breaking in my nitro hammer

Sdotterer · #1 04-14-2006, 11:41 AM

I'm new to boating and just got a nitro hammer. I took it out with my dad to try and get it runnning but it didn't go so well. When we put the boat in the water it would go about 5ft and stall. Out of about 20 tries we got the boat to go around the pond about maybe 3 times. If anybody has any suggestions on how to break this engine in please let me know!!!

Mike Jackson · #2 04-14-2006, 12:58 PM

it's a good idea to first chech the mixture you may be too lean (a dead spot when giving it gas) or you may be running rich(slow on exceleration boggy sound or labor sounding)when giving gas you need to have a very slight bog and also try not to run a nitro motor full out on the first few runs about 1/4 - 1/2 throttle about three or four passes i believe.Also check the glow plug to see if it's fowled(dark in color) good luck

Sdotterer · #3 04-14-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

it's a good idea to first chech the mixture you may be too lean (a dead spot when giving it gas) or you may be running rich(slow on exceleration boggy sound or labor sounding)when giving gas you need to have a very slight bog and also try not to run a nitro motor full out on the first few runs about 1/4 - 1/2 throttle about three or four passes i believe.Also check the glow plug to see if it's fowled(dark in color) good luck

Thanks for the help, I'll try those things. Does it make a difference if you toss the boat in the water or place it in the water. Will it go better if I toss the boat in the water? Does it help the boat go? My dad was placing it in the water and it didn't go good.

BoatDoc · #4 04-14-2006, 02:45 PM

still havin' trouble, eh? mine was a bear at first too...just stick with it and you'll be happy. i forgot to tell you before, you may want to give the fuel lines a quick check, make sure you don't have any pinches or pinholes.

Sdotterer · #5 04-14-2006, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDoc

still havin' trouble, eh? mine was a bear at first too...just stick with it and you'll be happy. i forgot to tell you before, you may want to give the fuel lines a quick check, make sure you don't have any pinches or pinholes.

I thought something might be wrong with the fuel lines but I'm not sure. The boat runs fine out of the water, but when I put it in it kills the engine pretty much. My dad would hold the boat in the water for me to give it gas so it would get water lubricating it. But then the engine would pretty much die.

RickE · #6 04-14-2006, 03:23 PM

Try giving the hull a low, forward toss into the water when you launch it. this will keep the revs up and help get the boat up on plane as well. Hold the mono just above the water's surface when you launch-don't drop it. Your engine's carb may be too lean-you might also tweaking it counter-clockwise about a half turn and try it again-all nitro marine engines can be difficult to get running smoothly!

Hope this helps,
Rick Eyrich

Sdotterer · #7 04-15-2006, 05:31 PM

I Got My Nitro Hammer Running Today!!!!!!!!!! Thank You Everybody For All Of Your Help.

BoatDoc · #8 04-15-2006, 06:25 PM

i knew we could all get it figured out. just be careful about leaning it out...only a little at a time.

Sdotterer · #9 04-15-2006, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDoc

i knew we could all get it figured out. just be careful about leaning it out...only a little at a time.

Yup I know, today we leaned it out a little, although it still can go some more. And how long is the battery life in the boat. Because when I was running it today on the last time the electronics kind of went crazy. When I was driving it the I couldn't control the throttle, only the turning. The turning was off though, sort of delayed. I think this was the batteries. So I just kept the boat going around the pond until it died. If the batteries only last that long that isn't too good. Maybe something in there got wet, who knows. Thanks for your help again.

BoatDoc · #10 04-15-2006, 07:20 PM

if you're not using rechargeable batteries, it's going to get expensive. i have always used Nicad's or NiMh in my rx packs, they last all day. then you recharge 'em for the next day and go. make sure you're not getting water into the radio box, pull the cover off after each run and check it. if you are getting water in there, find out where it's coming from and seal it.

Sdotterer · #11 04-15-2006, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDoc

if you're not using rechargeable batteries, it's going to get expensive. i have always used Nicad's or NiMh in my rx packs, they last all day. then you recharge 'em for the next day and go. make sure you're not getting water into the radio box, pull the cover off after each run and check it. if you are getting water in there, find out where it's coming from and seal it.

There wasn't really any water in the radio box. But for the receiver it comes with a little rubber thing to protect it. The throttle rubs away at it and there's a hole in it. Should I put a little bag over top of it to prevent water in there? And what are nicad packs? Are they just rechargeable batteries or is it a separate thing you put in it?

Brian23 · #12 04-15-2006, 11:26 PM

nicad or nimh are rechargable battery packs instead of using AA batterires whcih are weaker and tend to beecome expenisve

Fluid · #13 04-16-2006, 10:47 AM

Rechargeable batteries are a good investment, but for most beginners they are not a good way to go IME. Cheap rechargers can take two days or more to fully charge a pack, and if you want to run tomorrow on a pack that's dead today - too bad. You can buy 20 AA cells for the price of a cheap recharger and cells. That's a lot of run time. The use of lithium cells from WalMart, etc, while expensive, gives a lot longer run time.

Another disadvantage of the NiCads or NiMH cells is their discharge curve. They will run fine until they suddenly stop - not much of a decline in power to warn you that they are failing. Alkaline cells will slowly taper off in power - as you noticed - and will give you a chance to run a bit more and still get the boat to shore safely. Nothing is worse than having your boat out of radio control and watching it run away forever on a large lake or river....

Mike Jackson · #14 04-16-2006, 03:34 PM

sdotterer, good deal,I'm glad we could all help you.Enjoy your first experence with r/c boating.It's different, as I'm finding out myself,too.

Sdotterer · #15 04-16-2006, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fluid

Rechargeable batteries are a good investment, but for most beginners they are not a good way to go IME. Cheap rechargers can take two days or more to fully charge a pack, and if you want to run tomorrow on a pack that's dead today - too bad. You can buy 20 AA cells for the price of a cheap recharger and cells. That's a lot of run time. The use of lithium cells from WalMart, etc, while expensive, gives a lot longer run time.

Another disadvantage of the NiCads or NiMH cells is their discharge curve. They will run fine until they suddenly stop - not much of a decline in power to warn you that they are failing. Alkaline cells will slowly taper off in power - as you noticed - and will give you a chance to run a bit more and still get the boat to shore safely. Nothing is worse than having your boat out of radio control and watching it run away forever on a large lake or river....

So are you saying I should stay with aa batteries. That's going to get very expensive though because I only had the boat out 3 times and the batteries are dead.

BoatDoc · #16 04-16-2006, 07:06 PM

what i use is sanyo nicads for my trans and rx. i use an inexpensive hanger 9 charger hooked to a radio shack 10a power supply. they've never let me down. i can't remember, but does the n. hammer radio have a charge jack? it's made by futaba so if it does, you can use a futaba charger to charge both packs. just a thought

Sdotterer · #17 04-16-2006, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDoc

what i use is sanyo nicads for my trans and rx. i use an inexpensive hanger 9 charger hooked to a radio shack 10a power supply. they've never let me down. i can't remember, but does the n. hammer radio have a charge jack? it's made by futaba so if it does, you can use a futaba charger to charge both packs. just a thought

the remote doesn't have a charger. It's batteries that go inside of it.

BoatDoc · #18 04-16-2006, 10:47 PM

i was talking about a hook up for a charger. there should be one right above the handle (well...that's where it is on my other futaba's anyway). but jay made a good point, those type of chargers aren't very fast. they are sloooooow. if rechargeable batteries and a charger and such are out of your price range for now, keep a few extra sets of batteries with you whenever you go to the pond. that way you can keep running. it sucks when you have to go home 'cuz your batteries died.

this is what i use to recharge my Tx and Rx batteries:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN9520

here is a 120volt to 12 volt adapter
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN9521

you can hook the charger into the power source. this is obviously not the only option out there, but just a suggestion. that charger will NOT hook up to the transmitter, you have to take the batt's out and put them into another tray that will hook up to the charger.

Sdotterer · #19 04-17-2006, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoatDoc

i was talking about a hook up for a charger. there should be one right above the handle (well...that's where it is on my other futaba's anyway). but jay made a good point, those type of chargers aren't very fast. they are sloooooow. if rechargeable batteries and a charger and such are out of your price range for now, keep a few extra sets of batteries with you whenever you go to the pond. that way you can keep running. it sucks when you have to go home 'cuz your batteries died.

this is what i use to recharge my Tx and Rx batteries:
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN9520

here is a 120volt to 12 volt adapter
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...ProdID=HAN9521
you can hook the charger into the power source. this is obviously not the only option out there, but just a suggestion. that charger will NOT hook up to the transmitter, you have to take the batt's out and put them into another tray that will hook up to the charger.

For this I have to buy a separate battery pack right? And how long does it take these kind of batteries to charge? How long will they last running?