New Hydromite Build

[stablgr]

Ok I'm taking the plunge and going to have a go at building a Hydromite. I've got a hold of one of these motors

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb300/cyberport888/3000mo2-1.jpg

and was wondering about a coupling for the motor.

I found this one

http://206.206.85.209/xtdoc/Details.aspx?ProductCode=g-3279&store=mhzusa

Will it work with a .130 wire drive or should I be looking at something else?

Hardware I've ordered so far is

http://r2hobbies.com/proddetail.php?prod=bpep00005&PHPSESSID=475fbcfd8bee501c80f967981e34d4a5

and

http://r2hobbies.com/proddetail.php?prod=bpep00008

The build so far has only got as far as starting to make a jig for the framework but should speed up a bit once the aftermath of IKE is cleared up.

This will be my first build so it will be interesting to see how it works out

[Avanti]

PM me your e-mail address and when I get a chance I will send you all the pics of my hydromite for reference. these are great little boats. leave room to add weight to the front, that motor is ballsy. works well on 3s 1250-1500mah

good luck

[stablgr]

Ok, next on the big list of questions (and believe me I have many) is whether I should use a piano wire type drive or a flex shaft in my Hydromite. What are the pros and cons of each system, and how easy are they both to build?

[Avanti]

I used a .098 flex shaft
I have no experience with wire drive

[JimClark]

How big are you building?

[stablgr]

Where did you get your motor coupler between the motor and prop shaft? If I remember correctly the motor shaft was 2.26mm and the shaft 2.489mm (0.098")

[stablgr]

How big are you building?

I'm attempting a Hydromite build (16.25")

[stablgr]

Ok, now for a really simple question (I told you I had a lot of them). Any suggestions where to buy balsa and ply on the west side of Houston, or anywhere in the Houston area?

If I was back home I'd know exactly where to go, but that's over 5000 miles away!

[JimClark]

Then an 062 wire drive would be plenty big enough. I have used .062 on 1/16th scale hydros that are 22 to 23 inches long. you might even be able to go smaller

Jim

I'm attempting a Hydromite build (16.25")

[Jimmy Sterling]

How similar is the minicat racing hydro compared to the hydromite ?

[Avanti]

the minicatracing stuff will work no problems
my hydromite would walk past a minicatracing hydro

the balsa and ply can be found at Michael's arts and crafts for a fair price and they always have 40% off coupons in the sunday paper.

[n.h.schmidt]

Wire Drive and couplers

For what you want to do ,the .098 flex would be best.Much easier to set up.
Even 1/16" (.062) wire is way too stiff in this size boat. You would almost have to go down to .039 dia. wire to get it about right. I have used that size but,nobody else makes anything for .039 wire.
The MHZ coupler you showed us ,would fit the motor a little loose . The 2mm end would be way too big (2mm=.0787 dia) for any kind of wire drive that you could use in your boat.
n.h.schmidt

[Dr. Jet]

I have successfully used 0.030" wire drives by attaching small pieces of 1/16" brass tubes to both ends of the wire, then using standard 1/16" wire drive couplers and prop shafts. I use Loctite 648 to hold it all together. Mr. Schmidt can make an appropriate coupler for you. I use a 0.0905" reamer for the motor shaft hole on the coupler (I use the same motors as you indicated).

[n.h.schmidt]

Wire drives

Ya What he said
We have inventive guys here. .032 or 1/32" can work fine and is fairly easy to adapt up to 1/16" on both ends. I have used .032 on several N1 monos with great results. It can easily take the bend too. I have had some trouble with so little of a wire breaking the loctite bond in the stub shaft sometimes. I can drill 1/8" stub shafts for .032 wire .Drill them deep too 1 1/4" deep. I don't recommend the coupler being made for so small of a wire though.A coupler made for 1/16" is a much better way to go.
n.h.schmidt

[Dr. Jet]

I can drill 1/8" stub shafts for .032 wire .Drill them deep too 1 1/4" deep.

Can I get some 1/8" propshafts drilled for 0.030 wire from you? Send me a PM.