Is anyone else building a submarine tonight?

[1969912 0]

Just wondering.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[Lindercles 0]

is this another british sex terminology thread?

[NWFlyer 2]

As in a sandwich? Nope, I already ate dinner.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[sinker 0]

no, too tired.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[1969912 0]

No. I'm building a micro size remote control sub for my nephew.

EDIT: Making the propellers as we speak.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[1969912 0]

OK, here are pics of what I have so far:

microsub2.jpg shows the rear housing of the sub. You can see the circuit board inside. Oh, yeah, the plastic housing is a Silly-Putty egg/container. The dark thing pointing towards you is an infrared receiver, which is how commands are sent to the sub. The two red things on either side are the motors; they are installed through holes in the olastic egg.

microsub3.jpg is a picture of the thing put together, but without the props. The props will be attached to the tiny gears (one white, one black) at the end of the motors.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[1969912 0]

while my soldering station heats up, here is the history: My little nephew and I were goofing around with those little remote control cars that are ~1.5" long. I told him we should make one into a boat. He said "submarine!" I said OK. Next I looked at prior work by others doing essentially the same thing. Using the motors and circuitry from one of the cars, I started on it tonight. Got lucky when I saw the Silly Putty eggs at Wally World, 2 for 88 cents. Gotta solder and mount the props now (props are made from the aluminum skin of a Red Bull can.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[1969912 0]

OK, this pic has the props installed (they will be trimmed and bent for the right pitch later). The slightly hacked control unit is plugged into the charging plug on the sub. The battery in the sub gets charged by the control unit. A quarter might be visible in the pic for scale. Next, I will charge it and see if the props actually turn.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[1969912 0]

microsub6.jpg shows the sub plugged in for charging with the body of one of the donor cars sitting there.

The next two are with it running using the infrared remote control. I had to shut off the flash on the camera, otherwise the shutter speed was fast enough to freeze the motion of the props. That means the image quality is poor. In one of the pictures with it running, I turned the steering control, and you can see the difference in rotation rate of the two props. Next I will see if it will churn any water in the sink.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[1969912 0]

busted a wire. tired. will finish it later.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[ematteo 0]

sweet project.

[bob.dino 1]

Nice. Let us know how it goes...

[NickDG 23]

Reminds me of Greg Hunter who was building a "real" submarine in the Perris Ghetto. He worked on it for years. Greg, a sort of Renaissance man, was involved in many pursuits including skydiving. Some may remember him from his firm called "Head Hunter" which made camera helmets.

Unfortunately Greg and his female passenger were killed during a tandem jump in Hawaii around Christmas in 2002. He was a very cool fellow, a friend, and I still miss ribbing him about the submarine . . .

NickD BASE 194

[skiskyrock 0]

Does the IR receiver have to work under water? Water absorbs most IR wavelengths over a short distance.

[ncfitzge 0]

No, but I am building a RC truck 1/8 scale and about 40mph. I broke it last weekend launching it off a half pipe.

#148 Sonic Scrat
"Have you ever kissed a rabbit between the eyes?" Woodpecker pulling out his pants pockets to the waitress

[1969912 0]

IR is the only signal path with the current (mickey mouse) setup. If water absorbs IR, then the thing might not work very well. Will find out in a few weeks after I finish moving and can work on it again.

"Once we got to the point where twenty/something's needed a place on the corner that changed the oil in their cars we were doomed . . ."
-NickDG

[Peej 0]

Hey , that's very cool!

But, how heavy is it? Is it going to sit on top of the water or sink like a stone? You might want to give it some sort of ballast system? (I dunno if that's possible)

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[McDuck 0]

This is the most intriguing project I read about here. I'm interested to know how it all goes. You know, because I would actually be willing to purchase plans to build one myself.

Kevin - Sonic Beef #5 - OrFun #28
"I never take myself too seriously, 'cuz everybody know fat birds don't fly." - FLC
Online communities: proof that people never mature much past high school.

[Peej 0]

Oh hell yeah!

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