Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Tired of Going in Circles

[Ian Roxborough <irox@ix.netcom.com>]

Hi Dan,

great to hear you've been getting your sub wet!

Have you considered buying a used Directional Gyro off of ebay.com?
>From looking at the completed auctions, a used directional gyro from
a cessena would go for any where between $10 and $300.  I'd hope it
wouldn't be too hard to find a 12volt vacuum pump.  I seem to remember
something about older econo cars need electric vaccum pumps because
the engine didn't generate enough vacuum for the break booster (the
same with some diesels as well).  I guess the key with vacuum pump
is it has to be very very quiet, or only run for a short time will
it empties a vacuum flask.

Never handled a Directional Gyro, so this is all guessing of course...

Thanks,
  Ian.

On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 21:47:18 -0400
"Dan H." <jmachine@adelphia.net> 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.


-- 



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