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Thread: Zelos 36 First Run tips??

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
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    TX
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    6

    Default Zelos 36 First Run tips??

    I’m back into boating with a Zelos 36 Twin. I’ve been skimming these forums for tips, but I’d like to ask outright for any TIPPS you guys have for my first run. Anything I should look at and adjust out of the box? I already own a bunch of 5000 mAH 3S batteries. If I run four of those will they be too heavy? Is there anything tricky about binding to a new radio, given the two ESC’s? (I want to use my DX4E.)

    Anything you just think I should know?

    Thanks!
    Adam

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
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    na
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    726

    Default

    Congrats Adam on the Zelos! You bind the Radio to the Receiver so no issues with the dual ESC's just check the calibration on the ESC's, make sure your endpoints are set correctly on your controller or you might damage your two servo cables. Check the motor mounts to be sure they are tight and check the motor alignment with the flex cables, grease flex cables, make sure your both struts are even and set on 4mm (neutral). You will need a 5mm gap between the drive dog and the strut. Also (4) 3s lipos are the best to run in this boat for a good balanced and stable boat, so you will be fine. Make sure you purchase two Series cables and DO NOT use the series cable that came with the boat along with the two cables you will be using to series the batteries or you will fry everything. I would go ahead and get that adapter as far away from the boat as you can Lol. If you have good water, decent batteries and your setup is close then you should be in the 60mph range. When you want to go real fast contact Dasboata on here and he can fix you up with some ABC props, by the way ABC 1716's are the fastest on the stock setup (ask me how I know) lol... Below is a link to the series adapters you should be using. Good Luck!

    https://www.amainhobbies.com/dynamit...SABEgJ90_D_BwE
    Last edited by MADRCER; 01-04-2018 at 09:30 PM. Reason: added link
    TFL Zonda (124mph), Miss Geico Zelos 36 (108mph), Veles 29 (91mph), Zelos Twin 36 (90mph), Miss Geico 29v3 (83.5mph), Sonicwake 36 V2 (83mph), Blackjack 42 (81mph), TFL Pursuit (79mph), UL-19 (75mph), Sonicwake 36 (73mph), Motley Crew (47.5mph), AquaCraft Rescue 17

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    FL
    Posts
    1,464

    Default

    [QUOTE=MADRCER;705771]
    "by the way 1716's are the fastest on the stock setup (ask me how I know) lol."
    Hey Adam in case you didn't know. . .Mark should know, he's got the fastest stock Zelos on record! Oh, and wait a minute. . . . .
    also holds the fastest stock Veles 29 on record. . .he's not MADRCER for nothing!LOL. . . .great job Mark.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2016
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    IL
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    Make sure the winds on your flex cables are oriented in the proper direction. When viewed from the rear of the boat, they should make a ^ pattern, pointing towards the bow. That is, the left cable winds should be slanted like /// and the right cable winds should be slanted like \\\.

    My original Zelos was assembled pretty well and they only changes I had to make were some slight alignment of the motors and motor mounts so that the flex cables would slip into the open collets as easily as possible, with minimal to no deflection.

    Be careful to wipe off any grease from the tips of the flex cables before they're installed into the motor collets.

    I, and several others, had water leaks where the black struts are mated to the rear faces of the sponsons. This was cured by loosening the hardware and applying some clear silicone caulk into the mating surface before reseating the struts.

    The single M3 nut and bolt that holds the strut angle in place on each strut needs to be tightened down as tight as is reasonably possible for hardware that small. The strut adjustment is key to how this boat will run on the water and they can become mis-aligned from just aggressive steering if not tightened properly. I ultimately chose to increase the size of hardware on my struts to provide more hold.

    Have fun, it's a great boat.
    Vac-U-Tug Jr (13mph)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    na
    Posts
    726

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    [QUOTE=Bp9145;705806]
    Quote Originally Posted by MADRCER View Post
    "by the way 1716's are the fastest on the stock setup (ask me how I know) lol."
    Hey Adam in case you didn't know. . .Mark should know, he's got the fastest stock Zelos on record! Oh, and wait a minute. . . . .
    also holds the fastest stock Veles 29 on record. . .he's not MADRCER for nothing!LOL. . . .great job Mark.
    Comment well appreciated. Thanks Brian!
    TFL Zonda (124mph), Miss Geico Zelos 36 (108mph), Veles 29 (91mph), Zelos Twin 36 (90mph), Miss Geico 29v3 (83.5mph), Sonicwake 36 V2 (83mph), Blackjack 42 (81mph), TFL Pursuit (79mph), UL-19 (75mph), Sonicwake 36 (73mph), Motley Crew (47.5mph), AquaCraft Rescue 17

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    ny
    Posts
    283

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    Adam,
    I have been running 4 7200 SMC's in my zelos. No issues with weight. They weigh in at 467 grams each. I agree with what was said above but want to add a couple more things for you to look at. As is common with this boat, when I first got mine the the water tubes had paint in them from the bottom. I was cleaning them out, when 1 fell through. Turns out it was barely glued in place. Also, some guys cut small slits in the bottom of the hull just in front of the water tubes to allow a bit more flow into the tubes. Personally I hated those tubes and went with 2 sets of dual flush mount pick ups.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2017
    Location
    ny
    Posts
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    Here is a picture of the dual water pick ups installed. You can also see the slits cut into the hull in front of the pick ups.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
    Location
    AU
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    24

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    Ok just did my first run my with new Zelos 36 tonight and would have to say an awesome boat....but water pick up flow not the best....motors pretty hot esc ok didn’t have infrared temp gun so not sure on temp.
    Anyone have an idea where I can find thread on cooling.....��

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    3,112

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tuono995 View Post
    Ok just did my first run my with new Zelos 36 tonight and would have to say an awesome boat....but water pick up flow not the best....motors pretty hot esc ok didn’t have infrared temp gun so not sure on temp.
    Anyone have an idea where I can find thread on cooling.....��
    you should start your own thread on that

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2017
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    AU
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dasboata View Post
    you should start your own thread on that

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    8

    Default

    Hey guys, just joined the forum and recently bought this boat. Is the 5mm gap between the drive dog and strut accurate that madracer posted? The manual calls for a 1-2mm gap.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
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    VA
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    435

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    Yes it is.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lowroller View Post
    Hey guys, just joined the forum and recently bought this boat. Is the 5mm gap between the drive dog and strut accurate that madracer posted? The manual calls for a 1-2mm gap.
    I don't use the white teflon washers and make my gaps about the diameter of the flex cable is use or just a hair less. 1-2mm would be a little close for comfort, especially if your motor has some axial (in and out) play.
    Vac-U-Tug Jr (13mph)

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    NY
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    Thank you

  15. #15
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    Jan 2019
    Location
    NY
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    I finally got around to running my Zelos today and it performed great! I ran it with two 6s 4500 mah packs and I did not have any heat issues at all. With a compley stock set up and the batteries pretty far forward I got a best speed of 55.9 mph and a run time of 8 minutes. I’m pretty sure with a little battery positioning I can get even more speed out of it. Very happy with the overall performance of the boat. ESC and motor temp never exceeded 100’ F. The batteries were warmer at 120’ F.
    Last edited by Lowroller; 04-13-2019 at 06:48 PM.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
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    MT
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    Default

    Make sure you have a recovery system!!!!! Just in case something goes wrong.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
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    NY
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    Of course! I either bring my kayak or paddle board...

  18. #18
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    Jan 2019
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    NY
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    I want to change my props to the abc 1716-17/45 but can only find the right hand rotation in stock anywhere. Would it be ok to use that prop with the stock UL-19 prop PRB282047 which is left hand rotation? From what I’m reading it sounds like it’s the same prop as the abc 1716-17/45.

  19. #19
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    No, don't do that. It's not the same prop, it's a copy, and generally very similar, but not the same. The 1716 prop is very popular and often out of stock. If Dasboata (Chris Hoffmann) doesn't have any, you could try Bonzi Sports in Carmel, IN.
    Vac-U-Tug Jr (13mph)

  20. #20
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    Jan 2019
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    NY
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    Ok, thanks. I emailed Chris.

  21. #21
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    NY
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    Mine needed to be programmed as the LVC was set way too low from the factory at 3.0 v per cell. I did mine with the transmitter and it was easy. I run mine on 2 6s packs as i have plenty of those for Flying EDF’s and it works well for me. If you want to run 6S with the supplied adapter I believe you would need 4-3S packs to achieve that voltage. As far as the other questions someone else can probably chime in for that as I left all mine in in place as it came from the factory.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lowroller View Post
    Ok, thanks. I emailed Chris.
    DID ,we communicate yet ?

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Jan 2019
    Location
    NY
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    Yes

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