Hi Phil,

Dave Milbourn has written a most lucid and interesting artcile on the subject that can be found on the Action Electronics website, here: **LINK**

For obvious reasons. the solutions discussed are based around Action Electronics products, but this, in my view, does not at all detract from the general interest or the basic principles also discussed therein.

For that matter, I would also say that the Action products mentioned are very interesting, too, and, again in my view, well worth considering; I have so far never heard anything against them but many things in their favour.

/Mattias

Edited By Banjoman on 30/03/2016 19:23:09

Basically you have a separate speed controller for each stick. This is referred to as 'tank steering'. One of the sticks, usually the right hand one, also controls the rudder in the horizontal plane.

However tank steering isn't the best way to control a twin screw model, a mixer is preferable but you still need two speed controllers. Finish reading Dave's article which I think explains most things. If you are still not clear then we will be happy to answer your questions.

Colin

If you only use one ESC to control the two motors how can you make sure that the motor outputs will be matched and the boat won't just go round in circles.

You live in hope that the motors and their drive trains are matched and that any mismatch can be trimmed out by the rudder.

Using two speed controllers would seem to be the answer but if one is on the left hand stick and one on the right is that not a bit of a handful to control and two ensure that outputs are matched.

Yes, use either a hardware mixer in the boat to combine the throttle and rudder or a software mixer (if available) in the transmitter. Doing it with two throttles is quite achievable using optical feedback (when it runs in a straight line, a match has been achieved).

…and the beam of the boat will have an impact. If your props are only a short distance apart, slight differences aren't going to be as important …

Hello Philip,

I went throught the process you are going through and Dave Milbourn's article is very helpful. In the end I opted to use a speed controller on each motor and Y lead to one channel on the rx. I use a separate radio battery but there is the issue of disconnecting one red lead on a controllerif you use BEC. I found it the system works well.

I tried a clubmates boat that had tank steering and was all over the place- couldn't cope at all,so personally I'd avoid that!

Ian