r/c setup advice

[edward harrisParticipant @edwardharris30766]

Just purchased

artesania atlantic tug boat now looking for wiring diagram and

what suitable hardware needed for r/c setup

any advice please

thankyou ted

Edited By edward harris on 25/10/2019 09:55:09

[edward harrisParticipant @edwardharris30766]

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Welcome Ted,

Have a read of Dave Milbourn's article on the site which should answer most of your questions. Then come back if there is anything you are not clear on.

**LINK**

Colin

[Malcolm FraryParticipant @malcolmfrary95515]

Opinions will dffer, but –

Motor – 540/1 or a geared 540 like this – **LINK** – and a coupler to connect the motor shaft to the prop shaft. You want thumping power, not a race motor. Depending on the motor chosen, you might need a suppressor kit.

ESC to control the motor, probably a Marine Viper 15

Something to power it all with, it is a tug with plenty of carrying ability, so a 12 volt NiMH pack (or a pair of 6 volt packs and a series Y lead) will do the job. A pack like that comes with a connector that matches the ESC, and is difficult to connect incorrectly. Will probably need ballast.

Something to control the rudder – a servo. Any "standard size" will do the job.

Something to plug the ESC and Servo into. Any full range entry level 2G4 radio that does not say "park flyer" on the label will do the job. You usually get a transmitter and matching receiver. Find your own transmitter batteries. Note that when plugging into a radio, the black wire ALWAYS goes to the pin on the outside edge of the board, And, as a reminder to myself, ON the pins, not between them.

Battery connector plugs into ESC battery connector. ESC motor leads connect to the motor terminals. ESC control lead plugs into the radio (probably channel 3). Servo plugs into channel 1. The radio is powered from the ESC, which also has an on/off switch.

Not in the boat, but generally dirt cheap, a Servo Tester. Every home should have one.

The radio will usually either come with instructions or have a manual available for download. It ill be written in Aeroplane terms, but will still be usable. Reputable ESCs come with a connection diagram.

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

Good advice from Malcolm but I would recommend that you still study Dave's article as it is packed with practical information and will give you a better understanding of the components and the principles under which everything works together which will be invaluable in fault finding and when you come to build your next model. Model making is a learning process and the more practical information you absorb the more enjoyment you will derive from the hobby.

Colin

[Dave MilbournParticipant @davemilbourn48782]

My thanks to Admiral Sir Colin Bishop for the commercial plug. There was also a follow-up article called Radio GaGa which explains in non-technical language the workings of a radio-control system and its constituent parts. For some reason it wasn't considered viable for this website by a previous editor but I can forward a copy in PDF format to anyone who sends me a PM with their regular E-Mail address.
If the cuirrent Editor of MB is reading this then please feel free to include the piece hereon – it'll not cost you owt, m'duck!

Dave M

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