Water Tight Compartments

[RickP330]

Hello all,
I am trying to get a good understanding of the basics of the water tight compartments. From what I am reading it's treated as something which is just purchased and inserted into the project. Are there any good resources which outline what options are available or where they can be purchased? Much Thanks in advance.
Kind regards,
Rick

[Guest]

There isn't much in the way of a book showing you how to build a wtc as such. However there are books of principles, which also have some design cues and with a thorough understanding of those you can, with a bit of advice successfully build your own.

With no wish to patronize, don't underestimate the amount of knowledge you will need to acquire however.

I recommend the Traplet publications on model submarines. Also of course joining the SC will give you access to all the back issues of the SCR, which will give you pots of information.

http://gb.trapletshop.com/search?q=submarine

http://www.subcommittee.com/join.html

[Ralph --- SSBN 598]

Once to choose a subject to build,look through the various forms and find a thread on your type of boat.
Several things will help.
The build will usually give the size of the wtc use.
Diameter and length.
It will show how equipment was installed in the wtc.
It will say what materials where used.
If the build goes in to detail, it might even give the size of the flooded tank size.

I build my own wtc units.
I buy the cylinder material from McMaster-Carr.
I buy the end cap material from McMaster-Carr.
I by the O-rings from The O-ring Store.
I make my seal housings.
The last project the seals where installed right in to the cap mater with a cover plate to provide a little squeeze pressure.

I do not own a lathe.
I used a standard drill press.
I made my own cutters.
The end cap material is pvc and cuts really easily.
It took me longer to make the cutting tool than to make the end caps.

You might look over my Skipjack log.
It may look fragmented but the log is in the order I built things.
It explains and shows how I did the things I did.
Remember there are many ways to make these things work.

You should also read other builds to see what might work for you.

[JWLaRue]

Actually you can download the e-book that one of our members, Steve Neill, wrote that covers all the basics of constructing an r/c sub:

http://subcommittee.com/forum/showthread.php?35765-Steve-Neill-s-quot-R-C-Submarines-for-Dumba**es-quot-Download

For a 'lighter' version, there's also the "R/C Sub School" which can be found off the SC main web page or here:

http://www.subcommittee.com/sub101.html

Of course, we'll be glad to answer the inevitable questions that will come up.

-Jeff