Just Curious

[GundamExpo]

How are you supposed to controll a submarine under water? How are you supposed to keep it from running into things when you cant see it?

[JIMJAM]

My sub is ran on the surface simular to a surface boat using the rudders. In order to dive, some subs you more or less get up speed and force it down using the dive planes. Its got positve bouyancy so if you reduce the speed its gonna pop to the top. This is the easiest and less complicated approach but not very realistic. My submarine has a ballast tank which I can allow water to enter. This will make the submarine heavier and sit lower in the water. In my case I have it balanced so that when I flood the tank, the water comes just to the top of the conning tower. Being almost neatral in the water, I need very little about 1/2 mph in order to submerge. On board the boat is also a tank with liguid air. Actually its the stuff you can buy to blow off electronics. This is used to fill the ballast tank, which forces the water out bringing you to positive bouyancy. The sub also carries a saftey device that when radio signal is lost, it will blow the ballast tank. Water selection to run a submarine is important. Unless you have an olypic sized pool. you need to know the depth and make sure there are not any obstacles. Radio signals can penetrate water fairly easily. Clear,clean water is best. The more particles you have floating around the less signal you are going to get. On a day with the lake being clear, I run anywhere from periscope depth to 5 feet with 7 or 8 being the deepest. And yes, Ive lost sight a few times and your heart starts to race. I usually bring the throttle to stop and blow the tank. Then you just look for the sub to pop to the surface, if not, its time to go swimming. Here is a PIC showing the water tight compartment which houses all your electronics. The empty section is the ballast tank which water enters and leaves.