RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Waterproof controls

["Alec Smyth" <Asmyth@changepoint.com>]

Actually you will find these GPS antennas readily available on eBay for
only a few bucks. I bought one recently and it seems to be a
manufacturer who is selling them as they are new and the item is listed
over and over.

-----Original Message-----
From: DJACKSON99@aol.com [mailto:DJACKSON99@aol.com] 
Sent: Sunday, April 20, 2003 1:22 PM
To: personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Waterproof controls

>  If you were imagining a 1 ATM submersible then perhaps you could
forgo 
> having buttons through the acrylic dash altogether.  A 1 ATM
submersible 
> usually only needs splash protection from water, and pressure
protection 
> when flooding the hull, either for escape or routine locking out.  If
you 
> have the front panel of the dash removable, then hinge it for easy
acces to 
> the buttons under normal conditions and latch the panel down air tight
when 
> flooding the hull.
> 
>  That would be of no use to an ambient submersible, as it stops you
from 
> using the components while the cockpit is pressurized, except for a
GPS or 
> radio, which are only used at the surface anyway.

Actually I am planning an ambient dry sub, but sealing the case top
before flooding is a good idea too. In a real emergency, Im not going to
be conserned about the electronics.  I too have washed all kinds of
computer components in a sink and let them dry before using them again.
Closing the case just before flooding would also allow the pressure in
the case to be equalized too.  

I found plans of extending a GPS antena to the surface, and my son is
building one for a test.  It it works we will tow it with the dive flag.
Maybe it will work for my cell phone too.  Wouldn't that be cool.   Here
is the web site if anyone is interested: You can build the antenna for
under $50 from the plans here
http://www.landyonline.co.za/off_road/gps_antenna.htm or you can buy one
already made for $400 from here:
http://www.longbeachdive.com/scubanav-detail.htm 

>  With two people in a 1 ATM submersible, if one person should remain
in the 
> submersible waiting for the other to return before de-pressurizing the

> cabin, then he would have no access to the sealed components.

No problem, its just a fish finder, gps, volt meter, etc. You would only
need to look at most of it.

>  It would be nice if there were a commercially avaiable ball-joint
with 
> o-ring.  That would allow you to easily hit a group of 
> buttons with only one 
> penetration through the 'dash.'

Yes, exactly what I need to work the GPS.  Maybe a miniture version of
the bathroom skin drain opener leaver.

Thanks for the ideas Shin!

Doug J