I've just started the tech part of my first ROV build. As soon as I get all things figured out and working I'll start the actual build. As for now I'm only focusing on the motor control and getting that sorted out.
I'm using a Velleman K8055 USB Experiment interface board. I bought it as a kit so I had to solder it myself. The kit comes with some great VB 6.0 code and .NET and there's a ton of code for C++ on the internet. If your new to writing your own code it won't take that much time figuring the demo code out. Especially if you decide to go with VB (Visual Basic) witch is the easiest language out there(?).
Just a quick thing so you dont get confused, I'll be putting comments to the pictures BELOW them in ITALICS.
- Early stage
- IMG_0712.JPG (126.91 KiB) Viewed 5106 times
The kit doesn't come with a USB cable so I had to buy one. The kit connects via a USB-B male connector to a regular USB-A male connector. IIRC its often used to connect printers.
- Done soldering
- IMG_0723.JPG (113.58 KiB) Viewed 5106 times
I'll be using a 1/3” CMOS camera (color) with the resolution 628x582.
- The camera
- IMG_0719.JPG (94.38 KiB) Viewed 5106 times
- BNC Cable+RCA adapters
- IMG_0721.JPG (95.77 KiB) Viewed 5106 times
- Plexgear Grabber for live feed
- IMG_0722.JPG (92.39 KiB) Viewed 5106 times
Now a quick video I did once both camera and Velleman was connected to the PC. At the end I simulate a leakage and my custom software produces a tone and turns the background of the program red.
(Recorded with the camera I'll be using, through the 25 m of cable)
Time spent so far is about 5h.
Peace
*Update*
- idea.png (21.75 KiB) Viewed 5103 times
*Update*
I just ordered a USB extender, it converts the USB to an ordinary cat 5 network cable. Sorry for the bad eng. the plan is now to have the 8055 down in the ROV. This makes my life so much easier since I get one cat5 cable taking care of all my In and Out data.
*Update* May 9
Still waiting for the extender, I've done some thinking and just gone through the plan a couple of times in my head. I don't want to make this build to heavy on the tech side, there will always be some thing you want add to your ROV. I'm looking at a digital compass, the one Steve/Stephen uses on his HBRD3 ROV(http://www.homebuiltrovs.com/hbrd3.html). I could hook it up with my Velleman with ease but I think that hooking up a compass to a ROV designed to dive ~60f is just tacky and a waste of time. Instead I'll try to have variable speed on two of my four thrusters using the two PWM outputs on my Velleman (Here's how you do that: http://forum.velleman.eu/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3839). The two thrusters with variable speed will be used for fw/bw movement and for steering L/R. The other two thrusters I'll mount so that I can not only dive and surface but also control the pitch.
I've got 2 test in school in the next 3 weeks so I might not be the most active user during that time but after that all of my focus will be directed into getting the ROV done.
*Update May 15*
Hi guys. I just bought 4 bilge pump. I also ordered 4 robbe propellers. 2 left and 2 right.
- All of the thrusters
- IMG_0767.JPG (72.83 KiB) Viewed 5031 times
It has been a while since I last updated. School's out so I can focus on building now. In the last days I've bought a lot of stuff and recieved both propellers and USB extender.
- Extender
- IMG_0854.JPG (97.48 KiB) Viewed 4946 times
- Propellers
- IMG_0856.JPG (79.23 KiB) Viewed 4946 times
- Relays
- IMG_0857.JPG (143.77 KiB) Viewed 4946 times
I'm waiting for pieces to connect the props to the shaft of the motors. Now I'm looking for a way to waterproof the camera.