TFL Hobbies "Popeye" Hydro: P-Sport Hydro

[tlandauer]

looks good..just ordered a through hull fitting and a new turn fin bracket for mine the other day...seems its always something!

Tell me about it, just found out the TFL 3/16 shaft ( threaded part ) is too big, none of my Octura props would go over! Grim Racer props on the other hand have no problem. Good thing I have a Kintec 3/16 Flex/shaft.

Do not run it without JB Welding first...it does not affect the potential strut adjustment..The factory tube is decent quality and shouldn't have to be removed for any foreseeable reason...but the factory fiberglassing of the tube will let go with the slightest movement.

Mine let go while I was messing around with the strut on my workbench.

Thank you Doby for the warning in the nick of time! Will do ASAP!
Speaking of Strut adjustment, mine came with the top of the strut flush with the bracket, I looked very carefully at your pictures, they seem to indicate yours is set lower, although Ron's looked the same ( as mine ) unless he did not make adjustments yet when the pictures were taken? What would be a good starting point?
Thanks in advance

[ron1950]

Mine was flush then raised now back flush and may drop it some more to keep nose down

[Doby]

I'm running my strut all the way up. Depends on props, and CG.

[tlandauer]

Thanks guys! Appreciate your help!

[flraptor07]

[QUOTE=tlandauer;537854]Tell me about it, just found out the TFL 3/16 shaft ( threaded part ) is too big, none of my Octura props would go over! Grim Racer props on the other hand have no problem. Good thing I have a Kintec 3/16 Flex/shaft.

I had the same problem with the threaded part of my flex shaft too, The problem is that the threads are too tall. I carefully filed the tops of the threads off them ran a die back over it just in case any threads got too flat. now all my props work fine.

[tlandauer]

[QUOTE=flraptor07;538129]

Tell me about it, just found out the TFL 3/16 shaft ( threaded part ) is too big, none of my Octura props would go over! Grim Racer props on the other hand have no problem. Good thing I have a Kintec 3/16 Flex/shaft.

I had the same problem with the threaded part of my flex shaft too, The problem is that the threads are too tall. I carefully filed the tops of the threads off them ran a die back over it just in case any threads got too flat. now all my props work fine.

That is a very good approach! I just did the elementary school thing : shortened a new Kintec .187" Flex /cable. But I found out this--- just turning the stub shaft ( with the whole cable all the way inserted into the collet w/o tightening the collet so it free spins) with my fingers , the Kintec cable/shaft has barely detectable friction where as the stock TFL one piece welded shaft was much harder to turn. The stub shaft is shorter on the Kintec and I also wonder if the cable is ever so slightly thinner in its diameter. Although my caliper tells me that they are the same.
I will have to remember your trick, but have to get a die first. Always new this and that.

[tlandauer]

Guys, check you hatches, I cracked mine in the front with very little pressure. I looked closely afterwards and realized it is so thin, almost only the gelcoat... maybe just mine. I laid two lateral heavy FG tape both front and back and two more strips( light weight FG tape) longitudinally along the outer portion of the hatch. It feels much sturdier yet still with enough flex so one can squeeze the hatch in order to mount flush---if yours is like mine.
DSCN4650_5016.jpg DSCN4651_5017.jpg DSCN4652_5018.jpg
Black permanent markers have a bad habit of oozing out when mixed with Epoxy.

[flraptor07]

Popeye progress so far..

Here's the progress on my Popeye so far, I wasn't real happy with the thickness of the AQ turn fin so I made one from .062 aluminum instead of the .045 it was I also changed the shape, size, and radius a little. Put a dual cooling rudder on it and re epoxied the stuff tube with JB. Here's some pics... DSC02284.jpgDSC02285.jpgDSC02286.jpgDSC02291.jpgDSC02297.jpg

[flraptor07]

More pics....

DSC02298.jpgDSC02288.jpgDSC02289.jpgDSC02294.jpg

[tlandauer]

Looks real great!
I love everything you have done, especially the servo mount. I had a turn fin made similar to yours but straight w/o the curve just incase.
The green lines over the wires are fab. What motor is on?
You matched the paint on the vertical fins well, that is cool.
What else have I forgotten?
You plan to use another thru the hull fitting for the second water line? Check the factory one, mine just fell out, lol...
What is the reason for the unsharpened bottom portion of the turn fin? Must be a reason...

[JimClark]

Whats up with that rudder never seen one that wide seems like that would be a problem

[flraptor07]

Looks real great!
I love everything you have done, especially the servo mount. I had a turn fin made similar to yours but straight w/o the curve just incase.
The green lines over the wires are fab. What motor is on?
You matched the paint on the vertical fins well, that is cool.
What else have I forgotten?
You plan to use another thru the hull fitting for the second water line? Check the factory one, mine just fell out, lol...
What is the reason for the unsharpened bottom portion of the turn fin? Must be a reason...

Thank You! The motor is a Neu 1515 1Y 2200kv, I did add another thru hull fitting for water pickup and replaced the original one so both are now screw in fittings with nipples on both sides. I didn't think it was nessessary to sharpen the bottom of the turn fin because it's not on the leading edge. This way it's more like a airfoil, I can always sharpen it later if needed

Whats up with that rudder never seen one that wide seems like that would be a problem

The rudder is the dual pickup replacement and yes it's pretty wide. I checked and depending on prop size there may be clearance issues but I can always adjust the end point on the steering to cure that.

[flraptor07]

Doby or whoever has exp. with Popeye, what's a good starting point on props? Neu 1515 1Y 2200kv on 4s, I have a X447 that actually measures 46mm. I was thinking about starting there.

[RandyatBBY]

I know I read it some hare what size is it?

[Doby]

32" Randy.

I run a 447 3 blade with my 2200Kv Leopard. It will take a more aggressive prop next season as the motor and controller were always barely warm.