Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: nelsona on March 29, 2011, 07:37:19 pm

Title: Co2 ballast system
Post by: nelsona on March 29, 2011, 07:37:19 pm

Would anyone who has made an operating ballast tank using the co2 (gas) system like to advise on how they made it? that is any drawing or information regarding valves or pressure vessels, in fact any useful tips would be very welcome and gratefully received :-))

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: Mankster on March 29, 2011, 08:26:47 pm

Dont even go there. If you want to use compressed air use some thing thats stores at lower pressures like airbrush propellent.
If you must than adapt a bicycle pump gun to blow ballast directly with out valves and high pressure plumbing ( I am planning such a think as an emergency device to blow normally flooded ballast tanks should the boat get stuck underwater in weeds or something and the regular ballast system not have enough boyancy to tear the boat to the surface)

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: nelsona on March 30, 2011, 09:18:44 am

Thanks Mankster may I ask what a bicycle pump gun is? excuse my ignorance!

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: Mankster on March 30, 2011, 09:31:41 am

Something like these
http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/19452/Giant_Control_Blast_CO2_Inflator
http://www.dryburghcycles.co.uk/products/SKS-Airgun-Mini-CO2-Bike-Pump.html

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: nelsona on March 30, 2011, 11:58:11 am

Thanks once again Mankster, but they were what I originally meant to use, I had heard somehwere that an adaptor (pressure reduction valve) could be fitted to the pump and that would reduce it to two or three bar? Innovations was the recommended one, but Halfords were out of stock, B*keh*t were given a defint thumbs down on two customer reviews I rea, What degree of difficulty would you rate the production of valves etc., I have a lathe and can use it

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: Davy1 on April 04, 2011, 01:49:26 pm

We really ought to refer you to the SubCommittee.
Gas (Propel) systems are very rare in the UK but are commonly used in the US.

It is a bit since I've had a  look but there must be some guidance on their website.

http://www.subcommittee.com/

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: Brooks on April 08, 2011, 11:58:20 pm

Mike's sub works has parts for CO2 systems
http://www.mikessubworks.com/page1.html

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: nelsona on April 09, 2011, 12:51:32 pm

Thanks for the info, trouble is it is abroad, but it is possible I will look into it ok2

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: HMS Invisible on April 09, 2011, 01:38:28 pm

Would it help if I order a complete ballast system from the US and report back to you?

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: Subculture on April 09, 2011, 02:00:22 pm

Is there any particular reason you want to use a Co2 based system over other lower pressure methods?

Gas systems have traditionally been very popular in the States, owing to the easy availability of commercial dive modules/WTC's which use this system, although these tend to be the lower pressure based systems using airbrush propellant etc. as opposed to Co2. The compact nature of these systems lends itself well to smaller boats like 1/96th scale nukes which are popular over there, and in addition the lack of pumps and extra motors was a boon bearing in mind the limited battery capacity available up until recent times.

However with the ready availability of small air pumps and much better batteries things are beginning to balance out.

Andy

Title: Re: Co2 ballast system
Post by: nelsona on April 09, 2011, 05:04:25 pm

Thanks for all the input, no particular reason about using co2, Just seemed compact and uncomplicated system, having experimented with a piston controlled affair