Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] New to PSUB

[DJACKSON99@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/17/2003 6:36:24 PM Eastern Daylight Time, mike@bornclassified.com writes:

> for surface propulsion, I'm thinking of putting on a 10-20 HP outboard
> motor.  When I go underwater, I will have to plug the exhaust as well as the
> intake.  Is that all I will have to do?  Can an outboard motor take repeated
> dunkings and still work pretty well on the surface for an 
> extended period of
> time without major maintenance?

Welcome to the list.  I am interested in this too, and had it in a earlier design. See: http://members.cox.net/djackson003/sub/Sub_H4_files/index.html
I was planning on starting with my 18hp Mercury outboard with a electric starter, then use the existing housing as a mold for a new fiberglass housing.  The new housing would contain a snorkel and be open at the bottom. Exhaust air from the ambient cabin would be piped into the housing in order to maintain ambient pressure inside the housing, prevent flooding, and keep then engine and its electronics dry.

> thinking of putting the batteries in a lexan box and tightening it down with
> wingnut bolts.  Do I even need to do that, or will the battery be able to
> withstand the pressure by itself.  What about not shorting out the
> electrical leads from the battery terminals?

I have seen car batteries down to 35' in fresh water without any modifications, other than rubber cement on one terminal.  I think a housing would be a better idea. If each battery is in its own partition the supports would only be 7 inches apart so lexan, steel or aluminum should do fine.  You might consider putting the hatch in the bottom so air is trapped even if the seal leaks.  Very interested in what your doing. 

Best wishes
Doug Jackson
http://members.cox.net/djackson001/sub/index.shtml