Powering the beast.

[Sabre]

As it's been many many years since I have built a powered model boat I find myself almost at the stage of the build where I need to put some thought into powering all fifty odd inches of the beast.    The last model boat that I built was powered by an  OPS 60 and I have almost no knowledge of electrics and a bit baffled by volts and amps of modern batteries.

After trawling around the web I see that one geared motor coupled to a single drive shaft may be the way for me to proceed but what size of motor and what gearing.  What kind of drive shaft and what's the best way to connect to motor.  Forgot to mention that the paddle wheels will be home made from styrene.   

[Eddy Matthews]

MFA do a range of brushed electric motors that would be suitable. Take a look at the attached PDF file that gives all the info you should need.... I would suggest the 919D501 at 6v-8.4 volts depending on how much RPM you need - about 150-180RPM is the normal unloaded speed for most paddlers, and this motor would give 145 RPM at 6v, rising to 200RPM at 8.4v.

Hope that helps?

Regards
Eddy

[Sabre]

Thanks for the link, I will have a proper read of it later today.