VideoRay Explorer Manual

Submersible remotely operated vehicle
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Explorer
S
R
UBMERSIBLE
EMOTELY
O
V
PERATED
EHICLE
V
http://www.videoray.com
August, 2014
Version 1.0, Rev. C

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Summary of Contents for VideoRay Explorer

  • Page 1 Explorer UBMERSIBLE EMOTELY PERATED EHICLE http://www.videoray.com August, 2014 Version 1.0, Rev. C...
  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    SAFETY FIRST! ..............................7 USE COMMON SENSE ..........................7 ELECTRICAL AND VIDEORAY SAFETY ....................7 PERSONAL SAFETY ............................ 7 GETTING FAMILIAR WITH YOUR VIDEORAY ..................8 UNPACKING YOUR VIDEORAY ........................ 8 INSPECTING YOUR VIDEORAY ........................ 8 PREPARING TO OPERATE YOUR VIDEORAY ..................8 YOUR FIRST DIVE ............................
  • Page 3 VIDEO MONITOR DOES NOT SHOW PICTURE ................27 9.1.4 POOR PICTURE QUALITY ........................ 27 ORDERING PARTS ............................. 28 WARRANTY REPAIRS ..........................28 VIDEORAY TOOLS & SPARE PARTS KIT ..................29 APPENDIX A – LIMITED WARRANTY ....................30 http://www.videoray.com August, 2014 Version 1.0, Rev. C...
  • Page 4: Introduction

    Prior to shipment, the VideoRay Scout was tested and found to comply with factory standards. The serial number of the VideoRay is labeled on the hull under the float block, and inside the hull (visible through the rear dome). The serial number of the controller is engraved on a plate that is attached to the front of the Controller case.
  • Page 5: General Information

    AC, or battery pack and inverter. Operation of the VideoRay is quickly mastered after only a few practice “flights.” Connection to a video monitor provides the operator with a view of everything the VideoRay sees.
  • Page 6: Explorer Specifications

    VideoRay Explorer 2.3 EXPLORER SPECIFICATIONS Depth Rating 91 m (300 feet) Depth Gauge Calibrated in meters or feet (user selectable) Resolution = 0.1 units (meters or feet) Dimensions 35 cm (13 ¾ inches) long 22.2 cm (8-¾ inches) wide 21.6 cm (8-½ inches) high Weight 3.6 kg (8 lb.)
  • Page 7: Safety First

    3.3 PERSONAL SAFETY Be aware of the safety of those around you! 1) Beware of swimmers or boaters. The VideoRay and tether can pose a hazard to swimmers, divers, and small craft, as well as persons in and around the operating area.
  • Page 8: Getting Familiar With Your Videoray

    Operating your VideoRay controller is like being in the driver’s seat of your car. The joystick and switches are used to control your VideoRay ROV, similar to the way you use the steering wheel, pedals and dashboard knobs to control your car’s operation. The controller’s LCD display provides feedback like your dashboard gauges do.
  • Page 9: Your First Dive

    1) Open the Power Supply / Controller box and make sure the Main Power switch is set to the “Off” position. 2) Unpack the VideoRay and tether. Be careful not to kink the tether. See Section 7.2 for proper tether handling techniques and cautions.
  • Page 10: Pre-Dive Inspection

    4) Ensure that the VideoRay has been properly ballasted for the water conditions in which you plan to dive, and that the ballast is secure. The VideoRay comes from the factory ballasted for fresh water although water properties may vary locally and cause a need for re-ballasting the VideoRay.
  • Page 11: Maneuvering The Videoray

    VideoRay against the pier or vessel from which you are launching. 5.5 MANEUVERING THE VIDEORAY VideoRay is relatively easy to fly... and fun! Initially, a new operator should spend a few minutes controlling the VideoRay within sight near the surface in order to become familiar with VideoRay's reaction to its controls.
  • Page 12: Retrieving The Videoray

    3) Power down the VideoRay by switching off the main power supply. 4) Retrieve the VideoRay by pulling it out of the water by its tether. Care should be taken to coil the tether properly (see Section 7.2) and avoid collisions between VideoRay and the pier or boat hull.
  • Page 13: Videoray Controller Features And Functions

    When Autodepth is on and the Depth Control knob is centered, the thruster will attempt to maintain a constant depth. Rotating the Depth Control knob will cause the VideoRay to rise or dive to a new depth. Centering the knob again will then maintain the new depth.
  • Page 14: Tilt (Down | Up)

    "up" or "down" power. When the knob is centered, there will be no thrust and the VideoRay will rise or sink depending up on the ballast setting and the presence of any vertical water currents.
  • Page 15: Joystick (Forward | Left | Right | Reverse)

    The VideoRay Explorer joystick incorporates an additional operating technique that greatly increases the user’s ability to control the VideoRay. The joystick has a "third axis" of operation. In addition to moving both forward and back (first axis) and side to side (second axis,) the knob will rotate either clockwise or counterclockwise (third axis).
  • Page 16: Joystick Sensitivity

    The LCD display will tell you which mode you are in: • Normal Mode: This mode spreads the range of power evenly over the deflection range of the joystick, and is used when current is strong or the VideoRay must move more rapidly.
  • Page 17: "Best" Practices And Diving Tips

    7.2 HANDLING THE TETHER The tether should be considered the most important part of the VideoRay system. It feeds power and control signals to the vehicle and returns data from the sensors. If the tether becomes damaged from improper use, poor handling or an accident, the vehicle may become crippled or inoperable.
  • Page 18 VideoRay Explorer 6) Avoid snap loading the tether. This situation may easily occur when a slack tether is reeled onto a motorized spool. Loads may peak at a very high value when the tether snaps taunt. Another dangerous situation for snap loading is a tethered submersible vehicle operated from a pitching ship.
  • Page 19: Avoiding Tangles

    VideoRay Explorer 7.3 AVOIDING TANGLES As mentioned above, it is always a good idea to consider where the tether lies as VideoRay moves through the water or along the bottom. The following tips may assist in dealing with and / or avoiding tether problems: 1) Don't feed out unnecessary tether.
  • Page 20: Increasing Thruster Power

    VideoRay are specifically designed for rapid and easy removal. 3) If VideoRay’s thrusters are not fouled and still do not run, try resetting the VideoRay computer by switching the power supply off, waiting ten seconds, and switching it back on again.
  • Page 21: Videoray Maintenance

    Do not use liquid or aerosol cleaners on the system control box and power supply. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Disconnect the power before attempting to clear fouled propellers. After use in salt water or chemical solutions, thoroughly rinse VideoRay with fresh water before storing. For general cleaning of VideoRay, use a mild detergent.
  • Page 22: Caring For Seals And O-Rings

    VideoRay Explorer 8.4 CARING FOR SEALS AND O-RINGS VideoRay recommends the use of Dow Corning #4 Silicon Grease, as a lubricant for O-rings used as seals. Other lubricants can lead to deterioration and failure of the O-rings and components. DO NOT USE ANY OTHER LUBRICANTS OTHER THAN THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT.
  • Page 23: Servicing The Lights

    It also means that you can check for impending seal failure easily. There are two “Bal Seals” on the shaft of each of the three thrusters on a VideoRay. Between these two seals is a oil chamber. The cartridge is constructed of machined acrylic and brass, and contains the two seals and the oil.
  • Page 24: Main Housing

    Do not pry the domes off with a screwdriver as this can damage the domes and the seal surface. 4) A hair dryer may be used to aid in removal of the domes by warming the VideoRay housing and creating a positive interior pressure.
  • Page 25: Reassembly Of Main Housing

    (see section 6.3.1). Note: Ensure that the Joystick and Depth Control knob are both in the neutral position before powering up the VideoRay. This is critical, since their positions are calibrated when power is applied. After selecting the display units, there are two areas that can be calibrated: Compass –...
  • Page 26 VideoRay Explorer 7) Continue the procedure for the remaining headings following the on-screen instructions. To exit calibration mode, turn the system off. This may be done at any time during calibration without loss. Any settings entered with the SET switch will be retained.
  • Page 27: Field Servicing

    2) Ensure the propellers are securely installed. 3) Check to see if the tether is snagged. 4) Check the thrusters to ensure they function properly with VideoRay out of the water. 9.1.3 VIDEO MONITOR DOES NOT SHOW PICTURE 1) Check to see the VideoRay is turned on.
  • Page 28: Ordering Parts

    9.2 ORDERING PARTS Spare and / or replacement parts are available for your VideoRay Submersible. They can be ordered directly from: VideoRay LLC 580 Wall Street Phoenixville, Pa 19460 Telephone (610) 458-3000 Facsimile (610) 458-3010 For Customer Service by Internet, E-mail info@videoray.com...
  • Page 29: Videoray Tools & Spare Parts Kit

    10 VIDEORAY TOOLS & SPARE PARTS KIT TOOLS / SPARES Tool Box 10 in 1 Screw/Socket Driver Open-end 7mm & 8mm Wrench 3/16” Hex Wrench 3/32” Hex Wrench Silicone Grease Packet 12V/20W Halogen Bulbs 1 each Thruster Propellers (60mm) L & R...
  • Page 30: Appendix A - Limited Warranty

    11 APPENDIX A – LIMITED WARRANTY LIMITED WARRANTY POLICY VideoRay will repair or replace, at its expense and at its option, any system or component, subject to the limitations and / or exclusions specified herein, which in normal use has proven to be defective in...

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