Keeping the Water Out

To keep your radio equipment running for a long time, you need to keep the water out!
 

• First thing to do is the Tub test. Place the boat in the bath tub and check for water leaks. One of the ways water gets in, is were the hull is glued to the deck. Sometimes this area isn't fully bonded. Submerge this area in the tub to check for leaks in the hull/deck bond. Seal any leaks with a CA glue.

• Next place is the transom. Check were the hardware comes through the hull.
   
• There is a product on the market called Corrosion X. We sell it and some marine supply stores also carry it. This product helps stop rust and corrosion build up. What you do is disassemble the receiver and servo and spray the Corrosion X inside to help if water does get in.
   
• The radio servos need to be water proofed. A standard servo can be done very easily. First if you did apply Corrosion X to the servo make sure you clean any parts we are going to use silicon on. The silicon will not stick to an area that Corrosion X on it. Next loosen the screws at the bottom of the servo. Take some silicon sealant and apply in-between the two halves of the case. Also apply to the holes where the screws goes. Next tighten up the screw to the case. Also apply around where the wires enter the case. And lastly apply some thick silicon based grease where the motor shaft comes out of the case. Allow time for the silicon sealant to dry. The only maintenance should be to re-grease motor shaft once in a while.
   
• Next use a heavy gauge balloon around the radio receiver.  Use a draw tie or wire to tighten the balloon around where the wires exit.
   
• One way to slow down any water that has entered into the hull is a sponge. Find a  large, extra long thumbtack and make a bend in it. Then glue it down to the lowest part of the vee of the hull. After the glue has cured, cut a dry household sponge to the right size and push down onto the thumbtack. The thumbtack should help keep the sponge from sliding around.

• After the tub test and all other bench testing is done, when it's time to hit the pond, use electrical tape around the entire hatch to keep the splashing water out of the compartment. This will go a long way to saving radio equipment.
   
• If or when you flip your boat over its important not to use any functions of the transmitter. If you do, it may cause a short circuit in the radio equipment on the boat. Empty all water out of the boat, dry all components and disassemble the receiver and dry fully. Oil all moving parts. Allow a day before running again. Then before running again, bench test radio system to check all functions.
   
• What you do after your back from the pond is also important. Everything should be dried right away. Oil all moving parts. Remove drive shaft and grease. Store the boat in a warm dry place and store without the hatch attached. This allows the air to dry the compartment fully.
   
• All that's left is to go out and have FUN!!!!