RCABS Compressor chamber...

[crazy ivan]

Mauro,

You need to be careful

Mauro,

You need to be careful when selecting silicone sealants to choose one that is of the non-corrosive variety. A lot of the more common household ones, as used for caulking etc., contain acetic acid. Maybe the automotive silicone as well. These give off a strong citrus odor as they cure, and they will corrode the heck out of any metals such as brass and steel (as used in your motors) that you may have in your WTC. I found that out the hard way.

BigDave once steered me on to GE Silicine II, which we get from our local home centers and WalMarts. I use it all the time now without any ill effect.

[adriaticsea]

Hi Crazy Ivan,

thanks for the

Hi Crazy Ivan,

thanks for the information...I checked and you're right, even the black automotive silicone that I used in the past gives off a strong citrus odor and lists acetic acid among its components.
I found a brand of non-corrosive electronic use RTV sealant, I'll probably use that in my sub, where I've got many brass and aluminium parts.
Thanks again for the help!
BEST REGARDS MAURO

[tabledancer]

George,
I also took your your

George,
I also took your your good advise on the RTV sealent.I had to look around but I found to GE silcone at Wallymart.I removed all the RTV from my boat as soon as I got home.Thanks again.
TD

[adriaticsea]

Hi all,

I got the neutral

Hi all,

I got the neutral RTV and it works perfectly on my WTC. Now I have one more specific question regarding RCABS.
I'd like to build a more "electronic" version of it, using a Ballast Tank Switch from Engel Modellbau and a Clippard ET-2 valve.
1.Does anyone know how better is the control of the deflating using this system?
2.Is it worth to use a solenoid valve?
3.Does anyone know a place where one can buy Clippard valves?
What do you think of this RCABS setup?
Thanks in advance,
BEST REGARDS MAURO

[Guest]

Mauro,
The Clippard valves worked fine

Mauro,
The Clippard valves worked fine for me but they were too slow, even when I used two, so I started using the tire valve for deflating the bladder. Clippard valves come in 6V or 12V models, and I think I got them from Ships 'n' Things.

[adriaticsea]

Art,

first of all thanks for

Art,

first of all thanks for the quickiest reply I'v ever seen!
What do you mean when you say that they were too slow? How long did it take to submerge, for example, your 1/72 Alfa?
What degree of control do you achieve with a tire valve?
Thanks,
BEST REGARDS MAURO

[chuck chesney]

Hi Mauro, There is no

Hi Mauro, There is no reason to worry about the use of a tire valve on the RCABS system because the valve is actuated by a proportonal servo, giving you control ranging from very slow to very fast. The tire valves allow large amounts of air to move through the valve very quickly if you want, allowing for a "crash dive", or a slower, more graceful dive.
The tire valves are also very inexpensive (free), easy to obtain and reliable.
Clippard valves were used extensivley when the favored ballast system used compressed gas to empty the ballast tanks.
Art Broder came up with a brilliant system when he invented the RCABS system. It's simple, inexpensive and works like magic.

[tabledancer]

Chuck,
I used the clippard valve

Chuck,
I used the clippard valve in my system,no problems yet.The only difference that I can see between the clippard and the schradder valve is cost and weight,with the clippard valve winning both contests.I had axcess to both systems for free as my son is in the air conditioning industry.So I got one of each.They both take up about the same space but the clippard is heavier.With the schradder you need sometype of switch,servo to operate the switch and valve,and of course the valve.I use the SES-3 switch to operate the clippard and the airpump.So it all works out to be about the same.I really don`t have a big love for the air bladder but it goes with the system so you have to deal with it.
Regards,
TD

[adriaticsea]

Hi Chuck and Tabledancer,

thank you

Hi Chuck and Tabledancer,

thank you very much for the answers, they're very complete and solved all my doubts. I'll go with the schrader valve, as here in Italy Clippard are quite expensive.
And Art, I just checked the Message Board...HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
You truly improved the world of RC Subs!

[Guest]

Thanks for the nice comments.

Thanks for the nice comments. The best birthday present (besides this year's recognition from the SubCommittee) is having sub modelers try the RCABS, modify it to their own needs, and enjoy using it.

[tmsmalley]

http://photos1.blogger.com/img/195/1227/640/Happy%20Birthday%20(cake).jpg

Happy Birthday Doctor Art!



Happy Birthday Doctor Art!

[bigdave]

Ditto! Have a great day!!

Ditto! Have a great day!! Dave.

[tabledancer]

Happy birthday Art,many happy returns

Happy birthday Art,many happy returns
TD

[adriaticsea]

Hi everyone,

I'm using this rather

[color=#000000]Hi everyone,

I'm using this rather old thread to ask questions and to avoid opening another thread.
I'm proceeding in the building of my RCABS WTC based on the Dave Welch Seawolf concept and I have the equipment trays, supporting rails and flanges for the central tube done.
Now, I've got a couple of questions]

[Guest]

Mauro,
On your question #2, I

Mauro,
On your question #2, I have been using AA NiMH batteries for a couple of months now in my Teskey Flying Sub with good results. I waterproofed the 12V packs so I could place them in the wet part of the hull. I don't have to open the WTC to charge the batteries. Two 12V, 2600 Mah packs run my model for over one hour. They supply pwer to two thrusters for forward propulsion, two more for steering, the RCABS air pump, and radio/electronics. See pictures on my site, http://groups.msn.com/artbrodersmodels .My Webpage