sub newbie

[JWLaRue]

>>> The sheerline system is

>>> The sheerline system is also that used by OTW.

Both the Sheerline and OTW ballast systems use a similar principle, but the way they implement it is different.

As I understand it from David H's post, the Sheerline uses a crimp-the-hose method to hold a given tank level and relies on the air pressure in the dry space to push the water back out.

The OTW system takes a different approach in that a solenoid valve is used to stop/prevent water flow in and out of the ballast tank. The pump is reversible, meaning that it is used to force water into the tank as well as pull water out of the tank.

-Jeff

[Guest]

Jeff said]

[color=#000000]Jeff said]

[JWLaRue]

Yup.....somehow I forgot about the

Yup.....somehow I forgot about the custom modifications that some are making to the robbe U-47! Many thanks, Andy, for catching this.

Since I am working on a *removeable* dive module that uses an Engel piston, you'd think I would have remembered the U-47 kit.

Does anyone know of a hull or dive module vendor that incorporates something like the Engel piston as part of the stock kit?

-Jeff

[safrole]

Andy I would love to

Andy I would love to see pics of a rack and pinion setup. I've looked at a lot of linear actuators, worm gears, etc. and if you've actually built this I would like to have a peek at it how it's executed.

[safrole]

Hey mention you were sent

Hey mention you were sent by Jason at the SubCommittee and Frank at subconcepts www.subconcepts.com will give you a free set of linkeage seals with the purchase of a Robbe U-47. It's about a $10 freebie.

--Jason

[thordesign]

Jason,

Just out of curiosity, what

Jason,

Just out of curiosity, what R/C subs have you built in the past? Your interest in some of the various technologies you have been discussing prompts this question.

[safrole]

argumentum ad hominem

Look it up.

argumentum ad hominem

Look it up.

[safrole]

Sorry, I didn't mean to

Sorry, I didn't mean to assume where you'd be going with that line of questioning. I'm probably just paranoid.

[thordesign]

]



Edited By ThorDesign on 1084331381

[color=#000000]]



Edited By ThorDesign on 1084331381

[safrole]

Aww geez, I'm sorry, Matty.

Aww geez, I'm sorry, Matty. Don't be sore! You know it's hard for me to take a question like that at face value, especially when you already know the answer. You and I have had a lot of correspondence, so it's natural for my mind to wander off and look for some ulterior motive. I apologize.

So what do you think about Engel selling over 30,000 dive tanks? It looks like a popular solution, but it doesn't seem to get much "air time" here on SC. If SC were the only place I looked for sub info, I would think that piston tanks were less desireable. But it seems to actually be the more popular choice, at least in the larger European modeling community. Do you think the market will shift towards gas? Do you think the raw numbers of piston tank sales are mostly because of the long history in the market place or because of it's pre-packaged delivery?

[thordesign]

Sorry ,I assume you have

Sorry ,I assume you have a U-47 since you manufacture a deck for it. Other than that I have no idea what you have done in the past as far as r/c subs. That is why I asked.

You have been around the SC since 2003 and I really know nothing about you or your projects. I wish I had more time to spend on this forum, but I only visit it every now and then, so I am not as up on things as perhaps I should be. Unfortunately I have less and less time for the hobby as time goes on. Back in the mid 1980s up to the late 1990s I was extremely involved and knew almost everyone in the SC. Things have changed dramatically in the SC and my life that do not make that possible anymore. You post quite a bit, so I thought I would ask and that was my only motive.

We have exchanged 4 emails over the span of 2 days quite a while ago. That is the sum total of our correspondence.

Sorry I did not mean to be an (irritare) to you. Look it up.

[safrole]

Hey you stumped me on

Hey you stumped me on that new vocabulary word. What does that mean?

And I'm sorry for reading too much into your question. I know your were not making any veiled attempt to cast doubt on me.

Not for you, but for others it would be easy to say "you've never used a gas ballast system, so how would you know what is better?" It's a lot harder to say "30,000 ballast tanks sold means very little." That's why I keep bringing that point up, though so far no one seems inclined to express any amazement over it. I guess it’s just me. I know you're a proponent of gas, so what gives?

I've talked to a lot of people, and the SC crowd seems like the only place you hear about gas. I discuss it with others from Europe (and no, not just one or two) and they reject it outright. Of course there are people in Europe with gas systems, but it is not their first choice as a group, not by a wide margin. I feel it's only fair for newbies reading this to know the piston tanks is really the dominant choice on a worldwide basis.

On the other hand, maybe it’s only fair that they know the market share is predicated on something besides overall product suitability. So let me know what you think, and if you want to toss in some new vocabulary words, then that's fine too.



Edited By safrole on 1084369775

[bob the builder]

I, personally, find it pretty

I, personally, find it pretty hard to believe that there have been over 30,000 sales of these systems for use in RC subs. Perhaps there is a use outside of the hobby?

I, for one, would love to give the piston tanks a try. Cost is the prohibitive factor for me, though. I've drawn up blueprints for my own home-brew piston tank system, but the gas system is just too easy to implement and cheap to maintain for me to switch over just yet.

Besides, with the piston setup how would you get the cool air bubble trail from a sub venting her tanks underwater?

[safrole]

I spoke a month or

I spoke a month or two ago with a guy living in Germany, for example. He made it sound like the promised land for submarine modellers. He says the little club in his town has five or more Robbes, but none of the guys spoke English, so he was calling for them to inquire about a group purchase. Others have also described the numerous shops in each town that have R/C submarines on the shelf. When was the last time you walked into a US shop and saw that? (I wish!)

I think I have personally underestimated the following abroad, assuming it to be on par with that in the US. They tell me there are not as many people (per capita) surfing the internet in Europe, while in the West being online is almost the only way you would find another RC submarine modeller. I think some assumptions exist that are not accurate. Challenging these assumptions might help us have a more realistic (and humbler) view of "our" place in the scheme of things.

I do agree the price of tanks is a bit exorbitant. You'd think with 30,000 units sold the price might drop a bit for the volume.

[casey thrower]

Hey you stumped me on

Hey you stumped me on that new vocabulary word. What does that mean?

I have a question. Is safrole really a carcinogenic chemical linked to cancer? Inquiring minds want to know.