Submerge - prop assemblySubmerge - prop assembly
Background: Experience has shown that the assembly of the hub and props can cause a lot of problems. Incorrectly assembled components may cause the clutch to slip, the yoke screw to be broken, and the pitch adjustment to be out of alignment. If the pitch adjustment knob is not installed correctly, even if the pitch # is set to 9 (full speed) the actual pitch can be several pitches lower, causing the scooter to run very slow.
THEREFORE THE PITCH NUMBERS CAN NEVER BE USED TO COMPARE SPEEDS BETWEEN 2 SCOOTERS
If you think your scooter is slow, it is possibly the pitch adjustment. Submerge hub/prop assemblies use stock Oceanic Mako components with these exceptions: 1) Submerge manufactures a replacement clutch plate, similar to the AUL clutch plate (sometimes referred to as the "WKPP clutch"). We only replace the clutch plate as the other components work.
(note, the extra thickness is on the inside, does not affect position of assembly) 2) We don't pin the props, we drill and thread them and insert a 1.25" set screw. Inserting a resistance fit dowel pin stresses the plastic, the threaded set screw does not.
3) We replace the screw in the end of the shaft from the original Phillips head to an Allen key/hex type. The Phillips head will strip out if the screw seizes in the shaft, a common problem if used in salt water. Tools required: Phillips head screw driver 1/8" Allen key/hex tool.
Drive shaft with seal installed and drive pin installed. Seal should only be replaced by Submerge, installation is vacuum tested and warranted.
Slide clutch plate onto shaft, engaging the drive pin.
Inner Hub installed, note Stainless Steel washer.
Install the clutch washer in the correct pattern. There are 9 clutch washers. 1st washer goes face down Next 8 washers go on in face to face pairs.
1st washer on, face down.
All clutch washers on. Screw down, keep the clutch washers centred.
IMPORTANT: Next, install yoke screw into yoke all the way, finger tight.
Push Yoke into Outer hub, and start installing prop blades.
All prop blades are installed.
Push assembly onto shaft with palm.
Install 3 screws.
If you have followed the directions when the yoke screw was installed into the yoke, The Pitch adjustment can now be installed to #9 position (without turning the yoke screw) and the pitch should be correct. If the pitch adjustment is correct, when the pitch is wound up to #9 it does not bind up or become harder to wind to the #9 position, AND the prop blades come right up to touch the hub, as shown above, without any gaps. The last check, if the pitch is set to #1 the scooter should have minimal thrust, this is a safety feature in case the scooter runs on you can de-pitch and the scooter will not pull you or the cave line/silt too much. Finished!
Last note: the AUL brand hub assembly sometimes used as an aftermarket accessory does not have any pin (see picture below) controlling the pitch adjustment, in other words it can be wound below #1 ( even reverse!) and slightly above #9, which can give it more speed than a properly adjusted Oceanic hub. The danger is it can be wound until it breaks the yoke, the positive is it can give a little more speed at the risk of burning out the motor if used for long periods (>30 minutes) If you only use your scooter in the ocean where it is safer than in caves, and efficiency is not as important, you can adjust the pitch knob 1/4 turn anti clockwise so that when on # 7 it is really on #9. If you make this modification, you risk breaking the yoke if you use to much force to wind it to #9 (it may only go as far as #8) and when wound to minimum #1 it will still have about 15 pounds of thrust. OR (not recommended!) you can chisel, grind, file or sand off the pin on the Oceanic hub so that it does not matter where you install the pitch knob, it can then turn below #1 and above #9 without limit, (until you break the yoke!) Picture of the pin below. Also, the best way to adjust for best speed/efficiency is to wind to full speed for a few seconds, listen to the sound of the motor. Then de-pitch until we can hear the RPM of the motor wind up, then you have taken the load off the motor but you are still travelling at 85-90% of top speed. This is usually #7 if the pitch knob is on correctly, but will be on # 5 for a knob set to adjust beyond the regular #9 pitch.
