4s is not that much better. I can also run a solid 15 minutes with the 8.400 mah lipos of course I dont run full out just bursts on straight aways for the most part. But the electronics dont get hot nor does the motor. Traxxas sure made no excuses, and know exactly what set up I run and back it up all the way, with more than just talk.

But more important than any of that, is I like fast, real fast. And think its worth it to do so especially since the Spartan seems like a lot of folks's "Kick Dog". Up set by the fact that it takes a lot of money and effort to out run one set up right. Winning is what matters to me and I do so regulary. This is not to say I have not been beaten. There are some gas and nitro boats here that would swamp my Spartan in there wake. One almost did. But they have thousands invested, and if I am going spend that kind of money, its going to be on a fast boat I can ride in.

[Diesel6401]

I have never in my live snapped a cable regardless of how much throttle abuse I've put on it, but I use octura cables on everything no stock cables. The big issue is running half throttle, partial throttle or anything less then full throttle on a rc boat for a extended amount of time is abuse on the esc! Once you been in boating for a while you'll be able to build a fast rc for a good price (around stock spartan price). and still run fast and reliable.

Heat on the electrics doesn't tell the whole story, the heat dissipates rather quickly. Stock a eagle tree the system and you'll see how actual abuse your electronics are actually taking. I can promise you your strut bushing and motor bearings are wearing a lot quicker. I'm not trying to discourage you just provide you with some more information.

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[Warlock]

Man those octura cables sound awesome, I will have to look those up. Thanks very much for that info. I have a new strut on the way with good bearings in each end of it because I thought the bushings would not last long as well regardless. I also want to explore a new prop, just for fun. Honestly "FUN" is all Im about. Again thanks for the info and advise.

[GTRhino24]

Yeah if someone would post a link to the appropriate Octura cable, I'd appreciate it. I know Kintec sells a replacement cable but it doesn't specify the brand. My 6s setup is on the way and it will be interesting to see what the mph difference is between 5s and 6s. I'm not terribly worried about burning anything up. I do more maintenance than is necessary between runs and now that I've run out of mods, I may start upgrading the electronics.

[Warlock]

Go for it GTRhino, you will soon see what speed is all about and wonder what the big deal was about it. You wont have drive cable problems unless you thrash it like I did over and over again. The instant torque from a dead stop is awesome, if you could ride in a boat that fast the "G" forces would be great pushing you back in the seat.

[GTRhino24]

I've been getting some chine walk at 5s though even with batteries all the way forward. Warlock, could you take some pics of your trim tabs and struts with a straight edge against the bottom of your boat. I know it's stock, but mine's gotten so far from stock, I don't know how to get back. If I'm getting it at 45mph, it's going to be tough going at 55mph.

[rc2266]

Yes, I have not seen one on 5s

[Warlock]

I've been getting some chine walk at 5s though even with batteries all the way forward. Warlock, could you take some pics of your trim tabs and struts with a straight edge against the bottom of your boat. I know it's stock, but mine's gotten so far from stock, I don't know how to get back. If I'm getting it at 45mph, it's going to be tough going at 55mph.

Hey man, I have been sick for a couple days, and boat is at work. I'll get the pics asap.

[GTRhino24]

Cool, no rush. Hobbyking decided to wait 10 days to tell me the 10+ in stock items I purchased were backordered. They were kind enough to give me a website credit so I had to reorder some 3s Zippys. I guess it's good though because I had originally ordered some 30C and now I have 40C on the way.

rc2266, I'll try to get some video this week/weekend. The only video I have right now on 5s is first person stuff. It's cool, but it doesn't really show you how fast the boat's going.

Bear in mind this was made for my family's enjoyment.

[rc2266]

Sounds like a screamer still, and family fun is what it's all about for me. I'm in the process of building my girls a prince to run now!

[GTRhino24]

Sounds like a screamer still, and family fun is what it's all about for me. I'm in the process of building my girls a prince to run now!

Sounds like 5s is perfect for you then. 20ft rooster tail and a banshee scream.

[GTRhino24]

Spartan 5s2p - Inside Hull Video

I decided to shoot an inside view on 5s today. Turned out pretty cool. I tweaked some settings on my trim tabs and strut and got another .7mph out of it. So I'm going to try a few more to see what I can max out at before trying the 6s setup. 47.1mph on 5s2p. Not too shabby.

BTW, I used the $20 spy cam that Kintec sells. It's a great investment from some hi-def video and you can stick this thing anywhere. I propped my hatch up to let in a little more light. Click the pic below for video.

[marksp]

When configuring for 5S, the 3S pack weighs ~ 25% more than the 2S, or about 100g. Do you recommend some sort of ballast on the lighter side to balance the boat?

[Diesel6401]

When configuring for 5S, the 3S pack weighs ~ 25% more than the 2S, or about 100g. Do you recommend some sort of ballast on the lighter side to balance the boat?

Always stick the heavier pack on the left side. Counter-acts for the natural torque roll of a boat.