yes the fireboat did this so I fitted an in line switch so I can ensure the rx powers first otherwise its all manner of problems when the cheapo hobbyking escs get all lost looking for a signal!!

HI Mark
My experience is with both brushed and brushless setups where a micro controller is installed in both the ESC and receiver. Older equipment is not affected but most modern kit use these controllers.
Some 2.4Ghz receivers seem to take quite some time before they actually lock into the binding on switch-on. Result is if the ESC is also setting up it can decide there is no receiver signal present and goes into a fail safe condition that requires a power down and restart to reset. if a BEC on the ESC is being used the above process repeats. Some systems seem OK but my Futaba can be a particular problem.
Using a separate battery or stand alone BEC seems to avoid this problem especially if you power up the receiver before switching on the ESC

Servo judder on switch on is not uncommon but any judder thereafter suggests some form of interference or weak signal. I always make sure my high power wires are well away from any servo or receiver wires and that the receiver aerial is positioned well clear of any motors and power wires. 2.4Ghz require a clear line of sight from the TX to Rx so make sure your rx aerial is above the waterline preferably at or above deck level.
My Trent lifeboat suffered from this when I decided the rx aerial would be OK pointing down into the hull - at about 10 yards I started to lose control but it was OK at nearer distances. Reversing the rx with the aerial pointing up cured the problem.
Dave

HI Dave

Your post about the ESC powering up before the reciever, is this just with Brushless or all types on 2.4gh???

The reason is some of my Futaba servos judder when switched on, move ok with the TX but continue to judder afterwards.

Hope this makes sence

Mark

HI Paul
If you are using 2.4Ghz you need to use a separate battery as the ESC's power up faster than the receiver so never manage to self set up. Doesn't happen with all rc sets but my Futaba sets exhibit this frequently.
When is your Club open day, Brian and I may attend?
Cheers
Dave

ok, only had a very brief water test, as the model I am building decided to hide a small hole in the hull, but did decide to expose this when in the water, so leaked!

The esc's do appear to be water proof, they are sealed very well, not just filled with silicon. They do go in reverse, I'm not convinced the throttle is set correct, I've done it a few times, I was expecting the revs to be higher, but that could just be me. I originally disconnected both becs to run a separate rx power source, but for now I'm back on the esc bec. I disconnected one, and ran through a y lead, but for some reason it wont work, and I know you are only supposed to run one bec power source, so will gave to look at that. When the boat has been run on the water properly, I will report back, for now, now problems with these esc's 😀

Great Paul, the delivery time wasn't too bad either - 13 days! Managed to order the Hobbyking Boat esc from the UK site late last week, cost was less than half the postage cost from the international warehouse, just got to learn to use it now.

received my two 50 ampers, avoided the rip off charges !! and just programmed them using tx. its fiddly, you need 3 hands, and the chimes come quick, but its ok to do. Forward/reverse is actually a default setting. I have disabled the low voltage cut off, this caused some problems with my fireboat build, I always have separate alarm checkers on the balance leads with lipos, so I will rely on them as they monitor each cell, on each pack. reverse default is 25% of power, which is what I want, and its proportional. I just need to fiddle with the start up acceleration, in my liking its too sharp and needs slowing down. Other than that, on the bench, its ok, on the water might be another thing!

Hey Wes

That's brilliant thanks. Spent ages looking for the files, all I need now is the programming card to come off "back order" in the UK warehouse.

Shaun

HI Shaun, it's a Files tab the last of 4 underneath Related Products. Anyone may post a file but it only shows on that item in that Warehouse The same item in a different warehouse may have no files or indeed different files attached. There are no instructions with the Boat ESC Programming Card. Connect the ESC to the Card before applying power.

I have attached the File that HobbyKing provided as help. it Illustrates perhaps, why I recommend using the Programming Card and my own version of setting the stick travel after the ESC is set to Forward and Reverse Copy of this attached as well.

Hope this is of use the HobbyKing xxA Boat ESC users

Wes

pulled the trigger on two of the 50a ones from international warehouse unfortunately as they are not in stock in uk. I got an email today, there is a bit of a sale on at int warehouse. Hope the dreaded vat man and rip off post office handling charge does not get me! then the sale was worthless!> 😟

HI Guys

Got stung myself. All depends on previouse orders, once your in the system we have got you!!!!!

Tip, keep your orders small. Less than £30 quid doesnt usualy attract attention, but occasionaly we will scoup some, especialy from China or the far east, we know where the stuff comes from

Mark

You're right about not resisting more boats but as you say they aren't my kind of thing. I'm really into lifeboats at the moment, my next one will be the 1/16th Speedline Severn and the hints have already been flying.

My order from HK was for £34 and there was no duty to pay on that. Was it Customs duty or the fact that there wasn't enough postage paid?

You'll have to invent a new birthday date or take on a couple of commissions, with your build standard I'm sure there would be a few takers, that's if there is enough spare time with all he boys toys.

ha ha cant resist more boats eh!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161581779711?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161581814523?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

not really your bag are they, I just received a delivery from international HK, order was £15, had to pay £12 duty to post office, wha a rip off that was!!


shopping list!
2 x reversing escs
1 mill motor
1 mill control board
1 mrrcsound sound unit for another of my toys, pictured!
You got to love boys toys, only problem, who is going to tell my missus that list is over £350!!!! 😑

That's a terrible start to the new year Paul - I feel your pain 😟

Did you see the post from Wes above about the proportional reverse? I am very sceptical about reviews when you don't know how much the reviewer knows about the item he/she is reviewing. There is a similar Hobbyking ESC (the SS series) which doesn't do reverse.

What are the boats you have on e-bay I'd be interested to have a look.

Cheers Shaun

I've just been doing another refurb, which is turning into a full build (again!) this time on a Vietnam PCF "Patrol craft fast" (Swift boat). Twin screw with all my usual stupid brushless ideas! Guess what, I had two esc's from ages ago, one will not work, so now need a pair of new ones but I refuse to pay a load of money. I saw the ones you are referring to, but saw the review that they don't do proportional reverse?

My mill has also expired, needs a new motor and control board, so money is real tight,. I've just listed two boats on fleabay to raise funds!

Paul

Hey Wes,

Only just noticed your reply - my apologies. The info is great as the one thing missing from the esc and card are decent instructions although I have red somewhere you can download them from the Hobbyking website under the items tab although I have yet to find the items tab never mind the instructions.

Cheers Shaun

HI Paul,

I now have 2 x HobbyKing 70A Boat ESC 3A UBEC ordered through the UK warehouse site and received within three days and 2 x HobbyKing 50A Boat ESC 4A UBEC ordered through their international warehouse and delivered within three weeks. I haven't been able to try them out yet because the program card is on back order in the UK warehouse ( Forgot to order it with the 50 amp ones and I refuse to pay twice the price of the card on postage from the international warehouse). The 50 amp were £12-74p and the 70 amp £20-04p, there is also a 90 amp @ £20-43p and a 125 amp @ £28.11p. Specs for the 70 amp are reproduced below:

Specs:
Constant Current: 70A
Burst Current: 90A
Battery: 2-6S Lipoly
BEC: 5.5v / 3A
Motor Type: Sensorless Brushless
Cooling: Watercooled
Size: 87 x 38 x 22mm
Weight: 105g

Programming Functions:
Running Mode: Forward with brake / Forward and reverse with brake / Forward and reverse
Acceleration: 6% / 9% / 12%
Low Voltage Protection: None / 2.6V / 2.8V / 3.0V / 3.2V / 3.4V
Start Mode (Punch): Level 1 / Level 2 / Level 3 / Level 4 / Level 5 / Level 6 / Level 7 / Level 8 / Level 9
Reverse Force: 25% / 50% / 75% / 100%
Timing: 0 / 5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 / 30 / Automatic

Bear in mind the price, although quoted in GBP is charged in USD so there is normally a charge for conversion. I think postage from Hobbyking in general is quite expensive and the options are not explained in terms of what you get for your money (particularly the international warehouse site). All the reviews I have seen for the ESC'S have been quite positive.

Cheers Shaun

HI Shaun, any feedback on the esc's yet, I need a pair, and the ones I have used previously are now discontinued, so looking for an alternative without having to take out a mortgage to buy them!
Paul

HI Wes
Thanks for that. I was quoting a user's feedback so have no actual experience of the particular ESC.
Dave

HI Dave
I can assure you that reverse is fully proportional over the reverse range you set. if you set 50% then full travel of stick in reverse will give motor speed of 50% but control is still proportional from stick centre (stop) to full reverse (50%)
Useful for a boat with low transom where 100% reverse emergency stop might swamp it.
The percentages are set simply with the programming card
Captain Flack, I agree with your friend 90A is overkill. With motor draw of 48A I think I would go for the 60A, rather not test how accurate HK's specs are!

Wes

HI Shaun
Just bought some bits from Giant Shark including a XYH35-48 1100kv Brushless Outrunner on sale at £12. They also have a 35-42 version so may be worth a quick look if you need any more motors. They do have stock and delivery is quick. Not looked at their ESC's but have purchased in the past. Good luck, I look forward to seeing your model on the water.

HI Dave,

thanks for your input 😊 , done a little bit more research myself and had some feedback from a mate. He reckons the 90 amp is overkill and given the amps draw of the motor (48 amps) a Hobbyking 50 amp would be more than sufficient. Given the price 😁 I thought I would give them a try, alas they aren't in stock in the UK warehouse 😭 so I'm back to ordering from the international Warehouse and all that brings. Got to bite the bullet as my progress on the build is now slowed by not having them.

Just looked on their website. No UK stock. Feedback from a user says reverse is not proportional but set at 25% 50% or 100% as part of the setup sequence. Also complete shutdown once the battery voltage reaches the cut off level, there appears to be no reduced power allowing safe return to shore.

The HobbyKing 90A Boat ESC 4A SBEC can be programmed for Forward and Reverse (without brake) Buy the Programming card for it. Any of these HobbyKing xxA Boat ESC xA SBEC series have reverse and are set in the same way
Having set Forward & Reverse with card, connect to your boat electrics and receiver.
To set the controller to the TX stick range start with boat electrics OFF
First turn on Tx while holding full throttle then power on ESC, when it starts into program mode you will hear 3 separate beeps 1 ... 1 ... 1
it does the second beep sequence 1-2 ... 1-2 ... 1-2
At that point go full reverse it should beep once then finish initializing Move TX stick to centre. it is now ready to go.
If you miss going into reverse during the beep 1-2 sequence switch OFF and go back to First turn on TX
Switch off and start with the usual TX on first with stick centred then switch on boat electrics and wait until the beeps stop

Good Luck

Thanks Dave, very confusing website in relation to the availability of stock at the various warehouses and also what you get for your postage cost.

Happy New Year
Shaun

HI Shaun
You need to be careful ordering from HobbyKing especially if the items are of high value and are not UK sourced. Any order over the allowed IR limit will be charged Import tax as I and several of my friends have found to our cost. Unfortunately you can't rely on their stated warehouse as if the UK is out of stock they will ship from the international warehouse. Used to bulk order to save on postage but the tax will easily negate this benefit.

That's great info on the postage options thanks Roger, gives me something to go for.

Shaun

Just ordered several items from HobbyKing Europe as not all items required were available from UK Store. Delivery charges relate to parcel weight, distance and method of delivery. I placed my order p.m. Wednesday, goods arrived from Netherlands a.m. Tuesday at cost of
£6.85 for tracking delivery.
Unable to offer any advise on ESC you have requested, sorry
I hope HK info is of use?
Cheers Roger