I really don't need any other projects but .......

JohnV
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Glorious winner of the 2016 Thunderboat photo competition

Posts: 17,243

I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 13:13:20 GMT Mr Stabby, Trina, and 4 more like this

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Post by JohnV on Apr 23, 2018 13:13:20 GMT

...... sometimes they just come along.

In the heap of mud and general debris removed from a sunken barge I spotted what looked like a really large searchlight. On commenting about it, I was told "If you want it just help yourself" More out of curiosity than anything else I tied a rope to it and hauled it out.

It was then I realised that it was actually a big Aldis signalling light. I decided to have a closer look because it could make a superb searchlight for Sabina if it was salvageable. At first glance it looked pretty bad. the nuts holding the various parts shut were corroded to nothing.

SAM_1263 by mudlarker2, on Flickr

SAM_1265 by mudlarker2, on Flickr

Two of the fixings unscrewed but the others sheared. the first view after removing the glass was the shutter mechanism

SAM_1266 by mudlarker2, on Flickr

The sight of that didn't give me a lot of confidence but I removed that as well and exposed the reflector

SAM_1267 by mudlarker2, on Flickr

after that much work I thought I would give it a good wash with warm soapy water and see what happened

Hmmmmm !!! looks like I have just acquired a new project

SAM_1268 by mudlarker2, on Flickr

the biggest disadvantage of age .... is that you can't outgrow it

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 13:40:06 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2018 13:40:06 GMT Last time I did Braunston tunnel a guy coming other way had a headlight that big Glad you said searchlight Rog

patty Super Member Posts: 13,380	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 14:46:22 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by patty on Apr 23, 2018 14:46:22 GMT That looks like a good project....
	Check out expeditionfive.co.uk 5 Islands 2 men 1 World Challenge If u ignore important stuff...it'll come back and bite u on the bum.... tree climbing, ballroom dancing amazing individual....

peterboat Super Member Posts: 6,337	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 16:05:49 GMT phil70 likes this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by peterboat on Apr 23, 2018 16:05:49 GMT Enjoy yourself John and with luck it might be ready for Scotland......................
	Lost in wonder at the world and often wondering how I got there

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 16:13:13 GMT via mobile Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2018 16:13:13 GMT What a beautiful piece of equipment.

faffer Long Standing Member Posts: 1,550	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 17:40:29 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by faffer on Apr 23, 2018 17:40:29 GMT Love the look of that John, fit it with a load LEDs maybe ?

JohnV Super Member Glorious winner of the 2016 Thunderboat photo competition Posts: 17,243	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 23, 2018 18:00:33 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by JohnV on Apr 23, 2018 18:00:33 GMT Apr 23, 2018 17:40:29 GMT faffer said: Love the look of that John, fit it with a load LEDs maybe ? Possibly Wayne, I'll have to do a bit of experimenting to see what sort of beam I get.
	the biggest disadvantage of age .... is that you can't outgrow it

Deleted
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I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 24, 2018 8:51:29 GMT via mobile

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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2018 8:51:29 GMT

What about a high power LED mounted backwards pointing at the reflector. That might be more effective.

Mounted on some sort of screw thread linked to a geared motor you could get remote control beam adjustment. Then all you need is an old CCTV mount to get pan and tilt options

Last Edit: Apr 24, 2018 8:54:12 GMT by Deleted

cygnus
Long Standing Member

Posts: 369

I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 24, 2018 8:57:09 GMT

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Post by cygnus on Apr 24, 2018 8:57:09 GMT

I was in the communications branch in the RN. I was Radio, and known as a Sparker. Also there were Tactical communicators. They were known as "Buntings", and called Yeoman at Petty Officer level. They were responsible for close quarter covert comms with ships using visual means, such as Flashing Light, Signal Flags and Pennants. We didn't call them "Aldis Lamps". A good bunting could knock a message out at about 10-15 words a minute. It might sound slow, but with codes and abbreviations it was surprisingly effective. I read somewhere that there are moves to reintroduce flashing light. Difficult to jam, or interfere with, and can't be cyber attacked. They call it "Light to Text Conversion". Sparkers (Radio) could transmit and receive morse at about 20-30 words per minute and depending on frequency could communicate over thousands of miles. When communicating with submerged Submarines very low frquency (vlf) was used.

Gone
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Gone

Posts: 1,314

I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 24, 2018 9:56:28 GMT

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Post by Gone on Apr 24, 2018 9:56:28 GMT

Apr 23, 2018 18:00:33 GMT JohnV said:

Apr 23, 2018 17:40:29 GMT faffer said:

Love the look of that John, fit it with a load LEDs maybe ?

Possibly Wayne, I'll have to do a bit of experimenting to see what sort of beam I get.

Signal lamps are designed for a narrow beam angle which you probably don't want. So I would try a forward facing wide angle LED, fairly forward in the housing so the side don't cut-off the light. Should be interesting playing around with different light sources.

Deleted Deleted Member Posts: 0	I really don't need any other projects but ....... Apr 24, 2018 11:25:05 GMT Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Back to Top Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2018 11:25:05 GMT Sabina's turning into Thunderbird Four, ready for your next water rescue. 'Anything could happen in the next half hour' Rog