Basic question on vac-u-tug

[edandq]

Hi there, I'm a beginner and my son and I are building a Vac-u-tug.

I have a Remote control controller from my other son's car and and I already have an ESC. I know I need a BEC and a servo. Does it matter which ones I purchase? I'd like to keep the cost down but also want reliable. The controller we're using is the exact same one as for a supervee 27.

Thanks in advance!

[Predreadnut]

Just for your info a "remote controller" is a Transmitter or Tx. Do you have the reciever out of your sons car also? Most esc's I've dealt with have the BEC built in. If yours doesnt you will need an appropriate power source(usually a plastic battery holder that holds 4-AA size batteries with a lead that plugs into your reciever). Any standard size servo will work,(such as a Futaba 3404) as long as the connector on it will fit your brand of reciever. There are different types of connectors, such as Futaba,Hitech, Jr etc. If you have a good hobby shop around, they would be a good resource. Good luck on your Vac -U -Tug, I had alot of fun building mine.

[edandq]

Predreadnut,

Thanks for the correction! I should add that the Tx I have is the standard one which comes with pretty much most Duratrax and Aquacraft items. It seems to work just fine for me, but I don't want to take the receiver out of the car. That being said, I'd really just like to buy another RX-100 (which is in my sons car), however, I can't seem to find them at a store, so which one would be equal? Likewise, the standard SX-100 servo which is in Duratrax/Aquacraft stuff will work fine too, but again, can't seem to find it, so I just want to make sure the servo and BEC receiver will work fine for me.

Also, the ESC I have is a Duratrax Sprint w/reverse. I know it's not waterproof, but should work just fine (I'm told). So truly just need to purchase a BEC and a servo, just not sure which ones!

[toesup]

So truly just need to purchase a BEC and a servo, just not sure which ones!

From the Aquacraft web site, it looks as if you have a Futaba made system.
http://www.aquacraftmodels.com/boats/aqub17-main.html

From the Futaba site, have a look at the 2 channel Rx's that match the one you have.... make sure its the right frequency (27mhz?.. or if its 75mhz, AM or FM)
http://www.futaba-rc.com/radioaccys/futl26.html

A standard Futaba servo will then fit the Rx... S3001 / S3003
http://www.futaba-rc.com/servos/servos.html

[edandq]

Yep, a Futaba Tx.....

So, then guess it doesn't matter which BEC I get as long as it's a futuba (oh, and freq is 75mhz) and if I stay with a futaba servo, I'm good there as well!

I just want to make sure everything will work together (play nicely, that is) ~ thanks!

[toesup]

Yep, a Futaba Tx.....

So, then guess it doesn't matter which BEC I get as long as it's a futuba (oh, and freq is 75mhz) and if I stay with a futaba servo, I'm good there as well!


Its an 'Rx' you need. The BEC is part of the Rx..
It (the BEC) takes power from your batteries via the ESC and does away with the need for a seperate power pack for the Rx.

Make sure which 75mhz (AM or FM?) transmitter you have, i suspect its an AM system rather than an FM system... but you need to check!.. An AM TX wont work a FM Rx.. and a FM Tx wont work a AM Rx...

[edandq]

Thanks for the clarification. It's AM btw. I'm sure of that.

I just am trying to be able to use the same Tx for car and boat without having to take anything apart once built. So, leaving the car intact and getting a Rx, servo and ESC (which I already have) for boat. I'm going with Futaba Rx and servo so I'm sure I'll be fine (oh, and a Rx crystal so I don't have to mess with that either).

Thanks so much for the help.

[PatricMichigan]

I can understand your thinking about using the transmitter (tx) that you already have but I think you will discover that it will cost more to buy a reciever (rx) and a servo than it will to buy a whole 2 channel radio set. I don't know why... thats just how its always been.
Patric

[capt. spauldin]

The Duratrax Sprint with reverse will work very well. I have had that ESC in in my Vac-U-Tug, and the other boats I have built, for quite a few years, and have never had a problem.

The Vac-U-Tug is a great starter kit. It is very well designed, and the instructions are crystal clear. You build a fun boat and your own self-confidence at the same time.

Cheers,
Capt. Spaulding

[Ghost 2501]

edanq, your servo won't matter what make it is, or even if its a micro servo, basically the only difference between say a hitec servo and a futaba servo like the s3003, is the hitec doesn't have the "idiot tab" on the servo plug that prevents the servo being put in the rx the wrong way.

[edandq]

Capt Spauldin - Thanks. I think we're going to have fun with the build also.

Ghost - Also thanks, I didn't realize that about servos...

And Patrik, I didn't even think about that as an option!!!! Argh!

[charlie eaton]

One item I don't see mentioned(maybe I missed it) is all this talk about 27 mhz and 75 mhz is great BUT nobody has mentioned channel numbers. On the tranmitter is a small tag with a number on it such as ch.82 or ch.83. That is the channel number within the mhz range. Both the trans and reciever must be on the same channel. Your best bet is to buy a new system on 75 mhz, 2 channel for about 50 bucks so you are sure all parts of it are compatable. As Partic said it's cheaper to buy the whole system then buy the seperate pieces to it. Just a compatable reciever can cost the same as the whole rig.

[edandq]

Charlie,

You're right, same as patrik. I know about the different channel numbers so that's not a big deal, but I truly never considered the 2 channel option! And for the record, for the one crystal, the servo and the Rx, it cost me as much as it would have to get a 2 channel system with those parts (plus more).... go figure! Lesson learned ;)

[PatricMichigan]

Ah well, you have the second rx set up now so don't worry about it.
Some guys prefer to only have one tx for every boat they own and some of us prefer to have one for each boat. Hard to let someone else run one of your models while you run the other if they need the same tx! lol
Patric