Outland Technology Power Supply Integration (Retired Version)

By Kevin

Introduction

The Outland Technology Power Supply allows the BlueROV2 to be powered through the tether so that you can run indefinitely and without any batteries! It has a safety-focused design that is simple to install, easy to use, and built with the rugged reliability that Outland Technology is known for. Installation is easy and straight-forward by removing the battery enclosure, installing the OTPS enclosure, and installing a new tether carabiner.

Parts and Tools

You Will Need

You will also need:

• 1 x #1 Phillips head screwdriver (BlueROV2 kit)
• 1 x Bottle of Threadlocker (not included)

Removing the Battery Enclosure

To remove the battery enclosure from your BlueROV2 and install the Outland Technology Power Supply (OTPS) ROV Enclosure, you will need the following tools:

• 1 x 2.5 mm hex driver
• 1 x 3 mm hex key or driver

1. To ensure your ROV is completely powered off, please remove the battery completely from the 3” enclosure and place to the side.

2. Remove the bottom panel from the BlueROV2 frame with a 3 mm hex key or driver.

3. Remove the M3x12 screws holding the two sections of the 3″ clamp together with a 2.5mm hex driver.

4. Remove the 3″ Battery Enclosure from the clamps and place off to the side.

5. Place the OTPS ROV Enclosure between the two Enclosure Clamps (3″ Series). The Enclosure Clamps have tapped holes on one side and untapped holes on the other.

6. Install the four M3x12 screws into the Enclosure Clamps (3″ Series) so that the screws pass through the untapped holes on the first clamp and are secured into the tapped holes on the alternate clamp. Install all four screws loosely at first and then slowly tighten them on both sides evenly. Take care not to overtighten the screws. Keep the OTPS ROV Enclosure approximately centered in the Enclosure Clamps (3″ Series).

7. When you are finished tightening the screws, both sides should look similar to this.

8. Using the four M5x16 screws that were previously removed, re-install the bottom panel onto the BlueROV2 frame. It is very important to avoid overtightening these screws. Tighten these screws using the provided 3 mm hex key. Hold the short end of the 3 mm hex key while you are tightening the M5x16 screws. Do not tighten beyond the tightness you can achieve holding the short end of the 3 mm hex key.

Removing the Tether and Battery Cable Penetrators

To remove the tether and battery cable penetrators from your BlueROV2, you will need the following tools:

• 1 x 2.5 mm hex driver
• 1 x Penetrator wrench

1. Remove the 4” electronics enclosure from the ROV by removing the M3x16 screws that mount the enclosure to the ROV cradle.

2. Remove the Vent Plug from the Vent Penetrator Bolt on the electronics enclosure. Remove the 4″ tube and forward dome assembly from the rear end cap.

3. Disconnect the blue and white tether data connection wires.

4. Disconnect the 3.5mm bullet connector power wires from the battery cable and the power sense module.

5. Remove the tether and battery power cable penetrators as pictured from the 4” End Cap with the penetrator wrench that came with the BlueROV2 kit.

Install the OTPS Data and Power Penetrators

To install OTPS data and power penetrators into the end cap, you will need the following parts and tools:

• 2 x Penetrator Nut (Black)
• 2 x Penetrator O-ring
• 1 x Silicone Grease – 10g Tube
• 1 x Isopropyl Alcohol Wipe
• 1 x Penetrator wrench

1. Wipe the exterior surface of the electronics enclosure endcap clean with isopropyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol wipes, and make sure it is free of any particles in the areas where the penetrator O-ring will sit.

2. Remove the O-rings from the bag and apply silicone grease to them.

3. Install the O-rings onto the data and power cable penetrators.

4. Install the cable penetrators into the end cap in the hole you previously removed the data and battery cables from. Tighten to finger tight, then use the wrench to tighten it an additional ~1/16 of a turn. If you can’t loosen it with your fingers, it is tight enough.

Wiring Connections

1. Connect the 3.5mm bullet connector power wires from the OTPS Power cable and the power sense module.

2. Connect the female OTPS Data wire connector with BLUE and WHITE wires to the extension cable that is connected to the Fathom-X Tether Interface Board. The other 6 wires do not need to be connected to anything the operate the ROV. They are for future expansion.

Reassemble BlueROV2 Electronics Enclosure

To reassemble your BlueROV2 Electronics Enclosure, you will need the following parts and tools:

• 4 x M3x16 screws that were placed off to the side during disassembly
• 1 x Silicone Grease – 10g Tube
• 1 x 2.5 mm hex driver

Reinstall 4” Watertight Enclosure onto ROV with the following steps:

1. Apply silicone grease to the two radial O-rings on the O-Ring Flange (4” Series) that is attached to the Electronics Tray then install the Watertight Enclosure (4” Series) with installed Dome End Cap to the O-Ring Flange (4” Series).

2. Mount the Electronics Enclosure to the frame using the M3x16 screws so that the dome is on the same side as the front center panels (the center panels without the 3 large holes). Install the M3x16 screws through the clips and into the Enclosure Cradle (4” Series). It is easier to install these screws if the clips are not fully tightened until all screws are through the clips and threading into the Enclosure Cradle (4” Series). This allows to clips to rotate so you can find the threaded hole in the Enclosure Cradle (4” Series) easily.

Install Tether Carabiner

To remove the old tether and install the new tether carabiner, you will need the following parts and tools:

• 1 x #1 Phillips head screwdriver
• 1 x Wire cutters or scissors (for cutting zip ties)
• 1 x 316 Stainless Steel Carabiner (200 lb capacity)
• 2 x 8.5″ Zipties

1. Remove the rear fairing covering the old tether thimble strain relief.

2. Cut the large black plastic zipties securing the tether thimble to the frame. Remove the old tether and place off to the side, it will no longer be used.

3. Using two new large black zipties, attach the carabiner to the frame. Ensure the latch is able to open and close freely.

4. Reinstall the buoyancy block and fairing that had been removed in Step 1 of this section onto the ROV by installing the screws through the center panels and into the fairing.

Adjusting Ballast on the Frame

To adjust the amount or position of ballast on the frame you need the following parts and tools:

• 7 x 200g Ballast weights (from original BlueROV2 Kit)
• 7 x 8-16 Thread, 5/8” Long, Thread-Forming Screws
• 1 x #2 Phillips head screwdriver

To get the longest battery life and the best driving experience, it is important to have the ROV close to balanced from front to back in water and close to neutrally buoyant. After installation, the ROV may need to be re-trimmed based on your operating conditions. Trimming the ballast may involve a bit of trial and error.

Outland Technology Power Supply User Manual

After the hardware modifications are complete, please read the user manual on operation of the system as provided by Outland Technology.

OTPS User Manual 46-0013 Rev B2 (PDF) (Current)

OTPS User Manual 46-0013 Rev A5 (PDF) (Retired as of 04 MAY 2020)

Authors

Kevin

Kevin is the Applications Engineer at Blue Robotics. He has a love for marine robotics and explorations and was one of Blue Robotics' first Kickstarter backers in 2014! Since then he's joined our team and helps fellow explorers around the world use Blue Robotics products to accomplish their missions.