Hi Byron.
I have a completely wet, dual cockpits, wetsub
Byron, it isn't ambient. I already have my minnkota mounted to the hull
using
a motor mount I made from an old stop sign I cut
and bent. If you would like to see my sub's set up you have to belong to yahoo
because the
just click on the
"photos" section on the left of the page in the yellow column and the album is
the first one called "my two person wetsub".
Thanks for the info on the hydraulic thrusters but
I've already got my minnkota motor mounted. I just need to decide whether to oil
or air equalize it.
Right now I am on the hunt for magnetic variable
speed reed switches to activate the relay to the motor. One thing I am
wondering
about is WHY do I even need a relay solenoid? Why
couldn't I just wire it direct from the battery to the switch and then to the
motor? Does it have
something to do with too high a voltage or amps
going thru the switch and that is not good or something like that? I'm not real
good at the
electrical stuff. Also I am wondering how a
magnetic switch could possibly be variable if it just clicked in a solenoid
relay?
As you suggested I have talked to some of the ROV
guys. I am a member of the yahoo group called "Robotrov" at this
link......
responded to my post at the group, his link and
info did not lead me to switches I need. His link sent me to a site with
electronic circuit boards
that would be used inside a sealed unit in a ROV
for instance. I need something small and compact that I can use either in the
cockpit or attached
to the joystick in my wetsub. I thought about using
a mercury switch and rigging it so that I could just turn it to make
contact. If the attitude of my
sub was always horizontal that wouldn't be a
problem but if things got a bit murky
underwater and the sub was not horizontal and I got disoriented the mercury
switch might make contact when I did not want it
to. So I decided to not use it and to continue to try and locate the magnetic
reed switches.
Ideally I would like to find a magnetic reed switch
that was already waterproof and sealed, but if I can't find one waterproofed, I
could rig it up in
a real small piece of pvc pipe I
guess.
Bill.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2005 5:57
AM
Subject: Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] RimTec
Magnetic Clutches
Have you thought of talking to some of the
thruster guys? All of the ROV's out there ( except el-cheapo
cheapo toys) have some external thrusters. They are almost always
electric. I worked for Deep Sea Systems, Inc. as a consultant for
about six months, and have been friends with Chris Nicholson
(owner/pres) for twenty years. If you can catch Chris's
imagination, he can be a world of help. He builds and sells electric
thrusters.
Innovatum is another group.
Slightly different subject, but I gotta
ask:
Have you considered hydraulic thruster
motors? You keep the pump inside the sub and use through-hull
fittings to run hydraulic motors outside. Putting a piece
of pipe fitting through a sub wall for hydraulic hoses is lots
easier than either electric feed-throughs or a shaftdrive with a stuffing
gland.
Or bite the bullet, use the stuffing gland or
o-rings on the spinning motor shaft, design for drips and put a small bilge
pump under it venting overboard. Need a good check valve and a stout
pump for ambient, but its doable.