WTC longevity + D&E WTCs - People's experience

[slats]

Hi guys
I have been building my own WTCs for all my subs for almost a decade, and whilst professing to have tried just about every method gas / pumps/ rcabs / engel / hybrid pump + gas, the system I have employed quite successfully is the one way impeller pump via solenoid valve into a non vented PVC pressure tank. The wtc is my own clear arcylic tube, PVC machined endcaps o rings etc.
However the system I use is a slave to 12 volts, and from time to time the WTC seems to be shipping on more and more leaks. Changing o'rings does improve this a little but in the long run longevity seems to be a problem for my WTC design regarding minor leaks.

Ok so where am I going with this.
Can people please share with me what the longevity is like with the WTCs they use regarding leaks?

Also, the one system I have not tried is the D&E WTC with its on board gas saving device. Can people tell me what WTC diameter 3.0 or 3.5 would be suitable for the Thor 1/72 Alfa?
What comes with the WTC? (i.e is motor pre-installed, if so what motor, push rod etc pre-installed , do you have to make your own gas bottle? - basically what do the D&Es come with)
And can people who have used the D&E WTC, tell me about the longevity / reliability of the WTC.

Whilst the leaks I have experienced in my own WTC seem minor, I am of the view is that no leaks are good leaks.

Thanks in advance
John



Edited By Slats on 1149208699

[anonymous]

For the Alfa I'd say

For the Alfa I'd say the 3.5 is best. I've been running a 3 inch D&E for about a year now. No leaks have occurred.

David is also very good about standing behind his products. If there's a problem send it back and he will fix it.

I haven't replaced seals as of yet. The most important part of maintaining a WTC is to silicone oil all the seals before you run the boat. This maintains the seals integrity for years to come. Also be sure to leave the end caps off after use. This keeps the the o-rings from re sizing.

D&E WTCs include the motor and gear box installed. The ballast system and servo to activate it installed. Equipment tray for the servos and RX also installed.All pushrod seals installed. You do have to install the rods themselves but they are included. All you do is place your gear and go.

Hope that helps you.

steve

P.S. the motor is a sp 400 on the 3 inch. Not sure but I think a 500 is included in the 3.5. It's all installed with gear box and out put 3/16 shaft and connectors.



Edited By U812 on 1149138906

[boomerfunker]

Hi John,

I have had mixed

Hi John,

I have had mixed results with my 3" D&E WTC. It ran great the first year. The next season the air hose popped between the
CO2 onboard bottle (provided) and the associated ballast valve. It is tight quarters through the botton two flood holes to work on anything in that area. The bulheads are removeable but resealing them may require a new O-ring. I had developed a small managable leak in the after one I believe now is fixed. Also the micro servo that works the ballast valve has gone out and I need to replace it, which is to be expected eventually I suppose.
The air saver system works pretty well and charging the air system is a snap. It is really very well engineered. David Merriman is very good about standing behind his product so you can count on excellent technical support though I have found that he and Atomic Subs the authorized dealer can be hard to reach.
I use mine in a D&E 1/96 Skipjack I don't know what kind
of reserve bouyancy there is beyond that suitable for a 1/72 ALFA but someone will. It comes with all the mechanisms required to operate the ballast system and some spare parts. I believe it came with the pushrods as well and is well documented with a thick manual.
You may have way better luck than I owing to your experience but from my limited perspective it seems on a par
reliability-wise with your homebuilts.
Tom

[anonymous]

Another thing I'd like to

Another thing I'd like to point out is the amount of times I could dive and surface.

In a test in my pool recently before an outing I found that I could dive and surface about 25 times. Much more than advertised. The secret is (and it's pointed out clearly in David's instructions) to get that tank cold. This is done by filling and then releasing the gas very quickly. Once works good but I found it was worth the propel to do it twice until you see the Poly Carb frost over. then your there.

And yes the instructions are the very best and most complete. Forgot to say that.

Steve

[Guest]

Much of what has been

Much of what has been already said regarding the D&E wtc's technical aspects are right on. The 3.5 mod-2 comes equipped with twin speed 500E motors. I've owned one for approx. 4 yrs now. I have found it to be most reliable well made and durable in every sense of the word. Dave will stand by his product well over any actual or implied warranty period. As a business man, you will find him to be more than generous. I personally have not had a problem contacting him or getting a message to him for his attention either via e-mail or thru his wife who might I add has been equally helpful in getting info. to him. As of recent Dave has refitted/upgraded and repaired my wtc which has long been out of any warranty at no cost. What better service can one ask for.

[slats]

Hi guys,
thanks very much for

Hi guys,
thanks very much for your input.
As an Australian, I know that Atomic subs won't ship me a D&E WTC. So I am figuring I need to contact David direct?
Can someone please send me David Merriman's e-mail address?
Many thanks
John



Edited By Slats on 1149211745

[Guest]

John,

Send me an email in

John,

Send me an email in regards to a 3.0 (address) and we'll see how we can help you out.

- Lyle

[anonymous]

Thanks Lyle. Also here's David's

Thanks Lyle. Also here's David's email address.

DMeriman@aol.com

Steve

[slats]

Thanks guys.
Sending Lyle an e-mail.
John

Thanks guys.
Sending Lyle an e-mail.
John

[tmsmalley]

The popped hose that was

The popped hose that was mentioned is actually a safety device.

If you leave Propel in the tank when you put the sub away and it gets warm - or set it in the hot sun with a full tank as I did one time - the hose will blow to prevent the tank from blowing from the expanding gas. Dave provides an extra hose when he sells the WTC. The hose can be easily replaced with a long needlenose and a little patience.

[boomerfunker]

True enough...

I might add that

True enough...

I might add that nothing I noted should be construed as
negative regarding the construction materials and overall
quality of the D&E WTC. Mostly my dumb luck and inexperience.
In fact I have recently purchased a 2nd one from Atomic
Subs and found their follow through exceptional
If you want easy Plug-N-Play by all means get one!

Tom