EPA settings
09-22-2005, 11:18 AM
#1
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EPA settings
What EPA steering settings (percentage) do you cat owners think it best for racing, with the 'proper' skeg strut alignment and clearance from the transom?
09-22-2005, 11:36 AM
#2
RE: EPA settings
Relative to what? The percentages would be different for a person who setup his linkages for a 45 degree maximum rudder throw than one who setup the linkages for a 30 degree maximum throw. I've seen boats setup with huge throws and then use the EPA to tame them down. The problem with this setup is that you lose a significant amount of servo sensitivity.
A better choice is to limit your EPA use to preventing servos from stalling at physical endpoints. Use the control arm holes to adjust the amount of throw. If the control moves too much, resulting in too sensitive steering, move the control rod closer to the center of the servo arm. If it's too sluggish, move the control out. If you have adjustments at the rudder end, it's the opposite, closer in is more movement, further out is less movement.
This same thing goes for the throttle setup. I bought a second hand boat this summer that had a huge amount of servo travel removed by EPA adjustments. I replaced the servo arm with a shorter one (throttles don't need the long, heavy duty arms) and was able to get the EPAs back near 100%. The result is I can use much more of the servo travel, resulting in smoother control.
I like to have the rudder set so that the steering is fairly gentle. This lets me make smooth predictable turns. If I know I'm only making right turns, and it's a type of boat that has issues with high speed left turns, I reduce the amount of left to where I have enough for minor course corrections and avoidance manuvers. My cat has a fairly good amount of left right now because I use it for offshore racing, and there's a left turn in my club's course.
A better choice is to limit your EPA use to preventing servos from stalling at physical endpoints. Use the control arm holes to adjust the amount of throw. If the control moves too much, resulting in too sensitive steering, move the control rod closer to the center of the servo arm. If it's too sluggish, move the control out. If you have adjustments at the rudder end, it's the opposite, closer in is more movement, further out is less movement.
This same thing goes for the throttle setup. I bought a second hand boat this summer that had a huge amount of servo travel removed by EPA adjustments. I replaced the servo arm with a shorter one (throttles don't need the long, heavy duty arms) and was able to get the EPAs back near 100%. The result is I can use much more of the servo travel, resulting in smoother control.
I like to have the rudder set so that the steering is fairly gentle. This lets me make smooth predictable turns. If I know I'm only making right turns, and it's a type of boat that has issues with high speed left turns, I reduce the amount of left to where I have enough for minor course corrections and avoidance manuvers. My cat has a fairly good amount of left right now because I use it for offshore racing, and there's a left turn in my club's course.
09-22-2005, 12:03 PM
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RE: EPA settings
I understand – thanks. I was asking because I was once told “your rudder should move no more than 13-percent in either direction from center.â€
09-22-2005, 12:34 PM
#4
RE: EPA settings
ORIGINAL: ifp123
I understand – thanks. I was asking because I was once told “your rudder should move no more than 13-percent in either direction from center.â€
I understand – thanks. I was asking because I was once told “your rudder should move no more than 13-percent in either direction from center.â€
I haven't actually taken a protractor to mine, but 13% sounds reasonable.
09-22-2005, 05:49 PM
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RE: EPA settings
No hard and fast rule for amount of throw.
But you should set epa to give a tight line around the buoys and a just little more. OR
run the boat and dial back epa until the boat doesn't hook
But you should set epa to give a tight line around the buoys and a just little more. OR
run the boat and dial back epa until the boat doesn't hook
09-22-2005, 11:57 PM
#6
RE: EPA settings
It can depend on if your transmitter has an EPA over-ride or not. It's nice to have some extra throw on your rudder for those "just in case" times when you have to veer around something, whether it's debris in the water or if you're racing, a boat that dies or does some stunt in front of you.
09-23-2005, 05:19 AM
#7
RE: EPA settings
ORIGINAL: Ron Olson
It can depend on if your transmitter has an EPA over-ride or not. It's nice to have some extra throw on your rudder for those "just in case" times when you have to veer around something, whether it's debris in the water or if you're racing, a boat that dies or does some stunt in front of you.
It can depend on if your transmitter has an EPA over-ride or not. It's nice to have some extra throw on your rudder for those "just in case" times when you have to veer around something, whether it's debris in the water or if you're racing, a boat that dies or does some stunt in front of you.
