Doesn't look like I've been doing much, but I've been busy trying to sort a problem with the sound modules and the cheap ESCs.( pics 1 and 2 Tried everything to fix the module restarting every time you moved a servo, but after days of mucking round I ripped everything out and started again with Hobbywing ESCs and it seems to have fixed the problem. The sound modules seem to have some sort of feedback issue, and don't like working with the particular ESCs. They still hum a bit when operating the ramp winch though. I have twin everything to keep issues to a minimum, and use 2 RXs to share the loads..

I've finished the ramp winch enclosure, made some rudder 'crash bars' , made a ramp/hull gap filler, re shaped the exhaust ends, fitted the rudders and their twin servos, tidied up some of the external wiring with covers and paint, remodeled the crane truck to a flat deck. Truck crane will be used to try a rescue method taking a line out to the 'vessel in distress', with a neodymium magnet to attach to another on the bow of the 'rescuee', drop it off, then reel the 'rescuee' in, (sounds good it theory)

A few more bits to make or add then another tank test to try the rudders. Just received my electronic switches for the spotlights on the boat, and may order another remote for starting the boat in the water for a bit of effect, (have one in my Russian workboat,- works well, adds a bit more realism.) see vid. (

JB

Almost there,--- lighting now on separate electronic switches (one for spotlights and one for nav/wheelhouse lights). Also some reinforcing strips added to the bottom of the hull to protect it against abrasion when loading. Everything is working properly now, - still working on a few odds and ends to finish it off (weather has not been good for painting.)

JB

Managed a final check in my new test tank yesterday, to make sure everything is working properly, and it all seems to work well. It looks like it will be fun to steer, with tons of proportional steering (may not even need the rudders yet) and is quite sensitive. May need to take some weight along for the actual official launching. Ended up weighing 4.5kg all up, but sits very lightly on the water.

Also have been modifying the crane truck, so the boom can move out for the magnetic rescue idea. I'll have to make sure it all runs ok before wiring up the truck (thinking of gluing a RX plug in the front of the wheelhouse to plug the truck into)

Had a play with a nice little winch from AliEx which has an amazing pull for its' size. Thought about attaching one to the deck to haul things on board,- may look at that later.

JB

Finally got on the lake for the launching. Went ok but needs a load on the front to make the steering less sensitive. As I suspected, the rudders are not necessary, as the proportional motor steering is more than adequate, and power with the twin-550 motors is way more than is necessary. Only using about 1/4 throttle on the test so it should be economical to run but power in reserve if towing. I've put smaller props on as the test props were a bit too aggressive, making steering fun,- barely having to touch the sticks.

I've added an external servo plug to power the truck boom for the intended rescue method, and added external stop start levers for the ESC switches, (unfortunately the cheap sound units don't have throttle stick start activation),- might change to GT Power sound units later, as they have that function. I've lowered the rudders as well to see if that makes them useful, but I think they will have to be 2x larger to have any effect. Still some improvements to be made.

JB

All exterior bits working now that the truck/crane has been wired up. Managed to get a bit more rotation to 90deg with a servo extender. Now changed from 2x 6ch FHSS RXs with an HK 6ch, to 1 older 9ch RX and a 3ch RX using AFHDS (not the AFHDS 2 setting) on the Flysky i6x TX. (needed more than 6 channels)

You can run a number of RXs using the older protocol to get round problems, or to make more than one device operate simultaneously. You still only have as many individual channels as the largest RX though. I have the port motor and sound on the 3ch RX to get round a sound unit clash (both sound units require power from an external source, (ie the ESC ) which also feeds the RXs with a Y cable, so one won't work if you remove the positive wire. (you don't want to double the input power) Using the other RX allows you to keep servo wires intact and plugged into the appropriate channel (in this case port motor and sound in CH 3 on the 3ch RX (fed by the port ESC,) and the stbd motor and sound is in CH 2 on the other 9ch RX (fed by the stbd ESC) plus lights ramp and truck. So 2 separate systems operated by one TX

JB

just tested the dead boat retrieval device. Truck has a pneumatic boom lift, originally operated by a small push button pump on the top of the cab. I've removed that and managed to hook up a small air pump to raise it (an air capacitor might help to inflate it more gently) plus the original rotation stop has been removed so the boom can be rotated with a servo (mounted under the yellow cover). The truck is secured to the deck with 4" dowels which push into drilled 8" dowels epoxied into the deck (4" dowels are a tight fit in holes in the truck frame). The truck is removable.

The idea was to deliver a line (to be reeled in) with a magnet to my boats,- (fitted with a magnet on the foredeck) if they broke down or became becalmed, -to save waiting for hours for them to drift in (or not, as sometimes happens if the wind disappears) Alternatively, for towing, the line can be attached to a tow point on the landing craft transom, and run forward past the wheelhouse to the release clip (simulated in the vid, - imagine the LC moving forward). Small floats on the tow line would stop it getting tangled in the LCs' props, (hopefully)



Seems to work ok, but I need to install the air pump and battery inside with its' small ESC (more spaghetti), and have an air plugin point in the front of the wheelhouse, to the truck. The crane servo plugs into a port in the front. The other truck is now self powered and RC and runs off a separate TX (no steering yet). That's only for trying a video of it loading for a bit of fun. (see test vid). Just waiting for a small ESC to arrive to fit better in the bin.



Had to do something to pass the time with all the rain and wind lately ! Hopefully pond testing soon

JB