My first attempt at building a WTC

Just thought I would post a few pictures of my first attempt at building a WTC, it's still on the building board at the moment but nearing completion.

Outstanding! For a first attempt, I can't wait until your second one.
Looks well thought out. What changes do you envision?
Peace,
Tom

That looks really good!

What material is it?

David

Thanks Tom and David for your kind comments, I'm really pleased with it so far, the real test though will be when it's put in water for the first time !!!

It's Plexiglass (Acrylic)

In answer to your question about changes Tom the next one will be Macrolon (Polycarbonate). I bought the Acrylic before checking the posts on the forum about the pluses and minuses of both materials, but fingers crossed it will be ok.

I'll post more pictures once it's complete.

Well done Kevin on your First attempt.

An excellent looking piece of work.

May I ask how you will be sealing the end caps?

John

Thanks John for your kind comments.

Each end cap will have a o-ring which sits between the cap and the end surface of the tube, all the mating surfaces for the various fittings on the end caps will be sealed with sealant or o-rings, the motor shaft has a Simrit type seal, well that's the plan at the moment.

Did you recognise the solenoid valve, it worked a treat on the test bench, so thanks for supplying that.

Happy to hear that the valve worked ok, I'm sure that I have some more in the bombsite (Garage) if I can find them.

Once tried VERY SOFT RUBBER O rings on an end cap with plenty of Vaseline, tightened the bolts and the  o ring popped out like a hernia. Now use stiffer vinyl o rings or more often an annulus ring cut from 1mm sheet rubber.

John

I note that Ian O also successfully uses rubber sheet like this.

(Mind you he probably gets it from the same skip that you do, John!)

David

Very close David.

I got some surplus 2mm from the stores before I retired and Ian said he thought it was too thick and gave me some 1mm .
Not sure of his source but knowing Ian it was probably free/very cheap/good bargain.

John

A few pictures of the completed WTC

Looks really nice, Kevin!

Now the big question - does it leak?

David

Hi Kevin.

Your WTC is looking good but I have a question.

I've located the pump, valve and micro switches but not the ballast tank(s)

Are you going for tanks external to the WTC?

John

Yes indeed.

I'm very good at missing the major point!

But that John W never misses a thing!

David

david f wrote:Looks really nice, Kevin!

Now the big question - does it leak?

David

That's something for the weekend!!!

John Wrennall wrote:Hi Kevin.

Your WTC is looking good but I have a question.

I've located the pump, valve and micro switches but not the ballast tank(s)

Are you going for tanks external to the WTC?

John

As this was my first attempt I based this loosely on the simple RCABS design on the Rogue Sub Works website, link below

http://www.rc-submarines.net/uploads/3/6/3/4/3634806/diy-rcab.pdf

I changed the tyre valve for the micro switches and solenoid, the pump will feed a bag external to the cylinder.

I'll try something a little more technical next time!!!

Don't worry, it is looking very good and that is also a nice guide to building WTCs.

David

John Wrennall wrote:Happy to hear that the valve worked ok, I'm sure that I have some more in the bombsite (Garage) if I can find them.

Once tried VERY SOFT RUBBER O rings on an end cap with plenty of Vaseline, tightened the bolts and the  o ring popped out like a hernia. Now use stiffer vinyl o rings or more often an annulus ring cut from 1mm sheet rubber.

John

Hi John,

I'm busy collecting parts for another project so if you come across any more of those valves I would be interested in another one, if available.

Kevin

What a beauty Kevin….. congrats.
grtz,
Bart

Thanks Bart