Introduction: How to Build an ROV in the Style of Fischer Vickers

Welcome to the wonderful mind of Fischer Vickers. Today I am going to teach you how I made an R.O.V (Remotely Operated Vehicle) in the form of a submarine. Now I must warn you, this project was made with many a trial and error so I would not advise following my example to the letter. When it comes to the wiring I would pay attention but for the design, that's all up to you and your noggin. Now let's get into it!

Step 1: Come Up With Idea (Start Simple)

Originally I came up with an idea based on HOW #@$%&*# AWESOME IT WOULD LOOK! But something that cool is really difficult to design, especially if you are as inexperienced in 3D design programs like I am. I advise starting with a literal 3D block, then making your holes for the motors like I did. It may not look very pretty, but it will get the job done.

Step 2: Parts List

Here is a list of the following things I needed to make My ROV

-A Small plastic box

-3 Rocker Switches

-3 DC batteries

-Battery Pack that holds 3 DC batteries

-20 feet of Ethernet Cable

-Goop (the brand of glue)

-1 inch Diameter PVC Pipe

-Various Weights

-Styrofoam

-Copper Wires

Tools that will probably be helpful

-Rotary tool

-Box Cutters

-3D printer

-Drill

-Soldering Iron

-Belt Sander

-Hot Glue Gun

-Hot Glue sticks for the Hot glue gun

Step 3: The Box

Now the hard part starts. Everything that powers your ROV will be contained in your box. Everything from your battery pack to the internal wiring. Make sure that you do this step right because if your wires touch each other your motors will short circuit and fry. First, we are going to cut some holes in your box. Make sure that these holes meet the dimensions of the switches that you bought so they can rest nice and snug into the control box.

Step 4: Wires

Now you need wire everything together. The following picture will be a helpful diagram for reference. Make sure you keep in mind which color of wire you use for positive and which one you use for negative because it will come in handy later.

Credit to Lily Fedler for the wonderful diagram

Step 5: More Wires

Now that you have connected the switches to each other now we need to connect them to your motors. Strip some wires from the Ethernet cable, making sure that they still are attached to it, and attach the positive and negative wires for each corresponding color to each switch.

Step 6: Power to the Box

Now you want to connect a new wire from the middle of each switch as shown in the picture, then you want to connect all of these wires to one point, keeping in mind that we want positive together with positive and negative with negative, then take the battery pack and attach the positive and negative wires to their respective pairs and twist a wire cap on them to lock it all in place.

Step 7: Print

Print out your design

Step 8: Motors

Now you want to cut the PVC pipe to fit the motors inside of. Hollow them out with a sander or something that is able to keep things smooth. As soon as you get them to fit, take either hot glue or goop and make sure that no water can get to the wires connecting the motor. (CAUTION! Make sure not to cover the rotating rod in the middle of the motor, if this gets covered the motor will not be able to spin your propellers.

Step 9:

Step 10: Now Add Propellors

Add some props and you are done!

Step 11: Go Have Fun!

This is the file that I have made for my R.O.V