Hobbywing
Hobbywing speed controllers and drive technology for RC boats
Hobbywing is one of the internationally renowned manufacturers of electronic drive components for RC model-making. The brand is particularly well known for its high-performance speed controllers for brushed and brushless motors.
Two product ranges are of particular interest for model boat building: the versatile QuicRun series offers waterproof brushed and brushless speed controllers for a wide range of power outputs, whilst the SeaKing series has been specially developed for RC boats and high-performance marine brushless drives.
The range is complemented by brushless motors, BEC voltage regulators and programming accessories.
Hobbywing thus offers solutions for a wide variety of model boats – from slow-moving scale and functional models with brushed motors to fast brushless sports or racing boats.
Hobbywing QuicRun – versatile speed controllers for RC models and boat propulsion systems
The Hobbywing QuicRun series is one of the manufacturer’s most versatile product ranges. It comprises both speed controllers for classic brushed motors and brushless controllers in various power classes.
Unlike the SeaKing series, QuicRun was not developed exclusively for model boat building. However, thanks to their robust design, simple programming and broad motor compatibility, many waterproof QuicRun controllers can also be used for various RC model boats and functional boats.
QuicRun is particularly of interest to model-makers looking for a reliable and straightforward speed controller for a traditional boat propulsion system, without requiring the high power reserves of a specialised racing boat controller.
QuicRun Brushed – Speed controllers for traditional brushed motors
Brushed motors remain widely used in model boat building. They offer a number of advantages, particularly for scale models, tugboats, workboats and other functional models: simple technology, controllable handling and good controllability at low speeds.
The QuicRun Brushed series offers various speed controllers for such applications.
Well-known models include, amongst others, the Hobbywing QuicRun WP 1060 and the QuicRun WP 880 Dual.
The WP 1060 is a compact, waterproof speed controller for a brushed motor and is frequently used wherever simple forward/reverse control is required.
The WP 880 Dual is designed to operate two brushed motors. This makes it particularly suitable for larger RC models with two drive motors.
In model boat building in particular, such propulsion concepts are found, for example, in twin-engine workboats, tugs or scale models.
QuicRun WP – waterproof electronics for demanding applications
Many QuicRun speed controllers bear the designation WP, which at Hobbywing stands for a waterproof design.
This is a significant advantage in RC model boat building. It is almost impossible to completely avoid splash water, condensation or moisture inside the hull of a model boat.
A waterproof speed controller offers additional protection in this regard.
Nevertheless, even a controller designated as waterproof or water-resistant should be installed in the model in as dry and well-ventilated a location as possible. Plug connections, receivers and other electronic components may require additional protection.
QuicRun Brushless – from compact models to high-performance drives
In addition to brushed speed controllers, Hobbywing also offers a wide selection of sensorless brushless speed controllers under the QuicRun brand.
The performance classes range from small controllers such as the QuicRun WP 16BL30 to significantly more powerful variants.
The QuicRun WP 16BL30, for example, is designed for 2–3S LiPo batteries and has a continuous current rating of 30 A. Hobbywing originally intended it for small RC vehicles. However, due to its compact dimensions and waterproof design, such a speed controller may also be of interest for appropriately tailored smaller RC projects.
At the other end of the performance spectrum are more powerful QuicRun brushless ESCs such as the WP 8BL150. This ESC is designed for up to 150 A continuous current and 3–6S LiPo batteries. Hobbywing classifies it as suitable for high-performance 1:8 RC vehicles.
When using it in a model boat, you must therefore always check whether the ESC, motor, battery voltage and cooling are suitable for the specific application.
QuicRun 10BL120 – high-performance brushless ESC
The Hobbywing QuicRun 10BL120 is also one of the most interesting brushless ESCs within the QuicRun family.
With its high current-carrying capacity, this power class is suitable for more powerful brushless drives. Such controllers can be particularly useful for fast model boats or high-performance scale models where the current demand exceeds that of small standard controllers.
It should be noted, however, that the QuicRun 10BL120 is not a controller specifically designed for marine use.
In the event of a high continuous load in a model boat, particular attention must therefore be paid to ensuring adequate cooling. For very powerful boat drives or those subjected to a continuously high load, a water-cooled SeaKing controller is often the more specialised solution.
QuicRun for single and twin-motor drives
A particular strength of the QuicRun series is the wide range of different controller designs available.
In model boat building, this allows the following propulsion systems to be realised, for example:
a brushed motor with a QuicRun WP 1060
two brushed motors with a QuicRun WP 880 Dual
smaller brushless drives with compact QuicRun controllers
more powerful brushless drives with higher-performance QuicRun models
This makes the product range suitable for both simple hobby models and more complex functional models.
Why QuicRun is of interest in model shipbuilding
Many model ships do not require an extremely powerful racing boat controller.
With a tugboat, fishing boat, rescue cruiser or classic motor vessel, other characteristics are often more important:
smooth start-up
reliable reverse operation
good control at low speeds
robust electronics
sufficient power reserves
simple adjustment
It is precisely for such applications that suitable QuicRun speed controllers can offer an interesting solution.
Brushed motors are frequently used in slow-moving functional models, whilst faster models are increasingly fitted with brushless motors. As the QuicRun series covers both motor types, the appropriate speed controller technology can be selected to suit the specific model.
QuicRun or SeaKing?
Hobbywing offers two product families – QuicRun and SeaKing – which differ significantly in their focus.
QuicRun is a broad-based RC series. It offers both brushed and brushless speed controllers and covers a wide range of power ratings. Many WP models feature a waterproof design.
SeaKing, on the other hand, was developed specifically for RC boats. Depending on the model, these speed controllers feature integrated water cooling and are specially designed for high continuous loads in boat propulsion systems.
For a classic functional model with a brushed motor, for example, a QuicRun WP controller may therefore be a suitable solution.
For high-performance brushless drives, fast sports boats or racing boats, however, the SeaKing series – developed specifically for marine applications – is often the more appropriate product range.
Ultimately, the decisive factors are the motor, battery voltage, expected current requirements, propeller and the desired handling characteristics.