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Duffy Electric boats....?

Discussion in 'Tenders & Dinghies' started by Norseman, Sep 18, 2013.

Page 19 of 21
  1. alaketrick, Jun 9, 2020
    #361
    alaketrick

    alaketrick New Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2020
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    3
    Location:
    Michigan
    Thank you for the responses, all helpful. I discussed the missing and stripped set screws on the brass adapter bushing with a friend that knows Duffy's, he strongly suggested replacing it. I decided to go ahead and get a new main bearing as well, as long as I'm taking things apart, just for peace of mind. Folks at Duffy were helpful, and even sent me a PDF of the original owners manual for my year/boat. Still wish I could find a schematic though, I do better with pictures LOL .
    Next stop, packing gland!
    Thanks again.
  2. Capt Ralph, Jun 17, 2020
    #362
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Satsuma, FL
    I keep driving by this place. Is this shop still supportive?
    In Stuart FL at the S W corner of Ocean Blvd and UseLess 1.
    20200318_180220a.jpg
  3. Ted Graham, Jul 3, 2021
    #363
    Ted Graham

    Ted Graham New Member

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    Location:
    Colorado
    Hello from Colorado, where I can't find anyone to work on an electric boat.

    We have an ElectraCraft LSR 18 that was running very noisy. This thread has been awesome, thanks everyone.

    The motor was most of the noise but I also noticed the forward bearing doesn't look great. Please see the attached picture. Would you recommend this be replaced?
    IMG_2117.jpg
  4. Norseman, Jul 3, 2021
    #364
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Ft. Lauderdale
    Ouch…:confused:
    The short answer is yes: You are looking at good old rust stains most likely from low grade steel.
    Yes, remove the bearings, lock-washers, whatever the bad metals are, then replace with better quality steel.
    This is very low tech, a shaft, a bearing, a seal etc, easy to fix, but it may be involved if you need to haul at a yard, hire mechanics with pullers and other specialized tools.
    Do it yourself, easy peasy if you have the experience and the tools.
    (Guessing you don’t since you found this page and asked the questions. Sorry.:cool:)
  5. Ted Graham, Jul 7, 2021
    #365
    Ted Graham

    Ted Graham New Member

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    Location:
    Colorado
    As I mentioned, the motor is very noisy when turned by hand. We haven't found anyone local to work on it yet, the first several shops we tried don't work on DC motors. Any suggestions in Colorado or for mail-in service would be appreciated. My wife found one shop that wanted $250 to evaluate it, is that about right?

    Here is a very short video, does this noise suggest anything?


    Here is the motor sticker:

    IMG_1738.jpg
  6. Norseman, Jul 7, 2021
    #366
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Wow..:(
    That was noisy, sure sounds like bad bearings, or something.
    To pay someone $250 for “evaluating” the motor is crazy, for that money you should get a an overhaul. (Well, not quite, but brushes and bearings are not made of gold)
    A small electric motor is pretty low tech. Your nearest fork lift, of golf cart repair shop will be the best bet, refurbish the motor for $500 or whatever, half for labor, half for parts.
    (On my electric boat, an 18’ Duffy Balboa, the motor was the least of the problems, the controller, the charger, the throttle was the, expensive deals, then the batteries..:rolleyes:)
    bluebyu likes this.
  7. Ted Graham, Jul 10, 2021
    #367
    Ted Graham

    Ted Graham New Member

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    Colorado
    I opened the motor and found the bad bearing. Unfortunately, it doesn't have a part number on it.

    My budget caliper is showing .98" ID, 2.04" OD, .59" wide. There are tiny notches in the outer ring, if those are separating the balls then there are 15 balls. This is a GE motor from about 20 years ago. Any suggestions for choosing a replacement bearing?

    I appreciate the help so far, I'm having fun and making progress.

    IMG_2130r.jpg IMG_2130r.jpg
  8. Ted Graham, Jul 10, 2021
    #368
    Ted Graham

    Ted Graham New Member

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    Colorado
  9. Norseman, Jul 10, 2021
    #369
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Generic bearings are probably ok.
    Unless Chinese knock-offs using bad metals and cheap everything else.
    Always heard good things about SKF:
    https://www.skf.com/group/support/splash
  10. DOCKMASTER, Jul 11, 2021
    #370
    DOCKMASTER

    DOCKMASTER Senior Member

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    If your Amazon bearing doesn't work just take your old one into any decent bearing shop and they should be able to measure it and find you one. I have always been partial to Timken or SKF bearings myself.
  11. Capt Ralph, Jul 11, 2021
    #371
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    What ever bearing you use that does work, you have to ensure the belt tension is not over tight when reassembled.
    This is what probably killed the motor bearing.
    How are you doing on the shaft bearing?

    BTW, Your caliper looks just like my Sears/CrapMans tool. Works like a champ.
  12. Norseman, Jul 11, 2021
    #372
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Works great: When I went to machinist school 1973/1974 I would have given my left nut for a digital caliper like that.
    Really. :confused:
  13. Capt Ralph, Jul 11, 2021
    #373
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Probably why my eyes are so messed up, trying to make out the lil lines between 0.001" increments.
    external-content.duckduckgo.com.jpg


    Yes, that new lil display works and pretty darn on the spec.
    It is not temperature compensated, I have to keep hitting the Zero tab as I move around.

    Now, I think this would have helped us.
    sd0018-rcbs-87320-electronic-micrometer-0-to-1-inch-measure-tool-reloading-millimeters.jpg
    Last edited: Jul 11, 2021
  14. Capt Ralph, Jul 11, 2021
    #374
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I went to machinist school 1973/1974
    Dude, stop quoting dates.
    We know your old. Don't let the rest of the kids know it.
    Most were born before then.
  15. Capt J, Jul 11, 2021
    #375
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    I thought you already gave it for a case of beer, prior to that? :eek: hahahahaahahahaa
  16. Norseman, Jul 12, 2021
    #376
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

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    Nah, nothing wrong with dates, I look a lot younger..:cool:

    Beer is good, but not that good….;)
  17. Capt Ralph, Jul 12, 2021
    #377
    Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    I meant to type;
    Most here were born after then.
    1973/1974
  18. Rob Houston, Oct 10, 2021
    #378
    Rob Houston

    Rob Houston New Member

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    Oct 10, 2021
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    Location:
    Bluffton, SC
    Hello, Duffy Experts:

    I've got an unusual 2010 Duffy M160 (sort of a catamaran hull) that I've owned for a couple of years. I've been maintaining it myself, even though we have a dealer here in coastal South Carolina. I've recently discovered that I have a "flat spot" in the throttle control, meaning that as I accelerate or decelerate the throttle handle, it will hit a spot on the potentiometer (aka rheostat) where the motor drops out momentarily. As soon as I'm past that spot, the motor resumes. If you move the handle quickly, you almost don't notice this flat spot. Using an ohmeter, I've confirmed that the potentiometer itself has this flat spot, and I've obtained a replacement potentiometer.

    However, upon removing the throttle assembly, I found that a kind of black aluminum cam is attached directly to the potentiometer shaft, as shown in the picture. A setscrew through the cam to the potentiometer shaft can be removed, but I haven't been able to budge the cam off of the shaft. I've been careful not to be carried away, since I don't want to destroy the aluminum cam. I've checked with Duffy, and they only sell the entire throttle assembly, not any of the parts, such as the cam.

    So, I'm looking for suggestions on how to get this cam off of the potentiometer without ruining the cam. Any suggestions? Thanks, in advance!

    https://ibb.co/Fx0brdn
  19. Capt J, Oct 10, 2021
    #379
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    If it works the way it is, I wouldn't mess with it if it simply has a flat spot in one small area of throttle.
  20. Rob Houston, Oct 11, 2021
    #380
    Rob Houston

    Rob Houston New Member

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    Location:
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    Yes, Capt J, it's more of an irritant than a real problem, but it really does irritate me, so I want to fix it. The throttle is simple with only 3 electronic parts, so it should be straightforward, except for that damned cam.

    Suggestions are very much appreciated!
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