New motor for a zig zag racer

[mlsmith]

First I want to express how much fun the zig zag racer is. Let's just say for $80, it's worth every penny. I LOVE IT.

Now..NOT that the 380 size motor that comes in it is not enough meat for the boat, cause it pushes along pretty fast at 15 mph, I'm wanting to know what a good upgrade would be to make go even faster. I want to push this hull to it's limits and see how it does.

Anyone have a suggestion?

[laxmasta2039]

mlsmith,
you might have to do some mods to the hull to stick this stuff in there, but it would defenitely be worth it-
change the batt. to a Sanyo 2400 mah, and get a Trinity P2k2 Pro motor. you would probably hafta use some homemade trim tabs to keep the boat from flipping over backwards when you hit the throttle, but if you could get the tuning right im sure you could get 20+ mph. make sure it has a 1/8" propshaft though, something smaller might not be able to handle the strain of a bigger motor.


Joe

[mlsmith]

Laxmasta, Get me a total on how much the batteries and p2k2 would cost. I'm just curious.

Also, since I'm not increasing the voltage bystaying with 6 cells, even though I'm putting a hotter motor in it, do you think the factory ESC could handle it?

[mlsmith]

Laxmasta or anyone else, What other motor is the factory motor in the zig zag the same as? My understanding is that the factory 380 TYPE motor is comparable to the Speed 400 in physical dimensions. Is this correct?

[Andrewg]

If you are prepared to replace the speed control radio and motor its best to run either lighter cells or a slighlty warmer 400 - try the 6v

Other wise a Mega 16/15 brushless with a 30 amp controller or if you could go ultralight and try one of the Hacker 20 motors .

Andrew
fastelectric.som
andrew@fastelectrics.com

[laxmasta2039]

probably about 70$ for both, dont you already have a decent charger from your Blast? make sure the ESC is rated to 6 cell 2400 amp before you use it with the P2k2 and Sanyo cells.......



Joe

[mlsmith]

my charger and Blast along with a long list of other stuff were stolen a while back. Suck uh?

[Andrewg]

withthese baots the secret is to keep them light - run a 400 or 480 and CP1300's and a micro controller and you will get a boost in speed and runtime

[laxmasta2039]

yea,
that sucks..........hhmm.....i got an MRC superbrain 817 [i think that's the model] for about 35 bucks a while back, it's a great recharger, and perfect for the Sanyo Duratrax 2400 batteries [you can get 'em at Tower Hobbies]. anyway, MRC superbrains, whatever model, are very good chargers for a great price, thats what you should look at.



Joe

[mlsmith]

I looked into those superbrains the first time I was buying. I agree...well from what other people say about them they seem to be pretty good products. I may lean toward getting one when I get the cash.

Hey, know anyone wanting to a buy a new and barely used (two tanks ran through it) nitro boat?

[yeeehaw]

I have a pretty straight forward idea.
you can stick a small (cox size but rc) nitro motor and it would compensate for the weight (no esc or motor) but a nano servo or pico servo would be great for the throttle. and a mini servo or a pico for the steering and a small 270mah reciever pack and a micro reciever. and might have to use some fishing weights for balance. I think it might be fun.

tell me what you think
Matt;)

[mlsmith]

I don't think trying to convert to nitro would be what I want to do. To risky and I love electric. Thanks for the idea though.

[Andrewg]

Matt

the problems with this are

the cox doesnt put out more power it has no throttle control ( a micro boat needs good throttle control); it vibrates (the boat hull will fatigue) and it is messy and noisy (ie leave the pond!)

The weight saving potential is minimal after hull strengthening and nmount and tack of fuel etc are taken into account

Check some of the micro boats at www.michrohyros.com or www.boattroubles.com

Micro electrics are fast!

[yeeehaw]

dude they are fast. I was saying that you could put a .061 norvel rc engine or something that size (.049 cox BUT RC) But now I change my mind You could stick a hacker 200-400 motor 7-8 he cells or you could stick a mega brushless system in it.

Matt

[laxmasta2039]

im a lil' nitro guy myself but .12 is the smallest you should go, andrew's right after that the hull strenghthening and such is just too much weight and additional parts [gotta have exhaust and a tank too] the small brushless would make it fly but last time i checked [granted that was a while ago] a brushless system was around 150.00 bucks without batteries, i think you should go for the P2k2 any Sanyo 2400s if you dont have that much spare cash and the brushless setup if you do.

Andrew,
nitros can be loud, but just how loud can .049 ci of exploding nitromethane be? lol


Joe

[Andrewg]

a .049 can be pretty loud - but the real issue seems to be the tone - people hate the frequency mix for the same reason some modellers love it - it is such a penetrating and distracting noise - exactly the sort that is good if it is your noise, not so good if someonelse's

you dont need a brushless to be fast you need a 400 6v @ $10 and 7 light cells 1700AUP's and a $35 speed control and a good prop like a benecken 29 or 31 mm diam prop

or go to micro hydros and see how fast a hydro on a 400 4.8v can be - very fast

Andrew
www.fastelectrics.com

[laxmasta2039]

yep, that wonderful screaming, buzzing, rumble noise of a nitro engine....sniff....sniff......if only the ponds were thawed!

hey i wont argue about not needing a brushless setup to be fast, im not one of those nitro guys who thinks elecs are for newbies, not after seeing a vid of dick crowe's rigger and that suped-up villian [cant remember who did it]. if speed's what counts [and that's it in my book] it's the big gas guys who are the amateurs!
the one thing elecs cant compete with in speed and fun for the money is a .12, .15, or .21-sized rigger- 250$, no cheap hardware or anything that'll give out after a month or so, complete racing setup, and 50+ mph.


Joe

[Andrewg]

Joe where do you get a .12 - .21 rigger for $250???

I have never seen a halfway decent one for that money a good hull costs $160 =$300 or a ..12 let me know I will get some in stock

You tell me what this rigger has in it - and verify the 50 mph I think I can get an electric within a couple of mph for the same money

[laxmasta2039]

alright, your on!! [lol, this'll be fun]

here's three:

Pheonix OB .21- [this one's kinda cheating b/c it's used but i couldn't resist]
Pheonix design wood/foam/carbon hull
old-style KB 3.5cc OB w/ Irwin Pipe
Sullivan Fuel Tanks
Futaba 2-ER radio set
Hitec 605 steering servo
total -190.00 + radio
FireFighter .12-
Firefighter plans from Tom Moorehouse [free on intlwaters]
wood, epoxy, and dope for building/sealing- 67$ [i added this up]
KB .18 Inboard engine- 85.00
Prather 215 b/s [bought from another boater]- 10.00
Duratrax .21 car pipe- 15.00
Fuller's strut/ 1/8 flexshaft- 50.00
Futaba 2-ER radio set- 45.00 [used included s3003 servos for steering/throttle]
total -272.00 .....WIP so no speed yet, im sure >45 mph
Hammerhead .12-
Kit -dont know cost yet
OS .12 [the nice one, cant remember model name] 199$
Octura hardware/engine mount- 80.00
.12 tuned pipe- 25.00
Futaba 2-ER radio set-45.00
total 349.00 with the right tuning [hammer tell me if im wrong otherwise back me up :) ] it'll break 60mph
let's see those elec stats!! [im holding my breath...]


Joe