Hi Guys,
One more small stage completed.
Soldered the wires on the forward/reverse switch module and tested it then glued it to the main module.
Test fitted in the tube.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
The pump is now connected and tested.
Fitted the two forward bow plane servos, unfortunately I had to use double sided tape to fix them down.
I have a few more little bit to fit and a bit of wiring to figure out and then this module will be done.
And obviously test fitted in the tube again.
I have lost count of how many times these modules have been in and out of the tube.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
Another little update.
I have installed the remote on/off switch in between the pump and the pump switch arrangement, fitted some connectors for the battery and battery charge systems,fitted a small digital volt meter and fuse holder.
Completed the wiring and tested all systems.
Everything in this WTC is bits and pieces that I have collected over the years.
I must admit that using the standard servos made it a lot more difficult to get it all to fit in.
Because I am using the BEC from one of the ESC’s it means That the battery position on the receiver is not used, so l have decided that I will power the navigation and running LED’s from it as when it is powered up I get 4.5 volts from it which is ideal for the LED’s.
I did plan on having the signal light working in morse code using an Arduino board but I have not got the room to fit it in. I will see if I can make some sort of simple flashing system instead, if not then I will have to forget it.
Here are some photos of the forward and aft modules being tested, and one photo of the forward module in the tube, you have to admit it is quite tightly packed.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
It's Me again.
Drilled out the remaining end cap and the two middle caps.
Fitted the through tubes and sealed with silicon.
A little bit more tinkering to do and then I will be ready to start the final assembly of the WTC.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
Just a little warning if you plan on using a remote on/off switch in your WTC.
To work it needs to be permanently connected to a power source (your battery) even when your submarine is switched off, so it tends to drain the battery when you are not using it. So the last thing you want is to keep stripping down your WTC just to charge the battery. If you have an external charging point then this is not so bad.
A magnet on/off switch will prevent this problem.
It is to late for me to change mine now as it will be a massive job to do so but if I have to then I will later.

Martin.

Hi Guys
I thought I would try and have a dummy run at assembling the WTC.
but unfortunately I ran into a few problems, mainly with the pump hoses getting kinked.
So I am trying to sort that out.
I have also been experimenting with the navigation lighting and the signal light.
I am by no means an electronic genius in fact I have not really got a clue about electronics, but after looking at utube I have managed to make a small circuit for the signal light. But it only turns an LED on and off at one second intervals.
My original plan was to use an Arduino PCB for the lighting but I do not have the room in the tube for it.
I have done a bit of Arduino programming before so I have ordered a small IC for two pounds (I think that is $2.60) and I will be able to program it with a small message in morse code. But I will also have to do a but of wiring modification.
I have Posted a couple of photos of the small circuit on the bread board, and of the completed board.(555 Timer IC.)
Anyway back to the modifications.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
The end is now in site.
Completed the centre section of the WTC, (ballast tank) I had a lot of problems with fitting the bladder, when I pumped water in it the bladder would not expand as it was to big, so after many experiments I decided to fit a party Balloon in as without a bladder of some sort there will always be water left in the tank.
Fitted a small vent to the top of the tank and used some insulation from electrical wire to use as a hose to connect it to the conning tower.
It should still work ok but until the WTC is completely finished I will not know.
Also I weighed both end sections, and the aft section is 1lb 14oz.
the forward section is 2lb 7oz.
so I am thinking about trying to add some weight to the aft section in an attempt to even it up a bit.
I don’t know if it is the right thing to do or not.
As I have said before this is the first one I have ever built so it is all a big experiment.
Only time will tell.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
Made and programmed the signal light module using a small IC called an ATTINY 85
Thanks to utube for solving the little problem I was able to program this little chip using Arduino PCB and program. I used the connectors from a servo extension lead so That it could be placed anywhere in the circuit.
I could not figure out quite what to signal so I just made it signal the following.
"STAY CLEAR UNDER WAY"
I slightly reduced the time between each letter and word separation as it did not look correct for the scale of the submarine.
All the navigation,running,and signal light switch on as soon as I switch the receiver on as I am using the battery socket on the receiver to supply the power. Also So that I can tell that the submarine is switched on.
That means that it will still signal under water, so I am thinking of attaching a small tactile switch so it only flashes when the forward bow planes are up then when lowered the signal light stops but the nav,running lights remain on.
Now I just have to figure out how to add the weight inside the aft section of my WTC then hopefully I will start the final assembly.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
Well after a lot of wrestling and swearing I have finally managed to put my WTC together. All systems seem to be working ok.
I still have to put grease in the end cap through tubes and fit the bellows.
I forgot to put the extra weight in the aft section, so I will see how it acts when it is in the water and change it if I need to.
As you can see in the photos it is quite tightly packed.
I have learnt a lot on this project and if this doesn’t work then I will remake it differently. The photos of the WTC in the Gato is of when I wanted to make sure that it still fit in ok.
Well that's about it with the build, I will post updates on the testing of this WTC.
I hope that this has been slightly interesting.

Martin.

Hi Guys,
Just a little update on the home made WTC.
Tested in Bug Blue, I had to add a little weight under the tube and held it there with elastic bands. It floated level so I submerged and surfaced it quite a few times and worked fine.(no leeks)
But the battery on charge until fully charged.
Unfortunately when I temporarily fitted it in my Gato and connected the universal joints to the prop shafts, then I ran both propellers forward and reverse slowly at first then at full rev’s, it sounded like a cement mixer full of rocks and extremely loud.
So I switched it all off had a cup of Coffee then went back to it , I switched it on but nothing happened.
I have had a quick look at it and the battery and fuse is ok. (I suspect the remote switch)
I will have to open it up to investigate further but I am doing other things that the moment so as soon as I get the chance I will.

One of the photos is the WTC on the surface the other submerged, you can see in the submerged photo the ballast party balloon full of water.

Martin.