----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, December 19, 2005
11:49
Subject: RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] o2
control
Hey
guys,
I
assume that just about everyone here is limited in funds to build your sub.
The more complex systems are their likelihood to fail is higher and the cost
of repair is equally expensive. An O2 System does not have to be so complex,
all you need is a needle valve in series with a flow gauge (calibrated for O2)
for you to set the proper flow. There are all kinds of portable O2 monitors
that you can get for $200 bucks and that is what you use to keep an eye on
your O2. They even have Low and high and low level alarm settings which if set
properly will give you plenty of time to adjust your O2
flow.
In
my personal experience with many submersibles I have yet to see an automatic
computer-controlled O2 system aboard any of the submersibles that I have
worked with. And the comments I have heard from the ones that do have it is
that they are a pain in the ass to maintain. I am not against it as I am a
tech junkie myself. However one must ask the question..... Is this really
necessary? Do I really need it? Or is it just a gadget I like?
The
JSL sphere is roughly 55 cuft and I rarely ever have to make an adjustment to
the O2 system. I have even turned off the O2 to see how long it takes to
trigger a low alarm (Ours is set at 19%) and it takes about 30 minutes to drop
2%. However, it is a good piloting practice to monitor your instruments
constantly (every 5 minutes is a good ballpark figure). I guarantee that this
practice alone will keep you out of trouble and on top of your life
support system with very little maintenance..
Any
ways, just a thought...
Hugo
brian
the sensors that you are
looking for are teledyne analytical instruments
class r-22d, o2 sensors. they put out a milli
volt singal directly perporsional to the amount of o2 present the
average output is 7-13 mv in air at stp. the need to be loaded with a
10k resister. Measure the output with a milli volt meterany kind will do.
if the voltage drops ten percent you know that your o2 levels droped ten
percent.
o2 control can be done three
ways.
1.o2 level monitoring with a
solinoid for injection
pros hands
off automatic control
cons
expensive and complex
2. automatic pressure
controller maintain sub internal pressure to a fixed
point
pro single
controller all mechaincal/ about half price of electrical
con
compressed air leak internal inside sub will shut down
system
3. adjustable flow controller
manual
pro
cheapest
con
requires continous monitoring
hope that this helped for your design
ideas
rick m