dual speed controlers for a tug

[B BParticipant @bb42502]

Some of you already know that I am in the process of building a !/32 scale model of the SARH Tug, J R More.

Being a dual prop tug I would like to have two speed controllers operating. How or what system would be best if I wanted to control both motors individualy when manouvering the tug eg. one forwards and one in reverse or both forward or both in reverse.

 

I have heard of a MIXER but I am not sure how that works. The radio to be used is a six channel radio.

 

regards Bernhard

[B BParticipant @bb42502]

dual throttel controls for a tug

[Peter FitnessParticipant @peterfitness34857]

Bernhard, there are a couple of ways of doing what you want. The simplest is to use what’s known as “Tank steering”, where each motor is controlled by the vertical movement of each transmitter stick. I use Mode 1, which means that the throttle control is on the right stick, so I use that to control the right hand motor. I then use the left stick (which, if used in an aircraft would control the elevator) to operate the left hand motor. If your radio is Mode 2, then the throttle would be on the left stick, but the same principle applies, that is, right stick = right motor, and left stick = left motor.

 

The other alternative is to use some sort of a mixer. In my patrol boat, I opted for an ACTion Electronics P94, which has 2 speed controllers and a mixing function built in. It also has the capability to run a bow thruster. Have a look at the ACTion web site mixer page here http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/mixers.php It is a marvellous piece of gear, not much dearer than 2 ESCs, and I highly recommend it. A photo of my installation is below. The P94 unit is in the black box, the other bits are also from ACTion, including a fuse block and a power distribution board. The Mtroniks ESC is for the bow thruster.

 

Dave Milbourn, the proprietor of ACTion, is a member of this forum and is a very knowledgeable and helpful man, who is more than willing to give advice, if asked.

 

Peter.

 

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Bernhard

This will help explain your options

http://www.action-electronics.co.uk/pdfs/Twins%20Ver2.pdf

We have sold over 1000 P94 units now, so I guess there are a few more folk out there who’ve listened to Peter’s advice!

Dave M

 

[MzeeParticipant @mzee]

Bernhard, I do as per Peter above with my CF Kayser. The scale rudder is useless as a steering device and functions only as a trim. Each motor in CFK is driven through its own controller but both these draw current from the same battery supply. I removed the centralising springs from both Tx sticks. The right stick works rudder and the left things like lights etc. With such a huge displacement model it is quite easy to adjust the Tx sticks for straight run and believe me with one full ahead and the other full astern CFK turns on the proverbial tickey!

Robin

[Laurent Gontier-VersaillesParticipant @laurentgontier-versailles47241]

Hi Bernhard,

 

I had the same problem with one of my tugs, I bought on Ebay a Futaba F-14 with the “twin sticks” option, with two esc on one battery, really easy to use.

 

They can be bought new, but are quite expensive:

http://www.cornwallmodelboats.co.uk/acatalog/robbe-F4009.html

 

Regards,

 

Laurent

[DuckyParticipant @ducky]

Hi Bernhard

 

Just thought I would let you see my wife’s Wyeforce tug going through its paces using the “Tank steering method ” that Peter mentioned

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DYNV3HJMtU

 

The boat has two ESC’s operated from the left and right hand sticks on the transmitter and as you can see my wife is quite good at it.

Hope this helps, the cost of two ESC’s versus a mixer which I’m not sure of the price.

 

Incidentally she also sails a Model Slipway “Aziz” with the same system + a third ESC for the Bow thruster on the left Side to Side motion.

I suppose its all down to what floats your boat and how much money you want to throw at it

Hope this helps

Peter

[MzeeParticipant @mzee]

Hi Bernhard, Peter, Laurent.

 

I have used the twin ESC system on three of my twin screw models and never had problems with trim or straight running set-up. Yes, Laurent, if only more manufacturers would market a dedicated twin sticks like the F-14 (which is far too expensive for my pensioner’s pocket!). Unfortunately I don’t have video clips of CF Kayser but I can tell you that even with a monster like this – at 70+kg displacement – she turns on the proverbial ‘tickey’ (obsolete South African small, silver thruppeny piece!)! As I previously wrote: the scale rudder is useless as a steering device and serves only as a trim tab! The pics below are of the ‘engine room’ set-up in its trial stage.

 

 

[B BParticipant @bb42502]

Thank you all for the advice and I have made a decission to go with the radio modification. It was very quick and easy with no costs involved. It works really well.
Old coelacanth your tug looks great and it performs very well. when I make a turn in the Cape I will definately come and visit. hopefully my J R More will be complete by then.

Regards Bernhard

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