I posted a comment on another topic but no one answered so I start this new topic.
Anyone knows if there are any ROV (remote operated underwater vehicle) in the range of 200 - 300meters in Malta? Or maybe something much simpler like a camera only capable of taking video recording in such depths?
in italian fishing magazines there are advertisements for underwater cameras but if i remember well they are used up to 150 mtrs but i check again about the depht. you put the camera in the water and you have a monitor on the boat. its a bit expensive depends what model you buy. price range is 2000 - 3000 euros
I was more thinking of building it myself. For depths around 300m they come much more expensive.
Thats why I 'm asking is someone already have in Malta.
Is there really no interest is such things on this forum?
http://www.nauticexpo.com/prod/ageotec-srl/rov-maximum-intervention-depth-300-m-32517-200066.html
From my experience I can say i have never heard of it being attemoted in such depths.
It would be marvellous to have someone engaging in such RA & D locally.
Good Luck
moon do u want to actually move it by remote control that is with motor. Or are u thinking of a camera encased in a watertight compartment and lowering it down with cable and watching whats is directly underneath it. is this for deepsea fishing??
One has to enquire about the transmission cable that can send a video up from those depths
Yep friends of mine operate such a ROV and undertake research projects both in Malta and other close parts of the Med. More info on http://www.auroratrust.com/index.html (http://www.auroratrust.com/index.html)
@jonathan - Interesting friends you have :) I'm not pointing to anything professional as Aurora but just as a hobby to take videos of the deep sea - fish and other things.
@Shanook - Maybe I will start by something dragged by the boat but I doubt that this is any practical in such depths. An ROV is my final target.
I have 2 main problems -
first the trust motors since for such depths these have to be magnetically coupled - if someone has more details about these pls let me know.
second the transmission cable - I am thinking about fibreoptic so as to minimize the drag and cable weight but this is all new to me so if anyone has more ideas I be happy to know.
you can buy ready made plans if you are a diy man.
Any links?
http://cgi.ebay.com/rc-sub-rov-underwater-video-robot-plans-/270585568429?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_ToysGames_RadioControlled_JN&hash=item3f00281cad
http://cgi.ebay.com/BUILD-RC-SUB-ROV-AND-UNDERWATER-VIDEO-CAMERA-DIY-PLANS-/160440382107?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Radio_Control_Vehicles&hash=item255afdf29b
http://www.google.com.mt/imgres?imgurl=http://rollette.com/rovrev2/rov2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://rollette.com/rovrev2/&h=1469&w=3037&sz=680&tbnid=Doa9zku-VH6tiM:&tbnh=73&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Drov%2Bplans&hl=en&usg=__gGB4Q_a9JS3D5OIcDy3L5CoVD80=&ei=c0AFTMqHIsyOOP-vhIYF&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=6&ct=image&ved=0CDAQ9QEwBQ
damn you,you got me interested in making one for myself now!lol!
These plans are ok for 50-80m depth. But for 300m it would not work with bilge pumps! Cat5 will make too much drag for such depths and I dont think it will work.
But still building one for 80m depth would give some nice videos I guess and it would not cost too much.
you can email this guy with any problems.
http://home.comcast.net/~homebuiltrovs/seafoxretrofit.html
moonwalker did you see this post?
Yes ofcourse but these homebuilt ROVs on the net are all for max 100m depth.
I'm doing my homework and checking out if what I have in mind is doable and within budget.
does the rov have to move about I mean what is ur idea for doing it. If it is just checking the bottom can you just hang a camera with a weight and letting it down of course u add LED lights. All it would cost is a camera. I mean it wont look professional but if it serves its purpose .........
I'm planning it to be manuverable. At 300m the cable would make too much drag to move it by the boat.
Anyway will let you know of the progress when I start :)
yep it would be interesting to see what comes out.........if u need help just shout ...........
www.elettronicaenne.it
these have ROV that go up to 400 mtrs but there is not price
Thanks Mark but when the price is not listed it means only one thing :)
I'm still gathering information but from what I have so far it will not come cheap.
what kind of cable is it going to be used? Does that prussure makes problems in the insulation? If you need any kind of CCTV advice let me know
From the research I have done I think I have to go with fibre optic. I'm still waiting for the pressure answer from the manufacturer.
Cat5 cable might work too but I am planning something thinner with lowest drag possible. If anyone here has some experience with fibreoptic pls pm me.
First you need to determine what purpose the fibre optic cable is going to serve.
a) transmit video only
b) remote control cababilities for the rov + video
For video only a combination of video to fiber transmitter/ receiver the size of a slim packet of cigarettes will work just fine, these are powered by a low voltage dc supply.
For option b) you would most likely be better off going with a network media converter (ethernet Rj45 to fiber) this will enable you to steam video through the network + control the rov provided you know or are ready to learn the basics of LPT(printer port) communicaions/interface. Also bear in mind that with this setup you will need a Laptop above and inside the rov
The fibre optic cable:
Yes fibre is very thin but for it to be practical and durable it must be protected so expect realistic diameters for your application to be about a minimum of 2 to 3mm diameter, also this is not for underwater cables but indoor/oudoor cables used commonly for fibre to the home apllications. Dont worry this type of cable will work fine underwater.
Multimode fiber (mm) or Single mode (sm) fiber ?
mm ok for short distance <3km (cheaper hardware), sm ok for long haul applications (more expensive hardware)
How may i be able to help you ?
Source cable and hardware, splice/terminate cables and setup hardware.
Thanks guido for the usefull info.
The FO will serve for video and control too. Communications will be network/IP based for both video and control. I already located some Ethernet to FO converters but if you know of some tested model its better. Laptop above is not a problem but inside the ROV I will use a microprocessor - I have some basic and advanced electronics knowledge :). Only free time I dont have much :(
About cable thickness 3mm will be just fine although 2mm is better. I was going for sm cable since it is thinner than mm.
I need more info about why sm cable is more expensive. Is it the cable, the terminations or the converters?
sm cable will be more expensive due to the more precise electronics i.e. sm uses laser as a light source while mm uses led.
Don't go for sm because of smaller diameter. Sm just has a smaller diameter core, this does not affect the o.d. of the finished product.
Cant say i tested this model but the price is right
http://www.amazon.com/TRENDnet-100Base-TX-100Base-FX-Converter-TFC-110MSC/dp/B00007IFE8/ref=pd_cp_e_1
Thanks again. That price is perfect!
Now any links for the cable pls? It must be thin and flexible and not easily breakable since it must be unrolled and rolled back every time.
Tactical optical fibre is probably best for your applicaton and is easily reeled and unreeled, this particular brand is 5.8mm O.D. for the 2 core. Unfortunately durability = larger O.D.
http://www.drakausa.com/documents/productPDF/DCB-TACTFOC03s.pdf
Yes already checked the tactical fibre but the diameter is too large. I would go for coax which is just a little ticker and a fraction of the price.
As said before the target diameter is 3mm. Then I would wrap a spectra briad around/next to it for pulling strength. SO the cable only has to be durable for rolling and unrolling and not for pulling strength.
I think I need Loose tube cable for underwater use but what I found so far are all over 6mm thick. :(