New to villian

[aquaholic]

I just bought what looks to be an older boat that seems to work and has been modified.I an new to elecs but i have a well modded nvee. I dont really know what I am looking on this one.The motors are venem fireball mod 17d. Are these good? The esc is not marked with a brand but is markedwith 100 AN,RCE-BL100A Programable Speed Controller,DC 6-12V 100A. It is blue anodized fairly small,two wires to batt, two to motors and then the ones to reciever.Does this sound familiar? Is it good enough to series the batts or just parralell? Everything else is stock other than bearings in the drives. Thanks for any input.

[cooleocool]

Hi,

Those motors are pretty cheap. They're budget motors. I am not sure on how they will perform in a boat though. They'll probably be decent.

The ESC: Can I see a picture?

Run the batteries wired in parallel. The motors couldn't take the voltage that wireing in series will yeild.

Happy boating,


-Tom

[aquaholic]

I'll see if I can figure out how,Im to old to do alot of things with computers. The esc may be shot anyway because when I try to run it I only get motor action when I steer and only in spurts. The steering is not returning to center either. I tried the reciever out of my vee and still not right. The batts were charged. When i first got it it worked fine for a second , about twenty feet out and then quit not right since. I think its time to spend money and upgrade motors esc I already have 2 new servos ,high torqe traxxas, one for each boat. I should probably upgrade batts and charger. What do you suggest I do? What products work good in these? Thanks for helping.I just have to learn. I am willing to spend some bucks to make it right.

[cooleocool]

Would you be willing to up-grade to Villain EX power? That's what I'd recomend.

To do this you'll need the following items:


Traxxas Titan Marine motors (x2)
A better ESC. I highly recomend you getting an RC-Hydros V 614 opto ESC from RC-Hydros. (www.rc-hydros.com) Andy is a great guy who makes one heck of an ESC. They're 100% water proof as well. I love the PG-1024/90w (an older model) that I've been running for the past three years. I have nothing but great things to say about it!
Battery connectors of your choice.
Some Extra 12awg wire
Villain EX props (they are larger than the IV props...)


That would give you some good power. As long as you know how to solder and install battery connectors you can install an RC-Hydros. If you go that route I'll post some links on how to wire it properly.

Now you could get a Novak/Traxxas Marine EVX, but it's not water proof and is more money for a lesser quality ESC.

As for batteries. Go to your local radio shack and get a couple of their GP3300 packs for $25. That's a great deal on great cells! Charger... Many people like the MRC 959. If you want a dual charger the MRC 977 would be a good choice.

Happy boating,


-Tom

PS: Check out this page on my website. It has a lot of tips to get the Villain running well!

http://www.freewebs.com/huronoutfittersracing/villainhopupsuggestion.htm

[aquaholic]

Exellent info, but what about even faster motors than titans or is that about as fast as it will handle? How about copper props like octura or is there a more commonly used prop upgrade?

[cooleocool]

No. They're really not all the hull can handle, but they are one of the most reliable options. The Titan Marine motors are pretty fast and last a very long time. The set I'm running right now is on their thrid summer and by Villain gets used... A lot. When I run an RC boat I want something that will work when I take it to the lake. Not something I will have to be constantly re-working the motors with.

Copper props are nice, but they are overkill on the Villain. Copper props are best in a situation where the boat has enough power to make other types of props flex. I highly recomend CF props. Steve at Offshore Electrics (www.offshoreelectrics.com) sells carbon fiber prop kits just for the Traxxas Villain. Traxxas recomends that you gear down when installing larger props, but I have found that if you install water cooling to the motors (in my area) you do not need to gear down. Now if you live in a warm climate area you may still need to gear down.

The hopups I recomend are on my website page I linked you to.

Happy boating,


-Tom

[aquaholic]

I checked out the site and pretty much answers my questions. Thanks again. My goal is to race this against my 2.5 vee.

[cooleocool]

How fast is the 2.5?

[aquaholic]

Dont know yet my throttle linkage will be in today. Im hoping to have it in by friday night then I have to break it in. The stock 1.5 w/pipe and header and octura prop when tuned right flies pretty good 25 mph or so Im looking to get in the thirties W/ 2.5 . I here of some villians running in the 30's.

[cooleocool]

Hmm... In that case you're going to need a faster boat lol. The only Villain that I know that has broken 30mph is Lou's highly modified Villain. He made it a single motor boat. Ran a big motor and such. Very unstable. The Villain will do around 22mph with the Titans on dual seven cell batteries. You could get larger props (good for 1-3mph) and reverse the rotation (good for a mile on hour or two) and you'd be closer, but still not quite there.

I suppose I could recomend some Trinity motors then. Not the normal Monster Maxx's. The Big Blocks. You can go down to a 12-turn or something like that. Maybe that would get you there. I'll do some looking and asking for you.

Happy boating,


-Tom