Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Thanks Tom! I'm enjoying the build immensely. How's the build with your son going?

[thor]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Your shop is much too clean!

[salmon]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Thanks Tom! I'm enjoying the build immensely. How's the build with your son going?

A little delay because of LEDs in the sail, but we have them installed and can move forward. Thanks for asking!
Peace,
tom

[bigdave]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

I could not help but notice the new non sub related avatar you have chosen my friend.
One question, was that taken at the Dragon?
That bike is slightly bigger that the Honda Odessey I rode to work about 34 years ago.
But only slightly. BD.

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Dave, yes that's on the Dragon. Great fun.

Big day yesterday for project Typhoon. I glassed the pressure hull into the outer hull. Exciting times! Here's things getting prepared:



I've been using West Systems epoxy resin for many years. Not cheap, but you pay for quality. I'm using the "fast" hardener, as it's a bit chilly in the shop in December. In summer I'd be using the slower version.

I had sanded all surfaces to be glassed prior to beginning. I applied a coat of thickened (with microballoons) resin on both mating surfaces of the pressure hull and outer hull, then carefully placed the pressure hull in position. There were a couple places where the outer hull was a bit wider than the upper hull, so i put a strap around those spots to try and pull the lower hull in slightly.

Even though thickened the resin still wanted to run out of the joints, so I stood the boat on it's side to keep the resin in place until it set. I then repeated the process for the other side.



Once I had both sides bonded pretty well, I applied resin and glass cloth to the end plates where they met the hull. The fit wasn't particularly good, so I wanted to fill the voids. The glass cloth will give it the strength required to withstand impact damage.





I then set it aside to set up overnight. Next step will be to pour some non-thickened resin in all the seams to fill and voids that may have been left by the thickened resin drooping or sagging where I can't see it. Once that's done, I can start thinking about equipment installation!

[Wheelerdealer]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

You work faster than me. Pretty much caught up with where I am now. I stalled a bit but your thread is giving me some inspiration to push on.

I would have used a Polyester resin to match the hull and water tight box but I am sure Epoxy will work just as well.

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Hi Ramesh! I'm moving much faster on this than I thought, it's got my attention. Honestly, I've been in a real slump for a year now due to personal issues, and haven't managed to get interested in anything for a long time. I'm finally feeling back on track, and motivated. And your boat is part of that motivation!

I've been a fan of Epoxy over Polyester for a long time. I would be quite surprised if there were any problems with the combination, as that same setup has been in my 1:48 fleet boat for over 20 years. (yikes!)

Glad we can inspire each other!

[thor]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

I can see a new crate for the top of the mini Cooper in your future. I wonder what DHS will think of that as you pass through large metropolitan areas?

Matt

[bigdave]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

We may have to start calling him Johann 2 Matt.
BD.

[tsenecal]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

I can see a new crate for the top of the mini Cooper in your future. I wonder what DHS will think of that as you pass through large metropolitan areas?

Matt

I am thinking more like a trailer for the motorcycle

[subdude]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Okay, after a bit of a break, back to work.

Now that the hull is pretty close to ready for gear, I've begun laying out and testing the electronics. I had the bow plane retract mechanism in the hull to test, and the planes extended and retracted just fine. But, when I went to hook the mechanism up on the bench and control it with the radio, things went south quick. I could drive the planes in and out, but the bow plane servo wouldn't work. The servo has it's power controlled by the relay board to prevent movement when the planes are retracted.

After dis-assembly, I found that there was a burnt trace on the PCB (which the previous owner had jumpered), and that the relay controlling the servo power was fried. Crap. Several hours of research didn't yield a replacement relay, and Engel has changed the board and uses different relays now. Okay, maybe I'll just have to order the new relay board. Nope, out of stock.

After stewing about this overnight, I had an epiphany. Several years ago I had purchased a brand new and complete electronics setup from an Engel Gato that the owner didn't want, he intended to use a WTC. Of course, the Gato has retractable planes. Some searching in the shop parts bins yielded a complete, never assembled bow plane relay board with all the components. Score!

After soldering it together and hooking it up, all is well. I actually made out pretty well, as I took what was left of the old board and 2 good relays and built a control board for the bow thruster. All's well that ends well!

The motors and ESC's work fine, no issues there. I'm still undecided if I want to use the Traxxis ESC's that came with the boat or swap them out for Mtronics units. Decisions, decisions...

And so, I'm now to the ballast system. The boat came with the TAES controller, but I don't plan to use that. As I've added the 2 linear controls to the transmitter, I plan to run the tanks independently using the latest Engel UniPro controllers. They allow precise tank control with 80 percent of the linear slide controlling the last 30 percent of the tank volume. The control is accomplished using magnets on the drive gear and hall effect sensors. So next up is to install the controllers on the tanks, and test them. Once that's done, I'll be ready to start installation.

Here's a shot of most of the gear on the bench being tested. Left to right: transmitter, temporary receiver battery pack for testing, rudder servo, receiver, bow plane control module, bow plane servo, pitch controller, auxiliary decoder module, bow thruster motor, bow thruster control board, (2) speed controls, stern plane servo, motor and gearbox assy.

[Guest]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

One idea I had for the three microswitch TAES system was to use an additional channel to have one or two small 10 gram servos shift the position of the trim microswitch(s). That would give you a budget alternative proportional tank control that should work just as well as the more expensive versions.

Mouser are pretty good for relays. The Engel board regardless of its vintage will be using straightforward single pole double throw relays, so you just need to get a relay with the right coil and contact rating. If the pinout is a bit different you can always wire it in with flyleads. Bit of a lash-up, but it'll work fine.

[Wheelerdealer]

Re: Engel Typhoon build from an early kit

Good to hear you got the bow plane working. I will be using independent proportional control on the piston tanks as well this time around, so will be interested to see how they perform.