The Expanse: Belter Vac Suit Build
- Thread starter Kokanee
- Start date
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- belter beratnas the expanse
Finally, helmet and airpack together at last! I ended up tearing apart the internal wiring in my helmet and made the internal lights and external lights seperate circuits. Now while wearing the costume I can pop off the faceplate and it will hang by the breathing tube off the shoulder, while still allowing me to wear the rest of the helmet. Internal lights are run off a usb power pack in the airpack along with the air supply fan, and the external helmet lights are run off a 3v coin battery with an on/off switch.
I debated for a while about how to approach the wrist mounted status display. I know it's common to use a phone to display a graphic, but I wanted this component to be as simple as possible and not have to disassemble it every time I wear it, and i'm planning on three events (one convention, two halloween related).
The solution was to make a static display with some plastic sheet, a printed transparency and a sheet of printer paper as a diffuser. An internal LED backlight module is run off a 3v coin battery . Just waiting on some elastic material to come in and I'll whip up a velcro strap for mounting and we're done.
This project is almost done! Left to do:
- Finish modifications to harness (waiting on QR buckle);
- Wrist mounted flashlight mount;
- Harness mounted shoulder and forward facing lights; and
- Sew OPA patch on vacsuit.
All buttoned up for a "thermal load test", ie "Will I pass out in this?". This costume is HOT. Hotter than my Apollo A7L suit and that was made from four layers of heavy dity nylon with cotton batting to boot. But it's manageable, thankfully getting really good airflow through the new breathing tube and some anti-fog did the trick so the visor stays clear. Going to cut down the neoprene diving cap to more of a neck gaitor style and get a short haircut before I wear this though.
INTO THE VOID
Member
Huge fan of the show -- really love what you have done - helmet and pack are awesome
Hello!
The files are available through this group: Facebook Groups
PM me if you dont do FB and I can fire you off an email with them as well.
Cheers
Thank you. I'll try facebook.
I was recently commissioned to do a belter helmet for another Expanse fan in New Zealand! I now have to go back and redo my helmet as its complete rubbish compared to this new one:
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INTO THE VOID
Member
The new helmet is great
But I really still like yours
So don't be to hard on yourself
But I really still like yours
So don't be to hard on yourself
Finally, to the painting! Took a lot of work with glazing putty to get everything "just so" on this shell, but finally I managed to get to the painting last night. Hopefully will get the final components like the headlamps installed, stickers on and weathering done this weekend. With daytime temps hovering around 12-15c (that's 57f in freedom eagles for you yanks) it's getting a bit cold to be painting so I am glad to be finishing this up.
INTO THE VOID
Member
As always really really love the work ..... excited for the final season
JamesDalton
New Member
Outstanding work!
