SCUBA
TOW DPV Divers here is your chance to have the ultimate diver's dream. You're own diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) at a fraction of the cost of commercial units on the market today. Either design can be built for about $300.00 (a fraction of the cost of manufactured units which start at $1200.00 and up). Performance will equal or exceed these commercial units. The original scuba tow with twin motors was originally featured in the July 1974 issue of Popular Mechanics Magazine and over 25,000 sets of plans have been sold. A number of divers requested a single motor scuba tow, so we designed the Torpedo, which was also featured in Popular Mechanics Magazine in September 1981. A large number of plans have been sold for this model as well. Both plans have been updated with a number of improvements over the original designs. Both plan sets have both full and half scale drawings and include an information booklet with step by step instructions plus a number of action and construction photographs.
Performance for both models is approximately the same. They have adjustable ballast tanks to change buoyancy. This compensates for any added equipment mounted on the units such as lights, cameras, etc... Normally you would set the units for slightly positive buoyancy so that if released underwater they will stop automatically and float to the surface.
Propulsion for the original scuba tow (twin thrusters) is provided by two 24 pound thrust motors and the Torpedo model uses one larger 40 pound thrust motor. Both use 3 or 4 bladed 7-inch diameter props. Top speed for both is about 4 MPH and the running time is about an hour and a quarter if used intermittently The original scuba tow uses one large motorcycle battery while the Torpedo model uses two smaller ones mounted in tandem. Both are rechargeable and available at your local Sears store or motorcycle shop. A source for the propulsion motors is included with each set of plans.
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