Proboat Zelos G 48" Cat Gas Powered!

[andygoesfast]

Sounds like it's still running rich. Should be pulling more RPMs than that.

For the record the problem is getting worse with the extra power.

I cant lean it out more. I leaned it till it sputtered, then richn maybe a 1/16 turn. I had leaned it out a good bit(about 3/8 of a turn over all from last time running). If its not hitting full rpms there would have to be another problem.

I plan to balance and sharpen the prop, see if I cant get a little more out of it.

[bigcam406]

After watching the vid i noticed a definite improvement but it seems to be lacking rpms in the upper range. Maybe the engine is at its max at that point? Cant get anymore out of the combination? Have you checked for WOT? I know it sounds stupid but something is holding it back. I have experienced similar situations in drag engines that i have built and worked on. Hope you get it resolved.

[andygoesfast]

After watching the vid i noticed a definite improvement but it seems to be lacking rpms in the upper range. Maybe the engine is at its max at that point? Cant get anymore out of the combination? Have you checked for WOT? I know it sounds stupid but something is holding it back. I have experienced similar situations in drag engines that i have built and worked on. Hope you get it resolved.

I am very familiar with checking my end points. From the factory it would only open 7/8, I fixed it with my controller right after my first tank of gas when I tore the boat apart to see if it was something easy in the clutch.

How do we know this engine and prop combo spin higher than want my boat was doing? My other boats have ported engines and run way higher rpms but there a completely different beast's(Bonzi's and enforcer's). I was happy with how fast the boat moved in my last video. Its no electric, but plenty fast for a 1k rtr boat(it has a 45 minute run time with a full tank). Iknow how to make it faster but thats a winter project.

I am at about 2k above sea level I know the air is a little thinner here but I dont think that would cause it? I leaned the motor out a bunch(maybe to lean), more than I would ever on any of my other two strokes.

I also checked to make sure the prop is not slipping on the shaft.

I used to tune the top end on my super-jet engine by tethering the ski(in the water) to my truck with rope and and opening the throttle all the way. I would then lean the motor out slowly till I heard max rpms. then richin it a 1/16. I was going to try something like that with the boat once the clutch is fixed.


The motor is out of the boat right now. Boxed and ready to ship to Raphael. I dont trust the people at hh support with my motor.. I have been talking with Raphael and we agreed that the easiest way to fix it would be for me to send him my motor. I trust him, He deigned the boat . I will ask him to run it hard before its return. I would have drove the whole boat down to him( for some test ' tune) but I haven't had any time away from work.. Its been hard to even get to the lake next to my house.

[Prodrvr]

Tuning a carb by sound is not the way to tune a carb on a gas engine. That method is for nitro engines.

[Erroneous]

Pull the spark plug, if the tip is black its running too rich..... Rafael is good people. It should get sorted. Just keep in mind that the smaller the internal combustion engine is the more temperature, humidity and pressure play a role. Could run fantastic in SoCal for him and be rich/lean for you in Fl.

[bigcam406]

Air density at 2k above sea level would be alot less. If you had it lean, it would make the problem worse. Air temp and humidity also plays into it as well. If the air is thin and you optimized the mixture to where you had it running in the video, maybe its as good as it can be. A look at the plug will determine whether if it was too lean or not. Hope Raphael can help you figure it out.

[BPINE]

Not to Hijack a thread on my first post to this forum but I am really interested in this boat so I await the outcome. It sure seems like Rafael wants to make this right. Anyone know where I can find more info on this boat?

[andygoesfast]

Not to Hijack a thread on my first post to this forum but I am really interested in this boat so I await the outcome. It sure seems like Rafael wants to make this right. Anyone know where I can find more info on this boat?

This tread is not specific to my problem. Its a general thread for the boat. The boat is still new so review are thin(and not good (probably in part(or all) do to people that dont know how to deal with the 2-stroke)). I will say gas boats have a different set of issues that will come up(both gas and electric have there + and -). What other questions did you have about it? Its great! accept the one issue I am having with it. I am still waiting for my shipping label as soon as its fixed or Raphael figures out the issue I will post what the problem was.

As for tuning off the spark plug, mine was bone dry! It looked like it was in a fuel injected car(clean with no build up).. I will run the motor richer than it was the other day normally, Just tried it because Raphael suggested it(for diagnostic).

[bigcam406]

If the plug was that clean then it was probably near the optimal mixture point. Running at that elevation also causes your tuning window to be narrower, so a small adjustment either way can decrease the performance. From the vid, it sounded very close.

[BPINE]

This tread is not specific to my problem. Its a general thread for the boat. The boat is still new so review are thin(and not good (probably in part(or all) do to people that dont know how to deal with the 2-stroke)). I will say gas boats have a different set of issues that will come up(both gas and electric have there + and -). What other questions did you have about it? Its great! accept the one issue I am having with it. I am still waiting for my shipping label as soon as its fixed or Raphael figures out the issue I will post what the problem was.

As for tuning off the spark plug, mine was bone dry! It looked like it was in a fuel injected car(clean with no build up).. I will run the motor richer than it was the other day normally, Just tried it because Raphael suggested it(for diagnostic).

Thanks for sharing, I used to race Many Many years ago and am not interested in doing that again, I just want something to have fun with. I traded an old mini quad for a cheap Fei Lun FT011 which actually works really good and got me interested in boats again. A friend of mine has a Traxxas M41 which also nice for just playing around but the run time on what I have seen so far with electrics isn't very long this is why I got interested in the G-48.
Before I make the plunge I need to be educated on my options for just a fun- fast enough to have fun with long run time boat I don't have to build.

[bigcam406]

I think the jury is still out on this one. I would wait a bit to see what unfolds.

[BPINE]

I think the jury is still out on this one. I would wait a bit to see what unfolds.

Is the jury just out on this clutch problem, it seems from what I have read on many forums and talking to people that own them (Pro Boats)

they really like them and the support seems to be good. I know they are not a race boat but all I want to do is have a bit of fun and be able to get parts when needed.

[bigcam406]

Im a fan of Proboat as i own 2 older models that i have owned for 9 yrs now. It wasnt until a few years ago they really stepped up their program and the support increased dramatically. As far as the boat in question, i personally wouldnt spend a grand on a boat with documented issues until the bugs are worked out of it. This is where the increased product support aforementioned comes in to play and i have the utmost confidence it will be solved. But until then, nope.

[BPINE]

I mean this in a nice way is it this 1 documented clutch issue or am I missing something?

[Erroneous]

Im sticking to my theory. The clutch is fine. Whats happening is as with all boats, at low speed high throttle/ power the prop is cavitating. There is not enough forward motion to supply enough water to create thrust. A negative pressure is still created in front of the prop so it draws in air from the surface. A lil finesse of the throttle or not letting out so much to turn will make a world of difference. A slightly bigger possibly lower pitch prop (at the sacrifice of speed) may work as well. Anyone else with more knowledge feel free to chime in.