How to make a radio controlled racing boat with your own hands. Homemade submarine toy Make a radio-controlled submarine model

About amateur submarines, I was eager to build my own. At the same time, I wanted to make everything at home without the use of lathes and other machines. I myself come from the world of aircraft modeling. And this article will tell you how to build a simple radio-controlled submarine using only available materials from hardware stores and Chinese websites.

Theory
The submarine model is built according to the same principles as the real one. In the center there is a “robust” waterproof frame, inside of which all controls and electronics are hidden. On the outside, it is surrounded by a “light” permeable body, which serves as a streamliner and a beautiful appearance. Our model will consist only of a durable body.

At speed, the submarine can dive using depth rudders, and in a static position only with the help of a ballast tank. How it works? When floating on the surface, the mass of the boat is slightly less than the mass of the volume of displaced water (Archimedes' law). Those. if the boat has a volume of 3 liters, then its mass should be slightly less than 3 kg. Then the boat begins to draw water inside the durable hull. The volume of the hull remains the same, but the mass increases - and the boat sinks. At this moment, the air pressure inside the housing increases slightly, but not so much as to break the seal.

There are 3 main problems during construction. They are completely independent and can be solved separately.

• radio equipment (2.4 GHz does not work underwater)
• sealing - housing, engine shaft and steering rods
• ballast tank

Sealing
We need to ensure the tightness of 3 elements:

• robust housing
• motor shaft
• steering control rods

We also glue the sheets on the axis, trying to maintain perpendicularity. The best glue for PVC is "Moment-Gel". "Titan" doesn't take it, and neither does the usual "Moment". That's it, put on the rubber rings and go test for leaks.

Deadwood
This is the name of the unit that ensures the tightness of the motor shaft. Bearings are soldered into the ends of the outer pipe. The shaft is inserted and a thick lubricant (for example lithol) is driven into the pipe. It must be added sometimes, because... the water gradually washes away.

I bought shafts and bearings on Ali, copper tubes and lubricant on the construction market. I found bearings 3mm internal and 6mm external diameter. Accordingly, we buy 3 mm stainless steel shafts, and a copper tube with an internal 6 mm (the external one turned out to be 8 mm). It is necessary to buy special shafts; ordinary wire is not symmetrical, and there will be beatings.

For soldering you will need acid and a 3rd hand;)

Steering rods
The rods are brought out through rubber corrugations fixed on copper tubes with a diameter of 6 mm. The diameter of the rods themselves is 1.5mm. I used hard wire with the insulation stripped.

Ballast tank
This is usually the most difficult part of a submarine. But we will do it simply - we will use a micropump. More precisely, a peristaltic micropump - it holds the pressure itself and does not require additional valves. The pump itself is capable of developing a pressure of 1 atmosphere, which means it can pump the tank even at a depth of 10 meters. The pump is controlled in the same way as a conventional electric motor - a speed controller or servo with micro switches.

There is an option to fill a rubber ball, but it may burst. We will use a 150 ml syringe, called a Janet syringe. The pump itself moves the piston. You can also install sensors and control the volume of incoming water.

To speed up the dive, I changed the silicone tube to a 4mm internal diameter. The motor is designed for 6 volts, but I supply 12. As a result, the motor heats up a little, but not critically. The final speed is 100ml in 20 seconds.

Layout
The body is divided into "compartments".

1. battery and receiver
2. tank
3. pump
4. servo and speed controllers
5. main motor

The fastening elements are made of 5mm thick porous PVC sheet. Then they are tightened on iron pins located along the body. The rear plug should also be secured to studs to ensure the rigidity of the assembly with the motor and steering rods.


Balancing
The volume of the case is approximately 2.8 liters. The mass of all parts is about 1 kg, we had to add another 1.8 kg of weight. The main principle is simple: The volume of the surface part must be less than the volume of the tank. It can be of any weight, as long as the total remains 2.8 kg. Therefore, the surface elements are made of copper or thin plastics.

Balancing is carried out in 2 positions:

• Surface - By moving/adding weights and gluing foam plastic to the underwater part, we achieve zero trim. It is important at this stage to attach the foam only below the waterline.
• Submerged - add foam above the waterline and achieve the horizon.

• telemetry: voltage, currents, depth, orientation
• rescue: buoy, water detector
• torpedoes, missiles
• 3D printing of parts

• links to products for purchase in China
• drawings of a specific boat
• more photos and videos of the construction process

Radio-controlled submarines are modern models of real boats that can dive underwater.

Types of submarine models

Simplified models are offered for sale, as well as more complex and fully functional copies of existing real submarines. Simple radio-controlled submarines can be classified as children's toys; they are very inexpensive. Sophisticated models refer to more complex professional radio-controlled equipment. They can dive to great depths and are able to move at quite high speeds. Some submarine models allow the installation of video cameras. Radio-controlled submarines of the second type are much more expensive.

Characteristics

Submarine models are popular with both children and adults who love such unusual gifts. The radio-controlled vehicle is capable of moving through water and also diving to depths.

The external design of the boats is also different. It can be either absolutely unique or copied from real combat submarines. Often on sale there are models equipped with a water pumping system, which is collected in the ballast part of the device. A similar system is installed on real submarines. Some models also have the function of automatic ascent in the event that the batteries used to propel the device are discharged. In this case, radio-controlled submarines are equipped with an electric motor. If the submarine has an internal combustion engine, it operates on conventional fuel. These are already professional models. And you need to start getting acquainted with the models with simple submarines. Models with three-channel and four-channel control are available. The boat dives to a depth of up to 60 cm on average, so it can be used in a swimming pool, bathtub or deep tank. To make the game more exciting, LED lighting is installed on the hull of the boat. Radio-controlled models of European and Chinese production are produced. Chinese models are much cheaper than similar European ones, although the quality of the two comparable models is almost the same.

Radio controlled submarines with camera

The submarine, equipped with a video camera, is built into the internal hull. The submarine can submerge, move in a given direction or not move, and precisely position itself under water, thanks to the presence of an automated ballast tank. The radio-controlled video camera on the boat is designed for wireless video recording at a depth of up to 5 meters. The video camera works even in the dark, as a special backlight is provided for this. You can monitor what is happening in real time. The video signal is sent to a special receiver, which is connected to a monitor, computer or TV. The outer hull of the submarine is painted bright yellow, easily visible in the water. The model is also equipped with an automated security system. When a low battery charge, a weak radio control signal or a leak is detected, the water from the ballast tank is automatically pumped out and the boat quickly floats to the surface.

And so, for this homemade product we will need:
- ABS plastic sheet.
- electric motors 180 class 2 pcs.
- boat propellers.
- adapter for the electric motor shaft.
- electrodes of suitable diameter.
- aluminum tubes, the internal diameter of which is equal to the external diameter of the electrodes.
- 2s 7.4v Lipo battery.
- a little wire.
- electronics from an old radio-controlled helicopter.
- aluminum plate.
- screws.

We will also need the following tools:
- Ruler.
- marker.
- stationery knife.
- thermal glue.
- drill.
- screwdriver.
- pliers.
- lubricant.
- soldering iron.

First we need to make the hull of the boat itself. It is best to use thick sheets of ABS plastic as the material for the case. On a sheet of plastic, using a ruler and marker, mark a rectangle 25cm long and 11.5cm wide.