Homebuilt ROVs Forum

I'm completely new to soldering and to building ROVs. I would like to know if I should go with a simple setup using momentary flip switches as shown here in Figure 1. Or if I should use relays and Joysticks shown here in Figures 2 and 3. I personally want to use the joystick method because its easier to operate and would work better in my control box.
.

I would recommend to use the joystick. It's pretty easy to solder and much easier to manouver.

So like on a scale of 1 to 10 (first time soldering) how would you rate the difficulty of wiring the relays and the joystick?

Wiring these parts is actually a really good (and easy) way to learn to solder!
1 = easy
10 = hard
3 = this job!

Tip:
Tin the wires before soldering to pins on relays and switches to avoid melting plastic around pins.

If you set the soldering iron on the table, hold the solder in one hand and the wire (with 1/4" of insulation striped of end) in the other, this is easiest.

Ryan "KR2_Diving"

I agree with the 3/10 rating, though when I first started out it seemed way harder If you have any electronics on board you ROV, try to solder as much as you can together before attaching them to anything, be it the frame, the inside of a waterproof housing, etc. as soldering in confined spaces is a real pain! Also, it helps to have a decent soldering iron.

Good luck!