Harbor Models Power Distribution Panel

[boat_builder]

Anyone ever used one of these? What kind of reliabilty do they have? Do they draw alot of "idle" current? What gauge of wire do the screw down terminals accept? I have ordered one of these for my Mr.Darby project to run my radio/electronics system and lights and was hoping to get some information from the experience of others. Any comments and info welcome. :)

[pusar]

I had one a while back in a boat I no longer have. I can not remember all the details of it. It was great to tie all the functions in. The cooling fan was nice too. You will be happy with it. Sorry I am not much more help.

Marty

[toesup]

I have one... but not managed to shoe-horn it in to a boat yet... :o

[woodybob]

I have one... but not managed to shoe-horn it in to a boat yet... :o

Build a bigger boat in Mrs. Toes dream shop. :D Throw that shoe horn away.

[boat_builder]

Well, I got mine in the mail but I haven't tried it yet. :)

[Aerominded]

Will it be going in the Darby? :)

[boat_builder]

Absolutely!! :D

[boat_builder]

And this thing is pretty big too (Power Panel)! :eek:

[Aerominded]

I've seen them in some of the boats in S.F., looks like a very nice unit! :)

[patmat2350]

Nice if you need it... but here's my power panel- an inexpensive terminal block. I just choose components that run off 12v, then no fancy high current voltage regulators and heat sinks and fans are needed... why spend the money?? :confused:

Anything like the Rx can just run off the BEC from the ESC...

I don't get it- why pay $100 for this:
http://www.harbormodels.com/site08/images/tom118_PDP.jpg


when these are only $3.95?
http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/4/9/6/5/9/a1186535-173-2escs.jpg

[Kmot]

For one, the Power Box looks a lot neater.

[patmat2350]

I'll just tape a C-note over my terminal strip as a "beauty cover". Then I can always "withdraw" it if someone has something neat for sale at an event!

[Kmot]

Be sure to put a cooling fan on it! :D

[LONGBIKE]

Boat builder,

I have used these power boxes on some boats I have built and they work great only if you have the room, they are big, But the darby is surely big enough you will love it there.
Its great for if you run the lower voltage wheat bulbs @3 to 5volts and a 12v motor system and then 5 to 6 volts for the speed control if you don't have an BEC circuit in your speed control.
I like to use the Vantec speed controls and they do not have BEC circuits so these are a good option If you have the room!

Jeff

[boat_builder]

Well, I spent the money on it because I wanted one and because of the convenience of having different voltages for lights and other accessories. I do like Patmats setup too, I just thought it would be cool to not have to use a seperate battery pack for my lights and other goodies that run on other voltage values. Patmat, you do have a point on the price though. After seeing it and holding it in my hand it does seem to be pretty over priced. Also, I haven't seen any kind of "breakers" on the circuits but I might have missd them. :)

[patmat2350]

Just curious- what do you have that needs the other voltages?
You can get 12 and 14v GOW/GOR bulbs all day long... and LEDs can be run off of ANY reasonable voltage (just need the right resistor).
If you have the rare ESC with no BEC, the Rx and servos can be powered from a $3 5v regulator, see Radio Shack for these.
I'm a bit annoyed that bow thrusters usually come with 7.2v motors, seems like most models using them are running on 12v gel cells... but they need more power than this unit can deliver (ought to have their own ESC)...
Every sound unit I've seen, MCD switchers, etc., all operate on 12v...
What else?

[LONGBIKE]

If you have the rare ESC with no BEC,


Pat do you have or know where to get 12v ESC with the BEC built into them.

[toesup]

...do you have or know where to get 12v ESC with the BEC built into them.

Most ESC's will handle 12v... though check the spec's first.. ;)

[LONGBIKE]

toesup,

The ESC isnt the problem with 12v its the receiver and servos I want to run off 12v so I dont have to have a regulator or seperate battery pack.
I just dont like all that extra wiring and messy hardware in the boat. I want it clean and simple.

[patmat2350]

Pat do you have or know where to get 12v ESC with the BEC built into them.

Mtroniks' "Viper Marine" in several current capacities. Loyalhanna carries them, if you don't want to order straight from the UK.

[toesup]

The ESC isnt the problem with 12v its the receiver and servos I want to run off 12v so I dont have to have a regulator or seperate battery pack.
I just dont like all that extra wiring and messy hardware in the boat. I want it clean and simple.

But Longbike, an ESC with BEC supplies the RX (and so the servo's) with the required voltage... so there is no need for a 'regulator' or seperate battery pack.
That makes things clean and simple. :)

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

The issue with a BEC, is that it isn't usually able to provide
power to more than two servos. We typically build a voltage
regulator to drop the power for the reciever, or for lights.

You can also buy these, they aren't suppose to use less
power than the typical LM317 set up.
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW033.htm
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SW050.htm
http://www.dimensionengineering.com/DE-SWADJ.htm

However, you still have to watch how large a load is placed on these.

Oh, and the build your own circuits section on
model fireboats.com website is awsome.
http://modelfireboats.com/rc/

[patmat2350]

And for a few more bucks, you can also buy a little plastic box at Radio Shack to put the regulator in- clean! (But do put a big heat sink on the regulator tab).

[boat_builder]

Just curious- what do you have that needs the other voltages?
You can get 12 and 14v GOW/GOR bulbs all day long... and LEDs can be run off of ANY reasonable voltage (just need the right resistor).
If you have the rare ESC with no BEC, the Rx and servos can be powered from a $3 5v regulator, see Radio Shack for these.
I'm a bit annoyed that bow thrusters usually come with 7.2v motors, seems like most models using them are running on 12v gel cells... but they need more power than this unit can deliver (ought to have their own ESC)...
Every sound unit I've seen, MCD switchers, etc., all operate on 12v...
What else?


3 volt Lights, 6 volts to bowthruster ESC, 12 volts to twin ESC's for main motors for independent control, receiver power will come from ESC 's BEC. Leaves me only the single 5 volt output for what ever else, maybe a rotating radar.

[toesup]

3 volt Lights, 6 volts to bowthruster ESC, 12 volts to twin ESC's for main motors for independent control, receiver power will come from ESC 's BEC.

Use two 6v batteries..
Run the batteries to give you 12v for the main ESC's.. Rx power comes from the BEC..
Split a 6v feed from one of the two batteries to give you the power to the bow thruster...
.. and one of these http://www.mackproductsrc.com/L-26%20auto_control.htm to give you the 3.5v for the lights...

[boat_builder]

Use two 6v batteries..
Run the batteries to give you 12v for the main ESC's.. Rx power comes from the BEC..
Split a 6v feed from one of the two batteries to give you the power to the bow thruster...
.. and one of these http://www.mackproductsrc.com/L-26%20auto_control.htm to give you the 3.5v for the lights...


I already have a 40Ah 12v battery to power the Mr. Darby and to help add the required ballast weight. By the time I buy two 6 volt batteries with enough capacity and weight to make the Darby worth while in the water and other misc. electrical components to step down 6v to 3v for the lights then I have enough invested in it to pay for a power panel from Harbor. I already have the power panel and battery in my posession. Sounds like your idea would work pretty decent though. :)

[boat_builder]

Nice if you need it... but here's my power panel- an inexpensive terminal block. I just choose components that run off 12v, then no fancy high current voltage regulators and heat sinks and fans are needed... why spend the money?? :confused:

Anything like the Rx can just run off the BEC from the ESC...

I don't get it- why pay $100 for this:
http://www.harbormodels.com/site08/images/tom118_PDP.jpg


when these are only $3.95?
http://static.rcgroups.com/forums/attachments/4/9/6/5/9/a1186535-173-2escs.jpg


What kind of (brand and model) ESC's are those in that bottom picture?

[JADESKI]

they look like MCD

[LONGBIKE]

Well I bought one of those viper ESC and it worked good for about 10 min then the smoke came out! $56.00 down the drain.
The cheapo pro-boat ESC did better than this one.
I wont be buying any of those anymore! Ill just stick to my RARE ESC at least they last.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Well I bought one of those viper ESC and it worked good for about 10 min then the smoke came out! $56.00 down the drain.
The cheapo pro-boat ESC did better than this one.
I wont be buying any of those anymore! Ill just stick to my RARE ESC at least they last.

I am sending a 25a back to Mtroniks for repair or replacement.
It blew out where my 15a have been running for two years.

[patmat2350]

By any chance... did you use a separate Rx battery pack or Rx power supply?

The Mtroniks instructions say you MUST disconnect the red wire to the Rx if you use a separate Rx pack... the ESC's BEC fights the Rx pack, and the ESC's voltage regulator always loses. I found out the hard way too.

[LONGBIKE]

No I did not use a separate Rx pack That is the porpoise of going with this ESC with the BEC I don't want a second battery pack.
I'm putting this in a Barrelback and don't want the extra weight or wiring mess, its kinda tight back there with the battery in place.


Umi,
Will they replace it being a electronic item. I didnt think they would!
I called Don at loyyalhanna and left a message but they havent called back yet! So we will see.

[Kmot]

OEM's are using electronic components sourced from outside their control, to build their products.

In every segment of industry, OEM's are getting components sourced from China. It has become a huge problem in that many items are being counterfeited.

An OEM has to rely on the supplier of a particular compenent that it will be genuine and work as specified. If they install a counterfeit component it more than likely will not perform as engineered.

Even you Umi, speculated about this being the cause of the demise of JJC Electronics.

I think it's going to be a huge problem we all will be dealing with in one form or another.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

No I did not use a separate Rx pack That is the porpoise of going with this ESC with the BEC I don't want a second battery pack.
I'm putting this in a Barrelback and don't want the extra weight or wiring mess, its kinda tight back there with the battery in place.


Umi,
Will they replace it being a electronic item. I didnt think they would!
I called Don at loyyalhanna and left a message but they havent called back yet! So we will see.

I went right to Mtroniks... Have to ship to the UK,
I bought my 25's in May for $59 from Cornwall Model boats...
I guess we'll see what happens.

[LONGBIKE]

Don called me today and said he is going to send me a new one and that they were having some problems with that brand of ESC.

So thats great! Hope the newer one dont smoke up I probly wont be able to get anouther one.

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

That's sad to hear, we finally find a good ESC, and the production run goes south...

:(

[boat_builder]

Even though they are designed for R/C Cars and Trucks I'm a big fan of Novak ESC's. I've been using them for years and have never been let down by one. Knock on wood. :D I know that they are more expensive than some of the ESC's that are made for boats but I feel that you get what you pay for when it comes to ESC's like as in car audio amplifiers. One of my favorites of all time which is now discontinued is the Novak Super Rooster. They will drive about anything you want to hook to it including twin "hot" motors. They had an amperage rating of approx. 320Amps constant and will run on 12volts (10-cells). They can still be found on eBay for about $50+ for a good used one, and are well worth the money! :)

http://www.teamnovak.com/products/esc/super_rooster/index.html

http://www.teamnovak.com/products/esc_specs/rev_specs/index.html

[Umi_Ryuzuki]

Update,
Got a brand new ESC in the mail today from Mtroniks....

:cool: