Autonomous Sailing Designs (ASD)

I want to create a computer / remote controlled submarine using very accesible durable cheap parts. The main body would be a 55 gallon drum (maybe smaller, maybe bigger).

Use 12V car batteries
Use 120V inverter if necessary
Use solar panels for recharging
Talk to sub via 801.bgcd
Talk to sub via cell phone.
Webcams
Million candlepower lights (Harbor Freight)
Pond pumps for propulsion
Cameras are linked to lights
Use LED flashlights for lights to conserve power.
Resurfaces and solar panels charge batteries.
Normal cheap low power desktop computer for control system (doesn't have to be laptop).
Part of operating system is to ping a sensor, if the sensor doesnt get pinged it causes the computer to reboot by turning power on and off.
PIC microcontrollers are also used for fail safe systems.
Bouy attachements for surface flag.
Surface bouy has solar panel chargers.
Hull is pressurized to constant pressure by use of scuba tank and solenoid valves. 250psi pump takes air out of hull as necessary puts back into scuba / fire extinguisher tank.


Weight and size not much of an issue because of large size of ASD
Has wheels which allow easy transportation on land.
Can move along sea floor via wheels or swim via propulsion system.

Use video projector at night at docks to swim around view undersea life at night. Allow other people to control device. Allow people to move camera and take pictures.

Underwater recharging system using propellers and ocean / river / water currents.

Autonomous--can be left out at sea for weeks / months / years at a time. Swims with the currents. You can call in to receive current gps coords. Uses ULW radio signals to bounce across ocean.

Monitors lat/long position, temperature, time, depth, etc.. Since full Windows (or equivalent OS) runs the system it can monitor hundreds and thousands of data points.

Possible communication is morse code via cheap GI Joe Talk-abouts (or similiar walkie talkies).

Records sounds of whales and other sea creatures.

Can use biomass combustion changer / charger to create methane which can be used for fuel for battery systems.

Enclosed hamster system. Hamster runs on wheel to charge battery system. Hamsters will run all night if dark. Since pressure is maintained they are safe. One week to 4 week maximum.

55 gallon plastic drum is extremely durable. Able to be beat against rocks, cliffs, shorelines, etc. without damage. Protududing parts are at an absolute minimum. Nothing can be broken. It is like a potatoe bug, sealed up and hardy. Everything is protected.

QuickCam Orbit Webcam has pan and tilt built in and is availble for 129.99 from compusa.

Snake arm (tm) allows floating sealed webcam to detach (via tether) and get up close to the sea life action. Two small motors for up down, and left right. Sealed via plastic epoxy resin. Tether can pull it in or out from main housing of drum container. High intensity LEDS are mounted with snakearm cam to provide direct lighting. Able to switch to infra red (or whatever that trick was that you could do with a web cam).