Motor stability and rubber seals

[opsec1]

Hello! I'm a new guy so please excuse my inexperience! I have an Arkmodel 1/48 scale VIIc U-boat: Everything is progressing nicely for assembly; but since this is my first ever r/c submarine I have a few questions. My questions are 1: the twin motors in this kit seem to be a little sloppy; they are stuck together magnetically, not aligned and don't seem to be very secure. The instructions don't really recommend some sort of secure mounting - is this normal? Question 2: Are the rubber seals supplied with the kit to waterproof the servo connections just installed as is or should I add a little CA to keep them from shifting around and possibly leaking? Thanks. Steve

[RCSubGuy]

As a rule, the Arkmodel WTCs are poorly engineered with low quality components. Not saying you can't get it to work, but it will be a challenge. I'm not sure what you mean by saying that the motors are sloppy and stuck together. They're not mounted, or they're mounted and sticking together magnetically?

Seals are rubber. I wouldn't do CA. I'd use silicone to secure them.

[opsec1]

Thanks for your response. By sloppy I mean there is not a firm mounting system for the twin motors. The motors are of course paralleling each other, and they are stuck together magnetically at the rear portion of the motors. They are as well not in alignment with one another but rather make somewhat of a small "V" configuration all the way up to the drive shafts. Plus, the only thing keeping them in place from falling back into the WTC are the universal joints on the drive shafts. As a side bar, looking ahead in the instructions, I don't see how this WTC can securely be waterproof. Now thinking of purchasing am WTC from you - I'm pretty good at reverse engineering so if I can see an assembled version as an example everything will make a lot more sense! Thanks. Steve

[type7]

It's been a while since I worked on mine but I think you use 2 o-rings to secure each motor. You push them down so the o-ring squishes some. It self aligns the motor and absorbs the vibration. Does trap the motor heat some.

[TuptubBuilder]

The motors are secured with M2.5 screws (TM7). "L16" in the instructions are Silicone cup seals. I need to point out that the cup seal ID is 2 mm but the motor shaft is 2.3 mm - not good. Also, excessive interference fits of end cap and control rod bushings caused stress cracks in the injected molded end cap with my build . These are just two of many features that lend to the justified claim of poor design and poor quality.

[opsec1]

Thanks for the input guys! I'm an experienced model builder with an R/C airplane background; but not with submarines; what I'm thinking of doing is purchasing an WTC from Bob so I have a good idea of how they are built. I have a tendency to learn faster with an example. Looking ahead in the instructions, I really don't see how the WTC is going to be waterproof - bad design I guess.

[RCSubGuy]

The 80mm cylinder is a great fit for that boat. It comes basically pre-assembled and ready to go. Just drop your battery and receiver in and you're set to go.