Heng Long German King Tiger waterproofing(Newbie)

[NGKGTATT]

I am not sure this the correct way to waterproof the tank, any comments are welcome...
Any tips and tricks or ideas are welcome...

[deathrawt]

That's a good start but you need to seal the rx 18 completely as water could migrate its way in. The only problem is that it could overheat if it is sealed off completely.
you also need to make some kind of seal where the gearbox output shafts go through the hull to the drive wheels. My original HPI Baja had a seal in the transmission that looks like it would work but they changed the design of the tranny by adding a bearing and getting rid of the seal in the process. I do not know if the seal is even available anymore?

[wibblywobbly]

Water won't damage the motors, but it could cause problems elsewhere. Plastic gearboxes are good for anything amphibious, just grease everything.

Mount the RX18, receiver and battery on the upper hull or as high up as you can get it, unless you are driving it underwater it should all stay dry. Drill a couple of holes in the underside at the lowest points, as that will allow water to drain back out. The battery should be ok but putting the connector inside a watertight box would be recommended. If you junk the speaker and smoke unit you will have more room.

If you want to make the hull watertight it will require a bit of work.

Bathroom silicone sealant will need to go around all joints. Put a bead around them all and reassemble, but try and avoid anything on the outside as it doesn't like paint. One trick is to put the sealant along both edges of a join, place some food wrap/clingfilm over one side and reassemble everything. When it is completely cured, disassemble and peel off the clingfilm. The silicone will have moulded into a perfect seal filling all of the imperfections. Carefully reassemble and you should have a watertight seal.

To seal the driveshafts, use some styrene tube. You will need lengths that go from the gearboxes to the sprocket. Big snag is getting the gearboxes in and out with the tubes in place. The tubes need to be packed with grease. The boat modellers call them stuffing tubes.

It can be done, I did an amphibious M59 troop carrier once that was 'almost watertight'. I used to drive it into ponds, sail it around, and then drive it back out again, it never suffered any damage.

Hope this helps.

Rob

[RobW]

Covering the gear boxes might be a good idea too. Not to waterproof but to stop water splashing onto the electrics.

[atcttge]

I am thinking use bulkheads separating the electronics and battery from the rest of the hull. Put bulkheads fore and aft and make sure that joints where the bulkheads meet the hull are sealed. Cover all holes in the electronics and battery section. As long as you won't submerge it in water, electronics should be dry.

[NGKGTATT]

But anyway really appreciate the help and thanks for the ways and ideas guys!
Got a few questions...
Is it a good way to seal the connectors with blue tack?
Where can i use grease in here?
To re-position the RX18 board, batteries, do i need to change the length of the 2p, 3p, 8p cables?- and re-solder everything?
Currently, i tape the front hull, the 6 hull screw holes and the battery compartment with normal duct tape- went to drive in shallow puddle water(1 inch water maybe). The result it came out to be dry!
No water came through- did nothing to seal the drive shafts- not even a drop of eater came into the lower hull from the drive shafts...
From your guys point of view-still have a long way to go for me...HA...HA...
I think i have to do a little bit more work i guess...

[NGKGTATT]

Water won't damage the motors, but it could cause problems elsewhere. Plastic gearboxes are good for anything amphibious, just grease everything.

Mount the RX18, receiver and battery on the upper hull or as high up as you can get it, unless you are driving it underwater it should all stay dry. Drill a couple of holes in the underside at the lowest points, as that will allow water to drain back out. The battery should be ok but putting the connector inside a watertight box would be recommended. If you junk the speaker and smoke unit you will have more room.

If you want to make the hull watertight it will require a bit of work.

Bathroom silicone sealant will need to go around all joints. Put a bead around them all and reassemble, but try and avoid anything on the outside as it doesn't like paint. One trick is to put the sealant along both edges of a join, place some food wrap/clingfilm over one side and reassemble everything. When it is completely cured, disassemble and peel off the clingfilm. The silicone will have moulded into a perfect seal filling all of the imperfections. Carefully reassemble and you should have a watertight seal.

To seal the driveshafts, use some styrene tube. You will need lengths that go from the gearboxes to the sprocket. Big snag is getting the gearboxes in and out with the tubes in place. The tubes need to be packed with grease. The boat modellers call them stuffing tubes.

It can be done, I did an amphibious M59 troop carrier once that was 'almost watertight'. I used to drive it into ponds, sail it around, and then drive it back out again, it never suffered any damage.

Hope this helps.

Rob

Styrene tube going in...