Always been fascinated by RC, but out of my budget.

The putt putt boat thread in the Gallery has me thinking tho. I can get a cheapo RC transmitter/receiver (this one) set on Amazon that would be adequate for a single channel short range setup.

Two questions:

1. How do I know which servo to hook to the receiver for rudder control? I have several Arduino-compatible servos on hand. How would I determine if they're suitable?

2. I'm not clear on power requirements for the receiver. I assume it'll need it's own battery. I'm concerned about weight.

Your boats receiver will require batteries.

What type of boat are you looking for. If it's electric (most likely) the battery that powers the boat will also power the receiver.

In electric powered that have an electronic speed control (ESC), the power for the receiver is supplied from the ESC. If ESC is not used a 6v battery pack is used. Search RC receiver packs in Amazon.

Honestly, for a little putt putt boat, I'd get a cheap rc car from Walmart, but what you need from it. It'll likely be an AA battery box (lighter than a 7.2v pack) and will have a steering servo that can control the rudder.

Likely around 10 bucks even.

You might want to see if they're any local RC clubs or shops that might have some suggestions. You might find someone with used gear that is willing to sell it cheaper and it might be of higher quality than Amazon knock-off stuff. I would probably stick to name brand gear if it was me. Back when I did RC I used Futaba radios. I'm not in the know now, but I assume they're still dominate.

I can say this. We bought my daughter a drone off of Amazon. I'd be wary of some of the things you find on there. I researched the drones for weeks. What we got was decent but in all honestly I wouldn't spend those dollars again. I'd go to a RC real shop and see what's in your budget.

Anyhow, good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by Gibb:
Honestly, for a little putt putt boat, I'd get a cheap rc car from Walmart, but what you need from it. It'll likely be an AA battery box (lighter than a 7.2v pack) and will have a steering servo that can control the rudder.

Likely around 10 bucks even.

I think, for a strictly experimental just-for-the-hell-of-it project, this makes the most sense.

I don't see me playing with it a lot, but the great-grandsons might enjoy it if it works out.

This is a cheap setup and seems to have good reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/Remote-...-Lakes/dp/B073WJGD8V


If you get the bug, you can go to Tower Hobbies or Horizon Hobbies for some higher end boats.

I have too much invested in RC toys. Anyway, check out Horizon Hobby. They have a great selection of stuff and very informative literature.

There are clubs everywhere. Find one local to you and go hang out. The members usually like to share a wealth of knowledge.

Have fun

quote:

Originally posted by olfuzzy:
This is a cheap setup and seems to have good reviews:

https://www.amazon.com/Remote-...-Lakes/dp/B073WJGD8V


If you get the bug, you can go to Tower Hobbies or Horizon Hobbies for some higher end boats.

I have the boat, see this thread.

Just toying (arrrrrr...humor!) with the idea of putting an RC rudder on it so I can run it in the backwater of the stream behind my house.