Anyone Ready for A sit Astride 10 knot Crotch Rocket?

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Dan Adler

Registered
Messages
12
Reaction score
7
Location
Key Largo, FL
# of dives
2500 - 4999
Manta Pic2.jpg
Manta Pic1.jpg

Well, After dicking around for a few years I am just about ready to finalize my DPV Crotch Rocket, and sell it in either Kit or completed form. Dubbed the HS SSLPV HIGH SPEED SUB SURFACE LITORAL PROPULSION VEHICLE) "Manta", I have been playing with this form factor for ten years, recent adoption of new Lithium ION batteries, Low Cost Thrusters, and new PLA 3D Printing tech has gotten the price points down to something affordable, and buildable in limited quantities. Specs: 10-12 Knots using either twin 86Lb or 110LB Thrusters, run-time 1-3 hours using 100AH-500AH Lithium ION Batteries, Simplified On-Off Thumb Actuators for each thruster, Sub Sea connectors (analog all the way!) from the battery to the winglets and thrusters. Unlike the Cayuga Sea Bob, this is a working mans tool/toy, it is robust and electroniucs free, dis-assemblies with a socket wrench, and costs less than $1800 for a kit ( you provide batteries and thrusters) or roughly $5500 in finished form. Unlike the old K10 Hydrospeeder that this is loosely based on, the (tentatively named) "Manta" weighs 90lbs assembled, has integrated SCUBA or Re-Breather, Collapses into a drag along Scooter, breaks down into two 45lb cases, and has multiple configurations based on winglet type, loading and Battery capacity. The envisioned DIY kit has the chassis and fuselage as well as Sub Sea connectors, you provide batteries and thrusters, winglets available as needed. This rig allows the professional diver to load up to 100lbs of gear and still neutralize by using up to three integrated bladders combined with optional positive buoyancy winglets. Magnetometers, photo gear, thermo, Sonar capabilities in a compact portable high speed long duration footprint. Look like fun? I welcome your comments, (North Korean or Radical Jihadists need not apply lol). I will likely be posting on Kickstarter once my Pat pending comes through......
 
Great question. Would love to know where this ended up. One comment though. I don't think I would use PLA for this. PLA will warp even under light heat and stress. Like warp to the point you can't put it in a hot summer car, even though cars get no where near the printing temp of PLA of 290ish. ABS would be a better option, or if you got the funds and right printers, and of the exotic carbon filaments would probably be best.
 
More than 1 year, never ever heard again from TO..... I think we can forget about this.
 
Hello All,
Agro, have a little faith buddy, lol. Seriously, I was hoping for a 2024 DEMA slot but couldn't swing it between my various commitments. I am in fact doing sea trials as we speak with my first 5 units at my liveaboard inLong Key, and at my Colorado River Shop near Parker, AZ (brrrr!). I modified the winglet connection for "breakaway" properties when some dummy (like me) hits a rock at 10 knots. The Battery Packs are turning out to be VERY robust, I an getting 1.5 to 2 hr runtime in continuous mode using the roughly 8 x 8 by 4 block (3.5lb!) shown. These are daisy chained 200AH 36V Li-Ion Batterries, which means I can double and double again (10n hrs at 10lbs!). Of course, everyone wants to see this in action, all I can say is that video will be here "real soon". As I have a full time gig I am working at this when I can, not when I want! I actually attended the DEMA show, there is NOTHING remotely like this rig out there, although there is a Cayuga clone made from carbon fiber that they claims runs 440 Newtons of thrust. That is roughly 325Ft Lbs of thrust ( divide newtons by 1.356) at top speed. Frankly I find this a bit dubious as my twin 86ftlb standard config thrusters will pretty much drag my mask off at full speed, and there is considerably less drag as rider has no gear other than weights and half fins. my personal rig (the B/W ORCA config in the pic, with 110lb thrusters, is actually a little too fast, I run it with my rebreather and full face rig. I just put up a website, there will sooner or later be some video and other info posted, and I debating ass to acexactly how to bring these to market. I can be reached at dan@SCUPALLC.com, so let me know your thoughts.
 

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Great question. Would love to know where this ended up. One comment though. I don't think I would use PLA for this. PLA will warp even under light heat and stress. Like warp to the point you can't put it in a hot summer car, even though cars get no where near the printing temp of PLA of 290ish. ABS would be a better option, or if you got the funds and right printers, and of the exotic carbon filaments would probably be best.
Hi Joey,
PLA is fine for the small piecework, I actually use HDPFE for the larger pieces reuiring some structuralo strength
 

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