Homebuilt ROVs Forum

Has anyone tried stringing cat5 inside hollow weave polypropylene rope in an attempt to make it neutrally buoyant?
Since it is available in different diameters one would think you could find one that would lend just the proper amount of flotation to achieve neutral buoyancy.
Just a middle-of-the-night thought.

I would just recommend strapping floats/weights to it instead, its cheaper and easier

I would disagree. If it worked it would be easier to reel and stronger.
No lumpy add on floats to work around.
I just need to find out if it works.

Never hurths to try! Take a 6 foot section of Cat5 and trhow it in the water (it will sink...). Take the same 6ft section, thread it through the rope, then throw it in the water. Let us all know how it works!

Good Luck!

I'll do that.

scubersteve wrote:I would disagree. If it worked it would be easier to reel and stronger.
No lumpy add on floats to work around.
I just need to find out if it works.

I didnt think of that, but you are right that its easier to reel withoutfloats

Good idea, but I've tried this and unfortunately poly rope alone isn't enough to float a cat5 cable (even if you remove the outer sheathing from the cat5.)

-Steve

i bought some poly rope and it did sort of float just, the only problem i had with it is it holds the water and takes forever to dry out.
adam

sthone wrote:Good idea, but I've tried this and unfortunately poly rope alone isn't enough to float a cat5 cable (even if you remove the outer sheathing from the cat5.)

-Steve

What diameter rope did you use?
I have found 1/4, 3/8, & 1/2 but haven't tried any of them yet

I'm pretty sure it's 3/8", (while I did test it with just the cat 5) my tether consist of the cat5 (minus the outer covering, a A/V camera Cable, and 2 16 gauge wires, so I'm pretty sure that all fit in the 3/8" rope. While it may not float it does act as a good strength member and keeps everything in a nice neat package. (so to speak)



-Steve