squiffythewombat

Hi Guys,

Being rather new to this RC lark i was wondering:

Using my futaba tx and rx on the ripmax boat i can get about 100 feet range! When using the same setup (same tx, indentical rx but different unit) on the new boat (outboarded speed boat with on/off style micro-switch) im lucky to get 20 feet? Same set of cystals.

Could it be that the ariel just inst high enough or that the the other rx is just buggered? Im going to swap them over tonight..

Strange thing is, when it goes out of range, i still have full rudder movement on channel 2 but just no movement at all on channel 1 (power). Im using a seperate set of 4Xaa's for the rx. All bats are brand new energizers (sp).

Im planning to put the Tamiya ESC in there hopefully as i think reverse is kinda useful for a learner....

Any input is good...thanks in advance!
Toby

adzam

sound slike apossible receiver fault, but make sure your aerial is as high as possible from the model to help increase range,

there is a chance you are picking up electrical interferance from your motor.


be wary of fitting one of the tamiya ESC`s into your boat, purely because the Tamiya ones are designed for cars, with the delay on reversing , for braking/protecting the gearbox of the model.
This however causes the ESC reverse to be a bit more "harsh" when reverse selected, and less control in revers than a marine ESC.
i can thorughly recomend the range of Mtroniks ESC`s for marine. 100% waterproof!
http://www.mtroniks.net/

and a 15 A is only £20 , with a soft start reverse, which i beleive can be completely switched of for fast electrics.

Adz..

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squiffythewombat

I sail from a quay so the ariel is always much higher than the boat always.

Interferance from motor could be an issue but wouldnt that still happen despite the range.

As for the tam ESC, well im cheap and have lots so they are free. The one im using is programable so you can control how much power goes through on reverse and is waterproved a-la-plastic-bag. I know what you mean about the delay on reverse, that is kinda annoying, however its gotta be better than having no reverse at all! stops me getting stuck in the bushes!

Nigel.D

Quite fancy a boat or sub trouble is nowhere to go unless im billy no mates

adzam

be carefull of the waterproof "bag" around the ESC as it has heat sinks which require cool air

i meant the aerial on the boat, as high as possible not the TX aerial in relation to the model.


the only way to really find out is to swap receivers and give it a try for your range problem

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Bunkerbarge

Make sure the aeriel cable in the boat is completely laid out, away from any other wiring, and prefferably as high in the model as possible.

I have heard that the wire receives better when it is laid horizontally and around the inside of the hull usually works well for mine.

adzam

I beleive the receiving aerial , being as parallel to the transmitter aerial is the ideal setting, since radio waves can only travel in straight lines.
which is why the aerial idealy should be made as close as parallel to the transmitter aerial as possible.
with preferably the tip of the receiver lead being at the uppermost section of this assembly.

This can be affected with propogation, humidity and surrounding "noise" to the transmission. and depends on which type of transmission os being made, i.e FM , AM etc .

rasing the aerial parallel with the transmitter takes it away from as many possible interior transmissions as possible causing as little blackspots in the transmission range.

This is the reason you will see aerials at airports, radio aerials , tv aerials etc vertical,
so they are in a parallel plain to the transmitter.

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Bunkerbarge

Just goes to show you can't believe everything you hear!!

Thanks for the clarification Adz

Mankster

Remember a boat will demand far more from a ESC than car even if they are running the same motor and batteries. The Tamiya ESC may not be up to it.

Yes, pointing your aerial on the transmitter towards the boat will reduce the range, you should always be side on. Unless you are using a helical aerial on the transmitter, in which case pointing the aerial at the boat gives greater range.

squiffythewombat

wow thanks for the replies guys!

Ive just installed the new reciever and routed the airel round the inside of the boat! Would soldering a longer length on help at all?

The tamiya ESC has worked fine for me so far on the ripmax boat? The heat issue is something that never really occured to me, but im sure there must be a safe way to waterproof it! Im an avid believer in DIY!

Mankster, could you possibly detail why the boat demands more than the car? Im so new to this RC lark and trying to absorb as much info as possible!

After lost has finnished im going to put one of these inside it to replace the boring 540 stock thing:




and this is the boat im working on:



off topic- how much would i be looking for to add a clutch to the nitro boat? (kyosho jet stream with OS .15 engine)