Stock Proboat flex shaft vs OSE upgraded flex shaft

[Hawcer]

The stock shaft in my UL-19 isn’t very true and has lots of wobble. This causes buzzes, vibrations, and premature strut bushing wear, IMO.

I ordered an OSE uprgrade shaft to replace it.
It comes with:

- flex shaft
- drive dog
- nut
- brass bullet nut
- Teflon stuffing liner.

It’s preset and ready to install once the old line is removed. This is the hardest part of the job imo. I removed the strut so it could also be thoroughly cleaned. It’s also a good idea to run a cleaning patch up the brass stuffing tube to clean out any gunk.

The new liner may need to be trimmed off a little. I left it a bit longer than the factory liner. It extends out past the brass tubing about 3/16” on both ends.

OSE also has a HD flex dive that is much thicker and doesn’t require a liner, but they were out of stock.

I recommend anyone with a Proboat to check their shafts, Horizon didn’t seem to think this was an issue and this is the norm for their shafts.

Just look at this quick vid I made to see the difference. It’s not super technical, but you can see the difference.

[30nitro]

Wow.....That stock flex was way out...definitely would not have used it..... OSE flex for sure... have seen other RTR's with some flex issues....not all...but some.

[MADRCER]

Hawcer,
Remember how many times you got the boat hung up in the weeds in the pond? That probably bent/warped the prop shaft trying to get it unstuck.

[Hawcer]

Nope, it was like this before I ever ran the boat. I noticed it the first time I greased it and also the prop wobble when testing the radio for the first time. Long before hitting any pond grass or floating algae slime.

Horizon even told me a bend at where the cable is crimped to the prop shaft is normal. Normal for ProBoat, not for all flex cables apparently.

[MADRCER]

Wow! you shouldn't of ever ran that if that was the case. Don't run the OSE cable unless you put a true .150 coupler on it as well, like this one or you'll be sorry..lol!

https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=oct-ocfhe5mm15S

[Hawcer]

Wow! you shouldn't of ever ran that if that was the case. Don't run the OSE cable unless you put a true .150 coupler on it as well, like this one or you'll be sorry..lol!
https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pr...ct-ocfhe5mm15S

Thanks for the heads up on the coupler. I wonder why OSE doesn’t recommend it with this shaft?
From day one, something seemed off, slow, extra heat, short run times, etc. you even said something was wrong with it. I know squat about rc boats, Horizon has been no help...so I do what I can ,when I can...and look for answers from people more experienced.

[boatsrnew2me]

Wow! you shouldn't of ever ran that if that was the case. Don't run the OSE cable unless you put a true .150 coupler on it as well, like this one or you'll be sorry..lol!
https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pr...ct-ocfhe5mm15S

yup ....i found out the hard way .but my boat came to me that way .and they do recommend the coupler
We suggest using part number oct-ocfhe5mm15 coupler with this shaft

[Hawcer]

yup ....i found out the hard way .but my boat came to me that way .and they do recommend the coupler
We suggest using part number oct-ocfhe5mm15 coupler with this shaft

I must be completely blind, because I don't see any such recommendation. (See pic)

Link to the cable in question:

https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ose-ul19-cable

[Hawcer]

From Steve at OSE

"You can use a 5mm15 coupler. but you should be able to use the stock coupler unless the inside is worn out.
If you have a loose coupler and its run loose, the inside of the coupler will wear out quickly and never really grip good again."

The stock coupler has never run loose or failed to grip to wear it out. and it seems to grip the .150 cable pretty good. IDK...just more headache.
So I guess it's a toss up.

[MADRCER]

I must be completely blind, because I don't see any such recommendation. (See pic)

Link to the cable in question:
https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/pr...ose-ul19-cable

boatsrnew2me is referring to the Veles Cable which is the same as the Ul-19 cable but just shorter in length.

https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ose-veles-cable

yup ....i found out the hard way .but my boat came to me that way .and they do recommend the coupler
We suggest using part number oct-ocfhe5mm15 coupler with this shaft

The short version of the Octura coupler on some applications because it allows more room if you want to use a cable saver without having to fight with a tight space or potentially have to trim the stuffing tube off some.

[boatsrnew2me]

From Steve at OSE

"You can use a 5mm15 coupler. but you should be able to use the stock coupler unless the inside is worn out.
If you have a loose coupler and its run loose, the inside of the coupler will wear out quickly and never really grip good again."

The stock coupler has never run loose or failed to grip to wear it out. and it seems to grip the .150 cable pretty good. IDK...just more headache.
So I guess it's a toss up.

well i got a veles with the upgraded ose cable ,previous user ran the stock coupler ,it went in and out the coupler pretty hard ,i just thought it was a tight fit and didnt give it much thought until the thing spun on me .
the coupler actually wore a dimple,or low spot on the shaft and spun on me requiring me to rescue my boat .luckily the cable didnt come out because of that fact it wore it down into a dimple per-say and behind the low spot was a high spot that kept the cable in the boat .

just get the correct coupler ,now i need a coupler and a new cable.

[MADRCER]

From Steve at OSE

"You can use a 5mm15 coupler. but you should be able to use the stock coupler unless the inside is worn out.
If you have a loose coupler and its run loose, the inside of the coupler will wear out quickly and never really grip good again."

The stock coupler has never run loose or failed to grip to wear it out. and it seems to grip the .150 cable pretty good. IDK...just more headache.
So I guess it's a toss up.

Pro Boat used to use what appeared to be 4mm cables in most all their boats instead of .150 cables up until the launch of the Veles and UL-19. Some people have found this out the hard way that some of these new boats have had what appears to be 4mm couplers on them from the factory as well. I'm trying to give you advise so you won't be the next person that puts an old stock coupler (4mm) on a true .150 cable and finds out the hard way that the coupler can bottom out and seem tight but in essence it's not. Do or run whatever you want to run but if I'm doing something I'm going to make sure everything I'm doing is right the first time if possible (because it's cheaper that way) rather to find out later when I'm spending $70.00 for a new .150 cable, a new Octura .150 short coupler, and a replacement stock prop. Good luck with it!

[Hawcer]

I'll measure both cables with a set of calipers to see the minor differences.

another order into OSE appears to be needed. Once a week orders to OSE are getting pretty routine now, so the wife might quit questioning them,LOL.

ANYTHING else I might need to add while I'm at it? might as well try to dot all my I's and cross all of my T's while I'm at it.
Shaft saver collar thing maybe? any other props to try out? Magic dust, holy water to bless the pond,etc?

[MADRCER]

If you wish....

https://www.offshoreelectrics.com/proddetail.php?prod=ose-80072

[Hawcer]

I'm gonna order a 5mm to .150" coupler, .150" collar, prop spacer, and maybe a couple of them cnc props to test out. 1.6x42mm and 1.6x44mm (de-tongued series).

I just hope I can get it back on the water before its frozen over.