AquaCraft Wildcat User Manual

aquacraftmodels.com

WARNING

™

Never attempt to swim after a stalled RC boat.
Never operate your RC boat while standing in the water.
Never operate your RC boat in the presence of swimmers.
Always use a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) when boarding and operating your

retrieval craft, i.e. Jon boat or duck boat. NOTE : Because of the sharp running
hardware included with this RC boat, we do not recommend a rubber blow up raft.

RC boat running hardware is v ery sharp. Be very careful when working on and around
the metal parts.

While the motor is running, pay close attention to the propeller. Do not come in contact
with the propeller at any time the engine is running or serious injury will result.

AquaCraft products are to be used by ages 14 and over.

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 1AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 1 10/3/2011 2:04:46 PM10/3/2011 2:04:46 PM

INTRODUCTION & DESCRIPTION CHANGES

RECOMMENDED OPTIONAL PARTS

THANK YOU FROM AQUACRAFT

Thank you for purchasing the AquaCraft Wildcat EP! We want the
time you spend with your new RC boat to be fun and successful so
please fully read the manual. If for any reason you think this model
is not for you, return it to your local dealer immediately. NOTE:

Your hobby dealer cannot accept a return on any model after
fi nal assembly or after your boat has been subject to operation.

All pictures, descriptions, and specifi cations found in this instruction
manual are subject to change without notice. AquaCraft maintains
no responsibility for inadvertent errors in this manual.

ITEMS INCLUDED

❍ Speed Grease™ (AQUB9500)
❍ 1.5mm Hex Wrench (DTXR0288)
❍ GrimRacer™ Pro Radio Box Tape (AQUB9514)
❍ Great Planes CellMatch™ (GPMM3210)

IMPORTANT LIPO PERFORMANCE

AND CARE INFORMATION!

To get the most performance and safety from your LiPo battery,
please read and understand the following information.

CHARGING

For best performance and longest battery life, never charge your
LiPos at a charge rate higher than 1C. (1000mAh = 1amp). Never
charge your battery pack in the model and always place your battery
in a safe charge container like a LiPo Sack (GPMP0751) or other
safe charge container when charging.

DISCHARGING OR OPERATION

We have found it best to use only 80% of the rated mAh of the
battery pack per discharge (boat run). You will experience rapid
depletion of battery pack performance if you continue to discharge
your packs below the 80% usage target.

❍ Completed Boat
❍ Transmitter
❍ Boat Stand

PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR MODEL

❍ LiPo Battery Charger
❍ LiPo Battery Pack
❍ 4 - AA Dry Cell Batteries
❍ 1 - HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LiPo Sack (GPMP0751)

BATTERY AND CHARGER CHOICES

Feel free to mix and match based on your budget.

Battery

❍ Great Planes® LiPo 3S 11.1V 2000mAh w/Plg

AXE™ 400 3D RTF (GPMP0406)

OR

❍ FlightPower® LiPo EON-X™ 30 3S 11.1V 3800mAh

30C (FPWP6438)

Charger

❍ DuraTrax ONYX™ 235 Advanced Charger w/

Balancing LC (DTXP4235)

OR

❍ Triton™ EQ AC/DC Charger (GPMM3155)

NOTE: Your AquaCraft Wildcat EP Motor Controller has a stutter
bump warning system that warns you of low battery voltage. This
sys tem st arts its warning at or around 9.7 V to tal, givin g y ou time
to bring the boat back to shore before the motor controller cuts off
at 9V total. This is a built-in safety system for you, your boat and
yo ur bat teries. A lthough thi s sy stem is in place we s till r ecommend
adjusting your run times to not exceed 80% battery usage.

STORAGE

Store your battery pack/s in a LiPo Sack (GPMP0751) or other
battery containment container. It is also best to store them in a cool,
dry place and on a fi re resistant surface. It is best to charge your
batteries to either a full charge (if you feel you will be using the packs
frequently) or at or around 50% rated capacity for longer storage.

WARRANTY SERVICE

AquaCraft will warrant your Wildcat EP for 90 days after the purchase
from defects in materials or workmanship of original manufacture.
AquaCraft, at their option, will repair or replace at no charge, the
incorrectly made part. This warranty does not cover damage caused
by crash, abuse, misuse, alteration or accident. To return your
boat for repairs you need to provide proof of purchase. Your store
receipt or product invoice will suffi ce. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
PURCHASER BE ENTITLED TO ANY INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, INDIRECT
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER RESULTING FROM

2

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 2AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 2 10/3/2011 2:04:46 PM10/3/2011 2:04:46 PM

THE USE, MISUSE OR INABILITY TO USE THE PRODUCT OR FROM
DEFECTS IN THE PRODUCT. This warranty gives you specifi c legal
rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state
to state.

Outside USA and Canada, contact the local importer for warranty
information.

HOBBY SERVICES Ph: [phone]
Attn: Service Department 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
3002 N. Apollo Drive, Suite 1 Central Time M-F
Champaign, Illinois 61822

E-mail: [e-mail]

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

● Never ever attempt to swim after a stalled RC boat. Do not get

in the water for any reason to retrieve your boat. To aid you in
retrieving a stalled RC boat, set up a fi shing reel with a tennis
ball tied to the end of the line. Or better yet, get yourself a small
Jon boat so you can row out and pick up your boat. Remember
to use a PFD any time you enter your retrieval craft.

● AquaCraft products are to be used by ages 14 and over.

● Do not touch the propeller anytime the motor is running. Pay equally

close attention to items such as loose clothing, shirtsleeves, ties,
scarves, long hair or anything that may become entangled in the
spinning prop. If your fi ngers, hands, etc. come in contact with
the spinning propeller, you may be severely injured.

● The speed and mass of this boat can infl ict property damage and

severe personal injury if a collision occurs. Never run this boat
in the presence of swimmers or where the possibility of collision
with people or property exists.

● Electric motors produce heat. Do not touch any part of your motor

until it has cooled.

● This boat is controlled by radio signals, which are susceptible

to possible interference from other R/C transmitters, paging
systems, or other electrical noise.

● In the event that weeds become entangled in the propeller, stop

the motor before attempting to remove them.

● If your boat should happen to stall, water currents will slowly

carry it to shore. Keep in mind that the boat could be carried to
the opposite shore. When surveying areas to run your Wildcat
EP, keep variables in mind such as wind direction, size of the
lake, etc. It is not advisable to run R/C boats on any free-fl owing
bodies of water such as creeks or rivers.

● Always remove the battery pack from the boat before charging.

SPECIFICATIONS

WILDCAT EP BOAT SPECIFICATIONS

Length: 26.5" (673mm)
Overall: 29" (737mm)
Beam: 9" (229mm)
Height: 5.5" (140mm)
Weight: 32oz. (89grams) (RTR w/o batteries)

Run times: 4 to 6 minutes

Speeds: Up to 25mph

BOAT FEATURES

➧ Tac tic™ TTX240 2.4GHz transmitter with TR325 receiver
➧ 1800Kv brushless out-runner motor
➧ LiPo ready (3S) 50 Amp brushless motor controller with low

battery warning system and battery cut off circuit

➧ Tough, light-weight ABS construction with square hatch

opening for easy taping

➧ Great looking pre-applied graphics
➧ Twin rudders with breakaway shear bolt design

ALSO INCLUDES

➧ Surface drive propeller system
➧ Water-cooled motor mount
➧ Breakaway twin rudders
➧ Transom mounted water pickup
➧ 1/8" [3.2mm] prop shaft
➧ Two blade FRP propeller
➧ Transom drain plug

MOTOR

KV rating: 1800kv
Operate current: 3.8A, 8V/DC (Without loading, 8V/DC)
Input: 3-S LiPo battery
Max current: 55A/15S
Shaft diameter: 4mm
Motor resistance: 37 m
Dimension: 35mm  36 mm
Weight: 107g ±10g
Plugs: 4mm

MOTOR CONTROLLER

Amps: 50 amp continuous
Max Amps: 65A 10 sec
Voltage range: 9V-12.6V
BEC: 5V 2A
Motor Connectors: 4mm bullet (3)
Battery Connector: Deans®
Stutter Voltage: 9.7 volts
LVC: 9 volts
Wire Gauge: #14
Max Output Power: 500 watts
On-Resistance: 0.0015 ohms
Operating Frequency: 8KHZ PWM , 16MHZ MCU
Timing Angle: Auto

3

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 3AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 3 10/3/2011 2:04:48 PM10/3/2011 2:04:48 PM

UNDERSTANDING YOUR TRANSMITTER

To help you better understand your transmitter and its functions,
here is a picture identifying the operational features.

1 Steering Wheel

2 LED Power Indicator

3 Power ON/OFF Button

4 Throttle Trigger

5 Steering Rate Adjustment (this is used to increase or decrease

the turning radius of the boat)

6 Throttle Reversing Switch (“R” is the position the switch needs

to be in for your Wildcat EP)

7 Throttle Trim Dial (this should be in the 2:00 o’clock position)

8 Steering Trim (this is used to adjust the tracking of the boat)

9 Steering Reversing Switch (this should be in the “R” position to

operate your Wildcat EP)

ASSEMBLY SEQUENCE

INSTALLING THE TRANSMITTER BATTERIES

Install 4 “AA” batteries into the transmitter in the confi guration
molded into the battery fl oor.

Note: Turn the transmitter “ON” by pressing the button on the
right side of the transmitter. The battery level indicator light (LED)
should glow red. If the light is fl ashing the batteries are low and
need to be replaced.

INSTALLING THE BATTERY PACK IN THE BOAT

Remove the canopy by rotating the lock near the front of the
windshield.

Lift and remove the cowl from the boat.

44

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 4AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 4 10/3/2011 2:04:50 PM10/3/2011 2:04:50 PM

Install the battery pack by strapping it in place using the provided
hook and loop material.

ARMING

Turn on your transmitter.

Plug the battery pack into the motor controller.

When you plug the motor into the motor controller you will hear the
motor beep, letting you know the boat is powered up. (Note: The
boat becomes LIVE when the battery is plugged in.) Squeeze the
throttle trigger fully and you will hear 2 beeps. Relax the throttle
trigger and you will hear three more. The boat is now armed and
ready to run. (Note: The arming process has to be done each time

you plug the pack into the boat.)

Let’s review:

When you plug in the battery pack you will hear a beep.

When you squeeze the throttle trigger fully you will hear beep-beep.

When you relax the throttle trigger you will hear beep-beep-beep.

The boat is now armed.

RUNNING YOUR WILDCAT EP

Place the canopy on the boat and turn the front lock to hold it in place. Your boat is now ready for operation. NOTE: It is best to tape the
canopy closed. This is the best system for keeping water out of your boat. You can also upgrade to our premium tape, Grimracer Pro
Radio Box Tape (AQUB9514), making application and removal much easier.

Place the boat in water that is at least 12" deep. Make sure the water is free of weeds, sticks or other fl oating debris.

This boat is FAST! Having said this, it is best to be quite aggressive with the throttle to overcome any cavitation that the boat might
encounter as it starts to move for ward. It ’s also a good idea to run in a larger pond. Running your Wildcat EP in a pool should be avoided.

After you have completed a run it is best to FIRST unplug the boat’s power battery. This safely powers down the boat before turning off
your transmitter.

5

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 5AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 5 10/3/2011 2:04:52 PM10/3/2011 2:04:52 PM

IMPORTANT: If your boat takes on a large amount of water and stalls in the middle of the lake, don’t worry; your Wildcat EP has foam
fl otation so it will not sink. You will, however, have to retrieve the boat and remove the canopy to remove any water that might have
entered. If the inside of the boat is fl ooded, remove the transom plug from the back of the boat and allow the water to drain. Allow the
boat to fully dry before operating it again. Remember to re-install the transom plug before running your boat again.

MAINTENANCE

It is important to remove and re-lubricate the drive shaft after a day
of runnin g. Make sure the battery pack is unplugged. To lubric ate the
cable you will need a 1.5mm hex wrench, GrimRacer Cable Grease
and some paper towels.

Using a 1.5mm hex wrench, loosen the set screws holding the drive
cable to the motor coupler. It is important to note that there are two
set screws holding the cable in position.

Slip the drive shaft out of the back of the boat. Wipe off any grease
and water that might be on the shaft.

Using GrimRacer speed grease, apply a small amount to the shaft
and slide the cable back into the boat. Be careful to align the drive
shaft to the hole in the end of the motor coupler.

6

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 6AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 6 10/3/2011 2:04:54 PM10/3/2011 2:04:54 PM

Tighten the set screws to hold the drive shaft in place. Do not over
tighten the set screws. It is also a good idea to tighten one screw
lightly and then the other. Go back and forth between screws to
keep even tension on the drive shaft.

Now is also a good time to place a drop of light oil on the
motor bearing.

To order replacement parts for the AquaCraft
Wildcat EP use the order numbers in
the replacement parts list that follows.
Replacement parts can be purchased from
your local hobby shop or by mail order. If
you need assistance locating a dealer to
purchase parts, visit www.hobbico.com and
click on “Where to buy”. If you are missing
parts, contact Hobbico Product Support at:

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

E-mail: [e-mail]

ORDERING REPLACEMENT PARTS

AQUB6235
AQUB8001
AQUB9013
AQUB7909
AQUB8803
AQUM7000
AQUG7004
AQUB8615
AQUB8616
AQUB8741
AQUB8743
AQUB8740
AQUB8744
AQUB7797
AQUB7901
AQUB8745
AQUB9277
AQUB6402
AQUB7908
AQUB9045
AQUM7050
AQUB7852
TACJ0245

Cowl Wildcat EP
Drive Cable with Prop Shaft Wildcat EP
Servo Rudder Linkage Wildcat EP
Motor Mount with Water cooling Wildcat EP
Strut Bracket Wildcat EP
50-Amp water cooled controller Wildcat EP
1800Kv Outrunner Brushless Motor Wildcat EP
Radio Box Lid Wildcat EP
Radio Box Wildcat EP
Rudders with Rudder Bolts
Rudder Mount Bracket with Pivot Brackets
Rudder Control Arm Pivots
Rudder Arm Linkage Set Rio EP, Wildcat EP
42mm FRP Prop Rio EP, Wildcat EP
Rudder Nylon Break-Away Bolts and Nuts
Rudder Pivot Hinge Pins and Set Screws
Transom Drain Plug Mini Thunder, Rio EP, Wildcat EP
Cowl Latch Mini Rio, Thunder, Rio EP, Wildcat EP
Motor Coupler Rio EP, Wildcat EP
Transom Water Pick Up Mini Rio, Thunder, Rio EP, Wildcat EP
AQUM7050 Steering Servo Mini Rio, RR2, Thunder, Rio EP, Wildcat EP
AQUB7852 Drive Dog with Prop Nut Hammer EP, Rio EP, Wildcat EP
TACJ0245 Tactic 2.4GHz Pistol Grip Transmitter and Receiver

7

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 7AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 7 10/3/2011 2:04:56 PM10/3/2011 2:04:56 PM

FCC Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions.

(1) This device may not cause harmful interference.
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

FCC Rf Radiated Exposure Statement: The equipment complies with FCC Rf radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled
environment. This equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and
your body.

NOTE: THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY RADIO OR TV INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY UNAUTHORIZED MODIFICATIONS

TO THIS EQUIPMENT. SUCH MODIFICATIONS COULD VOID THE USER’S AUTHORITY TO OPERATE THE EQUIPMENT.

FCC ID: IYFTTX240A

CE Compliance Information For The European Union

Instructions for Disposal of Waste Equipment by Private Users in the European Union:

This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates this product must not be disposed of with other household waste. Instead,

it is the user’s responsibility to dispose of their waste equipment by handing it over to a designated collection point for the
recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the

time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health
and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local
city offi ce, your household waste disposal service or location where you purchased the product.

Declaration of Conformity:

Product: Tactic TTX240 2.4GHz 2-Channel Pistol Tx Rx
Item number: TACJ0245
Equipment class: 1

Tactic TTX240 transmitter and Tactic TR324 receiver:

The objects of the declaration described here are in conformity with the requirements of the specifi cations listed below, following the

provisions of the European 2006/95/EC Low Voltage Directive:

EN 60950-1:2006 Safety

The objects of the declaration described here are in conformity with the requirements of the specifi cations listed below, following the

provisions of the European R&TTE directive 1995/5/EC:

ETSI EN 300 328 V1.7.1 Technical requirements for radio equipment
ETSI EN 301 489-1 V1.8.1,
301 489-17 V1.3.2 General EMC requirements for radio equipment

Tactic

c/o Hobbico, Inc.
2904 Research Road
Champaign, IL USA 61826

CE COMPLIANCE INFORMATION FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION

The associated regulatory agencies of the following countries recognize the noted certifications
for this product as authorized for sale and use.

UK DE DK BG SE FI
EE LV LT PL CZ SK HU
RO SI AT IT ES PT IE
NL LU MT CY GR

© 2011 Hobbico,® Inc. All rights reserved. AQUB1810 Mnl

8

AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 8AQUB1810 Wildcat EP Mnl.indd 8 10/3/2011 2:04:58 PM10/3/2011 2:04:58 PM