ESC Recommendations

[FR8TR]

I am working on an old Midwest Harbor Tug kit that will be powered by a 12v motor from the Midwest MEPS-III system. I have a 12v 1.3ah sealed battery that I plan to use. What would be a good reverseable ESC for this set-up? (I have a Futaba Magnum Sport radio with the ESC but it is only rated for 7.2 to 8.4 volts)
Thanks

[George Pfeifer]

Choices are pretty limited; on the high buck side, there is the Novak Super Rooster (100.00 range) at the low end is the Tamiya Mechanical Unit for "Clod Buster" R/C trucks, (20.00). I have used both. The problem with mechanical units seems to be a loss of vairable speed over time. After a fair amount of usage it seems like you end up with one speed forward and one speed reverse. You also might want to take a look at www.vantec.com. Their quality is excellent, but don't recall prices. Stay away from the Dumas units, they just don't seem to last. Andy Kunz @ RC Hydros is talking about producing a reversible unit. His quality is top notch. Builds mainly for F/E racing, but his units are also waterproof, which is unusual for ESC's.
I have used Novak's in 4 or 5 boats and have had good luck with them, just don't get ANY water on them. Unfortunatly Tekin has gone out of business, their Titan was the best that I have seen. There are several low priced electronic car units with reverse but I have never tried any of them. With boats you have to be concerned about the AMPS, much higher than with cars. Maybe some one else has some ideas.
George

[fgroza]

Look up a Canadian company called MCD- model control devices. Nice- well built controllers. They also make add on function switches for your raadio.
You might also look at MACK marine, or RAM model products.

Good Luck,
Frank:)

[Duke58]

I just bought an Astroflight ESC (50 A with BEC) and I'm using it in a seaplane, Graupner makes a water cooled unit for about 60A and they are both about 100 bucks. Chech out Hobby Lobby.

[thekingofmice]

Well, if you are handy with a soldering iron, follow this link for information on building your own. http://www.ktis.net/~wzumwalt/home-speed.htm They take up more space than commercial ones, but the advantage is that they are inexpensive, and you can build them to handle any amount of current you want. I've given up on commercial models for my boats if I have the space in the hull: these work really well.

[Twmaster]

Stay away from car controllers. They waste too much power.

The Graupner is a good choice the Novak is better.

[Twmaster]

Originally posted by George Pfeifer
[B Unfortunatly Tekin has gone out of business...
George [/B]

Their web site is alive, See www.tekin.com What gives?

Confudeled,

[Andrew Gilchrist]

Also check the Schulze site

they have several reversing esc's which would work as do MGM

[Andrew Gilchrist]

I can also get the Electronize controllers

15 amp forward and reverse $55
30 amp forward and reverse $85

these are excellent very smooth controllers designed for scale marine work