The Association of Model Submariners.

Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.

* THE FORUM FOR ALL THOSE INTERESTED IN BUILDING AND OPERATING MODEL SUBMARINES *


Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. 14212712

Just a reminder that this Forum will close for posts next November (2025) . It will continue to be available as a reference on the Wayback Machine https://web.archive.org/

Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. 14212712

For a guide to past events see the "Shows and Events" section.
B i
::::

S

P~~~

$$$

Who is online?

In total there are 5 users online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 5 Guests

None


Most users ever online was 180 on Tue Nov 05, 2019 6:03 am

Latest topics

» Microprocessor choices
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyWed Dec 04, 2024 7:26 am by geofrancis

» Robbe Seawolf V2
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyWed Dec 04, 2024 7:17 am by geofrancis

» Futaba -868/915mhz equipment
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyTue Oct 29, 2024 4:46 pm by tsenecal

» RC Drift Gyro for pitch control
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptySun Oct 20, 2024 2:04 pm by geofrancis

» WW2 mini sub build
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyThu Oct 17, 2024 2:34 pm by geofrancis

» sonar data link
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyMon Oct 14, 2024 4:31 pm by geofrancis

» ExpressLRS - 868/915 Mhz equipment
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyFri Oct 11, 2024 8:58 pm by Marylandradiosailor

» Flight controllers as sub levelers
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyFri Oct 11, 2024 8:14 pm by geofrancis

» 868/915 Mhz as a viable frequency for submarines.
Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. EmptyThu Oct 10, 2024 3:21 am by tsenecal

Statistics

Our users have posted a total of 12536 messages in 1992 subjects

We have 1021 registered users

The newest registered user is Mike Echo

Similar topics

4 posters

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    avatar
    Tom(ADMIN)
    AMS Forum Owner


    Posts : 3026
    Join date : 2010-11-05
    Age : 64
    Location : Nevada, USA

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  Tom(ADMIN) Mon Nov 22, 2010 6:17 pm

    I thought that this diagram may come in useful for those wishing to convert a stock Darnell air system to one using the motor from an electric tyre compressor.

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. 60504_10


    (diagram by Steve Juden)
    klunk
    klunk
    Guest


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2010-11-06

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  klunk Mon Aug 13, 2012 5:51 pm

    looking at this I now know where mine is wrong!!!
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    AMS Chairman


    Posts : 1107
    Join date : 2010-11-06
    Age : 70
    Location : Braintree, Essex

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  nigele(ADMIN)2 Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:15 pm

    What stops the compressor filling up with water sir,??????
    avatar
    Tom(ADMIN)
    AMS Forum Owner


    Posts : 3026
    Join date : 2010-11-05
    Age : 64
    Location : Nevada, USA

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  Tom(ADMIN) Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:24 pm

    The water is on the outside...in theory.


    Last edited by Richard(Admin) on Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:07 am; edited 1 time in total
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    AMS Chairman


    Posts : 1107
    Join date : 2010-11-06
    Age : 70
    Location : Braintree, Essex

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  nigele(ADMIN)2 Mon Aug 13, 2012 6:48 pm

    I can see that if you have a bag inside tank,but if you dont very iffy,another litle point worth thinking about these car air pumps have no piston rings and leak pressure past the piston,this excess pressure ends up inside the boat,unless you vent the boat when on the surface this can become a very serious problem.
    klunk
    klunk
    Guest


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2010-11-06

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  klunk Tue Aug 14, 2012 6:20 pm

    next question. Got the bladders working, they fill and empty now. BUT.........
    I have 2 x stern air ballast and 2 Bow ballast. Do all the bags have to be of equal volume?
    Common sense says yes, but I have 3 the same volume and twice the volume.
    david f
    david f
    AMS Treasurer


    Posts : 2412
    Join date : 2010-11-10
    Age : 74
    Location : Cumbria

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  david f Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:55 am

    The system you are describing sounds very complicated. You may be better off starting simple with a single large bag (centred around the centre of bouyancy - the periscope typically), if you possibly can. I think that the original Darnell was like this.

    You can incorporate the other tanks as trim tanks as a separate system, but later on.


    David
    avatar
    Tom(ADMIN)
    AMS Forum Owner


    Posts : 3026
    Join date : 2010-11-05
    Age : 64
    Location : Nevada, USA

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  Tom(ADMIN) Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:06 am

    Many years back when this conversion was first thought of, people had all sorts of problems using multiple air bags. Getting them to fill and empty together was virtually impossible, and getting your boat to submerge and surface on a level plane was a real pain in the proverbial.

    Going back to a single, centrally mounted bag makes life a whole lot easier. Bernie Wood and Jim Ward both tried to get a boat to work properly using two air bags, and both never really made it work properly. Bernie (at one time) did modify his Type V11c to use two pumps with their own air bags, each bag being individually controlled by it's own pump and switch...that worked to a point, but finding somewhere to store the extra air needed proved a problem, so the idea was discarded.


    If I were you Peter, I'd use the compressor system with a single, centrally mounted air bag...I think you'll find that will work very well, and will be much easier to set up.

    klunk
    klunk
    Guest


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2010-11-06

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  klunk Wed Aug 15, 2012 6:42 pm

    ok can do that. So how do I work out the displacement so that I get a big enough air bag?
    Trial and error?
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    nigele(ADMIN)2
    AMS Chairman


    Posts : 1107
    Join date : 2010-11-06
    Age : 70
    Location : Braintree, Essex

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  nigele(ADMIN)2 Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:25 pm

    Wieght of the boat above waterline,EG; IKG=1LTR of air to support it,

    every 1KG in wieght,will take 1LTR of air to support it.
    avatar
    Tom(ADMIN)
    AMS Forum Owner


    Posts : 3026
    Join date : 2010-11-05
    Age : 64
    Location : Nevada, USA

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  Tom(ADMIN) Wed Aug 15, 2012 7:32 pm

    I forget now what sizes those bags come in, I used to get them from SHG Marine, but whether they are still in operation I don't know.
    klunk
    klunk
    Guest


    Posts : 9
    Join date : 2010-11-06

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  klunk Sun Sep 09, 2012 3:04 pm

    grrrr this is doing my head in.
    first found that the one way air valve had failed.
    two can get pressure to 20 psi but when the microswitch activates i dont have enough air to fill the bag!!!
    going loopy!!!
    plus ordered simply subs from trapplett 2 weeks ago but no show even though they say theyve despatched it!!
    avatar
    Tom(ADMIN)
    AMS Forum Owner


    Posts : 3026
    Join date : 2010-11-05
    Age : 64
    Location : Nevada, USA

    Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system. Empty Re: Converting a stock Darnell air system to a compressed air system.

    Post  Tom(ADMIN) Sun Sep 09, 2012 3:35 pm

    You're not having much luck with that boat, are you Pete?

    I suggest a word with Steve Juden or Paul Cook may well pay dividends, both of those two are well known for their expertise with compressor systems.

    Regarding the book, Traplet are equally well known for taking ages to dispatch stuff...two weeks is nothing! Give them a call, and keep pestering them!

      Current date/time is Thu Dec 12, 2024 8:04 pm