#6 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

HI RookySailor,
Thanks for the info, nearly an hour of running sounds fantastic......I feel my chequebook trying to escape!!!
Will have to have a gander at the auction site and see if I can justify a LiPo to a certain "financial adviser"!! Either that or keep the innards out of sight!!
Did you need to uprate the ESC? Have a Reverstar which is 6 - 12v 240a continuous current and 940a peak current (according to the box).
Have now got the lower hull skins on...... much wailing and gnashing of teeth at bending the skin into the bow......think there must be an easier way with the upper skins......still it wouldn't be as satisfying if it was easy would it!!!

#5 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

As promised, results from my Sea Commmander now powered by 11.1v Lipo, plenty fast enough, up on the plane, and very controllable,was thinking of putting in a brushless, but really does'nt need anymore speed. Took an extra 3c Lipo, but never needed it, did'nt drain the Lipo fully, but got nearly an hour of mixed speeds, very pleased and can suggest if you want an ideal setup for a Sea Commander or 34" Fireboat....try this one.

#4 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

HI Stanislas,
Sounds like you have the perfect setup using two battery packs for & aft, it will certainly lift it out of the water if you ever decide to use both together.
Regarding the prop, I use a 45X, I dis try a spare three bladed brass one, but on nimh the two bladed X45 works far better. Have now got the Lipo's but not yet charged them, will be doing that this week and trying the Sea Commander out on Sunday, will let you know the results.

#3 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

HI RookySailor,
Thanks for the info - must admit I am really enjoying the building side of this model.
Really was more concerned with the centre of gravity if I used the 12v 7ah (could just Imagine putting the helm over and watching it doing a cartwheel!!!
Whilst I have the skins off I have made a stowage in fwd cabin and after cabin for the 9.6v 3300's so I can run either singly or in parallel.

The LIPO's sound an ideal solution - will look forward to your results. Have to start saving up the pennies.

A quick further question are you using the kit prop? Seems a bit small to my inexperienced eyes!!!

#2 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

HI Stanislas,
I have a 'Sea Commander', with a graupner 600 9.6v, I use a Extreme power 9.6v 4600 mAh and get approx 15mins sailing, that's with a bit of planing and quite sailing, I have used a 12v 3700mAh, and not really noticed an increase in the speed, but at the club, someone offered to try a 3s 11.1 Lipo in, Wow! what a difference...... if you like it well up on the plane, then this is what you need, I'm
not putting in a brushless, as I have a Graupner 700bb 9.6
spare, I have bought a 130amp esc, and ordered a couple of Turnigy Lipo's 11.1 3s, and looking forward to seeing what she will do, I also have a 34" fireboat, will try the same setup in that, will let you know. I did like yourself, start with a 6v 7amh battery, but much to heavy for anything more that snail sail!

#1 15 years ago

Batteries In Sea Commander

HI there,
Am building my first boat an Aerokits Sea Commander. Progressing well and before I put the hull skins on I felt I should work out what/where the batteries should be fitted whilst I still have finger room.
The Instructions say use a 12v 6ah or 7.2v nicad however I cannot find a 12v 6ah In my local model shop.
I do have a 12v 7ah SLA and two 9.6v 3300mah ex-racing car battery spare which I could use.
The 12v 7ah SLA fits tightly Into the centre cabin but:-
a. Is directly above the motor - Is this a problem?
b. seems to be very heavy (approx 2.6kg) for the boat
c. will this weight make the model unstable?

The 9.6v nicads are smaller and could be positioned either forward or aft against the hull.
What sort of run time will a 3300mah give? (am using the kit's standard 600 motor)
Should they be connected In parallel to give greater capacity?
Will 9.6v be adequate for a reasonable speed - not Interested In charging across the water am also using the standard 2 bladed prop.

Many thanks In advance for any advice
This site has been a Godsend for Info and advice so far

Stan

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Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander

Batteries In Sea Commander