Power systems

Batteries

For battery safety 

For specs pleases visit the system overview page for your vehicle.

Battery Indicator Behavior

Battery Icon

• the battery icon will always be green, until the ROV sends a ‘battery critical’ message

• the battery icon will be red when the ‘battery critical’ message is sent

• the ‘fullness’ of the icon is based on a ‘percent full’ number that the ROV determines and sends to the hand controller

Critical Warning

ROV behaviour

• When the ROV’s battery voltage goes below the ‘battery critical’ threshold, it will only send a message; the user will still be able to operate the ROV normally

• When the ROV’s battery voltage goes below the ‘battery empty’ threshold, the rov will disable its motors and lights

• For the Rev and Pivot, whichever battery has a lower voltage will determine whether the critical/empty state is triggered.

• If the battery voltage increases high enough above the ‘empty’ threshold, (ie when charging), it will re-enable the motors and lights

Voltage Thresholds

Direct Power

The above specified Deep Trekker™ ROVs can be equipped with an option to provide constant power to the ROV. This allows for the ROV to be operated without charging batteries (with the exception of the controller, which must still be charged). The skids of the ROV will appear different, featuring a number of ports that must be connected. This system also features a different tether and reel than the standard Pivot reel and tether. Note that operators accustomed to using the batteries will notice very little difference in the UI. While using Direct power, one may notice the HUD display the battery charge depleting depending on power draw and tether length, however, this can be disregarded.

Safety

Warning: The power supply provided with the Direct Power kit is supplied with a minimum of 400VDC. Improper use may result in electrical shock or electrocution. 

Do not attempt to open or service the Power supply or replacement battery packs.

The battery replacement kit allows for easy integration into the Deep Trekker™ ROV battery skid. The kit will come with a power supply in a case. The enclosure provides 1200W @ 400VDC (tether voltage dependent) to the vehicle. The supply incorporates a GFI for user safety, and GFI status indicator light which reports faults. 

Supply Specs 

Direct Power Manual.pdf 

ROV Side Setup

In order to power and operate the ROV, a different setup procedure is required to properly connect all harnesses. A diagram labeling the direct power assembly is shown below. 

See the quick start guides below for each ROV on how to connect the equipment:

Controller Side Setup

• Ensure the power connection has a good ground. 

• Connect supplied Green Wire to earth ground for added protection. Refer to POWER SUPPLY image above for mounting location. If used on a dock or shore, the user must connect this wire to a known good ground. If used on a metal hull boat, it should be connected to exposed metal on the hull. If used on other watercraft (RHIB, for example), the wire should be connected to a piece of metal and dropped into the water. Make sure to keep the wire clear of the tether to avoid any tangling.

• Test the GFI:

• Disconnect the tether from the power supply.

• Turn on the power. 

• Caution: once the power is switched on, High Voltage is present on the tether output.

• Move the GFI Test switch to HV+. The power supply will shut off. The fans will stop and the GFI Fault Indicator will flash.

• Cycle power to the unit by turning the main power switch to Off and then back On.

• Move GFI Test switch to HV-. The power supply will shut off. The fans will stop and the GFI Fault Indicator will flash.

• If either test fails, stop all operation, disconnect the main power, see the Troubleshooting portion of this manual.

• Turn off the power. 

• Connect the tether to a power supply.

• Power unit and use First Launch Guide in the previous section to proceed.

• Commence mission.

Boot Sequence

The Direct Power kit should be booted in the following order to allow the ROV to receive power before trying to establish communications.

• Once the system is connected properly, switch on the power supply box. 

• Wait approximately 30-60 seconds to allow the system to reach proper voltage.

• Then power on the controller and wait for the standard boot up to complete.

Troubleshooting

Turn Off system power, disconnect the ROV tether from the POWER SUPPLY. Turn On system power and see if the unit trips. If GFI continues to trip there may be an issue with the power supply. Contact Deep Trekker™ Support for service.

If the power supply does not trip with tether disconnected, turn Off system power and reconnect tether to the POWER SUPPLY. Disconnect the tether from the vehicle and attach a dummy plug to the ROV side tether connections. Submerge as much of the tether as possible, turn on power and observe if the GFI trips. If the GFI trips, the tether may need to be repaired. If a spare tether is available, repeat the test with the second tether. 

If the POWER SUPPLY does not trip with tether connected, power down the unit and reconnect to the vehicle. Turn on power and observe if the GFI trips. If the GFI trips, verify with a second cable. If the unit trips, contact Deep Trekker™ Support to return the DPK skids for repair.

Hybrid Power

When installed and turned on, the hybrid power box will deliver a 75v supply through the tether to allow continuous runtime on the vehicle. 

Trickle Charge

When switched on in the controller settings and when the controller is plugged into a charger, trickle charge will send a 30v supply through the tether to the DTG3 and give extended runtime to the batteries.