Camera Sub Build

[bigdave]

Camera Sub.
I am working on a camera sub made from odds & ends plus some Neptune spare parts.
It is still in the design stage but here is an idea of what it will hopefully look like.
It will have two pontoon like battery cylinders under the main assembly.
There will be a short cylinder inside.
It is kind of a basic idea design as you go sub.
The camera will be mounted behind the clear front window.
I think it is so cute and should be a fun design. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

I have done some more work.
It is starting to look like something.
Not sure what, but I think it looks cool!! BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

I was trying to figure out the rudder and planes and came up with a plan.
The stock rudder will work fine as it is large and behind the prop, but the stock rear planes are next to useless.
I decided to go with some thrust vectoring and add a kort nozzle.
This will vector the thrust up and down to give me good pitch control. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

I finished the rear linkages and Kort nozzle. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

Well I have the cylinder basically done.
After years of working with these things I am getting good at fitting five pounds of SHIP into a two pound container.
It’s all in there. Motor, two servos, ESC, ballast control board, pump, valve, and full sized R/X.
It is like chess, you have to think many steps ahead to see if something will eventually occupy space already taken up by something else.
My Playsport video camera will mount just inside the clear bubble. BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

My creation is getting close now!!
Cue the devilish laugh!!
I had to stick most all the bits on and take a photo.
It is taking way too much time to build but I like the way it is looking.
I am using a small R-type ballast system. The center cylinder is the pressure tank and the outer two are the battery tubes.
Basically I have to make the camera mount, then final assembly, and on to ballasting. SCHWEET!!!!! BD.

[greg w]

Re: Camera Sub Build

It looks good so far BD.Do you have a nickname for it yet? Greg

[Rick Teskey]

Re: Camera Sub Build

How about shutter bug?
Aqua eye?
Seaview ..nope that's taken , Ocean view?
Opticous Aquaious?
Old yellow eye?
Sub view?
Sub cam?
Sub eye?
I.C.U.?
Watery eye?
Rick

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

All good names Rick.
I will have to ponder on that one.
Well!
She sub hit the water today.
Good news!!
All watertight!
Lots of thrust (Thanks to Crazy Ivan and his Protchenko pump impeller)!
Kort nozzle worked great!
Spins like a top with the big rudder!
Not too heavy! (Better than too heavy)

Not so good news! (But an easy fix)
Very tail heavy!!!!!!
It floats looking up!!
I was worried about being noise heavy. (Man was I wrong)
Nothing some well place weights can't fix. BD.

[seahorse]

Re: Camera Sub Build

How about: One Eyed Willie ?

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

Good choice Steamboy!!
I was thinking Mr Peepers too!! BD.

[Rick Teskey]

Re: Camera Sub Build

Maybe a heavy search light will trim her out. a couple of aa battery mag lights?.
Mr. Peepers is funny , one eyed willie if it too was a different color maybe but this is a family show or yellow boobie cam! LOL.
If it goes slow it could be the lazy eye.
Now you need an overlay for a cross hairs like Rick Gallisons periscope see through sub.
Rick

[Guest]

Re: Camera Sub Build

Well you have ipod, imac etc. How about 'i-spy'

Andy

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

I like that Andy!!
I used to love that old TV show!! BD.

[bigdave]

Re: Camera Sub Build

Well I have the trim set.
I cast up some low melt metal weights using an old end cap mold.
Then turned them down on the lathe so I have one 2 OZ and one 3 OZ disc.
I center drilled a hole so I could slide the weights on the center stay of the pressure cylinder.
Two nuts hold it where I need the trim set.
I can slide the weights for and aft to fine adjust.
The trim seems to be very touchy.
I have a feeling the sub may be hard to control. Time will tell!!
I also finished the camera mount. Just a simple rubber band and two hard rubber bumpers.
Easy to attach. Don't need to over think it. BD.