[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Tired of Going in Circles
Hi Dan,
I've used the Precision Navigation TCM2 electronic compass in Remotely
Operated Subs. It worked reasonably well and could be calibrated for
iron in the vehicle. These go for $600 to $700 if I recall correctly.
They have a 0-5V output that could be wired to an inexpensive LCD.
You'd still need a laptop or palm pilot to calibrate it though.
Given the amount of iron in your sub you want the compass sensor
mounted outside the hull in a non-ferrous pressure vessel. The
simplest would be a short piece of 2" PCV pipe.
A simple first step would be to mount a dive compass someplace visible
from your viewport, though it may not work at all because of the iron
hull. A dive compass should cost under $50
The ideal solution would be to find an electronic car compass that has
a hard wired remote sensor. That way all the engineering is done and
it's price lower since it's mass produced. It may actually be possible
to open a PNI wayfinder and split it's sensor module from the rest of
the compass. They also sell just the sensor modules so it's possible
one could be reverse engineered.
It would be worth trying the electronic compass inside the sub, just
because if it works it would be a huge hassle saving. I probably
wouldn't expect it to work though.
The sensors are here:
http://www.pnicorp.com/group?nodeId=c30
mike
On Oct 20, 2004, at 6:47 PM, Dan H. wrote:
Hello All,
Well, I've had My K-350 "Persistence" out several times this summer,
and now that the local waters are clearing up more as they get cooler,
I'll be getting in several more dives until it freezes. As of yet, I
haven't done a deep water test but dived manned to fifty feet several
times and had no problems. I don't care to take it any deeper then
that until I do an unmanned deep water test to five or six hundred
feet.
I've had a bunch of fun with it, even though I haven't seen anything
spectacular. With the practice, I'm getting better at controlling
it. It still bobs some as I'm submerging, but I now keep that down to
no more then four degrees fore and aft. Running a straight line when
going top speed (don't ask me how fast but it's faster then one could
row) is still difficult. The faster I go the easier it is to get in a
quick unintentional turn. I know a tail fin would help but I don't
think I want to add one yet.
The other thing that I need to do is install some sort of directional
device. I'm thinking a gyro compass. Once I loose sight through the
conning tower viewports, I'm traveling blind. Even near the surface,
unless the sun is shining through the top view port, I can't get
oriented and keep it there.
Does anyone know where I can get a gyro compass or anything else to
tell direction with, other then a new gyro for an airplane out of the
catalogue at $1600 a pop? Also, most airplane gyros seem to be vacuum
powered. I need either 12, 24 or 36 volt powered.
How do you other guys tell direction ? Keep in mind I've been diving
in pea soup where vis is no better then four feet. To give you an
idea how many pees are in the soup around here, at forty feet, there
is ZERO light coming from the surface. With the lights off, IT'S
DARK!!!!
Thanks for any help, Dan H.
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003. Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.
If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of receipt
of your request.
mailto:removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org
PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 311
Weare, NH 03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************