EKOS Basics?

[FighterCat57]

OK, I've got a new EKOS, but so far I've spit the port prop shaft, chunked up the port motor and melted/fried the port ESC in less than 5 minutes of total run time on 5000mah 20c 3s packs with the stock props.

I was able to order and install the new prop shaft & drive dog with a matching extra prop that was in the box it came in.

That's when the port motor died, taking the ESC with it. I talked with Venom support and sent the ESC's and Motors in for Warranty, but was informed it would be mid-May for the motor.

So in the mean time, I've done some research reading and done the following:

* ordered a couple 1/8th collars to keep the shaft from falling into the water. Wish I had known this ahead of time. Would have saved my shaft. I liked the silicon tube over the shaft too. Quick and inexpensive.

* replaced all the set screws/exterior screws with stainless to help prevent rust.

* replaced the servo with a Bluebird waterproof servo and a waterproof 2.4Ghz Radio/Receiver. (preference)

* Heat shrink/silicone sealed the radio/ESC connectors to help reduce corrosion. (I'm in salt water here)

* Added heat shrink & silicone to the motor connectors to prevent vibration from shorting them

* greased the shaft with "Speed Grease"

* molded a silicone seal around the hatch to make it water resistant. Like a sunroof on a car.

* waxed the hull with several coats of "Liquid Glass".

* Re-Installed every screw/nut with blue thread lock.

Is there anything I may have missed?
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Marijuana Joint

[Rumdog]

Does anyone ever just say eff it and send it back. This crap is unacceptable!

[hex-dj]

OK, I've got a new EKOS, but so far I've spit the port prop shaft, chunked up the port motor and melted/fried the port ESC in less than 5 minutes of total run time on 5000mah 20c 3s packs with the stock props.

I was able to order and install the new prop shaft & drive dog with a matching extra prop that was in the box it came in.

That's when the port motor died, taking the ESC with it. I talked with Venom support and sent the ESC's and Motors in for Warranty, but was informed it would be mid-May for the motor.

So in the mean time, I've done some research reading and done the following:

* ordered a couple 1/8th collars to keep the shaft from falling into the water. Wish I had known this ahead of time. Would have saved my shaft. I liked the silicon tube over the shaft too. Quick and inexpensive.

* replaced all the set screws/exterior screws with stainless to help prevent rust.

* replaced the servo with a Bluebird waterproof servo and a waterproof 2.4Ghz Radio/Receiver. (preference)

* Heat shrink/silicone sealed the radio/ESC connectors to help reduce corrosion. (I'm in salt water here)

* greased the shaft with "Speed Grease"

* molded a silicone seal around the hatch to make it water resistant. Like a sunroof on a car.

* waxed the hull with several coats of "Liquid Glass".

* Re-Installed every screw/nut with blue thread lock.

Is there anything I may have missed?

Hello Benjamin! I ve found out that the screws that tighten the motors in my EKOS came too long and may burn a motor even without running the EKOS in the water, due to direct contact with the windings. I already burned a motor without even taking the boat to the water... I did some reasearch and discovered that the tightening motor screws that came with the boat were too long and that the burnt motor s windings did have contact with the screws so I decided to shorten those screws and everything has worked great so far.

[FighterCat57]

Hello Benjamin! I ve found out that the screws that tighten the motors in my EKOS came too long and may burn a motor even without running the EKOS in the water, due to direct contact with the windings. I already burned a motor without even taking the boat to the water... I did some reasearch and discovered that the tightening motor screws that came with the boat were too long and that the burnt motor s windings did have contact with the screws so I decided to shorten those screws and everything has worked great so far.

OMG! I sent both motors back as the starboard side felt messed up as well. That might explain why. That's a big mess up. I'll make sure it goes together with the right size screws. Wow.

All the other brushless stuff I've had has been bullet proof. I was really surprised with this one. I'm wondering if I should just build one instead.
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White widow seeds

[FighterCat57]

Does anyone ever just say eff it and send it back. This crap is unacceptable!

Unfortunately Tower only accepts things if they are in new condition, once used the manufacturer prefers to be dealt with directly. Venom has been good to deal with thus far and setup and RMA for the ESC/Motors. Just taking some time...

If it were an option, I would have preferred to sent it back and ask for a new one. That would be nice.
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CHEAP VAPORIZERS

[Jeff Wohlt]

Welcome to the RTR world! Nah...I should not say that because it is a very nice hull but QC better get on the ball. Too long of motor screws is just complete nonsense from the factory.

I would forget the stock motors and get some 380XLs, new shafts that are stronger and new couplers and be set....well and two new ESCs. Now you know why they hulls are never in stock.

I will buy the hull and build it myself.

[FighterCat57]

Welcome to the RTR world! Nah...I should not say that because it is a very nice hull but QC better get on the ball. Too long of motor screws is just complete nonsense from the factory.

I would forget the stock motors and get some 380XLs, new shafts that are stronger and new couplers and be set....well and two new ESCs. Now you know why they hulls are never in stock.

I will buy the hull and build it myself.

RTR = Ready to Replace?

I have a couple of Neu 2650's from buggys and Turnigy 120's from another project that might solve all of these problems.

Fitting the 540 motors in the EKOS is the current obstacle. Still haven't found the solution I'm looking for. Even considering making an adapter plate.

I have some glass experience, but would rather bolt on if possible.
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TOYOTA AA HISTORY

[forescott]

RTR = Ready to Replace?

I have a couple of Neu 2650's from buggys and Turnigy 120's from another project that might solve all of these problems.

Fitting the 540 motors in the EKOS is the current obstacle. Still haven't found the solution I'm looking for. Even considering making an adapter plate.

I have some glass experience, but would rather bolt on if possible.

Use your turnigy 120's and buy a pair of feigao 380-9xl's from ose when they come back in stock. They bolt in nicely and really wake up the performance of the ekos. Fitting 540's is too much trouble IMO, The 380xl compares to a 540s anyways. Good luck!!

[hex-dj]

380 vs. 540 Motors

Use your turnigy 120's and buy a pair of feigao 380-9xl's from ose when they come back in stock. They bolt in nicely and really wake up the performance of the ekos. Fitting 540's is too much trouble IMO, The 380xl compares to a 540s anyways. Good luck!!

Yes fitting 540s is a lot of trouble. Thats why I decided to go with the following setup which has worked awesomely for me so far.
Dont know if anyone else has tried a setup like mine:Speed/heating testings have been great so far , soon I will try to get the MPH on Radar gun
My Venom EKOS setup:
Radio/Transmiter: Spektrum DSM
Hull :Bottom sanded
Motors: Twin Ammo 28-56-2300 Kv (Villain EX 550 cooling system on both motors)
ESCs: Stock Venom PRO Marine 60A ESCs with two 2,200 uf capacitors instaled
Batteries: Two Venom 5000 mah 4S (Also removed all wood from the boat. Trays etc.) Epoxied inside the hull and added more fiber glass
Propellers : Two Octura x 442 p/s/b , heavily detongued with lighter weight
Stinger drives : Almost all the way up
Center of gravity: Lowered to a maximum and having the batteries placed in front of the motors instead and the ESCs high where the batteries used to go.
Servo: Hi Tec (HS 85+) Hi speed ,Hi torque, Metal gear version
Added foam floatation ,took out a lot of drag from the boat
Cooling system: Opened Rudder/ Strut hole been used for cooling both motors using a T adaptor from Pep Boys for both hooses
***Willing to test it on 5S some day with my other X 442 s . Reduced props size from 42 mm probably to 38-39 mm instead***

[FighterCat57]

I'm going to attempt to make some non-invasive 540 motor mount adapters. There are two unused 4mm taps at the top of the mounts and I'm thinking that if I use a piece of 1/8th aluminum angle, that I can simply "bolt on" to the existing mount.

Using counter sunk screws to mount the motor with all four of the 24/12mm pattern and two counter sunk, threaded, epoxied mounting screws that will be nutted to the existing adapter. Might even try to pin them in place. They are the only weak part. If one twists and spins... it'll have to be cut out... Might just leave them out if it's strong enough without them. Two 4mm at the top might be enough... We'll see.

This will allow me to have the option of using a 540 motor should the stock motors fail again. I'll keep waiting on the warranty process in the mean time and hopefully be able to resolve it without making any changes...

Photos to follow...

And here I bought an RTR so I wouldn't have to mess with it.

I'm still considering buying a new hull and building a second one. Perhaps with a single motor... Not sure if that's a good way to go or not.. Lot's of parts...
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BUY SILVER SURFER

[FighterCat57]

OK, I made a rough prototype... really rough, but proved that this concept WILL WORK. =)

Just using the top two 4mm screws is enough to prevent the motor from lifting and secure it to the mount. Some silicone would be used for final installation to help reduce vibration.

Now... who's the machine shop guy that want's to make them?
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MEXICO HOTELS

[forescott]

Yes fitting 540s is a lot of trouble. Thats why I decided to go with the following setup which has worked awesomely for me so far.
Dont know if anyone else has tried a setup like mine:Speed/heating testings have been great so far , soon I will try to get the MPH on Radar gun
My Venom EKOS setup:
Radio/Transmiter: Spektrum DSM
Hull :Bottom sanded
Motors: Twin Ammo 28-56-2300 Kv (Villain EX 550 cooling system on both motors)
ESCs: Stock Venom PRO Marine 60A ESCs with two 2,200 uf capacitors instaled
Batteries: Two Venom 5000 mah 4S (Also removed all wood from the boat. Trays etc.) Epoxied inside the hull and added more fiber glass
Propellers : Two Octura x 442 p/s/b , heavily detongued with lighter weight
Stinger drives : Almost all the way up
Center of gravity: Lowered to a maximum and having the batteries placed in front of the motors instead and the ESCs high where the batteries used to go.
Servo: Hi Tec (HS 85+) Hi speed ,Hi torque, Metal gear version
Added foam floatation ,took out a lot of drag from the boat
Cooling system: Opened Rudder/ Strut hole been used for cooling both motors using a T adaptor from Pep Boys for both hooses
***Willing to test it on 5S some day with my other X 442 s . Reduced props size from 42 mm probably to 38-39 mm instead***

I've been wanting to try those motors, but I would think placing the batteries in front of the motors would put your center of gravity way too far forward and make the hull run really wet.

[hex-dj]

Venom EKOS COG

I've been wanting to try those motors, but I would think placing the batteries in front of the motors would put your center of gravity way too far forward and make the hull run really wet.

Yep . The COG can get it to run too wet like that ,mine has never flipped so far at full throtle. That s why my stinger drives are all the way up. I ve just sent for more powerfull 120 amp PRO ESCs too, because I may want to try out the Neu 1115 1Y or 2D , 380 "Extra Long"motors. Pics from my twin Ammo 28-56-2300 Kv setup are coming soon.

[FighterCat57]

Now... who's the machine shop guy that want's to make them?

That's a serious question. I think it would be a decent seller. After all how many people have wanted to put 540 motors in their EKOS?

Being able to do that without changing the motor mount would be worth a few bucks, easy.

If there's no takers, I'll most likely end up having my buddy at a local machine shop make one. Hate bugging him with this little stuff though. Busy shop.
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HERBALAIRE VAPORIZER

[forescott]

Yep . The COG can get it to run too wet like that ,mine has never flipped so far at full throtle. That s why my stinger drives are all the way up. I ve just sent for more powerfull 120 amp PRO ESCs too, because I may want to try out the Neu 1115 1Y or 2D , 380 "Extra Long"motors. Pics from my twin Ammo 28-56-2300 Kv setup are coming soon.

I have a pair of the turnigy 120's and feigao 380-9xl's 2612kv. I love the setup! 55mph so far!