Chlorinated pool water and electronics do not mix!

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  • QuarterMaster
    Rear Admiral
    • Sep 2015
    • 1194

    Chlorinated pool water and electronics do not mix!

    The Friday before memorial Day, we got together for our Annual Trim Party. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t cooperating here on “Lawn-guy-land” that day. Don’t get me wrong, it was outright gorgeous with the exception of the wind. Sustained winds of 20mph with gusts to 30mph are not conducive to trimming your boat as the waves at the lake were a foot or so with whitecaps and spindrift.

    Actually turned out to be a good thing for me.

    Capn’ Gaito invited me over to his house where lo and behold, he has an inground pool perfect for trimming a boat. So him and I headed over there to do the deed. Frank Salerno, owner of the 104” SSRN SEAVIEW, eventually showed up as well to learn how one trims the RC Submarine.

    Many of you remember this SSN-591 has been a test bed for me to refamiliarise myself with my old techniques, as well new technologies having come out on my hiatus. Primarily for the ”big boat” Capn’.

    This last winter I finally settled on the Design Plan for my future builds (Ballast tanks >75inł) by having decided to return to the old reliable "gas" system, but now with a “Low Pressure Blower” (LPB). It differs from Dave’s Sub Driver SAS system in that though we both directly draw air at Periscope Depth with a snorkel (like the real boats do) to the tank, I don't store the air onboard in the pressure hull as a burst to get her to PD. That's what the Propel does of course, and only when needed as she (and all my large boats) strictly use 2.4Ghz so I'm tied to the surface anyway, which I prefer. A simple Diaphragm Pump Air/Water Pump DC 12V rated 2L/Min plumbed directly from the snorkel induction to the tank with no valves, so the head HAS to be above water. This was the 2018/19 Refit so needless to say she needed to be retrimmed. Hopefully the last major trim.

    Everything worked out great. While we found the surface trim was nearly the same, we discovered she was heavy at the bow, heavy overall when submerged. Easy fix! Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_A.jpg Views:	1 Size:	695.0 KB ID:	132539
    591 Surface Trim
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_B.jpg Views:	1 Size:	381.7 KB ID:	132540
    Submerged trim, heavy in the bow, heavy overall.

    However, I also discovered, 2 outta 3 of the “new” bellows I installed for the Rudder/Stern Planes and Fairwaters pushrods had leaks. Pool water (~ 10ml not a lot) made it into
    the Command and Control Box, just enough to slosh around the bottom. Shame on me for not pressure testing before hand. This was discovered after the temp trim was established with foam and she suddenly shut down at PD.

    Like I said, it was fortunate we had left the lake. This happening 30’ away in a lake that has a current water temp <65°of would have NOT been good for a human to rescue a submerged RC boat.

    Troubleshooting on site initially lead to the 433Mhz Remote power switch failure that resides in the Power Control Box, which had NO leaks, strange. Bypassing that on shore showed everything else was fine, or so I thought. Since I don’t put anything less than a 100% operational boat in the H2O, time to go home. Okay, I can deal with that. So swap out the Remote Main Power Switch, and return to my tried and true (30+ years) of 1/8” Silicone Fuel tube Linear pushrod seals (ala Krick U25) and move on.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_A1.jpg Views:	1 Size:	588.3 KB ID:	132541
    The new 433Mhz Remote Switch in the Power Control Box

    So this past Saturday with her on the bench, I swap out the remote switch and run through a channel test, Including an A/A Bell on the throttle. When I start to apply A/B Bell on the throttle, the shaft begins spinning, fitfully, while LED’s the ESC light up flashing and I here a POP!, everything dies….WTF???

    Traced the pop to one of the external 12VDC 20A Battery Fuses….weird. So I replace it just to make sure, everything back to normal but again when I reply a backing bell….POP!! Damn!! Not learning when to quit, I tried it a third time, this time backing slowly, and sure enough same POP!
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_C.jpg Views:	1 Size:	665.6 KB ID:	132542
    Command and Control Box

    So in less than 10 minutes I had pulled the old “Solid State” Brand ESC to check that. I plainly saw it had indeed been corroded by the short time it had exposed to the chlorinated pool water. As you can see there is definite residue and brown scorching in the unit. Which by the way, is NOT sealed. Not a great loss as I had this ESC since the 90’s and swapped it in when I changed from a Brushless motor in Mod II to a Brushed Motor in Mod III. It’s a Redmond 12VDC 10A RV HVAC Blower Motor donated to me years ago by the good will of Cap’n' Ray Mason. Click image for larger version  Name:	591_A2.jpg Views:	1 Size:	562.8 KB ID:	132545
    Redmond 12VDC 10A RV HVAC Blower Motor in the Propulsion Box. Water cooled, swings a 3-1/4" screw.

    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_D.jpg Views:	1 Size:	608.3 KB ID:	132543
    The old "Solid State" ESC, don't even remember who manufactured it. The failed Remote switch above to the left. I'm guessing it fried BEFORE the 20A fuse blew when the ESC failed in the pool.
    Though it's shrink wrapped you can see it's certainly not water resistant, much less waterproof.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_E.jpg Views:	1 Size:	464.1 KB ID:	132544
    Evidence it had a bath in the chlorinated pool water.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_20190524_F1.jpg Views:	1 Size:	477.1 KB ID:	132546
    Plainly visible is the heat damage.

    Luck has it I had just purchased two ESC’s from none other than Capn’ Martin for two other projects “on the way’s” and I almost have 591 back together for the July 23rd Regatta in Queens. This ESC is a Viper of course, so she’s waterproof.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_A2A.jpg Views:	1 Size:	582.2 KB ID:	132547
    Pre-installation surgery.
    Click image for larger version  Name:	591_A3.jpg Views:	1 Size:	584.6 KB ID:	132548
    In place ready to put the rest of her together. Hoping the Engel SPC2 wasn't affected. Time will tell.


    So lesson learned…….

    1-Alway’s trim the boat in a “safe space” at the start of the season, even old faithful that runs without issue year after year. Murphy’s law is a “clear and present danger”.

    2-They’re are two types of RC Submariners. Those who have experienced leaks, and those who will experience leaks. Use Waterproof electronics whenever possible, or waterproof them yourselves. Humiseal can be had on Amazon to conformal coat a bare board if that’s your only choice. Just make sure you mask any connectors from the Humiseal so you get a good electrical connection when installed!

    3-ALWAYs stop running the boat if it misbehaves in anyway. Don’t “power through it” even if you drove 10 hours to run it.

    4-Know your environment. I don't normally run in pools, my preferred boat scale limits that, so I didn't suspect the damage until later.

    Many thanks to Capn' Gaito that day for his help and support.
    Last edited by QuarterMaster; 06-03-2019, 11:27 PM.
    v/r "Sub" Ed

    Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
    NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
    USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS
  • Davidh
    Captain
    • Nov 2010
    • 719

    #2
    Hello Quartermaster,

    I have never trusted Bellows, too expensive and way too vaulnerable. I use Nylex Garden nozzles that are called 'off takes' Sand down the rim on one end, press fit it into the baulkhead and slip a piece of Nitro tube over the other end and an O ring. In 15 years of Sub building they have never leaked. I can send some pics sometime if that would help. There is probably a US equivalent of these. Very cheap too. The diameter of the hole fits perfectly a brass rod of 2.38mm that is sold by K&S.



    David H

    Comment

    • vital.spark
      Commander
      • May 2010
      • 274

      #3
      Davidh, Yesplease some more pictures!

      Comment

      • Subculture
        Admiral
        • Feb 2009
        • 2119

        #4
        The Solid State esc was made by a chap in Scotland called Mike Stothers. They're the best brushed esc's I've ever used, and very rugged but the model you have there is not waterproof as standard- you have to seal off the ends of the heatshrink with some rtv or epoxy to make that so.

        Comment

        • He Who Shall Not Be Named
          Moderator
          • Aug 2008
          • 12253

          #5
          Proper pushrod and shaft seals












          David
          Who is John Galt?

          Comment

          • QuarterMaster
            Rear Admiral
            • Sep 2015
            • 1194

            #6
            Only tried the bellows this one time. Needed it for my vent valve solenoid, no friction for the limited amount of force it can supply. So I figured, "Why not?" since I had spares try it on the servo pushrods this time. So I swapped out old reliable. My bad.

            Here is how I've been doing it since the '80s. Common parts available commercially. The oring size is critical as to not overstress the servo. A drop of CorrosionX on the wet end as part of pre-underway checklist.

            Click image for larger version

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            v/r "Sub" Ed

            Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
            NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
            USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

            Comment

            • QuarterMaster
              Rear Admiral
              • Sep 2015
              • 1194

              #7
              Proper? That's one opinion dude, for those who cast.

              Mine are easier to fab for the DIY'er, both original installation and retrofit, and flex longitudinally with a radial horn servo throw.

              v/r "Sub" Ed

              Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
              NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
              USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

              Comment

              • QuarterMaster
                Rear Admiral
                • Sep 2015
                • 1194

                #8
                In poked the bear, I POKED THE BEAR!!!!

                RUUUUUUUUN!!!
                v/r "Sub" Ed

                Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                Comment

                • RCSubGuy
                  Welcome to my underwater realm!
                  • Aug 2009
                  • 1768

                  #9
                  I've done the fuel tubing seal thingy with my Engel builds. I find they get brittle over time and sometimes they "stretch", losing the clamp on the rod. You need two swap out the tubing regularly to ensure they seal tightly. Proper nitrile o-rings or cup seals are designed by people who do this kind of thing for a living to do exactly what we're asking of them, seal a connection. Other solutions may be cheaper (I highly doubt easier), but I'd rather not gamble with a massively expensive boat, myself.

                  Comment

                  • Bob Gato
                    Captain
                    • Feb 2019
                    • 826

                    #10
                    Now Ed-
                    that pool was just opened and the chlorine was about what we get out of our faucets. Granted Chlorine is no bueno for RC models but all that exposed brass in those pictures were still pretty shiny. I think that the ESC and that Chinese 433MHZ switch wouldn't have survived any type of water...And I still would be happy to let the chemicals run down when ever you guys need some safe deep clear water-or burgers on the grill...just let me know.

                    BTW -I hope it was a typo and not that you're saving the wrong date ("July 23rd Regatta in Queens") the ESSM regatta is Sunday June 23rd..
                    Last edited by Bob Gato; 06-04-2019, 06:35 PM.

                    Comment

                    • QuarterMaster
                      Rear Admiral
                      • Sep 2015
                      • 1194

                      #11
                      Originally posted by SubHuman
                      I've done the fuel tubing seal thingy with my Engel builds. I find they get brittle over time and sometimes they "stretch", losing the clamp on the rod. You need two swap out the tubing regularly to ensure they seal tightly. Proper nitrile o-rings or cup seals are designed by people who do this kind of thing for a living to do exactly what we're asking of them, seal a connection. Other solutions may be cheaper (I highly doubt easier), but I'd rather not gamble with a massively expensive boat, myself.
                      In retrospect I do like the bellows, MUCH less stress on the servo, and I understand I should have screened (pressure test) the bellows prior to installation. I'm just amazed 2/3 had issues!

                      Never really heard anyone having an issue, people seem to love them on the OTW cylinder's.

                      In the end it's really failure on me for foregoing the pre-underway procedure because it was a pool. 1st pool in 20 years lol.
                      Complacency sucks!!

                      I'm waiting for a new batch, will pressure test the lot.
                      Last edited by QuarterMaster; 06-12-2019, 07:21 PM.
                      v/r "Sub" Ed

                      Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                      NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                      USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                      Comment

                      • He Who Shall Not Be Named
                        Moderator
                        • Aug 2008
                        • 12253

                        #12
                        Originally posted by QuarterMaster
                        Proper? That's one opinion dude, for those who cast.

                        Mine are easier to fab for the DIY'er, both original installation and retrofit, and flex longitudinally with a radial horn servo throw.
                        your welcome

                        David
                        Who is John Galt?

                        Comment

                        • QuarterMaster
                          Rear Admiral
                          • Sep 2015
                          • 1194

                          #13
                          Originally posted by He Who Shall Not Be Named

                          your welcome

                          David
                          Trouble understanding that English language again Dave??...tsk tsk...Torpedomen!! We all don't speak Gorilla.
                          Happy Fathers Day
                          I still loves ya!


                          Final results regarding Bellow Seals:

                          1-First Time EVER trying them....2/3 leaked.

                          2-Ray Mason gave me 5 he ordered, first impression they "felt" hardier.

                          3-I weighed them, mine averaged .617 grams, Ray's Avg came in at .823grams. Definitely more robust.

                          4-However, 3/5 of his leaked air bubbles as well!

                          So caveat emptor, test the seal. Especially those purchased online from a dubious source.

                          Anyone else have long term success with the bellows? I would think OTW Fans would comment.

                          Is this isolated or systemic regarding bellows seals??

                          Is there a know GOOD manufacture where we don'y have to by 100 to get 40 to work? That would suck if they were TV's.

                          NOT trying to determine which type of seal is best, just the issues with these.
                          v/r "Sub" Ed

                          Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                          NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                          USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

                          Comment

                          • trout
                            Admiral
                            • Jul 2011
                            • 3545

                            #14
                            I bought some bellow seals from flea bay and they were very thin. Correct dimensions, but they tore easily. I ordered some from Engel and they were substantial and much better quality. Went on perfectly and did not rip or leak.
                            That being said it was an Engel kit it was going on. The pushrods were in metric (2mm). If you are using a 1/16" pushrods, that is (rounded up) 1.59mm. The small hole on the bellow seal is 1.5mm which offers little room for variances (if using 1/16" rod) and not much stretch at the end to seal. So, that makes me wonder where is it leaking at?
                            The other thing I learned was I needed to be very careful zip tying the larger side down. I found one time that when I zipped it down it bunched up and leaked. I redid it and it worked the next time.
                            Last edited by trout; 06-16-2019, 01:11 PM.
                            If you can cut, drill, saw, hit things and swear a lot, you're well on the way to building a working model sub.

                            Comment

                            • QuarterMaster
                              Rear Admiral
                              • Sep 2015
                              • 1194

                              #15
                              Mr. Martin,

                              Excellent "How to build watertight seals for your RC submarine" video regarding home brewed seals. Very similar to something I wanted to try in the past but I was always nervous the o-ring would "pop out" or twist sideways on the wet side on an extreme servo throw. Yet the Silicone you suggest appears to have solved the problem. Also, I never thought the CA would adhere to the sintered bronze, oil impregnated bearings holding them in place, as some seemed to fit snuggly, and others did not. Variance in tube and bearing tolerances. I also tend to use Rulon bearings and nothing sticks to that lol.

                              Your assembly can easily be retrofitted on my boat using a short piece of 1/4" ID Silicone tube from my thru-hull pushrod tube to the over the 9/32" brass tube of the seal. It would also flex longitudinally giving the same benefit as the bellows.

                              All kidding aside on Mr. Merriman, the methodology he uses I could retrofit too using a silicone tube like I mentioned, however I use 1/8" push rods while Dave's are sized for 1/16" in the SubDrivers, at least the one I have. FWIW, seeing how Dave cast's them I always wondered how he actually gets a seal when the rod he uses to hold the o-ring in place is the same diameter as the hole it makes. IOW, I don't see the rubber o-ring being able to protrude into the open shaft area when cast. Wouldn't they have the same I.D. after the resin set? Perhaps a Merriman" Trade secret??

                              But excellent video, at least I won't have to rely on Chinese Manufacturing quality, or worry about "silicone tube seal" induced stress on the servo.

                              Thanks!
                              v/r "Sub" Ed

                              Silent Service "Cold War" Veteran (The good years!)
                              NEVER underestimate the power of a Sailor who served aboard a submarine.
                              USS ULYSSES S GRANT-USS SHARK-USS NAUTILUS-USS KEY WEST-USS BLUEBACK-USS PATRICK HENRY-K432-U25-SSRN SEAVIEW-PROTEUS-NAUTILUS

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