RC boats

[rudeguy]

RC stuff will never not be awesome. Have fun and post lots OS videos!

 

[halik]

All right. This is my fetish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aDDlCHjewc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExA69prggRg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2inB0HTxjw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sjui6fMwXg

Hah awesome!

 

[Zodiark1593]

RC stuff will never not be awesome. Have fun and post lots OS videos!

Rocketing around at 65 mph with an rc car and more than 5 minutes battery life was a childhood dream at one point.

 

[rudeguy]

Rocketing around at 65 mph with an rc car and more than 5 minutes battery life was a childhood dream at one point.

I always had cheap RC stuff growing up. Like...Kmart special cheap. Then when lil rudeguy was old enough, we bought cool RC stuff and had a blast. Now I'm working on commercial RC and it's just as much fun.

 

[007ELmO]

Wanna give me a hint on a starter electric RC car to play around with in my backyard? My backyard is not huge but has a lot of weird/hilly landscaping to deal with.

 

[mmntech]

RC stuff will never not be awesome.

Yep. I've started missing flying after seeing all the cool tech that's came out. It's too bad the local flying club was such a toxic environment. The elderly gentlemen who never flew were trying to turn it into their own private old boy's club. Fun was strongly discouraged.

The car and boat guys are always great. Not many people do it around here. I'd like to get a regatta going on the local pond.

 

[rudeguy]

Wanna give me a hint on a starter electric RC car to play around with in my backyard? My backyard is not huge but has a lot of weird/hilly landscaping to deal with.

I want to build something similar.

Anyone have thoughts?

 

[rudeguy]

Yep. I've started missing flying after seeing all the cool tech that's came out. It's too bad the local flying club was such a toxic environment. The elderly gentlemen who never flew were trying to turn it into their own private old boy's club. Fun was strongly discouraged.

The car and boat guys are always great. Not many people do it around here. I'd like to get a regatta going on the local pond.

We have a huge group of great guys around here. No drama.

Come over to the mitten!

 

[007ELmO]

I went to the silver lake sand dunes last year, it was awesome. I think you're only an hour away from silver lakes? I definitely want to try one of the faster polaris dune buggies next time, I was in a 2 seater.

Speaking of Polaris, I was debating getting a slingshot to toy around with. It needs a motorcycle license and is manual transmission only though. I'll need to get the motorcycle certificate before I think of it again. It's a 3 wheel side by side seating:

 

[mmntech]

We have a huge group of great guys around here. No drama.

Come over to the mitten!

The club I belonged to became rather infamous amongst the hobby for their drama. They lost a lot of members because if it. I think that's what they wanted though. Unfortunately, it's the only one near by. Or at least the only one that has a decent field.

Which is why I like the cars and boats. Nobody takes them too seriously, people are great, and you don't need to belong to a club to enjoy them.

 

[Ns1]

The club I belonged to became rather infamous amongst the hobby for their drama. They lost a lot of members because if it. I think that's what they wanted though. Unfortunately, it's the only one near by. Or at least the only one that has a decent field.

Which is why I like the cars and boats. Nobody takes them too seriously, people are great, and you don't need to belong to a club to enjoy them.

The answer is to start your own club that doesn't suck

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Wanna give me a hint on a starter electric RC car to play around with in my backyard? My backyard is not huge but has a lot of weird/hilly landscaping to deal with.

I have a 1/16 modified Summit I could sell you, for around $200+shipping.
Better motor, and ESC. motor cooling fan, custom body, new stock body, both with lights, 2 sets of tires, 1 never used. Easily worth $250

https://traxxas.com/products/models/electric/72074-1summit116vxl

It does not come with a transmitter, or receiver, however there's a good chance that the transmitter that comes with your boat could be used with it, if you bought a receiver. For a mere $100 more I could add;
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMR3140
And this;
http://www.spektrumrc.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=SPMSR310

 

[Ns1]

Man I just spent way too much time watching RC videos on youtube

 

[jdobratz]

Wanna give me a hint on a starter electric RC car to play around with in my backyard? My backyard is not huge but has a lot of weird/hilly landscaping to deal with.

I like my HPI Savage XS, it's a blast. I bought the kit and built mine. It's small and fast when paired with a 3s lipo. It's 4WD so it's good for off-road but it's also got enough power to tear around on road when you get the speed bug.

 

[Zodiark1593]

I want to build something similar.

Anyone have thoughts?

I myself use an ECX Circuit 2wd equipped with a brushless 3300kv motor, 45 amp esc, and either a 2s lipo or 3s (I killed my 2s, so it's been 3s lately). Turns like a boat at times, but durability is exceptional, it has survived 40 mph impacts without so much as a broken part. The stock motor tops around 20-25 mph, enough for a beginner. Great starter rc.

With my current gearing and setup, I recorded a top speed of 40 mph on 2s. On 3s, I hit 60, but backed off due to lack of smooth road. Likely, it could probably top 68-70 if I gave it enough smooth road. I have the thing geared quite high though, a 28 tooth pinion to 81 tooth spur. That's about the limit before heat becomes a concern on 2s.

 

[rudeguy]

I myself use an ECX Circuit 2wd equipped with a brushless 3300kv motor, 45 amp esc, and either a 2s lipo or 3s (I killed my 2s, so it's been 3s lately). Turns like a boat at times, but durability is exceptional, it has survived 40 mph impacts without so much as a broken part. The stock motor tops around 20-25 mph, enough for a beginner. Great starter rc.

Hmm....I think I want 4wd.

And tracks. Gotta have tracks!

 

[runzwithsizorz]

I'm probably going with this (Atomik Barbwire XL 24") that just came out. It's a self righting V-hull:
http://www.atomikrc.com/products/atomik-barbwire-xl-rtr-brushless-rc-boat

Damn, like anything else, researching something too much just reveals all the negatives! "Plastic hull, price, same speed as smaller version"

For the price point, you have made a VERY good choice for an entry level, get your feet wet first r/c boat. The hull can be reinforced, and I would recommend it, especially the seams. Other mods could come later. Here is a similar boat with a couple of upgrades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlG7DYkObYE
I am glad you chose a mono for your first boat. Most hydro's, and catamaran's do not turn as well, don't handle chop, and can take to the sky,(blow over), at speed with hardly any warning. Then again, on a near windless day, and the lake water is like glass it's pretty fun to live on the edge with hardly anything in the water but your prop, trust me. Hopefully your pond is at least 100 yards, if not, are there lakes near by?
Feel free to PM me, or better yet, explore, and become a member here;
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/forum.php

 

[The Boston Dangler]

the traxxas slash is the ubiquitous entry-level rc car/truck. for a non-competition car it's as good as it gets. tough, cheap and pretty capable of handling back yards and stuff. an excellent basher. the platform is over 20 years old, so parts are available everywhere.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

the traxxas slash is the ubiquitous entry-level rc car/truck. for a non-competition car it's as good as it gets. tough, cheap and pretty capable of handling back yards and stuff. an excellent basher. the platform is over 20 years old, so parts are available everywhere.

Though Mr.Rude may disagree, that is twice in this thread where you are spot on with your recommendations! Traxxas is right here in the USA, (guess which state). They back what they sell, and their warranties. They also have a forum addressing each model. I have spoken several times, over the years with a knowledgible Nam vet on the phone, and who one time arranged to send me a upgraded replacement for a 15 year old ESC for half price.
BTW, some quality batteries *CAN* be charged at 5c, however, as any woman will tell you,--- slower is better :whiste:

 

[mmntech]

The answer is to start your own club that doesn't suck

If it were that easy, more people would do it. For planes, you need a large enough piece of land that's relatively flat and free of tall object (trees, power lines). Not too many local parks fit the bill. Plus that land needs to be dedicated. You can't have random people walking across the flight line. That's a big safety issue. So you have to pay the municipality to rent it out. From there, you need to maintain it. Cut the grass, install safety barriers, etc. Best bet is to find a guy that owns a farm or something.

I've considered starting a regatta on the local pond. Cars and boats don't need dedicated space unless you're racing. I take my trucks out to the fair grounds.

 

[Ns1]

If it were that easy, more people would do it. For planes, you need a large enough piece of land that's relatively flat and free of tall object (trees, power lines). Not too many local parks fit the bill. Plus that land needs to be dedicated. You can't have random people walking across the flight line. That's a big safety issue. So you have to pay the municipality to rent it out. From there, you need to maintain it. Cut the grass, install safety barriers, etc. Best bet is to find a guy that owns a farm or something.

I've considered starting a regatta on the local pond. Cars and boats don't need dedicated space unless you're racing. I take my trucks out to the fair grounds.

nobody said it would be easy, I just said it was the answer

 

[Raduque]

2 days later, remembered to grab the rc, but the battery (2s 5 Ah) had swollen and was dropped to 1.7 volts due to heat and slow battery drain. Suppose I should be thankful I only lost the battery, but it was a nice facepalm moment.

Definitely be thankful your car didn't burn down.

I left the 2s lipo in my latest quad till the lights shut off and it was down to 3.09v per cell. I really hope I didn't kill it.

 

[Zodiark1593]

Definitely be thankful your car didn't burn down.

I left the 2s lipo in my latest quad till the lights shut off and it was down to 3.09v per cell. I really hope I didn't kill it.

Odds are the battery is still kicking, lvc normally hits around 3.0v to 3.2v. Longevity will probably be impacted if you discharge that low a lot.

In my scenario, the battery was at 1.7v for the whole thing, so ~ 0.85v/cell. Even though lvc had long since cut power to the motor, the servo was still running, and in the car, probably under load too.

 

[clamum]

We have a huge group of great guys around here. No drama.

Come over to the mitten!

Yeah my buddy is into RC cars and helicopters and he drives/flies with a bunch of guys in the area (SE Mich; he lives in Farmington Hills).

 

[007ELmO]

So I got the atomik barbwire XL, but haven't tried it yet. I bought a hubsan x4 drone and have been flying that a bit. I just ordered a DJI Phantom 3! I can't wait to see the quality of the video, from the samples I've seen on youtube it looks fantastic.