Russian Alfa Class

[rwtdiver]

Why did you decide to end this project? I was enjoying your updates.

Randy

Randy,

Back at it, and I am back to what this project started out to be! Experimentation! Designing and building a Piston type ballast tank system! Trying to make it fit into the Alfa boats was not going to work because of the size of the system itself!

At this point the piston system is built and in full operation!






I do have a video showing the operation of this system! I am in hopes of designing this system into a BOAT! Now that I have it built and it does work!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[RanSan]

Why did you decide to end this project? I was enjoying your updates.

Randy

[rwtdiver]

I have the WTC compartment all laid out, with most components in the correct position! The main drive motor will be installed in a smaller dia. WTC outside the main cylinder, just did not have enough room for the all the components in a 24" cylinder! All I have left to do is all the wiring that will be required for the ballast system and the main components for sub operation!



Sorry the photos did not come out very good! Battery died on the camera so I had no flash!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

After hours of design work and build and re-build on the 2.75" WTC, there is just not enough room for all the components to fit into the Borei hull! So now I am back to my Alfa 1:72 scale boat, and a 3.50" WTC cylinder!

With some custom fit work, I think this going to work! The piston ballast system I designed has been the deciding factor on this whole project! I will post up some photos of my finished piston system, and the new WTC in the near future!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

I have been working on the WTC scratch build! I am in the process of designing and 3D printing the different structural component parts for installing the electronics, motors, receiver, and servos!



These photos show the different plates and ring supports for the equipment.



These two photos show the wiring design and the actual micro switching device I will be using on the piston tank design.

SPECIAL NOTE: Do to the size and complexity of this WTC, I may be moving it over to my Russian Borei build!



I have a WTC already built for the Borei, but it is for surface running only. Do to how long the WTC that I was going to use on the Alfa, I may transfer this piston tank design to the Borei. It will be a much better fit for this boat! I will keep you posted!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

6 amps, at 12 volts? That's 72watts, something wrong there.

Subculture! Woops!

Sorry, forget to put the 0.06 amps! Under load the piton tank when filling shows between 0.06 and 0.08 amps! Sorry! Yes I would agree 6 amps at 12 volts is a little high!

Thanks for catching that! You guys are the best!!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[Subculture]

6 amps, at 12 volts? That's 72watts, something wrong there.

[trout]

Rob,
Yes, if I used my piston like crazy and ran my sub at full speed, it wouldn't last 10 minutes....but I don't. I really look forward to seeing you get this one working.

[rwtdiver]

Thank you Jorg and Tom!

I appreciate the information and advice! I may just give it a run and see what happens. When the ballast tank piston is in operation it is pulling almost 6 amp's, (approximately 45 seconds) The wires seem a little undersized to me as well, may just step them up a GA. or two! Thank you very much for the help you guys!!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[trout]

My 1/72 Skipjack runs on them and I get an long amount of time (never depleted them completely) - ran over an hour. If running all your electronics draws 1 amp, you will get 2 hours on that battery.

[JHapprich]

Cant you use a lipo instead? I assume your machinary will deplete them rather quick. Also the cables look very thin. I had the problem on my early models that such small cells were drained quickly when you had everything running at once.

Besides, great work with your ALFA. Am curious how your cylinder will perform!

Jörg

[rwtdiver]

I have a Battery question?

I found a NMHB 12 volt 2000mAh rechargeable battery! It's made up of 10 AA batteries.


This battery is a great fit for my Alfa 1:96 scale sub build. Without going into a lot of detail (which I understand you need for an accurate answer) this battery will be operating the following: 1-550 12v DC drive motor, 1- 12v geared piston tank drive motor, and 2- 12g mini drive servos.

With my current situation, this boat would be in the water 10 to 15 min in between battery charges! My question, based on the information I have given you, will this battery do the job?

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

I am making some more progress on my scratch built WTC! I have printed out some cylinder bridging and also two end caps! I am using some colored PLA instead of the old plain white, not sure on colors yet!



This shot just show a total overview of the preliminary cylinder layout! It is going to be tight for sure!



These two last shots are showing the piston gearing set-up and the piston shut down (full ballast tank position) micro switch! There will another micro switch on the other end of the cylinder that will shut the piston down when the cylinder is empty! Still have more design and building to do to get everything needed inside the WTC for full system operation!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[rwtdiver]

The can size can be misleading, you need to also look at the RPM and torque characteristics of the motor.

You ought to be looking at a shaft speed of about 4-5000RPM for decent performance for a 1/96 Alfa.

Direct drive

555 for direct drive. High turn crawler 500's are another alternative .e.g. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/mabu...-dc-motor.html

Geared

A speed 385 geared down about 2.5:1 for reduction.

Brushless alternative-.

28-35mm outrunner, 400-500kv, direct drive.

Subculture,

Thank you VERY much for the great information! I do appreciate you taking the time to post it up! I was able to locate the Mabuchi 555 motors 12V 4500 RPM on ebay, and I purchased three off them for possible new boats and for back-up! Thanks again for you help!!

Rob
"Firemen can stand the heat"

[Subculture]

The can size can be misleading, you need to also look at the RPM and torque characteristics of the motor.

You ought to be looking at a shaft speed of about 4-5000RPM for decent performance for a 1/96 Alfa.

Direct drive

555 for direct drive. High turn crawler 500's are another alternative .e.g. https://www.componentshop.co.uk/mabu...-dc-motor.html

Geared

A speed 385 geared down about 2.5:1 for reduction.

Brushless alternative-.

28-35mm outrunner, 400-500kv, direct drive.