gulfstreamI

With the extra power driving the sub's motors, the PREVIOUS mod I did to install the upgraded TRAXXAS prop has to be REPLACED. Here's the previous mod using the sub's stock 4.8 - 6.0 Volt power source. (1st pic.) This is the REVISED prop shaft mod extension that I made to handle the extra power of 7.2 Volts. (2nd pic.) The material specs are: 3mm X 70mm brass tube & one 4mm dia. drive dog prop collar . This is my version of a small coupler. (3rd pic.) This is the NEW prop shat extenion for this mod. (4th pic. )
Note: The sub's rear cowling was not installed to show the NEW prop shaft extension, which is the best I could do for now. Reinstall the sub's rear cowling , THEN install the prop shaft extension with the drive dog collar & grub scew in place, do not fully tighten . The complete prop shaft assembly will go thru the sub's rear cowling opening. As soon as you've deteremined that the prop shaft is properly aligned & the prop collar does not rub against the opening, tighten the grub screw of the drive dog collar (the small coupler).

gulfstreamI

Hmmmmm.... I'll see what I can do about your suggestion. lol!

gulfstreamI

I also upgraded the power source of the sub's controller from 9 volts to 12 volts. I made a parallel connection in the sub's power supply wiring & installed a 9 volt connector clip. The upgraded power source uses a AA X 8 battery holder I purchased at the local Radio Shack store. (1st pic.) I use rechargeable Alkaline batteries for the controller. To give the new battey pack water resistance I used a small plastic storage bag. (2nd pic.) To secure this to the sub's controller, I used a piece of rubber band. (3rd pic.) This is how the 12 volt external battery pack looks like (4th pic.) Sorry guys it's kinda crude, but it works! The runtime for this controller set up should last for about 3 hours. Enjoy the day stalking the pond fish![ ]

tsunami

wow man youve been busy. i havent even got to try mine in water deep enough to dive yet(i need to lay off the glider biulding)its startring to rain here so i might get my chance soon

gulfstreamI

tsunami,

Yup! Verrrry busy! I'm currently working on mods for a 1/10th scale hovercraft & a 22.5" RS (Radio shack) 1/10th scale speedboat. I hope to post the pics & mods I made with these two in the boats forums when I'm done. Hope you're happy with your glider project.

gulfstreamI

tsunami

my work room is a mess of foam so is the dinning room and even the pool table has a plane in progress on it

gulfstreamI

tsunami,

Some pics of my sub's "shakedown" cruise at the local pond. I took these pics from distances of 10 to 45 feet away. pic #1 >> AHEAD SLOW!!! >>>> pics #2 & #3 >> DIVE!!! DIVE!!! DIVE!!! >>> pic #4 >> FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

gulfstreamI

Some more surface run shots. Mission: Koi Fish hunting!

gulfstreamI

Pic# 1 >>> The sub in REVERSE on the surface.
Pic# 2 >>> Sub making a "high speed" pass.
Pic# 3 >>> The sub about to make a dive.
Pic# 4 >>> Slow cruise on the surface, .... still hunting the Koi fish!

sirnumskull

gulfstreamI,

Nice pics, really good info for mods. . . too bad about availability of these cool subs. . . definitely must find one.

Keep the mod info flowing . . . it is a great motivator!

Thanks for all of your input,
Sirnumskull

gulfstreamI

Sirnumskull,

Thanks for the comment! This Wal Mart submarine needed a lot of mods to make it to the pond.
It was NEVER really intended to be used in ponds in it's stock form. It's original intended use was for Fish tanks, Bath tubs & Swimming pools.
Work on this "toy" sub started as a joke. I wanted to buy the BIG 24"-36" r/c subs, but costs kinda made me think twice & I had to think "small". I ended up buying this 13.5" pint sized sub ... which isn't that bad after all .... for $20!
I'll keep you guys posted on the results of the mods for correcting the trim angle. This sub is running on the surface at an angle, as you can see from the running pics. I have to correct that problem.

GulfstreamI

gulfstreamI

Modifications for the sub's bow planes. This is an option to correct the sub's trim as it runs at an angle or tilt on the surface. The material is made from 2mm thick ABS plastic sheet that are usuallly available from hobby stores. The bow plane extension which is removable (another option) is angled at 15 degrees.
NOTE: Installing these bow plane "extensions" will result in slightly slower surface speeds.

gulfstreamI

Results of the sub's bow plane extensions. Here are some pics. Note the level conning tower planes

gulfstreamI

Today I picked up the latest version on the Motorworks Sub (aka Wal Mart Sub). The improvement is in the sub's stern fins.
Pic # 1 is the OLD version.
Pics #2 & 3 is the NEW version of the sub's stern fins.
I think the R& D boys from the Motor Works company got this one right!
Oh, I almost forgot ... the controller's new antenna lenght is 17.5" STOCK, right out of the box. The old version had only 12".

analli

Obvious question time!

1) What improvements does the new design provide (signficant or marginal)?

2) How much are the new subs?

3) How can we get them?

Anthony

gulfstreamI

The NEW version is still USD $19.98 plus tax & is available from Wal Mart stores. I purchased mine from across the border in Seattle, WA. These toy subs are difficult to find here in Vancouver, B.C.
I got the sub late yesterday afternoon, I'll be running tests today on the NEW stock sub VS. the OLD stock version. I'll post the results as soon as can I can.

gulfstreamI

Analli,

Noted the following in the sub's NEW stern fin design:
1) The sub now runs on the surface without my having to press the SURFACE controller button.You can dive the by pressing the Dive button FIRST, before pressing the Forward button. The angled stern fins provided that clue to me, that's why I bought this NEW version.
In the OLD version, the sub dives by itself after moving forward only a few feet.
I've read somewhere in the other sub websites that this is NORMAL for a dynamic "wet hull" type submarine. I have to keep on pressing the SURFACE button on my controller to get those surface running pics that I posted here.
2) I made 4 surface runs in my buddy's pool with the OLD & NEW design stock submarines side by side. After passing the 6 ft. (length) mark the sub with the NEW stern fin design was ahead by an average of 1/4 to 1/2 sub length.
At the 10 ft. (length) marker the sub with the NEW stern fin design was ahead by an average of 3/4 to 1 sub length. The speed increase to the sub's NEW stern fin design is only marginal.

I tested this NEW stern fin design on my modified Wal mart sub by swapping the entire stern assembly. It worked out pretty well!

Noted the following in the sub's controller: Test was done in a pond this time.

1) The NEW antenna length of 17.5" for the controller gave the sub a much better operating range (about 30-75 ft.) before the signal was lost. I had to use a telescope to see in which direction the sub was pointed (almost a speck on the surface at this distance) & switched to my 12 volt battery pack to recall the sub back. The OLD antenna length of 12" for the controller had a short range of 15-25 ft .
2) The power "ON" L.E.D is now permanently illuminated when you push the switch to the ON position.
In the OLD design, the L.E.D. illuminates only after you push the switch to the ON position and start pressing any one of the controller's buttons. You are more likely to leave your controller ON with the old set up and drain the 9 volt battery.

Hope this helps!
Gulfstream I

Captain Nemo12

Any of you guys live in Ontario Canada? I live in the Ottawa area and I wonder if the sub is available here. Any of you guys bought the sub in Ottawa?

gulfstreamI

Captain Nemo 12,

Any Walmart stores over there? Try [link]http://www.walmart.com[/link] ask for the Motorworks brand submarine, item # 13000. If you have friends in nearby New York state ask them to buy one for you. My cousin told me that the Wal Mart stores in the Albany area, N.Y. has them.

75lover

WOW...those subs sound neat....just bought a $70.00 R/C boat...so I won't get anything soon When the subs dive how do you know where they are and how do you control them? Can you put one of those underwater video cameras on there? That would be neat..I wonder if they are available in CA.

tsunami

they should be their, at any rate this isnt the best choice for a camera becouse its not made for it and its as toy class as you can get.
but its fun^_^

LowWattBulb

I was browsing Wally World for toys because i was needing a new toy, and when i saw this sub, i snatched it. Then i looked up info for it online and found this forum. great job guys on the mods. i'm a beginner so i don't know if i'll try anything that fantastic, i'm just a sub fanatic. not very experienced with R/C. I got the Dallas, and i did notice it's the new design, with the swept up tailfins, different from the ones you guys have. I had it out in a pond, and could control it from at least 20 feet out, but it was windy and the waves knocked it around so it wouldn't turn. and it would only dive far enough to submerge the sail, but not the antennae. I am very impressed with it, especially for only $20.

I too would like torpedos Maybe some day we could get together and stage a mock battle sub hunt with some R/C boaters

Captain Nemo12

You could say that again! I'm currently building an RC Nautilus and am planning to capture a ramming video of it approaching a ship, it will be done if not in June, this summer.

gulfstreamI

If you dive the sub in a pond, a little difficult to predict where it will surface running submerged. It's available in CA, just ask Weldman (post#3) he's from Sunnyvale, CA.

gulfstreamI

It's possible to use infrared technology to simulate torpedo firing. The transmitter LED can be mounted on the bow of the sub. I'm not sure just how far an infrared beam will travel thru pool & pond water. The receiver (photo cell) should be mounted on both sides of the sub's hull & waterproofed.
The photo cell which is an electronic "on-off" switch will momentarily cut off all power to the sub's power supply when the "transmitted" light is detected. This will simulate a "hit" causing the sub to momentarily stop or surface if submerged. Controls could be reset for another battle.
All this is possible IF any one is willing to spend. I've seen this done sucessfully in r/c planes & those mini tanks.

GulfstreamI