Sub Leveling Electronics

[jeffg]

I have used the subtech version. Thier are others. Any inpu or recomendations?

This is for a Thor Alpha sub.

Thanks
JG

[peter w]

Hello Jeff,

I have just assisted

Hello Jeff,

I have just assisted in a test between the Engel LR2 and the Subtech APC-4 to be put into article form for one of the Model boating mags here in the UK, written by my good friend Roger Suitters. The test boat was my Trafalgar from Sheerline, we tested both the units in the sub and the bottom line is that the APC-4 came out very much on top, which is good from the point of view that it is a fifth cheaper than the Engel unit.
The APC-4 performed perfectly and kept the sub at periscope depth with ease as well as deeper depths. The LR2 did hold the sub at periscope depth but it didn`t always stay there. The biggest problem however was that because both levellers needed to be quite sensitive the LR2 really started to make the servo jitter and jump about and this was before it had even reached the half way point on the pot, this problem was not repeated on the APC-4 and coupled together with the performance of the sub with the Subtech leveller it was a clear winner, a credit to Skip.

I would like to point out that was a test between only the APC-4 and the Engel LR2 so I can`t comment on the other levellers on the market.

I would also like to point out that for a leveller to work the boat has trimmed out properly and any leveller can`t be expected to do it`s job properly with an unbalanced boat.

All the best,

PeterW 2731UK

[peter w]

Sorry missed out something. The

Sorry missed out something. The reason both levellers needed to be quite sensitive was because of the nature of my sub, not because of the levellers themselves.

PeterW 2731UK

[Guest]

Interesting. Noone up until now

Interesting. Noone up until now has done a head to head of these gadgets.

I wonder if the LR2 was more susceptable to motor interference?

Andy

[peter w]

Hello Andy,

We actually ruled out

Hello Andy,

We actually ruled out the motor for 2 reasons, 1. it was as far away from the motor as the WTC would allow (at least 18") and 2. it also did it on the work bench with only RX, servo and batterries present. Roger also had it under very good authority that it had been a problem encountered before by others, which was actually nice to know after the tests had been done as it didn`t taint our view beforehand.

All the Best,

Peter W 2731UK

[anonymous]

You can also get a

You can also get a noisy power supply if you are using a BEC (electrical noise from the motor) but your bench test would have ruled this out.

I take it there was no drive motor in the bench test?

[Guest]

This is with the new

This is with the new solid state sensor LR2. Not the old model with the little alcohol/water sensor?

I remember seeing the latter in action, and thought it was under damped, which made it very twitchy indeed.

Andy