Introduction: Remote Control Motor Boat: Build and Use a Working Motor Boat Out of 3d Printed Parts.
I am 14 so this motorboat isn't the best but if you do it right, it is very cool. This motorboat is a quick simple boat that is relatively easy to make. Anyone can make one. Since I had a limited amount of time and I was traveling during the contest, I couldn't get everything to work absolutely perfectly but it is still cool and it still works.
Supplies
Any supplies that I used to make this boat will be linked Supplies needed:
Two transmitters and two receivers
Links:
Transmitter and receiver set from eBay
(Make sure you hit the "Buy 2" option, you will need both sets for each motor)
Two 3.7 volt batteries for the receivers, and 4 AA batteries for the transmitters.
The batteries I used for the receiver were 3.7-volt batteries To use them, I had to cut a part of the wire used to connect to the battery off and solder the 3.7-volt batteries on if you do not want to These batteries can typically be found at your local hardware store, but here are a few links to buy them online:
or else batteries
Two DC Motors
(To fit the Dimensions of the Boat's 3d Model, you need a motor with a 24mm diameter and a height of 17mm for the rudder motor, and another motor for the propeller in around the same size. I don't have the links I bought these in, but any smaller motors will also work, as long as the rotor is 1.8 mm in diameter.
3D printed parts (The body of the boat is not optional. Everything else is if you are only making a floating boat with a large and
Links from https://cults3d.com/en. I modeled the models using AutodeskTinkercad, but I can't figure out how to make a file public so instead, I will link the parts below:
OTHER
You will also likely need tape, hot glue with a hot glue gun, clear plastic sheets like saran wrap, and ziplock bags.
Optional: Epoxy Resin
Only use the resin if you know how to use it over the boat structure to waterproof it.
Optional: Soldering Iron
Just in case the holes are too small for the motor shaft, you can use a soldering iron to enlarge the holes.
Because the rudder motor is optional, if you are not using the rudder motor, only buy one set of transmitters and receivers, only buy one motor and one battery for the receiver, and only buy 2 AA batteries for the transmitter instead of 4.
Step 1: Connect Electronics and Make Them Work
Connect each motor to its own separate receiver using the wires included in the transmitter and receiver kit, and connect the receiver's battery wire with a battery that has a socket that fits the receiver's battery wire (Again I used 3.7-volt batteries because I had already cut off the plug) to each receiver's battery and put two AA batteries in each transmitter's battery case. Look at the above picture of the receiver board to see what I mean by that. Make sure that when you turn on the receiver with its switch, it flashes, and it stops flashing when you press a button on the transmitter. Any button on the transmitter should make the motor turn. Also, only one motor is needed, as the other one is for the rudder which is optional. You won't be able to turn it as well, but you still can move the propeller motor in a way to turn it without a rudder.
Step 2: 3D Print Parts for Boat
I have modeled most of my own pieces like the boat body and rudder using Tinkercad. I also modified a propeller found on the Tinkercad shape selection to fit my motor.
Print the body of the boat in ABS if possible and with 25% infill, and the rest of the models can be printed like normal. If you don't have ABS, you can also use PETG, and if not possible, you can try to use PLA.
These models can be found in STL format in the links below on Cults (Because I can't figure out how to make a model public.;)
The hole in the back of the boat body is for the propeller. The hole in the bottom is for the rudder motor. If you are not using the rudder, cover the hole on the bottom of the boat with tape or resin.
Step 3: Put It All Together
Put all the electronics in ziplock bags to make sure they do not break from water damage. Stick the propeller motor's rotor shaft through the plastic, and put its rotor through the boat's back hole, and then connect the propeller by sticking the motor's rotor shaft into the hole and putting some hot glue into the hole of the propeller, and then sticking the rotor shaft in. If you are using the rudder motor, Put one of the motors through the hole in the back, and use the same method of waterproofing for the rudder motor, which, if you use it, should go into the hole at the bottom of the boat, before attaching the rudder. Put tape and saran wrap to waterproof the small boat hole for the motor areas as best as you can. Use a soldering iron to make sure your motor fits perfectly. After all the electronics are in the boat, put the boat's roof over the boat, and attach it using tape as you will have to take the roof off again. Now you are done and you can put it into water and test it out!
Step 4: Have Fun
You can use this instructable to make a boat that floats on water and can carry things in the hull, or make a fast remote control motorboat that zooms across it. Either way, if you get it to work, you should have fun both in testing and in building. HAVE FUN!
...also can i pls get a prize lol
Participated in the
Robotics Contest
