1/120 Akula

[JHapprich]

Building yes.
Running not yet.

Go run it. Will answer your questions

enjoy your first ride

[JHapprich]

Building yes.
Running not yet.

Go run it. Will answer your questions

enjoy your first ride

[mloo123]

Mloo123,
Are you using a 7.2v pack?
Windshield washer pumps are usually rated to run 12V, any problems running it at a lower voltage?
Also, as you did not use a blocking servo, any problem with water leaking pass the pump and prematurely flooding the tank when the boat is surfaced?

Although these geared pumps were rated 12Vdc, you can still run them undervoltage at expense of decreased efficiency. However that doesn't impact the performance of the ballast function which is more than enough use.

Actually I have thought I might need a solenoid valve or blocking servo to prevent back flow or Intrusion of water, but after noticing that it's not significant maybe due to the surrounding pressure when surface, thus it's not necessary to install one. Unless the ballast tank is pressurized type with a high pressure pump type then a solenoid valve is necessary.

There's another type of pump, a peristaltic type which will solve the back flow problem, but they were much less efficient than a geared pump. I have used them before and didn't like it.

[redboat219]

Redboat219, did you actually EVER build a RC submarine? Do you have ANY real experience running such vessel?

Building yes.
Running not yet.

[JHapprich]

Redboat219, did you actually EVER build a RC submarine? Do you have ANY real experience running such vessel?

Don't get me wrong, iam actually interested in knowing the cause for all those questions. I for myself am rather practical, i build, test and improve and solved most of that basic stuff very early in my first attempts to make a model run.

12v pumps with gears etc will work fine at 7.2v, only pumps that wont i know if are perustaltic pumps with 380' rs motors.

I used a 12v gear pump running at 6v with now problems.

if you put your water intake high int the ballast tank, but the outer end low deep in the water, it wont leak.

I made all kind of tanks exept for gas powered systems.

Regards Jörg

[redboat219]

Mloo123,
Are you using a 7.2v pack?
Windshield washer pumps are usually rated to run 12V, any problems running it at a lower voltage?
Also, as you did not use a blocking servo, any problem with water leaking pass the pump and prematurely flooding the tank when the boat is surfaced?

[mloo123]

If you edit your post more than 2 times in a day the system flags it as a spam and blocks it. Just post a new one.

Oic... that's mean tho!

[redboat219]

Any video?

[redboat219]

Thanks for the congrats.

As for the photos, im not sure why it's blocked by the moderator somehow during in the middle of editing some posts...

If you edit your post more than 2 times in a day the system flags it as a spam and blocks it. Just post a new one.

[mloo123]

What happened to the photos? Anyway, congratulations with the tank test.

Btw, the ballast tank system inspired by this video:

https://youtu.be/RqnxuMlmhkA

[mloo123]

Thanks for the congrats.

As for the photos, im not sure why it's blocked by the moderator somehow during in the middle of editing some posts...

[redboat219]

What happened to the photos? Anyway, congratulations with the tank test.

[mloo123]

I know what you mean. Thanks for the tip!

[RCSubGuy]

The utility boxes typically use a foam gasket. Replacing that with rubber or by smearing silicone in to make your own gasket will significantly increase the amount of pressure they'd be able to withstand. Based on my experience with them and my own gut instinct. I'd bet you could get to 30ft or more without an issue with the gasket mod.

Bob

[mloo123]

Just wondering how waterproof these boxes are for our use? Have you tested them to say a bottom of a 9' pool? I'm asking this for I would assume they were designed to keep rainwater out at atmospheric pressure.

You are correct. These boxes were designed for atmospheric pressure which retards water intrusions with water jet spray at certain levels under it's IP ratings.

I don't have the luxury of having my own pool, plus any public pools or water feature landscapes available in my country that allows us to enjoy this hobby openly, thus will only sail them in small ponds or reservoirs in which will not submerged fully, maybe just till periscope depths to keep track of them. Hence at this depths these boxes were still be able to keep water out under it's own seals which I have tested with my industrial plastic container at home.

Hence I cannot comment whether can they withstand pressure at 9' under.

However, the main shafts seals have yet been tested for it's durability, but will find out soon after more running tests at home.