31" nautilus

[chips]

Installed another saddle with a pin to secure the cylinder in the hull. A matching hole was drilled in the bottom of the cylinder's ballast tank. Modified the magnetic pushrod connectors with brass rod & tube, and wheel collars. Drilled two holes in the forward end cap for 4-40 bolts. The bolts and nuts secure the wires for the lights.

[bob the builder]

Beautiful work! Very clean install so far. I can't wait to see it in the water.

[chips]

Initial float testing in the home dry dock shows I need at least 6 ounces of ballast in the bottom and 17.25 cubic inches of foam. I'll refloat again when the foam glue dries.

[chips]

After a couple of trials in the home dry dock facility, I'm calling the model finished and ready for sea. I plan to do sea trials later this month with the 8-Balls. The mailman delivered some plastic calamari today, for static display with the sub. The larger one is 18" long and the smaller one is 9.75" long. The smaller one is closer toscale size for a giant squid of 60'. The larger scales out to 114'. I like the larger one better. The small looks good on the SEAVIEW.

[bigdave]

OK Bob
You have to tell me where you ordered your larger calamari? BD

[chips]

I ordered direct from Safari Ltd. The larger one is part of their Monterey Bay Aquarium collection. You might be able to find them locally at JoAnn's, toy stores, etc. They have several different sizes and types of sea life, mammals, birds, reptiles, dinosaurs, and dragons.

[bigdave]

Thanks for the link Bob.
Cool site.
I may pick up a shark too for Greg's Minion rescue boat.
The shark hanging from a pole on the boat would get Chris going.
Could be Sharky's brother. Lol BD

[bigdave]

I ordered my squid for my Nautilus.
Thanks Bob. BD

[chips]

It was good to run with you guys this weekend. The NAUTILUS ran fine for about 5 minutes, then the motor died. When I opened up the cylinder there was no scent of magic smoke. After We got home, I opened up the cylinder and removed the motor. The ESC checked out okay with a different motor. I connected the original motor to a couple of different batteries, and had no rotation. Fortunately I have another 280 size motor - but the mounting screw spacing is a little different.

[Guest]

Is the 280 running through a gearbox? If it's running direct drive I think it's asking a lot from a motor that size.

[chips]

No gearbox. The cylinder was originally designed for the Trumpeter 1:144th scale ISS SEAWOLF. The same unit is recommended for the NAUTILUS and has been used in several builds.

[Guest]

Okay. I still think it's asking too much of the motor. If I was running a prop of that diameter direct drive, I would look at a minimum 500 size motor brushed, or 28mm outrunner brushless. Smaller motors I would run a gearbox of at least 3:1.

[chips]

There isn't enough space in the cylinder for a 500 size brushed motor. The available space for the motor is about 1" wide and 1.25" long.

[Guest]

Have you thought about the brushless option? Space sounds very tight, but you may be able to squeeze in a 28mm outrunner.

This motor can turn a 2" prop direct drive all day long on 2 or 3S lipo.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...idProduct=8622

esc to go with it-

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14630__Turnigy_TrackStar_25A_1_18th_Scale_Brushless_Car_ESC.html

[chips]

Space is really tight in the cylinder. I have a Mtroniks Viper 10 ESC in there now, and the equipment deck barely slides in. A new motor has been installed.