Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Submarines => Topic started by: Mac P on April 08, 2011, 09:54:17 am

Title: plasma bags
Post by: Mac P on April 08, 2011, 09:54:17 am
Hi sub guys.
Im trying to locate a few blood plasma bags to use as water balast containers in
a surface vessel.
I read either on this forum or else were that someone had used them in a sub,
any idea,s as to where i could get hold of a few ??
Mac P
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: boater12 on April 08, 2011, 10:11:40 am
Are these the bags they use when you donate blood ? If so you could try asking the blood transfusion group when they are in your local area ? Just suggest a small donation in return for a few bags, make sure you get empty bags  {-)

Jim.
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Arrow5 on April 08, 2011, 10:24:16 am
The gas turbine powered model aircraft use them as fuel tanks.  Try Als Models or one of the engine manufactures such as Wren.
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Patrick Henry on April 08, 2011, 10:39:03 am
Go to your local chemist and ask nicely....that's where mine came from.

Rich
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: pugwash on April 08, 2011, 10:40:20 am
message sent in error

Geoff
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: pugwash on April 08, 2011, 10:40:54 am
Sorry boater12 your idea is good but won't work - my wife before she was a GP worked about 10 years for the National blood Transfusion service
(that was about 17 yrs ago) and the bags then were some ridiculous price _ if I remember rightly they were about £23 each then!!!
If anybody didn't give a full donation they had to be ditched and the bag was wasted.   so your idea of a cash donation will not work.

Geoff
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: boater12 on April 08, 2011, 10:42:10 am
It was only a thought, just been looking into Arrow5 suggestion and found these ;

http://www.prestwich.ndirect.co.uk/fueltanks.htm

scroll down abit and there are there starting at around £10 each.

Jim.
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: The long Build on April 08, 2011, 01:37:53 pm
I have seen the air bags from blood monitors used on a sub , often you can get these for £9.99 form main chemists, ie Lloyds.  Also I have seen used the bags from the rehydration drinks. 
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Guy Bagley on April 08, 2011, 01:41:42 pm
i use armbands for a similar use,i use a peristaltic pump as per norbert bruggens set up  in my sub - but i  did not want to make my own 'gummi sack' as a reservoir so looked at alternatives - look at the different sizes of kids arms bands, they are often made up of several different size chambers each with its own blow up valve... i found a kids armband had a chamber the right size for my needs so use that, its flexible, very durable and perfect for the task in my sub....
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Subculture on April 08, 2011, 02:03:59 pm
The larger Capri-sun bags (the ones with the screw top) can be adapted for use as ballast bags. They won't suit every model, but they're a very inexpensive solution, plus you get to enjoy the contents too.

Andy
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: essex2visuvesi on April 08, 2011, 02:15:35 pm
Colostomy bags?
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: hollowhornbear on April 08, 2011, 02:32:49 pm
unused i hope!!
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: boater12 on April 08, 2011, 03:30:41 pm
Surely used Colostomy bags would be better as they will already contain ballast  :-)) :-))

Jim.
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: pugwash on April 08, 2011, 04:30:42 pm
HOw about the bags you get inside boxes of wine, with the additional benefit of drinking the contents

Geoff
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Subculture on April 08, 2011, 05:53:44 pm
Surely used Colostomy bags would be better as they will already contain ballast  :-)) :-))

Jim.

But that 'ballast' floats!
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Mac P on April 09, 2011, 11:13:47 am
Thanks guys some good idea,s there.
I think ill ditch the plasma bag idea {too costly} the ship is
2 mtrs x 24 cm x 17 cm so at a tenner a time !!!!!!!!
ill have a look at the home brew/armband idea.
The thinking was that by using water ballast, i do not have to lug
a barrow full of junk to and from the pool.
again thanks.
Mac P
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: MikeW on April 09, 2011, 12:27:51 pm
You can use blood pressure cuffs, either buy replacements in different sizes or a whole blood pressure machine with a airpump is cheap on eBay.
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: Martin13 on April 10, 2011, 07:57:06 am
I have a neighour that's a male nurse and works in the local hospital. On one of his many visits to borrow something he noticed that I was playing around with lead ballast in a 1:72 scale battleship. Instead of using lead he suggested to use Saline/Glucose drip bags as they come in sizes from 500ml to 2 Litres and can be filled with water. Should any Oz members need some bags, I have a great collection and can get many more. The bags consist of used bags that were to be thrown out and Out-of-Date bags (expired)...Apparently, another modeller told me the bags can hold fuel for IC boats as well.

I think it will be far easier to get Glucose/Saline bags than Plasma one's for health reasons.

Martin du
Title: Re: plasma bags
Post by: NickKK on September 12, 2011, 10:06:59 am
See those yellow skips at hospitals .. they are probably full of plasma bags .. try A&E ... there's always people in there walking around with them held up in the air ....

Now I have a vision of sub modelers mugging patients and routing around in hospital skips ....