|
Hi Glen. No, I haven't cut the holes in the bottom of my MBT's.
Once all the welding is done, I'll pressure test them using the air
input/output fitting with a "T" and a gage.
If the pressure holds for 24 hours there's no leaks. If it leaks I'll spray
soapy water on the welds and find the holes. Drill them out and re-weld.
I have no battery pods. The batteries ( 14 ) are inside down low and each
set of 3 is inside a stainless 12 gage box with a gasket and lid. Rubber
grommets where the cables exit. Not really water "proof" but pretty much sealed
up. To charge them, I'll open the lids and have a fan sucking the air out of the
sub to dissipate any gas build-up.
On the gas shocks, I would consider putting them inside. Anything outside
gets salt water and pressure applied, increasing maintenance. If a device needs
to be outside , well OK, but if it can be avoided it seems logical to put it
inside.
I prefer exterior springs because it keeps the hatch opening clear but you
may be able to mount them at the perimeter of the flange inside so they don't
take up much room.
The thing is ( to me ) that anything outside requires extra measures to
protect it from pressure, collision, and corrosion. If it can possibly be
located inside, it's subject to only the one atmosphere of the cabin, doesn't
get wet ( well maybe a little ) and can be reached while submerged if it
develops a problem.
I'll be carrying some extra scuba tanks outside but the main air tanks will
be inside.
The only things outside are the 4 motors, 4 actuators for rudder and dive
planes, and whatever lights I add later. For now I have a location molded into
the side dive planes for mounting two battery operated dive lights ( like flash
lights ) and they will be switched on before each dive. No thru-hulls or wires,
just replace the Duracells when the batteries get old. They won't be real bright
so I will be adding some serious lights later with thru-hulls and wiring. I will
be adding a video "periscope" to the hatch but again, it will be contained in a
housing that connects to the main cabin. Dry and one atmosphere. If it springs a
leak I'll pull the wires and close the valve leading to the camera
housing.
I'll keep a Hi-Res video camera inside to shoot video through the windows,
so the rotating "periscope" camera will be for looking forward and around with
the image on a small screen just above the two upper windows.
Frank D.
|