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Author Topic: Leveller unit  (Read 2676 times)

BlueWotsit

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Leveller unit
« on: September 25, 2010, 07:38:59 am »

Im currently refurbishing a Trafalgar class submarine.

In the box of odds and ends supplied with it, I found what I think is a leveller unit.

Can anyone throw any more light on this item, and advise installation / maintenance tips for it


thanks
Andrew
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Patrick Henry

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2010, 10:21:01 am »

The boys who can answer this accurately are either Mankster or Subculture, they are normally about somewhere.

It does look like a leveller unit to me, but I'm used to the old Ron Perrot designed "SALCON" leveller.
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Subculture

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #2 on: September 27, 2010, 05:45:37 pm »

That's an old unit supplied by Norbert Bruggen. It uses a fluid sensor (the white circle on the board) which is part filled with alcohol and water (so keep it away from Richard!).

Unfortunately the alcohol evaporates over time and results in an inoperable leveller. Yours may be okay, try it on the bench and see.

They've long since been superseded by levellers with micro-machined accelerometer chips  which are maintenance free and much smaller.

I have been told that single malt can work in the sensor.

Andy
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sheerline

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #3 on: September 27, 2010, 10:18:48 pm »

The fluid used in the sensor is isopropyl alchohol. I was informed many years ago that they can be topped up using a syringe... but you need to know exactly how much to use as they are not filled completely, needless to say, I avoided supplying them.
The alchohol forms a mobile conductive path across a small ceramic potentiometer carbon track such as that found in a servo. As the sensor is tilted, the fluid moves around the carbon track changing the resistance. This results in a voltage variation within the circuitry and is converted in to digital pulses which vary in width accordingly. These pulses are the same as those delivered to your servos, so naturally when a servo is connected and the circuit board angle is altered, the servo moves in accordance with it.
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BlueWotsit

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #4 on: September 28, 2010, 07:16:52 am »

As I want to get this sub right, perhaps safest therefore to invest in something more up to-date.

Recommendations please as to what would be a good basic unit to purchase


thanks
Andrew
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Subculture

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #5 on: September 28, 2010, 10:11:44 am »

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BlueWotsit

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #6 on: September 28, 2010, 11:07:38 am »

Thats an interesting item, presumably as well you only need to set it all up once and then it will remember the settings forever.

Any idea of price / how to order as theres no info on the site



cheers
Andrew
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Subculture

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #7 on: September 28, 2010, 11:08:48 am »

Contact information is on the home page.
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BlueWotsit

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Re: Leveller unit
« Reply #8 on: September 28, 2010, 11:18:02 am »

just found it cheers.
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