Well, it's been 6 months since the last video at SMBC... but we're back at the lake tomorrow with Scale & Sail (if it's windy) and socially distanced on the lakeside... so hopefully we will have some footage to share of the boats, maybe even some new boats? in the meantime here's a link to the last video I did. Enjoy
Fitted a new bottom skin fitting for the water pump pickup(air/water/exhaust smoke system) - removing the pickup from the jet, as flow stopped when the jet stopped. Fitted a new transom skin fitting (RH side transom) for the ESC cooler exit, and took the water from the jet pickup for the ESC cooler. Everything seems to work well now, with the ESC water flow increasing with throttle. Now for a test on a decent day, (has to start with the rain and wind now, doesn't it?☹️)
More changes, (not again you say😐) this time the original nozzle was re fitted, as I found that the very clever improvement I made, (a flasher, smaller, better fitting brass one), wasn't so clever after all (can't be brilliant all the time😁) and was restricting the flow. The performance was quite a bit better today (still not startling) and it seems obvious now that MORE POWER will be the next step (have a higher KV, 35 sized brushless coming on the sampan to try).
Had a chat with a long time expat UKer (ex British army) at the pond today, and he mentioned that he has an Aerokits fireboat 'kit' still in the box he hasn't started, (you might be able to hear the conversation) and that he was modelling in the 60s in the UK, running diesels in his boats. He was sailing a Kyosho Seawind today (as was the other guy),- and they look like a nice little yacht, and sail well.
HARTLEY FLARELINE, FIRST CRACK AT TRAILER LAUNCHING.
I decided to risk a salt water trial, as there is no place I can think of with fresh water and a smooth beach or ramp which doesn't involve a 100 mile round trip (most beaches where I am are ocean beaches and others are soft sand/shell. The only lake I can think of is 112km away and I'm not THAT keen. Launching went ok but retrieval was another matter, not helped by an 8mph side wind (looks calm but is windy) Had a number of goes and discovered a few things which need changing, (extra front guide posts and rollers either end of the pads) The rubber resting pads stick like glue so I'll have to make some pop up rollers at the ends.
The pads hold the boat slightly above the centre rollers to avoid damage and stop it sliding off while shifting it. New front guide posts are needed as the boat only draws about 30mm and goes right over the trailer with it underwater 😮(no prop or rudder sticking out,) so it might help locate it when coming in. Jeep had truckloads of power (just fitted a new even lower geared -geared motor -1000rpm/min @ 12v), but unfortunately being only 2x2 (not 4x4) and being half the weight of the boat/trailer combo it couldn't get a grip in the mud, so needed a bit of assistance, (as did the boat getting onto the trailer). Cut out most of the vid with the boat missing the trailer about 10 times, but scored a direct hit once😊. Heaps of fun trying and heaps of washing and CRC when I got home! Going to need some new bearings at some stage, - the ones in it are rubbish and have only lasted for about a few hours running, noisy as anything now, even with gallons of oil. Stainless NMB ones next if I don't change the jet to something else, (another thought on propulsion happening)💡
Hi JB - Martins eBay one looks like the place to start - add metal diffs and a good body - away you go .
Was thinking its a pity you are stuck with two transmitters - be nice to only use one like the old Futaba/Graupner F14 set they used for the German Rescue & Daughter boats..........
Hi Peter, I could probably drive the boat on the right stick, and the truck on the left stick of the 9x TX,- I'd just have to sort out the smoke/air/water pump starting, which at present uses the left stick moved right and left to start/stop. The smoke etc doesn't run all the time, (just for starting as a display thing) and can be turned off at any time with Grahams clever little control board. It's not too much of a problem really though,- if I was better organised, I could probably hang one over each shoulder (or clamp them back to back)😁
Tested the new reversing bucket, and it has improved reverse power quite a bit (actually was backing into a strong wind). Bit hard to gauge the reverse steering as there was a 10-15mph wind blowing the boat all over the place, (looks calm but wind funnels through the area from either end at times). Performance hasn't changed with the new grille unfortunately, but the flow looks slightly better. I noticed the reduced brass nozzle I had made was creating a small amount of back pressure, so have re-fitted the original oversized plastic nozzle for the next test.
Second test was slightly better, using the aluminium spiral cut universal which came with the jet unit. As you can probably hear, it was horribly out of balance (even with cable ties to reduce it). It was not even drilled centrally and the spiral is right hand when it should be left hand, (like a spring twisted against the wind, it wants to deform). Slight improvement in speed on the first test (no slip this time) but the noise was horrendous.
Have pulled the jet apart and found that the 3 blade prop is around 1 mm too small for the hole, causing cavitation (see loads of bubbles in the jet stream) which is causing loss of thrust. The prop is the wrong type as well, with rounded blades, so I have modified a larger prop with more pitch to fit snugly in the unit to hopefully increase thrust. The shaft is also wrong, with a flat cut almost half the diam and carrying on through the bearing, allowing the grease to fly out.
I actually saw a Chinese site on Al Expr stating that "some dimensions on the product may be different due to the number of machines and operators involved in its' manufacture," SERIOUSLY!!??? their quality control must be utter crap and the operators not skilled enough to eat their lunch😐 Why bother having a dimension at all?? Little wonder nothing fits properly.
Unfortunately, most model shops sell the very same stuff, unless you want to shell out muchos dolleros for European stuff. I have just ordered some 4mm silver steel to make a new shaft, so a coupling or silicone tube will fit better. Also ordered some solid connectors to try. Vibration is wasted energy so it needs to be eliminated. Hopefully the mods will improve things and allow the motor to run on 4s rater than 3s. Worked out that the motor is only 1200KV, so it's only doing around 13,000 rpm under load. Probably will need around
18,000 rpm for proper performance. Onwards and upwards (or forwards as the case may be.😁)
Sorry about the blurry vid again, but my camera lens is knackered.
I finally managed to get out and do a video of SY Minnow. This was taken at Cheddar Steam Club and Jane and I were the only people there so had the water to ourselves. I have increased the displacement a little which has made her more stable in the wind. Although it doesn't look it, there was quite a breeze that day and you can see the boat heeling to the wind on occasions. I was very pleased with the mist unit as this was the first time I have seen it operate properly. I will do something about the masts being out of alignment!
It was good to get up to Cheddar and have a peaceful sail and capture the day on video. I've had this old Bugsier for a few years now and finally got it the way I want it. I dug out an old copy of MB from 1976 and noticed Bugsier was being advertised then, I don't know when Graupner introduced it, it would be interesting to know.
Anyway, thanks for the interest and all the best,
A bit windier this time (10-15 mph) but it's not built to sit on a shelf, so having made a few adjustments I thought I'd risk it. It tried playing submarine a few times after a spin but handled the wind ok till trying to get back, - tried to weathervane back out, so ended up power on beaching. Lots of fun in the sun, -still more adjusting to do, ie get it steering straight by itself and limit the drifting slightly.
Shouldn't be too much trouble Martin it if do it like the flash job. Looks like an accessory option that goes on as a unit.? I can get some thin alloy sheet at the hardware I think which might do, or even plastic sheet eg ABS or similar.
JB
Out with the "Nippers" after lock down. Sailing - Wee Nips , Robbe Windstar & Century model yachts at Buxworth Basin - 9th June 2020.
Enjoy life - Enjoy your hobby ! .
A test post on behalf of redpmg.
The engines are built by a mate of his.
"The boats are built by a 90+ year old gent by the name of Alan Raubenheimer, who used to make Rose Pop Pop Boats - used to advertise in MB etc.
Now into his 90s he has finally given up production."
Here goes🤞
Doug
It woiks 😊; just ignore the 'Invalid file' notice and click the blue magnifying glass and then the download button.
Run with Windows Media Player.
When it opens Press F11 for full screen or drag a corner with the cursor to enlarge.
Resolution is not too good I'm afraid🤔
Despite the music the action takes place in SA not Hawaii!😉
Hi Doug, I finally figured out how to open this - it was well worth persevering with, this has a real feel good factor especially with the music and I like his R/C, and a steam outboard engine - brilliant.
Recent Wee Nip convert graham93 displays his "spanking" new Wee Nip at Buxton.
Graham incorporated roller bearings in the gooseneck to reduce friction.
