https://forum.rc-sub.com/ Here you can expect to be chastized, laughed at, put through the ringer by his Eminence, and made to feel thoroughly stupid for asking daft questions! Go for it! en Tue, 14 Jul 2026 07:33:06 GMT vBulletin 60 https://forum.rc-sub.com/images/misc/rss.png https://forum.rc-sub.com/ https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/196122-how-about-a-solar-powered-submarine Sat, 04 Jul 2026 01:19:13 GMT Bob is always doing some unique stuffs for RC subs. In one of his Youtube videos was looking at fuel cell. How about some other energy sources like... How about some other energy sources like wind or solar.

Take the Ocean Aero Triton, the world’s first and only Autonomous Underwater and Surface Vehicle (AUSV). It is capable of opearting the ocean surface using wind and solar energy and submerge underwater like a submarine.

The Triton AUSV is used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), anti-submarine warfare, and mine countermeasures. The system is fully autonomous and can operate for days with a pre-set route.

The Philippine Navy just received four Ocean Aero Triton autonomous underwater and surface vehicle (AUSV) as part of US Military Assistance grant to the Philippines.
https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news...navy-usv-unit/

How about an rc version?
Maybe skip the wingsail and it's fold down mechanism and just go with solar panels.




]]> SILLY QUESTIONS FROM NEWBIES! redboat219 https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/196122-how-about-a-solar-powered-submarine https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/195982-r-r-wtc-silicone-seals-update-new-info-plus-advice-needed Fri, 26 Jun 2026 20:15:10 GMT Hi guys,

I am still researching the care and feeding of VMQ (RED) silicone seals as supplied in R&R Water Tight Cylinders.

New Info:
Every resource I find on the internet warns that VMQ Silicone O-rings have Poor Mechanical Strength: They have low tensile strength, poor tear resistance, and high friction. They are generally unsuitable for high-pressure, high-wear dynamic sealing (moving parts). Because of these characteristics, VMQ O-rings are primarily used in static seals (stationary applications).
Ron’s WTC’s use a tiny (4mm I.D.) O-ring to seal the prop driveshaft. This is the seal that keeps the water out of the aft electronics compartment. The high friction with the spinning propshaft causes extra strain on the motor. This adds to excess heat and battery drain.

On 6/22/2026 Forum member Subculture posted:
“I've never had an issue with O-ring glands. They work well enough especially if not going for very high-speed drive. They're more common in the UK because O-rings were simply a lot easier to source and even those could be hard to find in certain sizes- it was really difficult finding stuff for this hobby before the internet opened up supply chains. The builders of much legacy hardware stick with what is tried and tested.”

Thanks, Subculture. Perhaps I am just 'chicken little', bleating that the sky is falling. I did note that Bob Martin just listed for sale a new 4mm shaft-seal setup for the R&R cylinders. Thanks again Bob for listening and being responsive to your customers.

Testing known information:
I can verify that using a silicone-based lubricant will cause the VMQ (RED) silicone seals to swell and get sticky to the touch (partial breakdown and liquification).
I purchased a supply of identical 70mm O-rings to renew the seals on my WTC. When a fresh O-ring is placed next to one that I had coated with Permatex O-ring lubricant (a silicone-base lubricant), the coated O-ring grew larger, became softer and quite tacky.

The internet advises they must only be lubed with a thin coating of Fluorosilicone or PTFE (Teflon) Based Greases. The Teflon greases I am finding on the internet uses a base lubricant that is either silicone or petroleum-based. The Fluorosilicone grease is $129.00 USD for a 100mm tube!
(Help!) Guys, what brand/product do you recommend that is safe for the O-rings Ron puts in his WTC’s?

]]> SILLY QUESTIONS FROM NEWBIES! Wax Savage https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/195982-r-r-wtc-silicone-seals-update-new-info-plus-advice-needed https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/195872-r-r-wtc-motor-shaft-seal-help-needed Sat, 20 Jun 2026 18:46:57 GMT Hi guys. I’m prepping a 70mm R&R WTC equipped with dual motors for Subfest 2026. I’m not coming up with a way to retain the 4mm driveshaft’s screw-on endcaps used as a water-seal.

The endcaps hold a 4mm I.D. silicone O-ring inside (see photo). When I run the motors the driveshafts grip the O-ring/endcap assembly and spin the endcaps off or, on depending on whether the motors are running forward or reverse. Tightening the endcap is not an option. If I screw the endcaps on fully, the O-rings get squashed and bind up the driveshaft/motor. Also, the endcap gets hot quickly.

Anyone familiar with R&R WTC’s come up with a fix for this problem?

Thanks!!
Wax Savage]]> SILLY QUESTIONS FROM NEWBIES! Wax Savage https://forum.rc-sub.com/forum/silly-questions-from-newbies/195872-r-r-wtc-motor-shaft-seal-help-needed