JetNautilus version 3 progress

[Carcharadon]

The following picture shows progress on the new hull made from the new mold. The plug is on the left and the new hull to the right.

I'm satisfied that I was able to reform the old molds without destroying the plug or the old molds.

The new hull will be version 3 of the JetNautilus. It will incorporate the dual voltage variable thrust (DVVT) concept.

This effort will incorporate all the experimentation on the electrics to date into one hull.


Here is how it will work. Forward speed will be variable at 12 V. Full forward thrust will be accomplished at 24 V, but because of the unique characteristic of the Nautilus it will dive at full forward thrust. So that in effect will be my down control and as a consequence I can eliminate one bilge pump.

Once underwater the option would be either variable speed at 12 V or full forward thrust at 24.

Turning will be accomplished at 24 Volt and reverse at 12 Volt.

So I am very excited to put this all together.


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/1v3a.jpg

[Carcharadon]

Here is progress to date on the new shell for version 3 of the JetNautilus. Still have work to do but it’s almost there. Currently working on the electrics for DVVT.


Can’t wait to get this all together and out to the pond!


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/2.jpg


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/1.jpg



http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/3.jpg

[junglelord]

Man am I envious of your skills.
Kudos to you...what a sweet build.
I love the dual voltage concept based on your experience.
Very cool pumpjet/bilge concepts.
Your way cool.
Cheers
Dean

[Carcharadon]

Thanks Dean, very kind of you, and kudos to you as well, I always thought the Seaview would be an excellent candidate for the bilge pump system.

Tom

[junglelord]

Yeah, I would love to put a Rick Teskey unit together like that...or a large Debor

[Carcharadon]

For the first time I was able to get all the electrics together and housed in the PVC pipe. Made a short video to show a bench test. One end of the pipe will be sealed completely the other has wires protruding through a custom fiberglass end cap; the tire valve is needed only to test for leaks.

The system uses the “home grown” ESC and SSR (40A), DVVT.

There are only two inputs 12 V and 24. The outputs are one wire to the forward pumps which can carry either 0 -- 12 V or 24. The application of 24 V will serve as the down control. The other outputs are port and starboard turning and reverse, a ground and the antenna. So there are a total of eight wires, three to carry voltage, and four to direct current to the appropriate pump or direction and the antenna.

The video shows a bench test of the electrics. All the outputs can be connected to one device for purposes of the bench test. In this case it's just a 12 V light bulb with a resistor so it won't burn out at 24 V.

To test forward direction the light will go from dim to slightly bright. Next 24 V will be applied and the bulb will brighten. This would be the equivalent of applying a down control to submerge the sub. Once submerged 24 V could be released while 12 will remain on all the time and the sub would continue to travel underwater.

Reverse is simply on or off I did not see a need for variable speed. Likewise turning will be on or off at 24 V.

So this can be seen in the video as the light responds to the controls on the transmitter. First will be forward (variable speed indicated by the light going from dim to slightly bright), then down, the application of 24 V (bulb at its brightest). Then reverse (bulb is just on or off slightly bright) then turn, on/off (bulb at its brightest).


I'm hoping all of this will fit in the sub as is but I may have to shorten the pipe which I can do without even removing electrics. If that still doesn't fit then plan B.

So the next sequence of events will be to cut the hull, install the pumps and plumbing then the batteries and electrics. And then final parts which could get damaged while handling the main hull.


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/th_bench.jpg (http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/?action=view&current=bench.flv)

[Carcharadon]

I've been working on this for so long and now its getting there.

So far no major problems, and the electrics are overkill for the amps even at 24 V so I'm not expecting any blown components.

I sealed the watertight chamber, completed all the wiring, installed the bilge pumps and batteries and devised a way to open up the bottom half using only one screw. To my surprise and relief everything fits.

I still have a lot of work to do yet but I was anxious to see how it would work in water.

I got enough of it together to conduct a limited tank test. The sub needs to be trimmed yet and some other work done but the pumps and electrics are all in.

I made another short video. At first you can see the variable thrust anything within 12 V would be cruising speed. When the control lever for forward speed is toggled to the right 24 V kicks in and this would dive the sub. After the sub goes down 24 V can be released and the sub would then cruise underwater on zero to 12 V. Turning is simply 24 V on or off. Reverse works too but you can't see it, that's in the front bottom of the sub but it works fine (12V).


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/th_Tank1.jpg (http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/?action=view&current=Tank1.flv)

[Carcharadon]

This is the latest tank test video of the version 3 JetNautilus incorporating DVVT. All the controls work as anticipated. Because of the limited space I cannot tell if it will actually dive, and I won't know until I get it out in the pond, but I'm pretty sure it will. Using 24 V for turning enhances the turning response and I think this is evident in the test tank trials seen in the video. But again it won't really be evident until the first shakedown cruise in the pond.

So the next video will probably be a shakedown cruise at my test pond.

Still a lot of detail work left to do. All the above deck items need to be added and more sanding and painting. The wires protruding from the skiff hold are the connect and disconnect plug for the battery's. When disconnected the batteries are isolated 12 V but when connected provide 24 V. So the two batteries can be simply charged with a 12 V charger this eliminates the need for a 24 V charger.

Since everything seems to check out OK there'll be no need to separate the hull again, just leave the batteries disconnected until it's time to be the Nemo, just connect to a charger prior to launch. That's all that's needed, and the sub will just sit outside since it can handle all the elements.

The dogs running around in the background enjoy these test tank opportunities because they get to swim in the test tank it's their own little private pool.



http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/th_Tank2.jpg (http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/?action=view&current=Tank2.flv)

[Carcharadon]

I’m too anxious to wait! The sub is almost complete. It needs another coat or two of paint and the Salons need to be completed. However, I need to give it a try, its close enough now to go out for a shakedown cruise, so that’s next. I can work on these remaining tasks later.

Although I have made previous versions of this sub, just about everything in this version is new; the wheelhouse, the electrics, and even construction techniques. It might seem surprising that there can be so many different ways to build what may seem like the same thing. But each and every one (versions) has been different, with its own unique set of problems or challenges to over come. That’s why this is taking so long.

One thing is for certain I could not have built this sub unless I went through previous versions so in that regard it has been and continues to be a learning experience. I guess that’s what makes it fun at least for me and probably most.



http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/5-1.jpg


http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/3-2.jpg

One more trim session. Then charge up the batteries.

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/6.jpg

http://i252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/th_tankt2.jpg (http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh32/JetNautilus/Version%203/?action=view&current=tankt2.flv)