Mixer? No mixer? Help

[Michael LydonParticipant @michaellydon81318]

Hi, I have a brave class MTB (bought second hand!), it had fitted 2, 540 size motors fitted with mechanical speed controllers, for some reason the motors were different when I took them out? One ran at 1400rpm on a 7.2v source and the other ran at 650rpm on the same source! I have binned these along with the mechanical speed controllers. I have acquired 2, mtronik 600 motors and 2 mtronik viper speed controllers. The thing is, I was planning on using a Y piece connecter from the receiver to each of the controllers. Both motors/ESC's will have a separate battery. However I have read that a mixer should be used??? So basically do I need a mixer or is my planned configuration suffice? Oh, the boat is fitted with 35mm brass props along with twin rudders 50mm x 40mm. Also the props look the exact same, should they be contra rotating?

Edited By Michael Lydon on 15/07/2014 21:29:22

Edited By Michael Lydon on 15/07/2014 21:29:57

[Michael LydonParticipant @michaellydon81318]

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Michael

Please see the article called "Do they both go round, mister?" here **LINK** It should explain most of what you need to know.

Dave M

[Michael LydonParticipant @michaellydon81318]

Thanks Dave, very much appreciated. If you could oblige? Should I use a W-tail mixer or V-tail?

Michael

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

ACTion P40E. The others are for aeroplanes.

[Gareth JonesParticipant @garethjones79649]

Michael,

I tried an Mtroniks W tail mixer in my Elco PT boat which is powered by two Graupner Speed 700 motors. It improved the low speed handling but had a distinct disadvantage at high speeds. When turning at or close to full throttle the inner motor slows down but the outer motor cannot speed up to compensate as it is already at or close to full throttle. The result is, that as you go into what should be a high speed turn, the boat will slow down. It somewhat limits the ability to tear around the pond like a hooligan.

Maybe the Action P40E compensates for this but I dont know how. I am sure Dave will be along shortly to tell us if it does.

I suggest you try the model without a mixer initially and see what you think. If you can provision space to fit one they are easy enough to connect and you could then try one later if you are unhappy with the performance. I think mixers are better suited to low speed manoueverable models like tugs (and Loch Ness monsters)

Gareth

[Michael LydonParticipant @michaellydon81318]

Gareth,

Thanks, just to clarify, when you suggest trying it without the mixer do I use a Y lead from the receiver to the two ESC's?

Sorry to be a pest, just don't want to order the wrong thing!

Michael

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

Gareth

As you say, it's not possible to speed up a motor that's already running flat out. The only other option would have been to arrange for it not to run at full speed until a rudder command is given, which would be equally as silly. Mixers were really developed for low-speed manouvering and, while they can assist with turning long, thin warships their best area is workboats. I could say that anyone who wants to slam a rudder command into a fast patrol boat at full steam ahead is just asking for trouble, but that would be gratuitous, wouldn't it?

Michael
Yes. You must, however, remove the red wire from the plug of one of the speed controllers to prevent the battery eliminator circuit inside it conflicting with the one inside the other ESC. See MTronik's manual and the diagram "Disabling BEC" here

Dave

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