RC boats

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007ELmO

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
Hi,

I'd like to get an electric powered RC boat for a July 4th party. I've heard I should go with the Ms. Budweiser boat because it won't flip over on turns very easily. Can someone point me to a good site that sells electric RC boats?

I'm afraid of getting pointed to a forum as I'll just sit and read for months like I do for other electronics, lol.

Thanks!
ELmO
 
Zodiark1593

Zodiark1593

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2012
2,230
4
81
Have you tried simply dropping in on a hobby shop, see what they have, and then read some reviews? I'm into rc cars myself. I don't know too much about boats aside from the powertrain/electronics side of things.

Semi off topic: last weekend after a run at the park with my rc car, I left the car in my actual car, and left the battery connected. 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. Still have my 3s to romp around with though.
 
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mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
I think you mean the Miss Geico. The Ms. Budweiser is a nitro model. You don't want fuel power. It's noisy, dirty, and a pain in the butt. Only the old dudes and giant scale guys are still burning oil.

For $120 ready-to-run with radio included, you can't go wrong. It's a good starter boat from a reputable manufacturer. The Traxxas Blast is also worth looking into.

I highly recommend going to your local hobby store and talking to the staff there. They'll have a wealth of information to get you started.

I just got into RC boats myself. Have a Thunder Tiger Victoria and Midwest Fantail Launch. I just modded the later to run electric. Goes pretty good. I've covered land, sea, and air now with my model collection.
 
007ELmO

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
Thank you for the information, good catch. In my initial research I was having trouble finding ms Budweiser in electric! I have a pond in the backyard and I don't know why it took me so long to think of this idea lol.

I've gotten a little into drones, I'm probably going to get a DJI Phantom as well. My mechanic was talking to me about RC cars, so I guess I'll start to join you in the land/sea/air collection.
 
The Boston Dangler

The Boston Dangler

Lifer
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
2
0
regarding lipo batteries, they have a lot of power. if you don't respect them, you will have a major fire on your hands.

always use a lipo bag when charging or discharging.
always use lipo charger rated for the battery's voltage, with balancing leads. 1c charge rate.
never short or reverse polarity on a lipo!
if the battery shows significant bulging or case damage, don't use it again. typically you can get away with very slight and infrequent bulging, known as "puffing". let a puffed battery rest for a good long time before use or charging.
 
rudeguy

rudeguy

Lifer
Dec 27, 2001
47,351
14
61
The Boston Dangler said:
regarding lipo batteries, they have a lot of power. if you don't respect them, you will have a major fire on your hands.

always use a lipo bag when charging or discharging.
always use lipo charger rated for the battery's voltage, with balancing leads. 1c charge rate.
never short or reverse polarity on a lipo!
if the battery shows significant bulging or case damage, don't use it again. typically you can get away with very slight and infrequent bulging, known as "puffing". let a puffed battery rest for a good long time before use or charging.
Click to expand...

You're clueless
 
The Boston Dangler

The Boston Dangler

Lifer
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
2
0
rudeguy said:
Actually I deal with, buy, charge, modify, store, use lipo batteries at work. Think I have around 10 on the shelf right now. 4s up to 14s.
Click to expand...

then how about offering the op some constructive info like everyone else has, instead of doing what you do.
 
Zodiark1593

Zodiark1593

Platinum Member
Oct 21, 2012
2,230
4
81
FyI, as long as you use the correct charger (preferably balance chargers that automatically stop at or before 4.2 volts/cell), use a correct charge rate, and avoid charging of damaged batteries, a lipo bag may even be unecessary. Basically, don't abuse the batteries, and they're quite safe.

As for charge rate, you can safely go with what's specified, should mention on the battery itself. On my lipos, I can (and do) go up to a 3c charge rate.

Lipo batteries can puff for various reasons. Minor bulging from heat, to an extent, isn't a battery killer so long as the puffing goes down when the battery is cooled. Excessive heat for an extended period of time (like say inside a vehicle during summer) can greatly puff the batteries and cause permanent damage. Discharging a lipo too low (3.0 volts is about that point) can also puff the batteries, and subsequently kill them. A puffed lipo that is cooled but remains puffed, should be considered KIA and discharged entirely to 0.0 volts and thrown away.

Odds are, for your first boat, you probably don't even need to worry about lipo safety yet. Most likely, the low end boats will provide a nimh battery pack. Safety still applies equally, aka, don't take the batteries out of spec in any way.
 
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The Boston Dangler

The Boston Dangler

Lifer
Mar 10, 2005
14,647
2
0
keird said:
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
Click to expand...

:thumbsup: the bb-firing surface ships are awesome too

Zodiark1593 said:
As for charge rate, you can safely go with what's specified, should mention on the battery itself. On my lipos, I can (and do) go up to a 3c charge rate.
Click to expand...

my batteries are specced for 1c only. what are you using?
 
J

jdobratz

Member
Sep 29, 2004
161
0
76
I like the proboat stuff, Ive owned three of them myself. If you're worried about tipping, you can get the recoil 17, it's a self righting model. Though, you'll be hard pressed to tip it, I turn as hard as I can full throttle and the thing doesn't flip. It's a little small tho, not sure if you were looking for a larger model.
 
007ELmO

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
Just looking for 1 or 2 for July 4th. I've got a retention pond in the backyard and think it'd be pretty fun, need to find some large bobbers probably too (in order to have a track to race on?).

I looked at a few of the proboat models. I did catch the recoil 17 self righting video, that was why I was looking at the Ms. Geico because I heard it doesn't tip easily - but I've seen videos where they've flipped.

It might be a good start for me (recoil 17). Watching some of the 29" videos they look a little more fun lol.
 
mmntech

mmntech

Lifer
Sep 20, 2007
17,501
12
0
The Boston Dangler said:
regarding lipo batteries, they have a lot of power. if you don't respect them, you will have a major fire on your hands.

always use a lipo bag when charging or discharging.
always use lipo charger rated for the battery's voltage, with balancing leads. 1c charge rate.
never short or reverse polarity on a lipo!
if the battery shows significant bulging or case damage, don't use it again. typically you can get away with very slight and infrequent bulging, known as "puffing". let a puffed battery rest for a good long time before use or charging.
Click to expand...

Puffing is caused by overcharging. One of the balancing chargers I have was doing this but I can't track down which one it is. Pretty sure it's my Triton Jr is cooked. Most of the packs are minor and safe for use bit I'll have to get some new ones.

I use military surplus ammo cases rather than lipo bags. You can pick them up dirt cheap.
 
007ELmO

007ELmO

Platinum Member
Dec 29, 2005
2,046
36
101
True. I added the Atomik barbwire XL (24) to the cart and bought it. Will give my "first model boat" review later this week. Although it's just the "same speed" as the original atomik, the retention pond is a little choppy most of the time so I think the bigger version will handle it better.

If it seems fun I'll debate buying another for racing.
 
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