Watertight Boxes

[redboat219]

David posted these on FB few months back.

His first R/C submarine, a 1/96 Akula.

Ace Nautical Commander radio.


GRP watertight boxes.


Clear lids were attached with RTV sealant.


rated to 2 atmospheres (33 feet)


electronics box was installed with lid on bottom. White box is the ballast tank

pneumatically activated vent valve


Valve components







Other iterations of the WTB.

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Yup. Our first r/c submarine. We learned a lot from that bad boy.

[redboat219]

Why did you go with a pneumatically activated vent rather than a mechanical (servo)?

[He Who Shall Not Be Named]

Why did you go with a pneumatically activated vent rather than a mechanical (servo)?

I didn't know any better at the time. Don't permit complexity to be the enemy of a successful outcome.

[redboat219]

What did you use to seal your driveshaft and control rods?

[SubSteve]

Definite Blast from the Past! I remember wrestling with some tech from this era on an early Engel Patrick Henry. I recall the no-hardware box lid and thought it was a great way to reduce the number of potential leaks, but was still accessible, albeit with an Exacto knife. I installed the top half of an aluminum 35mm film container on the lid to provide access to a power switch and charging jack. Your receiver and speed control are also familiar, amazing how much smaller and cheaper those components are now! Thanks for the post.