Mini DIY R.O.V. Submersible

This is a great, easy, weekend project! This project is also a first prize winner in the 2012 Instructables Robot Contest!

So, this little submersible uses 3 DC motors and a nine volt battery. It controls the three motors with three buttons. It's frame is built from lego-type pieces. It is very simple and great for kids to learn. Although you will need some sort of supervision because the project involves a soldering iron.

Step 1: Parts and Tools!

There aren't too many things involved and if you take things apart a lot like me, you should have most of these things. I will also attach Radioshack links next to the parts that they may carry.

Parts-
(3) Push buttons or switches  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062495
(3) DC Motors (at least two have to be the same)  http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2102822
(?) I built my frame out of pieces from a physics workshop kit, but as long as it holds the motors and isn't too heavy, anything should work 
(1)  9V battery connector, or if your using different voltages, a different battery holder. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2062218
(4) Empty Film Canisters. These will hold the air that will float the ROV (Remote Operated Vehicle) back to surface.
(3) Propellers. These go on the motors to propel the ROV. I found one off an old model plane and two laying around.
(1) Some solder. Most anything should work. http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4314832&filterName=Type&filterValue=Solder
(1) Some hot glue. 

Tools- 
Soldering Iron. anything should do. Just needed to solder a few pieces together. Make sure you have permission to use this.
Hot Glue Gun. I used this to glue to film canisters and the motors onto the frame. 
Helping Hands. These work REALLY good. I used kind of a make do one, but these help when your trying to solder something. 
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4314832&filterName=Type&filterValue=Solder 
A Bath Tub. Something to test it in.
(Optional) Wire Strippers

Comments

[Hillwalker]

Very nice work!

I'm curious how long the motors lasted. Did you try sealing them?



Jim
Victoria, BC

[tommythehill]

Thanks! I did not try to seal them. To this day one of rear motors has stopped working. If I make another one I will probably try to seal them!

[vxcbjhh]

my god

[macgyver603]

Awesome Instructable! After reading this I had to build my own. I recommend using DPDT toggle switches for the motors so you can reverse the polarity and change direction.

[tommythehill]

Thanks!! Yours looks awesome!

[stumitch]

i've done this with my students before and the author has done an excellent job. the thrusters last quite awhile but do eventually corrode.... lots of time to experiment though!

[numinous]

If you were worried about the motors corroding, you could seal them in like they do on the SeaPerch ROVs, they have a manual here: http://www.seaperch.org/teacher_tools

[Tomdf]

Congratulations!

[tommythehill]

Thank you!

[TheHawkeye]

You need to make the video 'public' so we can see it.

[tommythehill]

Sorry about that! Thanks for telling me, I would have never realized!

[gibsoncrazed14]

Great job! I would love to see a video of it in action.

[tommythehill]

Thanks! I actually meant to post one. Tomorrow I will post one! Please vote for this is the Robot Challenge!

[gibsoncrazed14]

You have my vote!

[tommythehill]

Thank you so much!!

[JoshuaZimmerman]

Awesome! Kudos galore!

[tommythehill]

Thanks! I would be so happy if you voted for this in the Robot Challenge!

[Tomdf]

Nice work!

[tommythehill]

Thank You! Please vote for this in the Robot Challenge!

[iApple guy]

Wouldn't the motors fry?

[ookid]

I don't think so. The voltage used is fairly low so I would think that there would only be a minimal loss of electricity due to the semi conductivity of the water. I would think that there would eventually be some rusting or oxidization on the motor casing or brushes which might affect the motors performance after a while.

[macwhiz]

Yea, there would be some oxidization if used in chlorine or anything, if in fresh water its fine, and the motors would be fine, you could actually overvoltage them due to the cooling effect of the water