New to the sub world

[engine5t3]

Hello everyone, I am someone who has always wanted to get into this hobby and now that I have the means I have decided to take the plunge so to speak. I already have the Moebius Seaview and have been looking at the sub driver for it. My question is, besides the sub driver what other electronics are necessary to operate the sub? From what I can determine there is an additional electronics pack that is required? Any help and advice you all can offer will be greatly appreciated! Can't wait to get started!
Thanks in advance,
Keith

[salmon]

Re: New to the sub world

Hi Keith,
The name sub-driver belongs to a very specific company (D&E Merriman or Caswell). So, for a tube other than one of theirs it is called a WTC (Water Tight Cylinder or Container).
What else will you need? The basics are Radio and Transmitter, Electronic Speed controller or two (depending if you are going to do independent control of the props. A leveler - to keep things running level. A liPo battery and a LiPo safety device. Some servos.
Tell us more about what you have. We can go from there.
Peace,
tom

[engine5t3]

Re: New to the sub world

Tom,
Thanks for your reply and the helpful information. Right now all I have is the Seaview and a lot of questions! I have been doing research and I plan on purchasing the necessary items for the sub shortly. Am I correct in assuming that the WTC does not include a receiver? If not, I would appreciate any recommendations. Thank you!

[salmon]

Re: New to the sub world

The list I gave is basic, is the tube you have a David Merriman Sub-Driver or someone else's?
Many do not come with a reciever, what transmitter do you have?
There are name brands like Futaba, Sombra Labs, and such, but in our frequency are getting harder and harder to find.
If you want to be adventurous and cutting edge you could go the 433MHz route. You will need to get a ham license, but Tim Senecal is doing AMAZING things with it.

[engine5t3]

Re: New to the sub world

All I have is the submarine model itself. No radio or subdriver or anything else for that matter. I have read a lot about the frequency requirement and that's when I decided I better ask for some input from the people who know. I have been looking at the SAS sub driver on the sub driver web site for the Moebius Seaview, as well as the electronics add-on pack, the Seaview fittings kit, etc. I also just ordered the5 DVD instruction video as step 1 for me. I know this is not a cheap hobby so I have been gathering things slowly and now I am at the point where I either go "All in" or take up fishing! Speaking of the radio transmitter from what I have read the 2.5 GhZ will not work with a sub? If that's true it's disappointing because they seem to be easy to find.

[chuck chesney]

Re: New to the sub world

You are correct.....the 27 mghz radios are useless for anything that's going underwater. The radio waves simply will not penetrate, even a couple of inches, into water. I'm not sure, but I believe that Mikes Subworks still has radios available that are on the 75 meg frequency, or, you can always try e-Bay, where they show up pretty regularly. It would be wise to grab a suitable radio as quickly as you can, because they are getting more and more difficult to find.
Many folks who are new to the hobby have a distinct disconnect between what they really need and what they have in their minds regarding submarine models, which often leads to major frustration and a loss of interest. For a radio, in the beginning you can get by very well with four channels (rudder, dive planes, speed control, and ballast control), more can be useful later if you want. I've been running several submarines since the late 1970's, and have never had to use more than six channels on a radio.

CORRECTION...I SAID 27 MGHZ WAS USELESS UNDERWATER.....I MEANT 2.5 GHZ. SORRY....TOO EARLY IN THE MORNING....NEED COFFEE.

[engine5t3]

Re: New to the sub world

I took your advice Chuck and picked up radio & receiver, it also came with 2 servos.