I use a variety of escs..my newer escs are Hobbywing, can’t beat the price for the quality and performance. Turnigy makes a decent aircraft esc in their Plush line. I have a few of those if I don’t care about reverse. I also have one or two old Futaba (early 90s) escs, a couple of Novaks, older Polks Hobby’s escs, Mtroniks, etc. I buy used quite often from people I trust on RCG, and have been mostly successful on eBay. The cheap esc that died a warriors death was brushless, but I had no idea it was NOT lipo compatible, so before it died it killed a 3s lipo. It was 15 dollars shipped…
Oh. I also have a few of the cheap lipo alarms if I’m running lipos with older brushed escs.
Cash

Nick,
I have a number of m-Troniks as well. But BREXIT has put the kybosh on getting any more🤔
Re 'flashing light sequences' - I always buy the associated Programming card, not expensive and makes the job a doddle😉
Cheers, Doug😎

I heartily agree Rowen, especially when they ask us 'What went wrong?'
😎

I tend to stick with M-Tronics, made in Yorkshire, so customer support a phone call away, I have only had a problem once and a replacment arrived by return of post. I tried a Turnigy once and couldn't program it, I couldn't keep up with the flashing light sequences.

My last post slipped out prematurely.
Meant to add:
Think it would be interesting if members identified the type of components they have had success or failure with.

Doug, they work well.
Have been using a “no-name” brand from Banggood.
They come in a variety of sizes from 30 to around 60A. No programming so happy with them.

"Nothing like the stench of a burnt out Turnigy ESC!"
Having had one burn up on me in my PTB, also de-soldered the battery connections thus preventing further damage, I have long since standardised on the Hobbywing Quikrun range of ESCs. More expensive but quality and robust😉
Cheers, Doug 😎

"Think I might have beaten you to it!"
Not by a long chalk Rowen😉
My unexpected and unwanted dip took place in summer 2004. Tempus fugit!
The next time I went swimming / schnorcheling was on Malta☀️ Much nicer.
Cheers, Doug 😎

Hi chaps, had a 80 amp esc in my norstar wave princess took her out to the middle of our pond, one of the club members said, l think you have smoke coming from your boat, two seconds later the cover to the engine bay blew high into the air this was followed by smoke and flames coming from the the esc. Much panic onshore while trying to get the rescue dingy out to my boat. Very lucky the heat desoldered the battery connection to the esc and stopped the flow of current,
The esc was completely wrecked and and princess was a little scorched but nothing to serious, it looked much worse than it turned out. Gave onlookers and fellow club mates a fine story to relate over a cup of tea.
Stay safe chaps, Jim.

No Garth, it was at Tillsonberg. Well out of the range of your camera!

Rowen did you go down to Leander to sail .You need to tell us so we can video your Bo-Bo & take some photos of the damage for the club!

Nothing like the stench of a burnt out Turnigy ESC!
Hangs around for ages.

Eeee Chinese speed controllers, I can tell a few tales about them!

My Faux RAF rescue boat “Aphrodite “ suffered the curse of the cheap eBay esc. She was about 25 feet out, when she just stopped. The rudder worked, but no power. Then, I noticed the small whiffs of smoke coming from under the hatch. She didn’t burn, but I had to make the “walk of shame” and retrieve her from the other side of the pond. ESC got so hot it desoldered leads from the board, and put a divot in the abs hull. No real damage, but she stunk like the dickens for about 2 weeks…still stained from smoke damage below deck.
Cash

Doug,
Think I might have beaten you to it!
Retrieved my Seaforth Conqueror in 2016 after she sank on her maiden voyage. Somebody took a picture of my palid, frozen body in underpants.
Do not have a copy to make you jealous though!
Hull sprang a leak.
Had to move the ice aside to get in the water.
Funnily enough a few days later, after drying out all worked well. Drop of araldite and good as new.
Think the award should resemble a cork life belt!

No problem to all for veering off subject. It's what I believe many of us rc boaties are bad for at at times. I've been happy noseying at the alternative posts and noting ideas in my diary. The perfect late bedtime read

Regards
Scott 🛥️

Hi Pete/rookiesailor. I use a Monkprice MP10 300 x 300 x 400 high, a well made machine that comes in two parts, base and gantry, so quick to assemble, I've had it a couple of years now and all I have had to do is change the nozzle once so low maintainance. If folk are interested I think a new thread might be in order to save veering off course on Scotts thread.

Roger. Wilco Trev
😎

Keep me posted, Doug!
Very interested, if you have the time.
Thanks,
Trev

Hi Trev,
"Any background on the sub in the pic?"
I think it's best that I start a new thread to answer that, we've already transgressed more than enough on Scott's thread! Sorry Scott🤔
😎

I am sure the Ladies Loved It!!
Trev

"Any pics of your swim?"
Not that I know of unfortunately Trev.
Maybe some of the er 'ladies' 🙄 present have some, I don't know😉
Even if so they may have been too pornographic to post anyway😮🙈
"That is my greatest fear, retrieving a lost vessel."
Needs must when the devil drives Trev🤔
That is why I've been contemplating for some time various options for a rescue vessel.
I've more or less decided on some mods to my Southampton tug.
She's small enough to fit into the wagon I use to haul to the lake along with some other vessels and 'stuff' and has enough grunt to pull or push another vessel to shore. Big problem with something like a long thin destroyer, length to beam ratio of ~10 to 1, is keeping the damn thing on course while pushing!
With the sub it would be even worse, but she's never failed me yet🤞
😎

Nick, very interested in your thread for 3D printing, can I ask what printer you are using, and is it easy to work with.😊

Cheers, Pete

Great Story, Doug.
That is my greatest fear, retrieving a lost vessel.
That's why they are sitting in the shelf.😮😴😂🤣
Any pics of your swim?🙄🙄
Trev

"There should be a special award for modelers who have had to swim to retrieve models."
Great idea Rowen👍
I suggest you design one and send the first to me😀
A few years after the incident mentioned below I again suffered a control failure. Was a much more windy day and it soon became clear that Hotspur was heading for the fountains😮
So nothing for it but to strip to the 'bare'🙈 minimum and go after her!
The exigences of service!!
I swam out, turned her towards shore and gave a mighty shove.
A friend hauled her out while I swam back and trudged out of the lake, accompanied by cheers, clapping and some intriguing comments and offers from some of the 'ladies' present!😉 My 'bare' minimum having by then gone transparent!😮 Gisela was NOT amused!😠
Subsequent investigations showed an intermittent contact in the supply wire to the RX.
RX was mounted at the aft end of the foredeck with a right angled connector to all the works in the bowels of the ship.
Seems every time I removed the mid section deck, for access to batteries switching & sound modules, and replaced it the connections were stressed and finally the vital one failed😭
Since then she's been in dry-dock for a complete refit; repaint, new propulsion with rudder control linked to the twin motor control, possible upgrade of sound system to include more NOISES, and a new smoker to feed both funnels (stacks to you guys across the pond😉).
Cheers, Doug 😎
PS Since then I always have a beach towel in my rucksack along with the TX and spare batteries etc.😉

Hi Doug,
Any background on the sub in the pic?
Trev

" it was a long wait"
Know what you mean Scott🤔
Fortunately right behind me on the lake shore is a Biergarten so I could quaff a bier and enjoy some spare ribs while I was waiting😋
😎

Admire your fortitude!
There should be a special award for modelers who have had to swim to retrieve models.

Doug it was a long wait and at one point was heading towards the ice and I'd have had to go in for her. I didnt have much battery remaining so used the twin props in sequence to keep her sideways on to the wind and use her side as a sail to attempt to have the most basic directional control. Fellow modeller turned up near the end to rescue though wasn't required. Those fountains look mean if you where to drift into them 🙈

Regards
Scott

"and a lengthy wait till the wind pushed her to the side "
Can identify with that Scott🤔
Had a similar experience several years ago when control over my 1/72 H class destroyer HMS Hotspur failed.☹️ Seen here alongside my 1/72 Type 1A U Boat.
I was most worried that she would drift into the big fountains in the lake and turn into a 'flying boat'😮
At least you still had some control, I didn't😭
Cheers, Doug 😎

Managed to get out again today before my trusty Sanwa standard Servo failed. Still had an hour of motoring around before then and have ordered a new one. Good to get the teething issues out the way before fine touch ups. Really I should have bought a new servo at the start though I had this one sitting doing nothing and it worked fine until today. Left me doing donuts in the middle of the pond and a lengthy wait till the wind pushed her to the side 😅.

Thanks Nick.
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks?😂🤣
Trev

Hi Trev. 3D printing is easy if I can get the hang of it anyone can. Tons of stuff on Youtube. You can get them for quite reasonable cost, if you get one in kit form you get to find out how it works as you build it...

Try this method..
https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/know-how/fix-stuff/remove-epoxy-use-these-tools-follow-these-steps.html

Thanks, Nick
I am just testing the water with regard to 3d printing.
I do find it fascinating. Whether I can master it is another question, 😂🤣
I do appreciate any input i can get.
Trev

Thanks Nick, will have a shufti tomorrow as we are forecast freezing rain

All done. Ping me your address and I will stick them in the post. Extras included in case you lose any at the lake.

Nick I could watch that all night. Something very relaxing and hypnotic about it

For those that may be interested..
https://linksharing.samsungcloud.com/tdjpX0aGulRr

Hi Rowan. You can't go far wrong with DSM.
This will get you started, and look out for Jim Brown, he has done loads of you tube videos.

Nick that looks fantastic. I've printed a couple of flags tonight however mounted one upside down doh... The rear hatch to the motors and servo was semi permanently sealed however I've decided to attach a hinge so access is available easier. I had planned that this area be watertight and to only fit the best service free motors and servo though the servo failure this morning was a real pain so it will remain accessible.

I've noted what you've said about the magnets. I wonder if velcro would be a possibility. Just need something to catch or hold on to the heli

Regards
Scott

Hi Nick,
The smaller one looks ideal for one on my projects.
Going to try the software you suggest. Hope can manage it!
Another OAP but in Canada
Rowen

Haggis, are these ok? The large one is 25mm diameter and 28mm high, the small one is 13mm diameter and 15mm high. I have set them to printing, pictures in the morning. The first picture is the small one....

Hi Trev. I use Designspark Mechanical from RS yes, RS. It is free, easy to learn for a befuddled oap, and does everything I want it to do. It outputs in various formats, including stl files for 3D printing. To prepare the files for printing I use Simplify3D a paid for program btu there are others that are free such as Slic3r and Cura.

Hi Nick,
What Design software do you use to create the design that you input to the 3D software.
Also, what is the 3D software that you use?
By the way i like your Steamies👍👍.
Thanks,
Trev

Consider it done. I will make the large one with minimal infill to keep the weight down. Re magnets, paint shouldn't affect magnets. Be careful if you use rare earth type magnets, I have known boats get damaged trying to part the pieces that are held together...

Does anyone have experience with magnets? If I paint over them will it reduce much effectiveness. I'm thinking of using multiple small earth magnets under my helipad and also attach small metal strips to RC helicopters skids so I'm more guaranteed to keep the helicopter onboard in the rare event that I can land successfully 🙈

Nick that would be absolutely fantastic. I'm thinking an inch in diameter for one and a half inch diameter for the smaller one. Similar layout to the vessel in pic

She looks great on the water, nice one mate👍

I can 3D print you some radomes if you want, no charge, just need an idea of size...