Comments on: More Fun With DIY ROVs

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 09:55:14 +0000

use 2 cameras to get depth perception

By: bidyut

bidyut — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 11:38:45 +0000

i wud lyk to know abt the thrust available by using computer fans as propellers for my rov .wud it be gud enough to go down to depths of 1metre.plzzz reply soon!!

By: Chiefredelk

Chiefredelk — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:20:53 +0000

Small 12 volt DC motors run in fresh water quiet well. I run them under water to break them in for my RC air planes. HOWEVER,, Salt water does carry current so I would advise you fill them with oil as suggested. BUT it must be light oil or it will cause a LOT of drag.. IF you use a 12 volt DC trolling motor NEVER run it out of water expecailly filled with oil..It can heat up quickly and the oil inside may hurt you..Then again for short burst’s the oil may keep it cooler than no oil. BUT I mean short burst’s like less than one minute..This idea is very interesting to me. I just built my own shallow water diving system and am continually trying to improve on it…

By: Gordon R. Holmes

Gordon R. Holmes — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 04:11:52 +0000

You can fill the trolling motors with mineral spirits or transformer oil. Then seal off the opening. You don’t have the problem with water shorting out the motor and you also eliminate pressure problems.

By: insansains

insansains — Fri, 23 May 2008 08:04:37 +0000

^_^ Hi…
I have planned to make an ROV to. And i used computer fan as thuster + propeller. It was, a great day to visit your project blog.
thanks

By: Andres Torres

Andres Torres — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 22:29:32 +0000

We are working on designing some low cost solutions to the hobby ROV thruster problem. If anyone wants to get involved, please head over to http://www.torrsys.com/rovthrus.htm and give us a little feedback. Thank you.

By: spiralbound.net » Internet Machine Shop

spiralbound.net » Internet Machine Shop — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 16:52:09 +0000

[...] The current project in my mind for which I think this service might be of use is homemade ROVs, but I can see a million and one uses for hassle-free custom part machining. [...]

By: spiralbound.net » Fish Supposedly Washed Up By Asian Tsunami

spiralbound.net » Fish Supposedly Washed Up By Asian Tsunami — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 17:31:22 +0000

[...] While I hate to see these creatures dragged up from the abyss, I am very much a “deep junky”, and take great delight in learning more about marine life from the murky depths. Mostly, it is for this reason that I have developed such a strong interest in both powered and unpowered DIY ROV technology. [...]

By: al

al — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 13:23:31 +0000

Actually I’m not sure you have to worry about seals; it’s been a while, but I do remember hearing at some point that 12 volt motors will continue to work underwater because the voltage isn’t high enough to cause shorts through water. I’m pretty sure that was on an episode of junkyard wars where they were making torpedo propellors out of car radiator fans.

By: cliff

cliff — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:28:07 +0000

That’s a good idea… There can be no doubt that it would have the thrust needed to battle currents. I wonder if the seals in those motors can take 400 feet? It would be like a little ROV race car!

By: al

al — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 00:59:55 +0000

What about using one or more motors & propellors from cheap electric trolling motors? You should be able to get your hands on a cheap one with 50 pounds of thrust (which easily pushes a 15 foot boat around) for not too much $$.