Vac-U-Cam TM
With Hewlett Packard hp 315 PhotoSmart® Digital Camera attached.
| Tim http://www.rc-submarines.com
built this Camera Boat with a an HP 612xi digital camera.
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| Vac-U-CamTM Camera Boat Hull Kit |
| For Radio Control |
| Manufactured by Vac-U-Boat™ |
A stable camera platform for use with inexpensive auto-wind 35mm cameras, digital cameras, or waterproof cameras. A 3-channel radio is recommended to control the rudder, speed control, and camera shutter. With a 2-channel radio, you can "Y" connect the shutter servo to the rudder servo to take photos while sitting still in the water. It has the same hull and running gear as the Vac-U-Tug Jr. and includes a Camera Mounting Deck and Universal Shutter Linkage Hardware with all deck and running hardware made of brass, aluminum, or stainless steel. With this boat, you can take water-level photos of lakefront real estate, nature scenes, or your club's watercraft. Camera and Radio/Electronics are not included. Use the radio gear from your "Vac-U-Tug, Jr." to operate this craft.
Hull Kit contents: Everything that comes with the Vac-U-Tug Jr. hull kit except: A Camera Deck Hardware Package is substituted for the Pilot House, Pilot Roof, and Exhaust Stack. The Deck has a wedge shaped cabin that forms a level platform to mount the Camera Deck when the boat is properly ballasted.
To complete this Camera Hull kit, you will need: ADULT SUPERVISION, 2 ounces of 6 or 15-minute epoxy, medium CA glue, (Regular or non-toxic model cement will work fine but CA "super glue" is needed for the end joint of the rubber rub rail) electric drill with bit assortment, screwdrivers including a tiny Phillips screwdriver for servo screws, scissors, hobby knife or Xacto® knife, 20 to 30 ounces of ballast weights (a carton of 5,000 BB’s or lead shot work well), pencil, masking tape, light sewing-machine oil, two short cans of model spray paint or non-toxic type brush paints compatible with plastic, and a camera that weighs 16 ounces (one pound) or less with its shutter button mounted on its top.
To complete the radio-controlled camera boat, you will also need:
A three channel surface frequency radio with two standard servos. These let you control the shutter of the camera with the third channel.
A two-channel AM radio, (rudder & throttle), with two servos can be made to work with a servo Y connector, connecting the shutter servo to the rudder servo to take a photo at extreme right or left rudder. (for example)
You can use a two-stick model or a pistol-type radio like R/C cars use,
An Electronic Speed Control (ESC) with forward and reverse,
A "High Frequency" ESC will give you smoother low-speed control than a standard ESC.
A 7.2 volt rechargeable battery (six cells),
For a 20% boost in power, a seven cell 8.4 volt pack, (Recommended for tugs used for towing or recovery work.)
For 7 cell performance on 6 cells, this optional 4-blade, 2- piece prop is available.
A Battery Charger. Inexpensive wall chargers will work
but "Peak Detection" chargers are best for your batteries
You will need some means of discharging the battery after use. Ni-Cad batteries are best stored "empty". Buy a discharger or make one. Discharge to 6 volts before storing.
Model Victoria sailboat photos and an interesting reflective landscape taken with a digital camera mounted on the deck of a Vac-U-Cam Camera Boat.
Give your club photos a whole new perspective!
TM