Moebius Skipjack

[richard]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

quote="redboat219"]Any updates?[/quote]


Sorry for the delay...I've had a bad time with this damn rheumatoid arthritis, both of my hands swell up like footballs and my elbows seize up, so I can't really do much whilst things are like that.

But, I have managed to open out most of the flood slots, just a couple more to go and that's the worst bit over.

Had a long chat to Ron this morning, the module is almost completed now, he's just installing the last of the components into the trays and that's that done. He's had a rethink about the leveller, and we've decided to install a modern micro sized one instead of the original SALCON, which was the plan to begin with. Things were getting a bit tight in the cylinder, so we had to think small.

Hopefully I can get back to doing some more very soon, my doctor has prescribed me some new medication, so if that works, I can get back to it.


Rich

[Guest]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Here's a couple of pictures Ron has been posting up on the Dive-in facebook page-

This is one of the tanks, which slots into the end of the cylinder. It's a lexan cylinder with a cast polyurethane piston, and an o-ring seal. The piston runs up and down on the shaft. Note the use of helical gears for strength and quieter than spur gears.

Ron says that retract speed is about 3 seconds!! Current used is 1.5A at 6 volts, so 9 watts, or 18 watts for both tanks. Bearing in mind they only operate for a very short length of time, this system is not at all thirsty.



This is the motor pod. With the system Ron uses. It's not practical to mount a drive motor in the main WTC, because the rear tank gets in the way, so it gets its own little module.

[bigdave]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Nice work.
Similar to the system Schaffer used many years ago.
But they used bellows on the ends of the water tight section that looked like rack and pinion boots.
Thanks for posting Andy. BD.

[Guest]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Ron has just posted up a clip of the tanks working-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=fMS5mRZjB5A

[Guest]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Latest shot of the module. Showing both tanks fitted onto the central cylinder.

[kazzer]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Tom,

I don´t think that´s very likely, as Revell (Germany) have released quite a number of newly tooled kits in the recent past. Even the kits they did resize were resized new toolings (their Hunter jets for example).

No, my money definitely is on this being (going to be) the Moebius kit repackaged. YESSS!


Robert

And he's right. Moebius and Revell do the odd swap. Apparently, it's quite common. I have that info first hand.

[richard]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

And here is the last piece, fresh from Ron's workbench...the motor box with the 2:1 reduction gearbox.

The whole module will be here with me on Tuesday.

[giovanni]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Cheers Richard,
That is an interesting gear reduction system.
Regards,
Giovanni

[bigdave]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

I am just curious how Ron seals the threads as they pass through the piston.
I would think any external or internal pressure would blow right buy the threads.
Probably why in most piston tanks the rod moves with the piston. BD.

[richard]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

I'm not sure BD, but I'll ask Ron.



Rich

[Guest]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

I do know, but I won't post it on a public forum without Ron's permission. It isn't silicone tubing though.

[bigdave]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Interesting problem to overcome.
I am glad Ron worked out something.
That would be the weak link in his armor for sure.
I like the mechanical cam switch for the piston control.
Cool stuff!

[Guest]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Well this type of piston tank system has been around for about 30 years or so, was featured in three kits I know of, resolution, Type XXI and LA class. Ron stopped making kits about the mid-nineties, and it's only in the last couple of years he's started to resurface again.

From that era, Ron's boats are the ones you see still swimming about, and pretty much bog standard e.g. unmodified. Owners upgrade the models with newer ESC's, rebuild parts that wear through use, but apart from that, as built.

[richard]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

The module arrived this morning, despite the courier company deciding that I'd moved home and delivering it elsewhere..

It fits perfectly, and I can honestly say I'm very pleased with it. I now have everything that I'll need, so I can potter on and enjoy building it.




Many thanks to Ron Perrott for all his hard work, and to Andy Lawrence for actually finding the kit for me.

[bigdave]

Re: Moebius Skipjack

Don't forget to start a build thread.