James bond lotus submarine

[ffr2608]

Good for you.

Pretty much all the seals I ever bought from anybody have proven to be leaking within a couple of years. I avoid them like the plague. And don't get me started on sub drivers and their o-rings. Their record is even worse. Everything leaks all the time.

I don't use silicone to seal the wires. I use epoxy, that's the one thing that actually seals for good, for years.

Tifosi12,
Thanks for the amazing, constructive comments...

Edited for politeness

[tifosi12]

That was my dislike.
Wet servos have more than 1 water entry point. Silicone can break down around the wires and ruin the seal.
The vintage SBS seal I use have been 100% reliable for over 25 years. They are turned brass with the cup seal inside.

Good for you.

Pretty much all the seals I ever bought from anybody have proven to be leaking within a couple of years. I avoid them like the plague. And don't get me started on sub drivers and their o-rings. Their record is even worse. Everything leaks all the time.

I don't use silicone to seal the wires. I use epoxy, that's the one thing that actually seals for good, for years.

[ffr2608]

That was my dislike.
Wet servos have more than 1 water entry point. Silicone can break down around the wires and ruin the seal.
The vintage SBS seal I use have been 100% reliable for over 25 years. They are turned brass with the cup seal inside.

[tifosi12]

Interesting. I would have used wet servos and put them outside the box to eliminate the need to seal those servo linkages.

Alright, I got an anonymous dislike. Fine. Care to elaborate?

My motto is to keep it as simple as possible and sealing the feed lines for the servos through the box is a lot easier than dealing with mechanical seals for the linkages.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

That is where I am starting. I could swap or couple the planes on-site during testing. Might need to grab an angle keeper for the stern but will decide a bit later.

DH

Good conservative plan. I like it. Looking forward to your findings, sir.

David

[ffr2608]

That is where I am starting. I could swap or couple the planes on-site during testing. Might need to grab an angle keeper for the stern but will decide a bit later.

DH

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

OK. Collective and differential on the two bow planes -- roll and depth control, I get that. What about the stern planes -- they get a free ride with no work to be done? I assume the motors will be used for yaw control?

David

[ffr2608]

Servo mounts in and all supports have been bonded to the hull. I will be working on the motor pass-through connections next. The outrunners will be easily removable for post-run maintenance.

[tifosi12]

Some final work on the linkages. I am trying an elevon system on the bow planes first. If you look at the output shafts, they are extra long to link to the stern planes. Lots of possibilities and room for a third output. The box is all mounted up and ready for electronics install. I am also experimenting with some smaller props and they fit great inside the nozzles. Good to have options and will see the results in the tub first.

Interesting. I would have used wet servos and put them outside the box to eliminate the need to seal those servo linkages.

[ffr2608]

Some final work on the linkages. I am trying an elevon system on the bow planes first. If you look at the output shafts, they are extra long to link to the stern planes. Lots of possibilities and room for a third output. The box is all mounted up and ready for electronics install. I am also experimenting with some smaller props and they fit great inside the nozzles. Good to have options and will see the results in the tub first.

[ffr2608]

Me not posting doesn’t mean I’m not building.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

While harsh there is truth in this.

I can't fault anybody for trying and then giving up. My closet is testimony to that. But I do wonder what some folks were smoking who come in with great plans/CAD renderings etc and then fizzle out as soon as they have to put some of that into real life hardware.

So I'm thrilled to see that this project might actually go further.

PS: You mention Bob. I think he is not totally innocent in this either. If I remember correctly he once started his own Lotus and showed it in a video but then never finished it. In his case of course the reasons are different; he got bigger fish to fry.

I strive for clarity. Not consensus. Ambiguity -- in practice or presentation -- is the stuff of chaos. You can have nice, or you can have truth. Pick one.

David

[tifosi12]

Not just this thread, but nearly all 'look what I'm building/assembling' threads are false starts; fools errands that just waste our precious time. Usually launched by unexperienced, untested hobbyist who have no idea of the long-term commitment, knowledge, tools, and shop skills required to see the project through to a successful conclusion.

Before cluttering up the forum with your high expectation/low performance posts read Bob's book first!

FIRST: Buy "Diving Deep - The Beginner's Guide to RC Submarines"
I created this book to help answer many of the fundamental questions that people have about this amazing hobby. Available in digital download or hard copy , it can answer many of the questions that you might have. DO NOT reach out to me or anyone else if you haven't purchased and read this book!

Most of you idiots have the attention span of a Goldfish; you all hardly have the patience required to yank a foamy airplane out of its box and toss it into the air.

R/c submarining is a deferred gratification game; you are required to put in many, many hours of planning, assembling, testing, trimming, painting and shake-down.

But, let me make this clear: the above rant does not apply to people like Darrin Hataway -- guy's like him are pro's who GET THINGS DONE. Unfortunately -- and this is true to all forums that deal with Craft -- the guys who actually see a project through to completion are way outnumbered by those who start things they never finish.

I get your frustration, and I share it.

David
The Horrible

While harsh there is truth in this.

I can't fault anybody for trying and then giving up. My closet is testimony to that. But I do wonder what some folks were smoking who come in with great plans/CAD renderings etc and then fizzle out as soon as they have to put some of that into real life hardware.

So I'm thrilled to see that this project might actually go further.

PS: You mention Bob. I think he is not totally innocent in this either. If I remember correctly he once started his own Lotus and showed it in a video but then never finished it. In his case of course the reasons are different; he got bigger fish to fry.

[tifosi12]

Motors mounted up and bonded to the hull. Decided to go analog from this point forward. Acrylic, brass, stainless and styrene. I did find some old Subtech SBS seals so I will be mounting the pressure box tomorrow.

This is looking solid. I'm still amazed about how small these motors are. Didn't know that existed. Very cool and keep it going please.

[ffr2608]

Motors mounted up and bonded to the hull. Decided to go analog from this point forward. Acrylic, brass, stainless and styrene. I did find some old Subtech SBS seals so I will be mounting the pressure box tomorrow.