R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

[crazy ivan]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Guess not. For some odd reason I have no opinion on the matter. BD project burn-out I suppose.
But if you're going to do a first test at the Y this month, better bring Big Toot along too for the inevitable rescue.

I am somewhat curious, however, as to the purpose of the truncated Dixie cup behind the intakes. Water brakes?

[Larry Kuntz]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

BD,
I say you go back to the original GI Joe. Remove the power pack and feed him Taco Bell food. He should go like hell........

[crazy ivan]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Hey LK, check your e-mail.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

GI Joe
You have me confused with Steamboy.
He is the Joe expert.
I would rather feed myself the Taco Bell!!
Maybe next Sunday night.

Dixie cup hugh!!
I will have you know Mr Ivan Sir it is made from a plastic funnel.
It is in the original photos and Paul's drawing.
It is an intake scoop for the prop!! At speed it will funnel (ha!) more water into the intake holes.
Plus I have found gives a small amount of reverse.
Actually I took Toot's micro-ESC for the tow so I may be SOL!! BD.

[scott t]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

How about attaching the frogman with a ball link in the palm of the hands to the steering handles.


Or a carburator ball link and put it on like a bracelet.



Scott

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Thanks Scott,
Good idea.
I was thinking along those lines too.
I dont want to modify the hands in any way as the frogman is a collectable but I think I can make up something that will attach to the hand that can hold either the ball or the socket. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

I have the Tow all trimmed out. I lucked out and did not have to add much foam and lead.
Here is a photo of what it will look like when hooked up the the frogman.
I sill need to make the attachments for the hands. BD.

[raalst]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

BD, how are you planning to make turns ?
is that an effect of moving one handle up and another down ?

you might want to experiment with modelling the diver with bent legs,
that way turning should be possible when the handles move to opposite sides.
(But maybe the drag of the tanks is enough, as I see now that you cannot bend the legs)

If you are following that line of thought, beware of the torque of the prop !
maybe add a stator like in modern propulsors ?

anyway: have fun ! looking forward to your build.
next stop : Newt Suit....

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

I am not really sure how I will make turns either.
If I was a betting man I would bet it will not work but I have to try.
I am hoping the handles moving in different directions will cause the nose and tail of the Tow to move from side to side.
BTW-The prop torque is massive!!
I need to try and get a video. The body of the Tow will spin as fast in the water as the prop if not held. BD.

[Guest]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Differential control of the flippers would bank the diver, then you could use the tilt control on the tow to pull the diver around. A mini servo in each leg would suffice.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

The only problem is I don't want to do anything to change the frogman in any way. It would effect its value as it is a collectable.
If this does not work I will put a thrust director behind the prop.
I have already figured out how to do it as I think it will be my next step after testing. BD.

[Guest]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Gi Joe (Action man here in the UK) are 1/6th scale, so that would be a lot smaller than Dave's figure, which sounds nearer to 1/4th scale.

Plus they are rather on the heavy side in my experience. You might just get away with it if you filled up the legs and body with expanding PU foam.

You could always carve/sculpt a figure from foam, and skin it in a thin layer of glass tissue and resin, or take a rubber casting from your collectors item.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Well I finally got some time to finish up the mounting of the tow to the frogman.
I made some adapters out of ball links, washers, rubber grommets, brass tube, threaded brass rod, and stainless hardware.
I think they should work well.
The only problem is while drilling out one of the links I lost one of my balls!!
It went flying across the Dockyard!!
I have yet to find it. I may need a trip to the LHS.
The tow and frogman should fit in my larger test tank so I can adjust the frogman trim and see how the tow swivels.
My plan is to have it ready for the next fun run this weekend. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

Well except for paint it is done.
I will test and trim out tomorrow in my larger test tank.
The tow swivels well but time will tell if it actually turns.
Here are a few more photos.
One is an idea that popped into my twisted mind!
What if I attached small wings to the grab handles and ran the tow by itself.
I don't think as it sits it would not turn worth a dam, but it would dive and spin great.
Now if I added a extra servo and small rudder!!!! BD.

[bigdave]

Re: R/C scuba tow!! Yea Baby!!

I will be putting up two videos.
One shows the Tow tilting, swiveling, and moving FW/RV in the water.
The other is me playing trying to get the Tow to torque spin without the handles hitting the sides.
It would be a dart in the water without the frogman in Tow. BD.