Having built a Lesro Sportsman I really liked the Rapier at 38 inches. I thought she would be a fine looking boat on the water and I was right! I purchased the kit direct from Lesro and they informed me it was the last one they had, and no more would be made unless they could find someone to laser cut them at a good price. Cutting the old way, by saw, was far too wasteful and expensive. Quite a few of these show up on Ebay but I wanted to build from new- I don't mind dealing with my own foul ups but object to having to cope with someone elses!
The kit went together nicely and is a very stylish looking boat. When I asked the folk at Lesro about a suitable setup I was asked what sort of performance I was looking for and I foolishly mentioned the word 'sizzling'. It was suggested I use two Graupner 700 motors and two MTroniks 40 amp esc's on a 12v NiMH battery- good job I've paid off the mortgage! And that wasn't the end.
On the maiden voyage I was disappointed with performance- as usual, and it became clear to me that I would have to go down the road of using Lipo batteries. When measured in the bath with a wattmeter, the voltage on the NiMH battery was dropping from 12v to 9v on full throttle- no good at all. This is to do with the internal resistance of the NiMH battery which is incapable of delivering a high current when required. Each motor was drawing 16amps stationery.
I changed over to Lipos, having learnt about their management and charging from various sources, but mainly my local model shop owner- yes we still have one! The difference was remarkeable, and it's simply because the Lipos can deliver the current the motors are asking.
Despite the current being well within the range of the esc's one of the Mtroniks units blew on the bench one day- not really sure why, so I have flashed out yet more cash and bought two of the trusty Electronize 30 amp controllers. These are big (compared with Mtroniks) and robust, easy to install and set up- and never give me a moments trouble. The installation is under way as I write (May '14) and hopefully she'll be back in the water in time for the new season. My Rapier is named 'Fulmar- another sea bird.
Having installed the Electronize esc's (late 2015) and gone over to lipo batteries the increase in performance is remarkable and she is a joy to watch racing over the water.
The kit went together nicely and is a very stylish looking boat. When I asked the folk at Lesro about a suitable setup I was asked what sort of performance I was looking for and I foolishly mentioned the word 'sizzling'. It was suggested I use two Graupner 700 motors and two MTroniks 40 amp esc's on a 12v NiMH battery- good job I've paid off the mortgage! And that wasn't the end.
On the maiden voyage I was disappointed with performance- as usual, and it became clear to me that I would have to go down the road of using Lipo batteries. When measured in the bath with a wattmeter, the voltage on the NiMH battery was dropping from 12v to 9v on full throttle- no good at all. This is to do with the internal resistance of the NiMH battery which is incapable of delivering a high current when required. Each motor was drawing 16amps stationery.
I changed over to Lipos, having learnt about their management and charging from various sources, but mainly my local model shop owner- yes we still have one! The difference was remarkeable, and it's simply because the Lipos can deliver the current the motors are asking.
Despite the current being well within the range of the esc's one of the Mtroniks units blew on the bench one day- not really sure why, so I have flashed out yet more cash and bought two of the trusty Electronize 30 amp controllers. These are big (compared with Mtroniks) and robust, easy to install and set up- and never give me a moments trouble. The installation is under way as I write (May '14) and hopefully she'll be back in the water in time for the new season. My Rapier is named 'Fulmar- another sea bird.
Having installed the Electronize esc's (late 2015) and gone over to lipo batteries the increase in performance is remarkable and she is a joy to watch racing over the water.