Todays Boating

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

George, you keep ‘em comin!

The R&D is in a large tin roofed shed at the bottom of the garden, accessed at the moment by a bog-like muddy trail that passes for a lawn. The ground is very clay-y and rain just sits on top and takes forever to drain.

Mixed test results from the very brief park visit, the non scale snow and ice not playing ball with the non-scale boats to a degree. If we get more non scale snow no doubt the test results will be different! Etc etc.

Fishy coming on well. Googly eyes in ok but they are not…noticeable..too much being crystal clear. This is as it should be, as the TV craft had clear eyes, but painting them white would have made them look more googly, the aesthetic not helped by having the small Dinky or whatever die-cast model next to me which has white eyes.

I have no doubt that in the shed, once the head interior lighting has been installed, the eyes will look great, only for the illusion to be ruined on the pond on a bright sunny day! At least you can see the Aquaphibians inside.

extra top secret project also coming on well, superstructure done, and hopefully the local plumbing shop will have taken delivery of an item I need to continue work on the hull…and hopefully it is the right size and colour. Failing this it will be an eBay purchase, but although the item is cheap, the postage is quite hefty.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Have put the “neck frills” on the fishy and they look better than expected…

…and this is because they sit at the fronton two straight edges, and at the back on the body curve, meaning as we get higher up the frill, there is more discrepancy and thus..misalignment… on the petal edges (difficult to explain).Thing is, all the petals are separate and this looks like the original.

Rashly I filled the kitchen sink with 4” of water and test floated the assembly so far (rear body base, frill and head) and miraculously it floats in about 1/2” of water, and the very end (tail) section was actually clear of the water. This is good news as I anticipate a change in trim when under power leading to a lowering of the rear end, so the fact that it’s high now is good although the body cover will no doubt level it off, but still no bad thing.

Likely I will use a Lipo, so there is every chance I can get the right trim by battery position alone.

The local bathroom/plumbing shop did not take delivery of the hoped for pipe lagging but they have my number to call when it comes in. I left a sample of the Armaflex stuff I have with them so he can see what I require.

The very secret project body has been stripped of pinstripe tape and gems to leave it plain, and in this form I will take pictures illustrating the basic body. I will likely build a better body later andof course no one here is going to copy my body in any case.

 

Ashley

 

Edited By ashley needham on 27/01/2021 13:54:48

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Depressing. Fishy has been finished….a mere 27 days of build time, and even less if the waiting time for the googly eyes and other stuff is taken into account.

I didn’t really rush, and the look of it suggests weeks and weeks of hard work…but in reality the “head” carving took 30 mins, the rear body cover only a few hours including a tea break, and so on.

Extra top secret project also almost done, waiting for the last item before testing, although I do have a substitute strip of stuff a stand in.

superstructure is dead basic and I will probably cut the hull about and do another top later on.

Ashley

[Trevor HollowayParticipant @trevorholloway99134]

I am sure the secret project will fill a full two days of leisurely building once plans are released to the favoured few !

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Yes, I could spend a pleasant hour re-drawing the plans to omit the coffee cup stains I suppose,,,….

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Tested a 1000kv 28mm outrunner on a 7.2 Nimh battery and x50 prop. Massive shove, 12A, spinning Like there was no prop connected ….perhaps I should change the 800s out-for a pair of these toddlers on the Fantome.

Ordered some x40s now and that should be plenty without any stability is =sues when the props are 90 degrees to the beam.

Followed a Fantome hull (only no bits) on eBay and it went for £106 plus postage. Only had a single shaft and it was inside, the large (exhaust) pipe at the back looked telling, however the top wasn’t joined to the bottom.

Found a nice strong cardboard box as a temporary store for the secret project, very handy. The other box I have is JUST too small for the fishy so I will have to wait until I buy more 4mm ply.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Retested secret project in the bath yesterday. Wowsy wowsy! More manoeuvrability than I have ever seen ever. mUCH too much power. The boat rears up at40degrees on shoving the throttle forward andisbasically uncontrollable.

however being careful I was able to navigate round the bath and do twirly whirlies ok. Stability appeared to be ok, so there’s hope.

the x40 props should calm things down.

As the fishy has the same setup no doubt I will need the smaller prop on that as well.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

X40 props arrived and one fitted, not tested yet

Went for a cycle to Walton and back along towpath. Some serious puddles spanning several paths, and the Thames is running very fast. Treemendous eddies around the bends and various islands.

Bushy park pond also high, to the top of the jetty now. Hope this will wash some of the crud out of the way.

Ashley

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Ashley

Please report the results of the 1000kv 28xx and the 40X prop. I suspect that it will be a useful combination.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Will do. BUT the bath is not the place to make any definitive statement!

Unfortunately may be a while before I can test it in `free` water. I will do a current reading though.

I thought 12A wasn`t bad for such a large twisty prop and a toddy motor and about what an MFA 850 would take on the same prop, ish.

Both Fishy and secret project have the same drive so will be interesting to see how they stand up.

Ashley

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Posted by ashley needham on 29/01/2021 17:07:35:

Tested a 1000kv 28mm outrunner on a 7.2 Nimh battery and x50 prop. Massive shove, 12A, spinning Like there was no prop connected …………………………….

Ashley

Around 1.4w/gram. Sounds useful

I guess that it depends on your bath capacity but I have never found pond measures very different but a great deal more difficult to get. Pond water level / knees / mud etc.

One day I will invest in telemetry.

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

The most useful thing we have on the pond is the wattmeter, which will also record highest values if set off in the boat so you can see what the currents and so on are like at top speed.

Telemetry would be nice, but if you struggle to see the difference in performance betweeen prop swaps and wotnot, then taking the setup with the lowest current gets my vote.

Likely the 1000kv/x50 combination won’t be fast per se, but the shove as registered by my hand was substantial. I sort of wish I had used this combination on the flying saucer…..I may have got the instant change of direction and spinning just right then.

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Spent some dosh on new lights for the shed, namely 3 LED fluorescent tube replacements and also two LED light battens (complete) fittings. I am sure this will make a big difference in easy-visibility for not only making but photographing stuff.

the tube replacements are marginally brighter but the battens (daylight ones) are fantastic! One of the battens replaces the 1.6m tube above the bench and the other is an extra so that the work surface perched on the workmate wot I use to build stuff on is now lit either side eliminating shadows. Garage next. As usual with the gradual accumulation of fittings, I have 1.2, 1.5, 1.6 and 2m lengths. The replacement LED tubes will mean I have only 1.2 and 1.5m sizes now but of course in theory I should not need to worry about replacing them.

Snowing lightly here but likely take the rest of the day at this rate to settle to a decent Tup depth.

Giving up the shed for a bit as too cold. In the loft painting some Samurai figures instead.

Ashley

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Hi Ashley

Putting LED light battens in the garage has been on my to do list for sometime. Where did you get them from and do you reckon the 1.5m are the best length for the garage?

Cheers, Chris

[Colin BishopModerator @colinbishop34627]

I've replaced my fluorescents in the garage and in the workshop with LED battens too. Huge improvement..

I replaced the fittings rather than just the tubes in the garage and two 4 ft ones give plenty of light.

In my 10ftx6ft workshop I have a 5ft double batten and a smaller 2ft one over one end of the bench so I'm not working in my own shadow when standing.

Things to look out for:

• Check the colour balance, cool white or daylight is best for modelling as it renders colours more accurately.
• Check the number of lumens, the more the better.
• Don't buy the very cheap ones as they may not last. (see reviews on Amazon). I bought mine from Screwfix, they have a good range at sensible prices.
• Make sure they have diffusers – not all do.
• The weatherproof type are a bit more robust. I have these in the garage where they will keep the damp out and are more likely to tolerate the odd knock.
• Finally, bear in mind that almost all LED battens are end feed whereas fluorescent fittings are usually centre feed so you may have to extend the wiring – worth it though!

Colin

Edited By Colin Bishop on 08/02/2021 12:29:46

[Chris FellowsParticipant @chrisfellows72943]

Thanks Colin.

Job for the spring/summer as stuff needs to come out of the garage!

Chris

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I am afraid that with 7 battens in all to replace it was just a bit too pricy to do them all, hence the two battens and five tubes. I will put the two led tubes in the garage later.

Screwfix budget 5’ twin 45w 4000lm ones, £35. Come with a 4 foot length of flex already connected which makes it easy to connect to existing wiring. Daylight…very bright.

To fit the led tubes, replace the starter with the supplied new one and insert. Very easy. Instant light.led tubes £13-15 roughly.

Ashley

[Eddie LancasterParticipant @eddielancaster]

Great posts here, I will be fitting out my new shed as soon as the weather improves, the lighting being one of the the things to buy and fit, very helpful, thanks all.

Eddie.

[Tim CooperParticipant @timcooper90034]

I got the electrician to put some Led battens in my 13ft x 12ft cabin when wired the sockets. Two five foot ones produce very bright light over all.the interior of the cabin and they come on straightaway.

Tim

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Removing the ballast will be the next job, when it’s warmer. It appears to be a very simple job, just cutting out and redirecting the wires, although getting an non American you tube video is tricky!

Ashley

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Watching a 39 inch Basset Lowke destroyer on eBay. Starting price £1500 ! So nothing I will be buying.

Oddly, or not, it looks much the same as my 6 foot destroyer, a “period” look, helped by the large size of it (but only a toddler, really). A nice thing in good nick with….working electric motor …!

Several Sutcliffe Valiant battleships on there as well all about over £200.

Ashley

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Ashley

Did you conduct the test on the 40X on the 1000kv motor at 7.2v?

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

Not yet. Waiting for de-lockdown I am afraid to test in “open water”.

Richard has tried his on an X30 and reports lots of whoosh, but obviously it’s all subjective in the bath.

Ashley

[Chris EParticipant @chrise]

Ashley

If Richards motor is also 1000kv on 7.2v you will have results for X30, X40 and X50 which is a nice progression and useful for future model planning..

Lots of whoosh is always reassuring!

Chris

[ashley needhamParticipant @ashleyneedham69188]

I will use a “travel luggage” electronic baggage weigher to get a more quantitive measure on these items, rather than an eyeball and hand appraisal, when permitted.

Ashley

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