Homebuilt ROVs Forum

Hello people.

I just have a few questions about some stuff because I am new and have never built a rov.
1) What schedule PVC pipe is good for what depth?
2) Is it complicated to make a manipulator arm?
3) What is a good design to use for shipwreck and ocean viewing?

These are just a couple of the questions on the top of my head. I can't think right now because it is late for me and I am having a brain fart.

Thanks
Lockley16

For most ROV's the standard schedule 40 PVC pipe you can buy at your local home improvement store, will be good for 150' or deeper, your bigger challenge is sealing the wires to prevent water from getting in your electronics area.

PVC is easy to cut and work with. You can also step up to schedule 80 pipe if your local store carries it.

Look at Steve's main site http://http://www.homebuiltrovs.com/sea ... ator.html/ or this forum for more info on making a manipulator arm.

The look or style of your ROV, depends on how complex you want to get, and your mechanical skills, all of the various ROV styles if properly sealed can be used in salt or fresh water. The thruster size may need to be increased if you have strong ocean currents.

Let us know how your build goes.

Rover

Rover wrote:For most ROV's the standard schedule 40 PVC pipe you can buy at your local home improvement store, will be good for 150' or deeper, your bigger challenge is sealing the wires to prevent water from getting in your electronics area.

PVC is easy to cut and work with. You can also step up to schedule 80 pipe if your local store carries it.

Look at Steve's main site http://http://www.homebuiltrovs.com/sea ... ator.html/ or this forum for more info on making a manipulator arm.

The look or style of your ROV, depends on how complex you want to get, and your mechanical skills, all of the various ROV styles if properly sealed can be used in salt or fresh water. The thruster size may need to be increased if you have strong ocean currents.

Let us know how your build goes.

Rover

Thanks rover for the response. I believe that the Home Depot next to my house has schedule 80. I know this sounds crazy for a first time project but I want to make a rov capable of going in the ocean at depths around 500'. Right now I am leaving the arm out of the equation and looking at this like a scout. I am trying to design one like JW Fisher's Sea Lion, but with a turret camera instead of the backside camera.

Lockley16

You probably already know this, but 500' is a huge goal. There's 200+ psi acting on your hull at that depth. I see problems with this pressure and a transparent viewport as well as sealing your wires.

jsut210 wrote:You probably already know this, but 500' is a huge goal. There's 200+ psi acting on your hull at that depth. I see problems with this pressure and a transparent viewport as well as sealing your wires.

Ya I know 500' is a huge goal but I would rather be able to go down dapper and not need it instead of needing to go down that deep and not be able to. Is it possible to put 1 PVC pipe inside another? And can I do the same with the domes?