Hi guys,

Having just finished modding my Connecticut according to the [link=http://captainnemo12.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/motorworkssubmarinemods.pdf]mod manual[/link] I thought I might share some of my ideas.

First, when diving and surfacing, the sub seemed to be stern-heavy. So after using up my 1600 mah rechargables I found that they were too heavy and encumbering at best (not to imagine what 2500 mah+ AA's would be like[&:]).

The solution? I decided to swap the heavy AA's with one of the battery packs from one of my radio systems. These packs are usually included when you buy a radio and are used to power the receiver and servos. Mine also happened to be 4.8 Volts so everything was perfect.

To begin, I used some light grit sandpaper to roughen the connector leads inside the battery compartment. Next, I soldered the male battery connector for the pack (you might have to purchase this from your LHS depending on the pack you have) being careful not to melt the plastic case. With this being done the battery pack now fits nicely inside.

The reasons for this mod?

-These packs are small, light weight and more compact than AA's,
-More current and runtime for the same voltage,
-Charger is included when you bought your radio,
-Fast charge (after 1 hour of charging my sub seemed like a fish on steroids )
-Heat-shrink wrapping also protects the cells from water to some degree.

*For added performance, you can also perform the voltage mod as mentionned in the mod manual.
**You might have to re-balance the sub after installing the new pack.

And last but not least, here are some pics:

hey nemo what is the mah on those? also what is the name of the pack id like to get one? is it a 2/3aa size? with 6 cells? also seems as if it would be 7.2 volts instead of 4.8 is that too hot for the sub? 6 cells x 1.2 . seeems like a 2/3aa or 2/4aa with 5 cells would be perfect unless you arent having any probs with your current setup.


p.s. is the sub also modded with the 6 volts going to the motors like in the mod manual? man if so that sub probably screams under water. thanks jeff

I'm beginning to think so, in fact after installing the pack the current was too much for the receiver causing it to sync out of tune. I'd have to re-tune it soon. I think the pack is around 8.4 Volts. Yes, the sub does scream a lot. In fact, there's so much torque that the sub literary flips on its own axis when going forward!!

well im going with a 5 cell 6volt then ill report back. anybody try a lithium pack. wondering if this sub can handle 7.2 or 7.4 volts???? jeff

Hello People,

In an attempt to try to improve the radio range, I did try running the receiver on around 9V. I built a converter to step up the 4.8V from 4 x 1.2V NiMH to around 9V. Only the receiver electronics were on 9V while the motors were still directly from the NiMHs.

There was no range improvement unfortunately, but the electronics were not damaged neither.

Regarding the Captain's over torque problem, may I suggest a propeller with less pitch? I put in a propeller with less pitch on my resurected "Yellow Submarine". The result is much less Torque roll with not a bad top speed.

Have a look at this video and let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nURJ8nkRfA

The Photo below shows the 2 different propellers, the one on the right is the original:

nice speed did you you do the speed mod ? or something new? im making a custom battery pack for mine let you know how it turns out with pics when i get done. are you using 4 nimh? 2500mah? how did u do the prop like that it looks like my sea star made by nikko very cool. jeff

Hello Jeff,

Here is another video showing the Sub in close-up & some diving actions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln05l7Enk3w

To answer your questions:
------------------------------

- If the speed modification means moving the wirings inside the Battery compartment, then yes I did. To let you in on a secret, I also swapped the connections on the forward/reverse Motor, which means that I have to press the backward button in order to go forward.

- I am using 4 x 2200mah NiMH batteries.

- As for the prop, here is a photo showing the inside of my "Yellow Submarine". I was going to put a rudder system when trying to resurrect this sub but the end results were not up to expectations. I was inspired after seeing a RCU video showing a boat with a steerable outdrive. Any way, I think a picture speaks a thousend words and really it was nothing complicated.

Normanski

nice work i might try that out on mine hope i cant do as good a job as you. thanks jeff