From: $ 56.00

These configurable 2″, 3″, and 4″ subsea housings are great for use on ROVs, AUVs, harsh environment sensing, and other marine robotics applications. Modular end caps give you options – dome, blank, and with holes for cable penetrators. Depth ratings are shown for each component in the dropdown and all technical details can be found below.

Because of the precision machined interface, the tubes are no longer available in custom lengths.

Configure your enclosure here:

SKU: WTE-VP

Product Description

Meet our second generation 2″, 3″, and 4″ Series watertight enclosures for ROVs, AUVs, marine vehicles, and other harsh environments. They’re completely configurable with a variety of tube and end cap options offering a substantial upgrade over the first generation of watertight enclosures. Precision machined O-ring interfaces, a locking cord and anti-rotation feature to secure the flange, and smooth O-ring lead-in make these enclosures a perfect fit for a wide range of applications including MATE and Robosub ROVs, subsea batteries, cameras, electronics, data loggers, environmental monitoring, instrument housings, junction boxes, and more.

When used with the clear acrylic plastic tube option, it’s easy to see the components inside the enclosure, ideal for subsea development projects and research ROVs and AUVs. The aluminum tube option provides a greater depth rating, opaque appearance, and better thermal transfer for high power applications like power supply housings and battery housings.

Precision machined tube ends.

Precision Machined O-ring Interface on the Tubes

The acrylic tubes are cast optically clear material, like the previous generation, but the inner ends are now precision machined so that despite wide tolerances on the raw plastic material, the O-ring interface is always manufactured to tight tolerances. The aluminum tube options are also precision machined for an excellent fit. A smooth surface finish ensures proper sealing between the O-ring flange and the tube and a smooth O-ring lead-in shape makes it easy to insert the flange without damaging the O-rings.

Because of the precision machined interface, the tubes are no longer available in custom lengths, however we have several different length options for each diameter, representing the most popular lengths of custom tubes that were ordered in the past.

Anti-Rotation Feature

The tubes have a slot machined at each end that provides access to insert and remove the locking cord. That slot doubles as the mating point for a key that is machined into the flange. The key inserts into the slot so that the flange can only be installed in one orientation, preventing the end cap or flange from being rotated and damaging internal components.

Tube with flange installed.
Tube and flange with the locking cord installed.

Locking Cord

The locking cord is a new feature in this generation of watertight enclosures. The locking cord allows you to secure the flange to the tube so that they cannot be separated unless the cord is removed. There’s a half-circle shape machined into the inside of the tube and a matching half-circle shape machined into the flange. Once assembled, a round plastic locking cord is inserted into the circular space, preventing the flange from being removed from the tube.

The locking cord is included with the enclosure and comes with a small anodized aluminum handle that can be attached to make the cord removal as easy as possible. Alternatively, if you want to make the enclosure tamper-resistant, you can cut off the cord and cover the insertion slot. This is suitable for finished products that are not intended to be opened by the user.

Combined Flange Cap Design

Exclusively for the 2″ Series enclosure is a shift to combining the sealing flange and end cap into one part: the flange cap. While the flange seal is still available to handle the clear, dome, and custom end caps, the flange caps offer a combined solution that does not require any screws or assembly. There are zero, two, and four hole versions of the flange cap with threaded M10 holes to suit our cable penetrators.

Configuring Your Enclosure

The watertight enclosures are available through this configuration page, which lets you select a tube, flanges, end caps, vent, and more. You can also purchase components separately if you prefer.

Product Description

Meet our second generation 2″, 3″, and 4″ Series watertight enclosures for ROVs, AUVs, marine vehicles, and other harsh environments. They’re completely configurable with a variety of tube and end cap options offering a substantial upgrade over the first generation of watertight enclosures. Precision machined O-ring interfaces, a locking cord and anti-rotation feature to secure the flange, and smooth O-ring lead-in make these enclosures a perfect fit for a wide range of applications including MATE and Robosub ROVs, subsea batteries, cameras, electronics, data loggers, environmental monitoring, instrument housings, junction boxes, and more.

When used with the clear acrylic plastic tube option, it’s easy to see the components inside the enclosure, ideal for subsea development projects and research ROVs and AUVs. The aluminum tube option provides a greater depth rating, opaque appearance, and better thermal transfer for high power applications like power supply housings and battery housings.

Precision machined tube ends.

Precision Machined O-ring Interface on the Tubes

The acrylic tubes are cast optically clear material, like the previous generation, but the inner ends are now precision machined so that despite wide tolerances on the raw plastic material, the O-ring interface is always manufactured to tight tolerances. The aluminum tube options are also precision machined for an excellent fit. A smooth surface finish ensures proper sealing between the O-ring flange and the tube and a smooth O-ring lead-in shape makes it easy to insert the flange without damaging the O-rings.

Because of the precision machined interface, the tubes are no longer available in custom lengths, however we have several different length options for each diameter, representing the most popular lengths of custom tubes that were ordered in the past.

Anti-Rotation Feature

The tubes have a slot machined at each end that provides access to insert and remove the locking cord. That slot doubles as the mating point for a key that is machined into the flange. The key inserts into the slot so that the flange can only be installed in one orientation, preventing the end cap or flange from being rotated and damaging internal components.

Tube with flange installed.
Tube and flange with the locking cord installed.

Locking Cord

The locking cord is a new feature in this generation of watertight enclosures. The locking cord allows you to secure the flange to the tube so that they cannot be separated unless the cord is removed. There’s a half-circle shape machined into the inside of the tube and a matching half-circle shape machined into the flange. Once assembled, a round plastic locking cord is inserted into the circular space, preventing the flange from being removed from the tube.

The locking cord is included with the enclosure and comes with a small anodized aluminum handle that can be attached to make the cord removal as easy as possible. Alternatively, if you want to make the enclosure tamper-resistant, you can cut off the cord and cover the insertion slot. This is suitable for finished products that are not intended to be opened by the user.

Combined Flange Cap Design

Exclusively for the 2″ Series enclosure is a shift to combining the sealing flange and end cap into one part: the flange cap. While the flange seal is still available to handle the clear, dome, and custom end caps, the flange caps offer a combined solution that does not require any screws or assembly. There are zero, two, and four hole versions of the flange cap with threaded M10 holes to suit our cable penetrators.

Configuring Your Enclosure

The watertight enclosures are available through this configuration page, which lets you select a tube, flanges, end caps, vent, and more. You can also purchase components separately if you prefer.

CAD model demonstrates one possible configuration.

All required components for a complete watertight enclosure, excluding penetrator bulkheads, are included. For a detailed list of everything that is included with each component, please visit the individual product pages linked below.

¹An O-ring flange must be selected in the configurator when selecting end caps. A flange is not required and will not be selected when selecting the flange cap option for the 2″ series enclosures.

 Drawing

Tubes

Series DiameterTube Material/FinishTube ID (A)Tube OD (B)Overall Length¹ (C)WeightDepth RatingPart Number
50 mm
(2")
6061-T6 Aluminum, Type II Anodized50.0 ± 0.5 mm58.0 ± 0.2 mm100 mm169 g950 mWTE2-M-LOCKING-TUBE-100
150 mm261 gWTE2-M-LOCKING-TUBE-150
300 mm536 gWTE2-M-LOCKING-TUBE-300
Cast Acrylic49.5 ± 1.5 mm58.0 ± 0.5 mm
100 mm75 g400 m*WTE2-P-LOCKING-TUBE-100
150 mm115 g200 m*WTE2-P-LOCKING-TUBE-150
300 mm238 g150 m*WTE2-P-LOCKING-TUBE-300
75 mm
(3")
6061-T6 Aluminum, Type II Anodized80.14 ± 0.20 mm86.5 ± 0.3 mm150 mm328 g950 mWTE3-M-LOCKING-TUBE-150
240 mm530 gWTE3-M-LOCKING-TUBE-240
300 mm665 gWTE3-M-LOCKING-TUBE-300
400 mm890 gWTE3-M-LOCKING-TUBE-400
Cast Acrylic76.2 ± 2.0 mm88.9 ± 0.7 mm150 mm264 g300 m*WTE3-P-LOCKING-TUBE-150
240 mm442 g200 m*WTE3-P-LOCKING-TUBE-240
300 mm560 g150 m*WTE3-P-LOCKING-TUBE-300
400 mm758 g125 m*WTE3-P-LOCKING-TUBE-400
100 mm
(4")
6061-T6 Aluminum, Type II Anodized104.16 ± 0.20 mm112.0 ± 0.3 mm200 mm707 g950 mWTE4-M-LOCKING-TUBE-200
300 mm1066 gWTE4-M-LOCKING-TUBE-300
400 mm1426 gWTE4-M-LOCKING-TUBE-400
Cast Acrylic101.6 ± 2.1 mm114.3 ± 0.8 mm200 mm488 g150 m*WTE4-P-LOCKING-TUBE-200
300 mm746 g100 m*WTE4-P-LOCKING-TUBE-300
400 mm1004 g70 m*WTE4-P-LOCKING-TUBE-400
¹ Overall length tolerance is ± 0.5 mm.
* The depth ratings for cast acrylic components are applicable only for short-term submersions lasting less than two weeks. For longer submersion, we suggest using aluminum components only.

Flanges

Series DiameterFace Seal O-ringRadial Seal O-ringFlange OD (E)Piston Diameter (F)Piston Length (G)Overall Length (H)Inner Mounting Hole Circle (J)WeightPart Number
50 mm (2")-030
Buna-N 70A
-030
Buna-N 70A
58.0 ± 0.1 mm50.95 ± 0.05 mm15.5 ± 0.1 mm21.5 ± 0.1 mm43.0 ± 0.1 mm41 gWTE2-M-LOCKING-FLANGE
75 mm (3")-148
Buna-N 70A
-150
Buna-N 70A
88.9 ± 0.1 mm79.95 ± 0.05 mm19.1 ± 0.1 mm27.0 ± 0.1 mm68.6 ± 0.1 mm81 gWTE3-M-LOCKING-FLANGE
100 mm (4")-154
Buna-N 70A
-154
Buna-N 70A
114.3 ± 0.1 mm103.95 ± 0.0519.1 ± 0.1 mm27.0 ± 0.1 mm94.0 ± 0.1 mm107 gWTE4-M-LOCKING-FLANGE
Locking Cord Diameter (D): 2.6 ± 0.4 mm for all flange sizes
Inner Mounting Holes (I): M3x0.5 for all flange sizes

Flange Caps

Series DiameterHole ConfigurationWeightDepth RatingRadial Seal O-ringFlange OD (E)Piston Diameter (F)Piston Length (G)Overall Length (H)Inner Mounting Hole Circle (J)Part Number
50 mm (2")Blank (No holes)61 g950 m-030
Buna-N 70A
58.0 ± 0.1 mm50.95 ± 0.05 mm15.5 ± 0.1 mm21.5 ± 0.1 mm43.0 ± 0.1 mmWTE2-M-LOCKING-FLANGE-CAP-BLANK
2x M10 Thru58 gWTE2-M-LOCKING-FLANGE-CAP-2-HOLE
4x M10x1.5 Threaded63 gWTE2-M-LOCKING-FLANGE-CAP-4-HOLE
Locking Cord Diameter (D): 2.6 ± 0.4 mm for all flange caps
Inner Mounting Holes (I): M3x0.5 for all flange caps

End Caps

Series DiameterMaterialHole ConfigurationEnd Cap ScrewsEnd Cap Screw Hole Circle (K)Thickness¹ (L)WeightDepth RatingPart Number
50 mm
(2")
Cast AcrylicBlank (No holes)M2x0.4-10Ø50.8 ± 0.1 mm6.4 mm17 g600 m*WTE2-P-END-CAP
75 mm
(3")
Cast AcrylicBlank (No holes)M3x0.5-12Ø82.6 ± 0.1 mm9 mm58 g400 m*WTE3-P-END-CAP
6061-T6 Aluminum, Type II AnodizedBlank (No holes)Ø82.6 ± 0.1 mm6 mm102 g950 mWTE3-M-END-CAP
4x M10 Thru6 mm97 gWTE3-M-END-CAP-4-HOLE
7x M10 Thru6 mm93 gWTE3-M-END-CAP-7-HOLE
100 mm
(4")
Cast AcrylicBlank (No holes)M3x0.5-16Ø108.0 ± 0.1 mm12.7 mm135 g500 m*WTE4-P-END-CAP-BLANK
6061-T6 Aluminum, Type II AnodizedBlank (No holes)10 mm234 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-BLANK
5x M10 Thru6 mm162 g500 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-5-HOLE
10x M10 Thru10 mm212 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-10XM10
14x M10 Thru6 mm149 g500 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-14-HOLE
7x M10 Thru
11x M10x1.5 Threaded
10 mm197 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-18XM10
1x M10 Thru
4x M14 Thru
10 mm215 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-4XM14-1XM10
2x M10 Thru
8x M14 Thru
10 mm195 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-8XM14-2XM10
5x M10 Thru
2x M10x1.5 Threaded
8x M14x1.5 Threaded
10 mm188 g950 mWTE4-M-END-CAP-8XM14-7XM10
¹ Overall thickness tolerance ± 0.1 mm.
* The depth ratings for cast acrylic components are applicable only for short-term submersions lasting less than two weeks. For longer submersion, we suggest using aluminum components only.

Domes

Series DiameterMaterialDome Internal Radius (M)Dome Wall Thickness (N)ScrewsWeightDepth Rating¹Part Number
50 mm (2")Acrylic dome, polycarbonate retaining ring18.0 ± 0.1 mm2.50 ± 0.10 mmM2x0.4-1015 g950 mWTE2-P-DOME
75 mm (3")31.25 ± 0.10 mm3.1 ± 0.1 mmM3x0.5-1239 g750 mWTE3-P-DOME
100 mm (4")43.5 ± 0.1 mm3.75 ± 0.10 mmM3x0.5-1281 g500 mWTE4-P-DOME
¹ The depth ratings for cast acrylic components are applicable only for short-term submersions lasting less than two weeks. For longer submersion, we suggest using aluminum components only.

3D Models

Please see the tubes, flanges, and end caps component product pages for links to 3D models.

Revision History

Please see the tubes, flanges, and end caps component product pages for complete revision history.

18 May 2022

  • WTE3-VP – Initial release
  • WTE4-VP – Initial release

19 November 2019

  • WTE2-VP – Initial release
Watertight Enclosure (WTE) User Guide
Learn how to assemble and use a Watertight Enclosure!
Pressure Relief Valve Installation and Usage
Learn how to install the PRV on your watertight enclosure and use its related accessories!
Using the Vacuum Plug and Hand Pump
Ensure the O-ring seals are good on our WTE with this quick test!

Support

Blue Robotics Forums – Watertight Enclosures

The standard thread for most Subconn and Seacon type “MCIL” connectors is 7/16"-20. The 10mm holes in the end-cap are the perfect size to be tapped for that threading. A tap like this one can be used to make the proper threads. Depending on the endcap, some holes are spaced closer together, preventing the installation of two connectors immediately adjacent.