A modular CO2 ballast system for use in RC Submarines

This is a quick overview of a cheap and simple CO2-based ballast system, most useful for larger RC submarines.
Thanks for watching!
Bob Martin
the RCSubGuy
www.nautilusdrydocks.com

[@knowltk]

Cool ... This works the same way that the main ballast tanks on the submarine I was on, the USS George Bancroft, worked except that the tanks on our submarine were full of compressed air. The tanks were refilled with outside air when we were on the surface or snorkeling using an on board compressor.

[@MFL92028]

Nicely done... those are some good parts out there (which I didn't know about :-)

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Driver944S]

Bob, could that be rigged to fail closed/open? As in the bleeder valve would be left open to bleed water and air as the boat rises and dives, the blow valve left closed unless power is lost then it would open and the bleeder would close. If it could then it could be used as a power loss emergency blow system to surface the boat if lost. No more calling in a dive guy to find a lost boat.

[@RCSubGuy]

You can easily rig this in conjunction with a BLM failsafe device. You could also rig a pinhole bleed from the compressed side before the solenoid. It would slowly bleed air into the ballast tank over time, eventually floating the boat. Lots of options!

[@excellenceinanimation960]

Wow that’s cool!

[@RobbertdeRouw2022]

Hello Bob, You are using a Hitec waterproof servo, what exact model do you use?

[@tomspettel3646]

Will this system ever be for sale.. this looks good for my 1/72nd victor III

[@RCSubGuy]

I have no plans to offer it at this time, but... maybe eventually...

[@yvanpimentel9950]

Hey!! if you can get a compact water pump like a selenoid with piston and check valves , you can just pump water in a aluminum cilinder compressing the air there for lowering bouyansy,it will be a stealthy,no air living the vessel, another could be a metal tank full of water and the pump will be inside pumping water out creating a vaccun within the cilinder,

[@rjet4321]

Bob, so how many cycles of air would you have with just one co2 cylinder? or your best guess?

[@RCSubGuy]

I'm guessing around 8 to 10.

[@GiGaHarrySfotter]

Isn't CO2 going to dissolve in water? Therefore sucking water from below and ruining your ballast equilibrium?

[@RCSubGuy]

Perhaps over a long period of time, but that would long, long after you'd be home from the pond with a dry boat after many blow/vent cycles. Water absorption of CO2 is only a few percent. It's not a concern in the slightest.

[@DarioC1956]

just a question, it's possible to use argon instead co2?

[@RCSubGuy]

I suppose any gas that is liquid at around 50psi and ambient temp would work. Not everyone has access to Argon easily...

[@excellenceinanimation960]

How much would something like this cost? I’m interested in building a sub myself but they seem quite expensive.

[@RCSubGuy]

Perhaps $100 in parts would be a good guess (per tank assembly).

[@excellenceinanimation960]

@@RCSubGuy ok Thankyou! Iv just gotta finish a helicopter project before I start a sub lol

[@steveoconnell6726]

@@RCSubGuy Any chance we could get a parts list?

[@johnrettig1880]

Well well...... You're getting closer to the working Secret of the old 32 ' nd Parallel Submarine Company . AND .... It has to do with the Torpedoes .

[@МаксимБондарев-щ8и]

Hello, I can offer you a file of the model of the submarine pr. 636 in scale 1/50 made according to the drawings. And at the same time there is a printed model with, a length of 152 cm.

[@antonioezquioga6236]

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