Homebuilt ROVs Forum

A couple of years ago I saw a Video Ray ROV, and knew I had to build an ROV. The first prototype ROV we made had brushed motors inside o-ring sealed housing. We struggled with controlling current draw and trying to cram all of the electronics into a 12 inch long 3" diameter tube. That ROV got shelved, and The current ROV was born.

After a lot of debate and testing we:

- Kept the 3" diameter tube, but increased the tube from 12" to 16".
- Switched from brushed to brushless motors
- Running the motors wet (no housing)
- Added a wing to the ROV

The ROV control system was built around the ROV Asia control system. (I was able to get one before they shut down)

Currently we are feeding the ROV power from the surface. The tether is a 1/4" Flexzilla air hose. This hose is extremely flexible. The Flexzilla hose is advertised as being able to lay flat right after uncoil and remain flexible even when it has been completely frozen. So far our testing of the tether looks good. It also allows us to keep a slight air pressure inside the ROV.


In another post I will show the ROV electronics and surface control system.

The control system uses the ROV Asia control system. The main electronics board houses the camera and camera tilt. A video balun, 4 ESC (electronic speed controls), and the three control boards.

I used 30 brushless RC car ESC's that I bought from Hobby King. I also bought the programming card, which made it easier to program all 4 ESC, plus the 5th one we have as a spare.

I will cover the Topside drivers control in the next post.

The driver control is built into a USB RC airplane simulator. I stripped out the USB cable and wired it up.

The ROV video is displayed on a laptop using a downloadable software package called AMCAP.EXE

The current 100' tether is rolled up on a garden hose reel. This makes it easier to handle and keeps everything clean.

Just back from the lake. Sent ROVer out on his first swimming lesson. Went down to 60 feet three different time. The lake that we were on had poor visibility, but you could see that you were on the bottom, and we tracked its decent on the boats sonar.

After the deeper dives we drove it in the shallower water.

No leaks.... Yaaaa.

Jim and Mike

Wow.... she looks great and great documentation too, can't wait to see some video.

-Steve