Harbor Freight Tools 95641 User Manual

RADIO CONTROLLED

Model

95641

ELECTRIC RACING BOAT

ASSEMBLY AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

Due to continuing improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.

Distributed exclusively by Harbor Freight Tools.

3491 Mission Oaks Blvd., Camarillo, CA 93011

Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com

TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY, READ AND UNDER-

STAND ALL WARNINGS AND INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USE.

Copyright© 2006 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved. No portion of this
manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in any shape or form
without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.

For technical questions or replacement parts, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Manual Revised 08e

SPECIFICATIONS

Boat Battery 7.2 V, 1800 mAh, NiMH
Charger Input: 120 V~, Output: 9 VDC
Transmitter Batteries Required 8 “AA” batteries (sold separately)

Radio Control Frequencies

Control Range up to 400’
Run Time 10-20 minutes per full charge

26.995 MHz, 27.045 MHz, 27.095 MHz,

27.125 MHz, 27.145 MHz, 27.175 MHz

Save This Manual

You will need this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly,
operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures, parts list and assembly
diagram. Keep your invoice with this manual. Write the invoice number on the inside
of the front cover. Write the product’s serial number in the back of the manual near the
assembly diagram, or write month and year of purchase if product has no serial number.
Keep this manual and invoice in a safe and dry place for future reference.

GENERAL SAFETY RULES

WARNING!

READ AND UNDERSTAND ALL INSTRUCTIONS

Failure to follow all instructions listed below may result in

electric shock, re, and/or serious injury.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS

WORK AREA

Keep your work area clean and well lit. 1. Cluttered benches and dark areas invite

accidents.

Do not operate R/C Electric Racing Boat in explosive atmospheres, such as 2.

in the presence of ammable liquids, gases, or dust. Radio Control electronics

may create sparks which may ignite the dust or fumes.

Keep bystanders and visitors away while operating. 3. Distractions can cause

you to lose control. Protect others in the area from rapidly spinning propellers.

Provide barriers or shields as needed.

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Grounded tools must be plugged into an outlet properly installed and 1.

grounded in accordance with all codes and ordinances. Never remove the

Page 2SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

grounding prong or modify the plug in any way. Do not use any adapter

plugs. Check with a qualied electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the

outlet is properly grounded. If the tools should electrically malfunction or break

down, grounding provides a low resistance path to carry electricity away from the

user.

Double insulated tools are equipped with a polarized plug (one blade is wider 2.

than the other). This plug will t in a polarized outlet only one way. If the

plug does not t fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not t,

contact a qualied electrician to install a polarized outlet. Do not change

the plug in any way. Double insulation eliminates the need for the three wire

grounded power cord and grounded power supply system.

Do not abuse the Power Cord. Never use the Power Cord to carry the tools 3.

or pull the Plug from an outlet. Keep the Power Cord away from heat, oil,

sharp edges, or moving parts. Replace damaged Power Cords immediately.

Damaged Power Cords increase the risk of electric shock.

When operating a power tool outside, use an outdoor extension cord marked 4.

“W-A” or “W”. These extension cords are rated for outdoor use, and reduce the

risk of electric shock.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Stay alert. Watch what you are doing, and use common sense when operat-1.

ing this R/C Electric Racing Boat. Do not use while tired or under the inu-

ence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. A moment of inattention while operating

may result in serious personal injury.

Dress properly. Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry. Contain long hair. 2.

Keep your hair, clothing, and gloves away from moving parts. Loose clothes,

jewelry, or long hair can be caught in propellers.

Avoid accidental starting. Be sure the Power Switch is off before plugging 3.

in. Carrying this R/C Electric Racing Boat with your nger on the Power Switch

invites accidents.

Do not overreach. Keep proper footing and balance at all times. 4. Proper foot-

ing and balance enables better control.

Use safety equipment. Always wear eye protection. 5. Always wear ANSI-ap-

proved safety goggles and work gloves when using or performing maintenance on

this product.

Page 3SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

PRODUCT USE AND CARE

Do not use the R/C Electric Racing Boat if the Power Switch does not turn it 1.

on or off. Any tool that cannot be controlled with the Power Switch is dangerous

and must be replaced.

Disconnect the Power Cord Plug from the power source before making any 2.

adjustments, changing accessories, or storing the R/C Electric Racing Boat.

Such preventive safety measures reduce the risk of starting accidently. Always

unplug from its electrical outlet before performing any inspection, mainte-

nance, or cleaning procedures.

Store out of reach of children and other untrained persons. 3. Never allow Chil-

dren to come in contact with this product.

Maintain with care and keep clean. 4. Properly maintained, this product is easier to

control. Do not use if damaged in any way. Tag and “Do not use” until repaired.

Check for misalignment or binding of moving parts, breakage of parts, and 5.

any other condition that may affect the R/C Electric Racing Boat’s operation.

If damaged, have it serviced before using. Many accidents are caused by poor

maintenance.

Use only accessories that are recommended by the manufacturer for your 6.

model. Accessories that may be suitable for one product may become hazardous

when used on another.

SERVICE

Product service must be performed only by qualied repair personnel. 1. Ser-

vice or maintenance performed by unqualied personnel could result in a risk of

injury.

When servicing this product, use only identical replacement parts. Follow 2.

instructions in the “Inspection, Maintenance, And Cleaning” section of this

manual. Use of unauthorized parts or failure to follow maintenance instructions

may create a risk of electric shock or injury.

SPECIFIC SAFETY RULES

Maintain labels and nameplates on the product. 1. These carry important infor-

mation. If unreadable or missing, contact Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.

Maintain a safe working environment. 2. Make sure there is adequate surrounding

workspace.

Always keep all electrical cords away from the propellers on this R/C Electric 3.

Racing Boat.

Page 4SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

If two Boats with the same radio frequency are used (both with the same 4.

numbers on the Transmitter and/or Receiver), they must be at least 1640’

away from one another in order to maintain adequate transmission control.

Before using in the water perform a distance check to be certain that you can 5.

maintain radio control at least 25’ from Transmitter to Boat with the Antenna

collapsed.

NEVER run R/C Electric Racing Boat in swimming pools or bodies of water 6.

where people are swimming or playing.

NEVER recharge non-rechargeable batteries. 7.

Use only batteries of the type recommended. 8. Do not mix old and new batteries.

Remove batteries from both the R/C Electric Racing Boat and the Transmitter 9.

if they will not be used for a long period.

People with pacemakers should consult their physician before using this 10.

product. Electromagnetic elds in close proximity to a heart pacemaker could

cause interference to or failure of the pacemaker. In addition, people with pace-

makers should adhere to the following:

Avoid operating this R/C Electric Racing Boat alone.•
Don’t use this product with the power switch locked on.•
If powered via a power cord be certain that the tool is properly grounded. A •

ground fault interrupt (GFCI) system is also a good precaution. This inexpen­sive device is a good safety measure because it prevents a sustained electrical
shock.

Properly maintain and inspect all tools before use to avoid electrical shock.•

Never pick up, or lay down the R/C Electric Racing Boat until its Propellers 11.

come to a complete stop. Moving parts can grab the surface and pull the R/C

Electric Racing Boat out of your control and there is the possibility of damage, or

personal injury. When handling this Racing Boat, be sure to keep hands clear of

propellers at all times.

This product is for supervised use by ages 6 and up. 12. Children must be prop-

erly trained in safety issues and operating procedures before being allowed to use

this product and must always be supervised by a responsible adult.

Never leave the R/C Electric Racing Boat unattended when it is plugged into 13.

its charger. Turn off the R/C Electronic Racing Boat and unplug it from its electri-

cal outlet before leaving. WARNING: Always remove the Battery Pack (16) from

the Battery Compartment when it is being charged.

Always wear work gloves if removing the Propellers (4A and/or 4B). 14. The

blades can be very sharp. If the R/C Electric Racing Boat has been recently used,

Page 5SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

let the Twin 380 Motors (8A and 8B) as well as both Drive Shafts (6B and 6C) cool

at least 15 minutes before touching.

Do not recharge the Battery Pack (16) if it is hot.15.

GROUNDING

WARNING!

Improperly connecting the grounding wire can result in the risk of electric shock.

Check with a qualied electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is

properly grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with the tool.
Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the tool if the
power cord or plug is damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by a service facil-

ity before use. If the plug will not t the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by
a qualied electrician.

GROUNDED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH THREE PRONG PLUGS

Tools marked with “Grounding Required” have a three wire cord and three prong 1.

grounding plug. The plug must be connected to a properly grounded outlet. If

the tool should electrically malfunction or break down, grounding provides a low

resistance path to carry electricity away from the user, reducing the risk of electric

shock. (See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)

The grounding prong in the plug is connected through the green wire inside the 2.

cord to the grounding system in the tool. The green wire in the cord must be the

only wire connected to the tool’s grounding system and must never be attached to

an electrically “live” terminal. (See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)

Your tool must be plugged into an appropriate outlet, properly installed and ground-3.

ed in accordance with all codes and ordinances. The plug and outlet should look

like those in the following illustration. (See 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.)

Page 6SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

DOUBLE INSULATED TOOLS: TOOLS WITH TWO PRONG PLUGS

Note: The Charger included with this R/C Electronic Racing Boat has a 2-Pronged plug.

Tools marked “Double Insulated” do not require grounding. They have a special 1.

double insulation system which satises OSHA requirements and complies with the

applicable standards of Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., the Canadian Standard

Association, and the National Electrical Code. (See Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)

Double insulated tools may be used in either of the 120 volt outlets shown in the 2.

preceding illustration. (See Outlets for 2-Prong Plug.)

EXTENSION CORDS

Grounded1. tools require a three wire extension cord. Double Insulated tools can

use either a two or three wire extension cord.

As the distance from the supply outlet increases, you must use a heavier gauge 2.

extension cord. Using extension cords with inadequately sized wire causes a seri-

ous drop in voltage, resulting in loss of power and possible tool damage.

(See Table A.)

When using more than one extension cord to make up the total length, make sure 3.

each cord contains at least the minimum wire size required. (See Table A.)

If you are using an extension cord outdoors, make sure it is marked with the sufx 4.

“W-A” (“W” in Canada) to indicate it is acceptable for outdoor use.

Make sure your extension cord is properly wired and in good electrical condition. 5.

Always replace a damaged extension cord or have it repaired by a qualied electri-

cian before using it.

RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS*

(120 OR 240 VOLT)

NAMEPLATE

EXTENSION CORD LENGTH

AMPERES

(at full load)

0 – 2.0 18 18 18 18 16

2.1 – 3.4 18 18 18 16 14

3.5 – 5.0 18 18 16 14 12

5.1 – 7.0 18 16 14 12 12

7.1 – 12.0 18 14 12 10 -

12.1 – 16.0 14 12 10 - -

16.1 – 20.0 12 10 - - -

TABLE A

25 Feet 50 Feet 75 Feet 100 Feet 150 Feet

* Based on limiting the line voltage drop to ve volts at 150% of the rated amperes.

Page 7SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Symbology

Double Insulated

Canadian Standards Association

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

V~

A

n0 xxxx/min.

Volts Alternating Current

Amperes

No Load Revolutions per Minute
(RPM)

UNPACKING

When unpacking, check to make sure that the item is intact and undamaged. If
any parts are missing or broken, please call Harbor Freight Tools at the number shown
on the cover page of this manual as soon as possible.

Note: Save the box and all Styrofoam packing that comes with this R/C Electronic Rac-

ing Boat. It is helpful for safe, secure storage when it is not in use.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

Note: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages, refer

to the Assembly Diagram on page 15 of this manual.

1. WARNING! Make sure the Power Switch of the Transmitter (20) is in its “OFF”

position and that the R/C Electric Racing Boat is unplugged from its electrical outlet

before making any adjustments.

Remove the R/C Electric Racing Boat, the Transmitter and all parts from the box. 2.

Check to make sure everything is included as per the parts list on page 14 in this

manual.

Page 8SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Figure 1

3. Remove the Deck Cabin (1) by twisting the two Buttons at the back of the Deck

Cabin (1) to OPEN. This will expose the Battery Compartment. See Figure 1.
Note: There is another Button for locking and unlocking the Deck Cabin (1) and it is

located on the front section of the Deck Cabin (1). It is not shown in Figure 1. Be

sure it is also locked before using the R/C Electric Racing Boat.

Figure 2

Electric Speed Controller

Receptacle from Electric
Speed Controller

Plug from Battery Pack

Battery Pack

4. If the Battery Pack (16) is plugged into the Electric Speed Controller (18), unplug

them and remove the Battery Pack (16) from the Battery Compartment so it may

be charged completely. See Figure 2.

Page 9SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Note: The Rechargeable Battery should be charged fully before its rst use in order to

To prevent serious injury from re or battery explosion:

DO NOT CHARGE FOR MORE THAN 5 HOURS! The charger will not turn off or
stop charging when the battery is fully charged. Disconnect battery from charger
when battery gets hot. Overcharging can damage the Battery Pack and can pose a

re hazard!

get maximum run-time for your R/C Electric Racing Boat. See Charging Instruc-

tions on page 10.

After fully charging the Battery Pack (16) replace it into the Battery Compartment 5.

and plug it into the Electric Speed Controller (18).

Replace the Deck Cabin (1) and lock it into place with the two Lock Buttons at the 6.

rear.

Install the Antenna Tube (3) over the string Antenna that dangles from the right rear 7.

of the Hull (2). See assembly diagram on page 15.

Make sure the Power Switch on the Transmitter (20) is in the OFF position. Open 8.

the Battery Compartment located on the bottom of the Transmitter (20). Insert new

8 AA Batteries (not included) making sure positive and negative ends are facing in

the correct direction. Replace the Transmitter Battery Compartment cover.

After reading the Operation Instructions carefully you may launch your R/C Electric 9.

Racing Boat.

Note: See photo on page 16 of this manual for complete idea of inside Hull layout.

CHARGING THE BATTERY

Plug the Charger (17) into a 120V wall outlet, or into an extension cord that is con-1.

nected to a 120V outlet.

After removing the Battery Pack (16) from the Battery Compartment under the 2.

Deck Cabin (1), plug the Battery Pack (16) into the Charger (17).
Note: Do not force the connectors as they will only connect one way. Charge the bat-

teries only when they are cool.

Charging time is approximately 3.5 to 5 Hours for totally discharged Battery Pack 3.

(16), but charging time may be reduced if the Battery Pack (16) is not fully dis-

charged.

When Charging is completed, re-insert the Battery Pack (16) into the Battery Com-4.

partment and fasten down the Deck Cabin (1) using the two lock buttons at the

back of the Deck Cabin (1) and one at the front.

WARNING

REV 07e

Page 10SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS

USING THE TRANSMITTER TO STEER

Note: See Figure 3 for Transmitter (20) layout.

When you push the Throttle Lever on the Transmitter (20) forward, the Twin Pro-1.

pellers will rotate at the same time and speed pushing the Racing Boat forward.

When you move the Steering Lever to the left, the Right Propeller will rotate faster 2.

and the Racing Boat will turn left..

When you move the Steering Lever to the right, the Left Propeller will rotate faster 3.

turning the Racing Boat to the right.

Figure 3

Transmitter

Antenna

Battery Level Indicators

Throttle Trim

Throttle Lever

Throttle Inverter

Crystal

4. The Transmitter layout is as follows:

Battery Level Indicators: Green light means Transmitter Batteries are a.

strong. If Red light is ashing and a beeping is heard, replace the 8 AA Bat­teries at once.

Throttle Trim:b. Adjusts the Throttle in small increments so the R/C Electric Racing

Boat will not move when the Throttle is at it’s minimum position.
Throttle Lever:c. Controls the speed of the R/C Electric Racing Boat and it’s move-

ment forward.

Steering Lever

Steering Trim

Steering Inverter

Power Switch

Inverter Buttons: d. Used for changing direction for steering. This boat cannot
travel in reverse, however.

Page 11SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

REV 07e

Crystal: e. This shows the channel you are transmitting on. You can order crystals

in different channels in order to race with other boats without transmission interfer­ence.

Steering Lever: f. Used to turn R/C Electric Racing Boat to the left or right.
Steering Trim:g. Used to make slight adjustments in order to keep Boat on straight

path if Steering Lever is not being used.
Power Switch: h. On - Off button. Make sure it is always in the OFF position before

picking up the R/C Electric Racing Boat.

USING THE RADIO CONTROLLED ELECTRIC RACING BOAT

With the Transmitter Power Switch and the boat power switch both in the OFF po-1.

sition, place the Racing Boat in the water pointed away from the edge of the water

space.

Move the Power Switch to ON and gently push the Throttle Lever forward to move 2.

the Racing Boat forward.

At rst using low speeds practice turning and making the Racing Boat react to the 3.

commands of the Transmitter.

Set the Throttle Trim and the Steering Trim before increasing speeds. 4.

Be aware of the time. Do not run out of power while the Racing Boat is located far 5.

away from the launch area. Once the power is depleted the Racing Boat will stop.

Always make sure you are away from others while using your R/C Electric Racing 6.

Boat in order to prevent accidents and/or personal injury.

Page 12SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE, AND CLEANING

WARNING! Make sure the Power Switch of the R/C Electric Racing Boat is in its

“OFF” position and it is unplugged from its electrical outlet before performing any

inspection, maintenance, or cleaning procedures.

BEFORE EACH USE,1. inspect the general condition. Check for loose screws,

misalignment or binding of moving parts, cracked or broken parts, damaged electri-

cal wiring, and any other condition that may affect its safe operation. If abnormal

noise or vibration occurs, have the problem corrected before further use. Do not

use damaged equipment.

AFTER EACH USE, 2. inspect the Racing Boat’s transmission shaft and bearing for

water. Water may accumulate after each use, resulting in rust or blocked trans-

mission shaft. Dry the transmission shaft by taking the propeller down, unscrew-

ing and removing the shaft struts and drying the shaft and strut bearings. Adding

lubricant to the shaft and bearings will also help prevent rust. Once done, reinstall

all pieces.

Changing Boat Frequency

Turn off the boat and the remote control.a.
Open the tabs of the boat cover and unscrew the electric speed controller hous-b.

ing.
Lightly hold down the circuit board and replace the crystal.c.
Screw down the electric speed controller housing and lock the top cover of the d.

boat with the tabs.
Pull out and replace the crystal on the controller to match the crystal in the boat. e.

The controller will only control the boat if it has the same frequency.

Troubleshooting

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions

R/C Electric Racing
Boat will not start

R/C Electric Racing
Boat will not steer
straight or follow
turning commands
correctly

Low Transmitter Batteries. 1.

Battery Pack (16) not connected to 2.
the Electric Speed Controller (18).

One, or possibly both of the Propellers
(4A and 4B) are damaged or possibly
fouled with debris.

Change the old 8-AA Batteries in 1.
Transmitter (20) for new ones.

Remove the Deck Cabin (1) 2.
and make sure the Battery Pack
(16) is properly connected to the
Electronic Speed Controller (18)
Refer to Figure 2.

Turn off all power and check both
Propellers (4A and 4B) for damage or
fouling and if necessary, replace one
or both.

REV 07f

Page 13SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

Problem Possible Causes Probable Solutions

R/C Electric Racing
Boat moves or
turns without any
commands from your
transmitter.

Low Transmitter Batteries. 1.

Someone else is operating a Radio 2.
Controlled device in the area.

Change the old 8-AA Batteries in 1.
Transmitter (20) for new ones.

Change frequency crystals on your 2.
Transmitter (20) and boat.

Page 14SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

PARTS LIST

Part Description Q’ty

1 Deck Cabin 1
2 Hull 1
3 Antenna Tube 1
4 Shaft Strut 2

4A/4B Left and Right Propellers 1 ea

5 Shaft Housing 2

6A/6B Left and Right Drive Shafts 1 ea

6C Shaft Coupling 1
7A Motor Shaft Adaptor 1

7B/7C Left and Right Motor Fans 1 ea

8A/8B Left and Right 380 Motors 1 ea

9 Motor Retainer 1

Part Description Q’ty

10 Motor Housing Screws 4
11 Electric Speed Controller Housing 1
12 Electric Speed Controller Screw 1
13 Motor Housings 2
14 Battery Box 1
15 Battery Box Screws 2
16 Battery Pack 1
17 Charger 1
18 Electric Speed Controller 1
19 Crystal Set 1
20 Transmitter 1

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING CAREFULLY

THE MANUFACTURER AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR HAS PROVIDED THE PARTS LIST AND ASSEM­BLY DIAGRAM IN THIS MANUAL AS A REFERENCE TOOL ONLY. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER
OR DISTRIBUTOR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND TO THE BUYER
THAT HE OR SHE IS QUALIFIED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS TO THE PRODUCT, OR THAT HE OR
SHE IS QUALIFIED TO REPLACE ANY PARTS OF THE PRODUCT. IN FACT, THE MANUFACTURER
AND/OR DISTRIBUTOR EXPRESSLY STATES THAT ALL REPAIRS AND PARTS REPLACEMENTS
SHOULD BE UNDERTAKEN BY CERTIFIED AND LICENSED TECHNICIANS, AND NOT BY THE
BUYER. THE BUYER ASSUMES ALL RISK AND LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF HIS OR HER REPAIRS
TO THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT OR REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO, OR ARISING OUT OF HIS

OR HER INSTALLATION OF REPLACEMENT PARTS THERETO.

07g

Page 15SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

ASSEMBLY DIAGRAM

4

4

Record Product’s Serial Number Here:

Note: If product has no serial number, record month and year of purchase instead.
Note: Some parts are listed and shown for illustration purposes only, and are not avail-

able individually as replacement parts.

Page 16SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.

07g

Twin 380
Motors

INTERIOR OF CABIN LAYOUT

Electric Speed
Controller (18)

Battery Pack
(16)

Twin Propeller
Shafts

Page 17SKU 95641 For technical questions, please call 1-800-444-3353.