Radio question.

[mjmsprt40]

I have a question concerning AM radios and gasoline engines-- specifically the Homelite engine used in the Enforcers, but gasoline in general while we're at it. Is there reason to believe that interference from the engine could cause the receiver/servos to fail to respond?

I ask because I had my Gator out this past Sunday. Temps here in the Chicago area were incredibly hot, topping out at 102, but I got my runs in in the morning. In the process, it developed trouble in the steering (again). The rudder took fits and spurts of not responding while the boat was on the water. At the stand, the radio responds beautifully, with the engine running or stopped.

I am using a Futaba that I pulled from another boat, and had-- until Sunday-- reason to trust this set. I'm going to be spending a little time checking the standard bugbears like loose connections, corroded terminals and that sort of thing, but I'd like to get a handle on the possibility of ignition interference with the radio signal too. Any ideas?

[Ron Olson]

A bad spark plug can give you fits messing up the radio system. You're much better off with an FM radio and the prices are dropping down now to almost as cheap as the AM radios. A bad plug might not be readily noticable as it could have a hairline crack in it or a problem in the ignition, loose plug wire or coil.
With water in your radio box, the problem can be anywhere in there also from a connector, power switch, reciever or a servo not working right.
Yeah, I know about the heat, we had heat indexes over here in the 105 range. I stayed in front of the A/C all weekend. We got the nasty storms too.

[ejp]

just as ron said. Check your whole ignition system. A bad coil can let the engine run but it causing everything to freak out when you pour the coals to her:D

[yellow-hydro]

with AM you just don't know what you gonna get. local interference ?
my AM radio just freaked out last wekend, the 1/4 scale rudder servo went into a (hard left turn ) muscle spasam, so strong it put a bend in the rudder rod right by the servo arm.
reason unknown :(
the boat did cap size a few weaks ago / got some water in everything.

[mjmsprt40]

I had the beast out again today, after doing some clean-up work with the electrical contacts. Specifically, the battery tray in the transmitter got a good going over and while I was at it, I got as much of the rest as could be thought of. Today the boat ran great for the most part. We seem to have a glitch problem in a certain area of the lake I run on, and of course my boat is no exception. About halfway down the lake everybody seems to experience a control problem. I got it, too but was able to shut down the engine before anything bad-- beyond my having to walk half a mile or more-- could happen. I think I got the bugbear ON THE BOAT that was causing problems earlier, now we just have to figure out what's causing the problems at that spot on the lake. (Possibilities: Traffic signals not too far away, and a large hospital about a mile or so away from the lake. A housing development across the street, it's possible some kid with an RC car could be throwing a stray signal.)

Note: This is one time when failsafes don't seem to work. The signal is in and out, never out for long enough to trigger the failsafe. The only thing that helps is to have the presense of mind to shut down the engine when you do have control in those brief spurts.

[ozie]

Since i replaced my radio switch with AC Delco Radio Control Switch (http://www.thepartsbin.com/brands/ac_delco/ac_delco_radio_control_switch.html) i never experienced bad signal in my radio. I simply enjoy listening to traffic reports,weather updates,favorite songs,etc. It b=never comes in my mind the possibility of ignition interference with the radio signal. (?_?)

[Ron Olson]

Since i replaced my radio switch with AC Delco Radio Control Switch (http://www.thepartsbin.com/brands/ac_delco/ac_delco_radio_control_switch.html) i never experienced bad signal in my radio. I simply enjoy listening to traffic reports,weather updates,favorite songs,etc. It b=never comes in my mind the possibility of ignition interference with the radio signal. (?_?)

Where do these clowns come from? Must be some Spammers looking for certain keywords.

OK, what radio system are you using? I've seen this happen before with all kinds of radio systems, AM, FM and even yes, the 2.4 Gig systems. I know a guy that had recently finished a gas hydro and had a Nomadio radio in it. There was this certain aprt of the lake where we'd lose signal for maybe a second but it would come right back and like your problem, wouldn't be enough for the failsafe to turn on. I've also witnessed that when another friend's 7.5 OB tunnel would glitch in one spot on the lake, a different lake BTW.

[hydronoob]

Glad I caught this thread. Being new to the hydro world, what would be a good brand of and what type of failsafe would be good to put on a sport 40 size hydro? P.S. Do spammers get paid anything or do they like being that annoying???