Beginner Help

[EccentricTea]

Hi everyone!

I'm brand new to RC Subs and I come from a beginner level in RC airplanes but I like to tinker with stuff. I'm taking a class where we were tasked with building a drone that would be able to "work" on the moon and be able to jet around and grab stuff but the only way we can test that kind of stuff is in a Pool (15 feet deep 15 feet diameter). So we are building an RC sub, However last time they did this no ones sub worked. I really want my sub to work but I don't know anything about RC subs. It just was to work it doesn't have to look like anything, It could just be a box with a propeller on it.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with learning what kind of electronics I need and how to keep those electronics from breaking in the water and just some general tip for someone brand new to building and RC sub.

Please and Thank you!

[crueby]

Sounds interesting. In case there is someone near you that could help directly, whereabouts are you?

[chips]

Take a look at the SeaPerch program - here's a link to the build manual and videos. SeaPerch is a cable operated ROV made with PVC pipe; you could replace the ROV controller and cable radio gear, Since you're operating in a pool, the cable ROV might be an easier way to go. The SeaPerch has two horizontal drive motors and a vertical depth motor. Differential steering is provided by independent control of the two horizontal drive motors.

[ccontrol]

Hi everyone!

I'm brand new to RC Subs and I come from a beginner level in RC airplanes but I like to tinker with stuff. I'm taking a class where we were tasked with building a drone that would be able to "work" on the moon and be able to jet around and grab stuff but the only way we can test that kind of stuff is in a Pool (15 feet deep 15 feet diameter). So we are building an RC sub, However last time they did this no ones sub worked. I really want my sub to work but I don't know anything about RC subs. It just was to work it doesn't have to look like anything, It could just be a box with a propeller on it.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with learning what kind of electronics I need and how to keep those electronics from breaking in the water and just some general tip for someone brand new to building and RC sub.

Please and Thank you!

Going out on a limb here but I'd bet your previous group was using modern RC transmitters and receivers on the very common 2.4ghz band. That high a frequency will not penetrate water and chlorinated pool water is especially challenging even for the lower frequencies we sub-folk use like 75mhz.

[EccentricTea]

I'm in Ames Iowa

That Guide looks amazing I'll definitely give it a good read through and try, Thank you.

I did learn that you want 75mhz from my own research but last semesters didn't fail that way they ran a wire to the craft but they were trying to use compressed air and a solenoid valve but even on the lowest pressure for the compressed air the valves got stuck open so most groups just went out of control and almost all were unfortunately not waterproof. ( A lot of broken Raspberry Pi's ) also side not I don't think the pool is chlorinated it was originally built to do research on acoustics for some professors not to swim in.

[JWLaRue]

What was the compressed air intended to be used for? Also what were the guidelines for the project?

For some R/C sub basics, we've create a number of short write-ups that cover the basics and can be found here:

http://www.subcommittee.com/sub101.html

We also have a good introduction into R/C subs written by one of our members that goes into much more detail. You can download it from here:

http://subcommittee.com/forum/showthread.php?35765-Steve-Neill-s-quot-R-C-Submarines-for-Dumba**es-quot-Download

-Jeff

[bob the builder]

Check out www.homebuiltrovs.com. Lots of good info there.

Also, I get to Iowa about once a month (though I'm on medical leave right now and won't likely be back until March). If your project is still going at that time, I fly in and out of DSM and work in Pella. My company (Vermeer) has a research hub in Ames. I'd be happy to talk subs in person if that would help...

[salmon]

In Australia there is a program called Subs in Schools, check out this resource page:

https://rea.org.au/subs-in-schools/resources/