Micro-Scale Radio Controlled Submarines - looking for info

[wbnemo1]

Hi,
all don't know if this subject has been covered before,but what is the smallest you can make a R/C fully functional(ballasted) scale submarine. I've always wanted to make one,but lack information and know how...still one can dream can't they..always dreamed of a 4-7" radio control Nautilus if that's a surprise at all.....anyway,is there and expert in this field that frequents this board?...
William

[dietzer]

I'm certainly no expert, but

I'm certainly no expert, but you might want to try checking out what's already available, and modify it for your use.

If you go to ebay and search for 'RC submarine' you will find several 3"-7" RC subs for sale, often advertising that they were made to use in fish tanks. I'm pretty sure these are all dynamic diving subs. You might trying buying one of these, taking it apart, and using its innards for your Nautilus.

Good luck,

Carl

[no1_sonuk]

ITYF most of those use

ITYF most of those use thrusters to submerge, rather than hydroplanes.

In Norbet Bruggen's "Model Submarine Technology" book, there's a photo of a small piston tank operated by a servo. The caption mentions a "Red October" model, which I assume refers to Revell's Red October plastic kit. This model is a Typhoon variant that comes in at, IIRC, around 14 to 18 inches long.



Edited By No1_sonuk on 1065537173

[Guest]

Yeah, lots more room in

Yeah, lots more room in a Typhoon than a Disney Nautilus at that size though, eh!

I've seen a working X-craft about 6" long, and that was built over 20 years ago, so it's definately doable.

To be honest, the smallest size I'd want to go would be about 12"- small enough to play in the bathtub, but big enough to get my pork sausage fingers into!

The reissued Airfix Nautilus, available from Comet miniatures would be just the job. Although a recast in light-but-strong epoxy resin and glass would be in order, plus a few modifications to the way the hull is joined.

The Nautilus suits a dynamic diver configuration, with it's low freeboard, so that negates the complexities of a ballast system.

Tiny R/C gear is cheap and readily available these days. Sub 5 gram servos are very cheap and tiny with bags of torque. Sub 5 gram receivers are also readily available, although more difficult to find on surface frequencies as these are chiefly aimed at lightweight flying machines!

For a 12" nautilus I'd envisage two servos, one connected to rudder, the other to front mounted hydovanes for depth control.

An ESC would regulate speed, GWS 150 motor should provide adequate thrust for collision speed.

I'd use Lithium cells for power, lightweight and plenty of capacity- mustn't get them wet though!

12" is a bit small for a wet hull configuration, so I would engineer a dry hull with a free flooding wheelhouse and saloon windows- these parts of the boat wouldn't handle pressure well.

The biggest headache would be making small glanded shafts for the prop and control linkages. Also trying to hide the control to the rudder would be a project in itself- most likely worthy of a watchmaker.

Andy



Edited By Sub culture on 1065553623

[no1_sonuk]

Tiny R/C gear is cheap

Tiny R/C gear is cheap and readily available these days. Sub 5 gram servos are very cheap and tiny with bags of torque. Sub 5 gram receivers are also readily available, although more difficult to find on surface frequencies as these are chiefly aimed at lightweight flying machines!

Here in the UK, we're a bit lucky in this respect.
Our aircraft band is at 35MHz, and we have a surface band at 40MHz. I have a small 35MHz receiver that works with 40MHz crystals. Now, while this is a big problem for transmitters, the only affect on a receiver may be some reduced sensitivity. I've not tried it underwater yet, but I have a 16" scratch-build underway that it's destined for.

If you have a similar frequency band relationship you may get away with it.

Another thing is that being an electronics engineer that plays with microcontrollers, If I need to, I may be able to multiplex down so I can use a 2-channel receiver, and incorporate a sub-safe, etc. into the decoder.

[Guest]

Hi,

I live in the UK

Hi,

I live in the UK too.

As far as I know, only one 35Mhz receiver works well in the 40Mhz band and that is the Jeti Rex 4, which weighs about 9 grams with the case removed.

If you know of some others I'd be interested in hearing about that. How about the GWS range of receivers?

Also you may want to take a look at the Falcon models website, they have just released a 1.7 gram servo.

Much cheaper than the WES teknick 2.1 gram models, but still over £30, so double the cost of the little Saturn 5.4 gram servos I favour.

There is a new 4.3 gram servo due for relase by Saturn, and there are rumours of a 3 gram servo on the ways.

Gasparin and Didel also have sub 2 gram servos, but I don't know if they have been relased yet.

Sources of micro radio, lithium cells and baby motors-

http://www.falconmodels.uk.com/

http://www.indoor.flyer.co.uk/

http://www.didel.com

http://users.joplin.com/~bselman/

http://www.microrc.com/Sky.htm


Cheers

Andy

[no1_sonuk]

As far as I know,

As far as I know, only one 35Mhz receiver works well in the 40Mhz band and that is the Jeti Rex 4, which weighs about 9 grams with the case removed.

Sounds like the one I have. I couldn't remember the name exactly, and it's buried somewhere.