Subregatta night run fun

[pirate]

Got a chance to visit the Nauticus museum in Norfolk this May and noticed the seaway buoys sitting in their pond. Thought it would be neat to have some at the regatta. So I made a few. Red ones will be placed over the bottom drains that suck the subs down to the bottom--there's also a dead zone over there. Then the green ones can go way out further. Run on LEDs, so they will go all weekend--and light at night for the night runs.

[JWLaRue]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Pete,

Nicely done!

-Jeff

[PaulC]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Awesome, Pete!

[salmon]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Very cool!
I would like to make some. Any plans or photos of your build? Any help would be appreciated!

[bigdave]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Way to go Pete. BD.

[pirate]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Thanks guys. No plans. Just got a photo off the Internet and copied it.
I've been collecting plastic containers with the screw on watertight caps to keep screws and things in. Perfect shape for the bases. Made the tops out of styrene scraps. Stole the light sensors from 4v night lights--4 in a package for $4.99.

Had to replace the resistors to change from 120V to 3V. There's 2 C batteries in the bottom of each cannister. The LEDs have run for a week straight so far and still going strong. Batteries also serve as ballast to keep them upright.

I'm going to use 4 more containers filled with concrete for anchors and connect to buoys with plastic chain to keep them in place in the pond.

[jefftytoo]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

You are absolutely the best, Pete. Can't wait to be there to see your little brainstorm(s) all lit up at night! Thanks for thinking of all of us, bro'.

JeffP

[chips]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

I made some a few years ago for a multi club regatta. I based them on the USCG 5x11 Lighted Buoys; I have a copy of the some plans for USCG buoys in my stash of reference material. I ran the USCG Buoy Yard in NYC on Governors Island from 1989-93.

For the buoys I made here is a list of materials:
1 & 1/2" PVC pipe coupler
1 & 1/2" x 1/2" bushing for top end
1 & 1/2" pipe plug for the bottom
Eyebolt & nut
4" of 1/2" PVC pipe for upright
2" thick foam insulation, cut a donut - 5" OD, ID to fit coupler
3" diameter Styrene disk (2 for can buoy, 1 for nun buoy)
1 & 1/2" diameter Styrene disk (for nun buoy)
2" x 1" Styrene pieces for radar reflector (rectangular for can buoy, tapered for nun)
LED's with resistor (I used Miniatronics LEDs and resistors)
9V battery connectors and wire from Radio Shack
9V battery - fits neatly inside the 1 & 1/2" pipe plug and coupler
PVC adhesive
30 minute epoxy
Styrene adhesive
Paint

The 1 & 1/2" x 1/2" pipe bushing is not glued to the pipe coupler; it has a nice friction fit that allows the battery to be changed.

I use duck decoy weights as anchors.

[bigdave]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Now all we need is a scale minefield.
As I recall Jim Butt had an idea for the Lake Redman run to make the course more interesting.
But he was thinking non lethal explosion.
Just enough to scare the skipper.
That Jim, always thinking! BD.

[raalst]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

when driving at night, all you need for a MINE is a waterproof (FLASH-)led.
should be a simple CIRCUIT, either amplify sounds or listen to a bit of piezo for a CONTACT.
or even just a mechnical switch of sorts. like a ball bearing inside a ring of contacts on the bottom of the sperical MINE
(aren't there still those clear plastic "eggs" with candy in 'em ? )

a field of those that would be a BLAST to look at...

(Hi there NSA folks !)

[bigdave]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

How about some kind of vinegar and baking soda powered unit.
The two 1/2’s using a loose fitting O ring that would allow the top and bottom to separate when they mix.
Some way to arm it when in the water.
The air inside would bubble to the surface denoting a strike.
Just brainstorming. BD.

Sorry to hijack your post with silliness Pete.
Your lights are very cool.

[chips]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Here are some general plans from the U.S. Coast Guard's AIDS TO NAVIGATION TECHNICAL Manual. These are copies I made when I ran the Buoy Yard in NYC. I have some more detailed construction drawings, but they are on 11x17 paper - 80 pages worth of construction details.

The first dimension is the diameter of the buoys; the second dimension is the length of the buoy. A 5x11 has a 5 foot diameter and is 11 feet long (tall).
LR stands for Lighted buoy with a Radar reflector.


The 3.5x8 LR has either a can (LCR) or nun (LNR) radar reflector.


The 5x11 LR has either a can (LCR) or nun (LNR) radar reflector.


The 6x20 LR can be fitted with a bell (LBR).


The 7x17 LR can be fitted with a bell (LBR)


The 8x26 LR can be fitted with a bell (LBR), gong (LGR), or horn (LHR). A variation has a wave actvated whistle (LWR) with a larger diameter counterbalance tube.


The 9x32 can be fitted with a bell (LBR), gong (LGR) or horn (LHR). A variation has a wave actvated whistle (LWR) with a larger diameter counterbalance tube.


Concrete buoys anchors (sinkers or rocks),


From a Naval Ships Technical Manual - underwater fendering for tugboats working with submarines.

[pirate]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Let the silliness persist!
Figuring out ways to make things blow up, or seem to blow up sure sounds like fun!

[chips]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

We could follow the lead of Delta House, and dump a truckload of fizzies in the pool.

[salmon]

Re: Subregatta night run fun

Chips, Thank you for those references! That helps.
Peace,
Tom