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Thread: MHZ XCAT 1400mm (55") build.

  1. #1
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    Default MHZ XCAT 1400mm (55") build.

    So I decided to pull the trigger and build this boat instead of the DF Annihilator. I have the hull, outboards, linkage kit, and oil ordered from MHZ. They are waiting on the outboards so I have time before it gets here. I figured that I would ask the forum what power system I should go with? I was thinking this:

    leopard 4092's 700 kv
    swordfish pro +II 240 12s esc with hifei high voltage caps
    8mm antispark connectors
    12s each side (2 x 6s 8000mah in series)
    starting prop x450 counter rotating
    separate LiFe pack for servos
    Spektrum SR315 3-Channel DSMR Sport Receiver

    I would like 60mph+ or 80mph for short bursts if that is possible

    Do I need the 240's or could I go with the swordfish X+ 150 hv?
    Should I do props out or in? Do I even need counter rotating props?

    Any help would be appreciated.

    Thanks guys!

    Rich
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  2. #2
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    Nobody has any suggestions? I am surprised.
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  3. #3
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    Hi. On a twin cat I?d always use two different direction turning drivelines. Does not really matter on what side cw or ccw.


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  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by ArnoudRC View Post
    Hi. On a twin cat I?d always use two different direction turning drivelines. Does not really matter on what side cw or ccw.


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    Thanks for the info! Any ideas on the setup?

  5. #5
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    I think this is the first xcat at this scale I’ve seen on this forum.
    Maybe if you give us some eye candy (photos) to inspire conversation it would help.
    My thoughts:
    motors: seem fine, small, but as twins should be ok.
    Esc: think of load on inside motor on a turn, it’s the ripple that ramps up unexpectedly. I posted data from a twin cat that had data recorder on each motor.. biggest spike was in the ripple. So, I’d go bigger on esc than if it were a single.
    Prop rotation: I like inward, just thinking of the inside motor and the rotation that would most enhance cornering on a mono. But.. Much of the commentary comes from cat trials.. and most say either is fine. I defer to them.
    Please share learnings as you go.
    "Look good doin' it"
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  6. #6
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    Thanks Jesse J, the order hasn't shipped yet they got the material for the outboards last week. They said it will be 2 weeks from then so we will see. I'll definitely post pics when I get it. This video is what inspired me. He shows the setup at 1:48 ish. https://youtu.be/tZTARkPh-N8. It's the same setup that I posted. I felt I'd ask here to see if it was realistic.

  7. #7
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    Amazing handling on that rough water. Follow your build.


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  8. #8
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    Got the hull and outboards today! Man this thing is huge! Can't wait to get started on the build! I was thinking of building a trailer so one of my rc trucks can tow it. Carrying this thing to the lake will be kind of tough. That being said, should I go with the ZTW esc's since they have reverse? I am thinking I might need it for backing off of the trailer. I also run my boats in a narrow channel so reverse isn't a bad idea. Any thoughts on the ZTW escs?



    GOPR1448.jpgGOPR1449.jpgGOPR1450.jpg
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  9. #9
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    Well I got started on the build. I got a lot of goodies from ose (thanks steven!) I started by putting the outboards together. A few things to note when putting these together. The screws that hold down the motor mount that are closes to the mounting plate that goes to the transom are a pain to get to with a long cooling jacket. I would suggest you put the screws in first then mount your motor. Another tip if you get these outboards for your next project is to use the fitting that comes with the outboards to fill the oil. Its screws into the silver nose cone and you put a pc of fuel tubing to the syringe and to the fitting, then inject the oil until it comes out of the vent screw. The vent screw is a small screw where the lower unit meets the mid plastic pc of the outboard. I plan on using a through hull water fitting to run the cooling out the back of the outboard to give it a scale appearance when the boat is moving. I will attach that to a pc of tubing going to the top of the cooling jacket. Ill show a pic of that when it its done. The only problem I have is where to put the water pickup for the outboard. I was thinking of bending a pc of 5/32 brass tubing and having it mount to the cavitation plate and use it as a prop wash setup. I think it would look scale like that. Any other ideas? I really don't want to add an thru hull pickup or one that mounts to the transom if I don't have to. I am planning to use a transom mount pickup for each of the ZTW's though.GOPR1451.jpgGOPR1452.jpgGOPR1453.jpg
    Last edited by Rich; 11-15-2020 at 12:32 PM.
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  10. #10
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    Got the outboards installed. I also got the propwash water pickup installed. I need to cut the angle for the intake bit here it is. What do you think?20201103_195805.jpg
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  11. #11
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    Exciting!! What depth did you go with, propshaft center to bottom of hull?
    "Look good doin' it"
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    Very nice project Rich, these outboards will have an adjustable ride height I assume? Prop wash looks good. As Jesse mentioned inward rotation will be best. Having the drives do the steering does change the characteristics a bunch. I tried outward and it just sucked.

  13. #13
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    Jessej, yes I did mount the center of the prop shaft to the bottom of the hull just a start. I noticed on the pictures on their website that they put the centerline of the prop shaft on the next step out. I'll show you a picture when I get a chance.

    Srislash, these drives do have up and down movement maybe a quarter inch? I drilled the holes for the motor mount in the center of the slot so I'd have movement up and down. My first attempt at doing the holes was way off so G flexed them shut and made a template for the holes like I should have done. I redrilled the holes and they came out way better. The drive on the right though is in about a sixteenth of an inch from the other one not sure what that's going to do. We will see.

    Thanks guys! More work will be done tonight. I should have a package at my door from ose today. I also have another coming from MHZ....look out for another thread soon...

  14. #14
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    Here is a pic of what I mean by second step. 20201106_164150.jpg
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  15. #15
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    Did more work on the boat and gave it the maiden run!
    I machined a servo mount and glued in the esc mount using the jb weld dam method. Came out good. I just need to find a way to make it spread even. I also glud in the battery mounts with this method. The cardboard is not a good idea for a epoxy dam I'll have winter to cleand that mess up.
    20201108_095348.jpg20201108_122946.jpg20201111_190613.jpg20201113_204637.jpg20201111_190631.jpg
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  16. #16
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    20201113_212137.jpg20201114_144852.jpg
    Here is a pic of the "radio compartment" came out good. After spending a few hours getting the escs to work, I took it out and I got 52 mph I'll post a link for the video. When I upload it. The cooling pickups I made for the outboards worked awesome! It looked scale with the water spraying out! It was a windy day so I was nervous about it blowing over. I felt it almost did on one of the passes going against the wind! Overall I'm happy with the build. Now I'm going to get the motor wires sealed up and some odds and ends taken care of.
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  17. #17
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    Very Cool build.

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    Quote Originally Posted by 1coopgt View Post
    Very Cool build.
    Thanks! Here is the video!
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  19. #19
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    Nice maiden run.

  20. #20
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    Sounds amazing
    Vac-U-Tug Jr (13mph)

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    Quote Originally Posted by fweasel View Post
    Sounds amazing
    It does! I hope the gears quite down a bit though. I have the 1/4" drive version and the mesh seems way better. We will see what happens with that. I need to wait for a calm day to get a better idea of the cg. I also noticed that the inside prop comes out of the water in a turn. She feels like she is very heavy in the turns compared to my smaller hulls which is to be expected of course. Interesting feel though. More to come later
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

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    I finally got it on some calm water. I'm having it chin walk though any ideas how I can fix this?

  23. #23
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    I don't think I've seen a Cat Chin walk. Hopefully some with more experience will come alone with some ideas . Got the CG right? Both motors and props at the same height and angle? I know obvious questions .

  24. #24
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    Cg is in between the reccomend per mhz, about 30%. The right prop is kicked to the outside of the boat compared to the left. Angles are pretty much the same. I'm going to move the batteries back to get more weight on the props since I feel the cg could be moved back more.

  25. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rich View Post
    I finally got it on some calm water. I'm having it chin walk though any ideas how I can fix this?
    Need video please .. gotta see just what she be doin!
    "Look good doin' it"
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  26. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jesse J View Post
    Need video please .. gotta see just what she be doin!
    I am uploading one now. Looking at the footage, it might be more of an alignment issue with the motors. It seems that the backend sways back and forth like its not tracking. I have had this issue with one of my rc trucks back in the day and it was the rear toe was off. I wonder if my steering linkages are not ridged enough and causing flex at high power?
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

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    Here is what I am talking about. You can see it about the 1:09 and 2:09 min marks as well as others. Let me know what you guys think it is. Your help is greatly appreciated.
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

  28. #28
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    You need to check the squareness of the motors to each other and the boat . I didn't see chin walk but i did notice the back end of the boat wiggling back and forth. How close are you to 100% throttle?

  29. #29
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    I would say 80% and at full throttle. I'm checking the squareness now

  30. #30
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    I think I fixed it. Here is how it runs now. When I hit my own wake it wobbles a little bit then settles when it hits clean water. What do you guys think?
    24 R/C vehicles and still counting...What budget?

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