Getting Started
Welcome To Your Photon
Getting Started
Connecting the Tether
Due to its small size, the tether on the Photon does not need to be attached and removed when deploying and repacking. The reel and Photon fit into the same carrying case.
It is important that the tether for the Deep Trekker™ Photon is properly routed, and secured before each deployment of the ROV. If not done correctly, communication faults or even serious damage to the tether and/or ROV could occur.
On/Off
(Hand Controller) The Power button shown acts as an ON button when the ROV is off, and as an OFF button when the ROV is on*. Pressing the button begins the boot sequence, which will take approximately 10-30 seconds to complete. Holding the power button for too long will force the ROV into a hard shutdown. If the ROV is turned off while driving, simply turn it back on. It does not have to be on dry land for a reboot.
By default, if the controls have not been activated on the controller for 5 minutes, the screen on the controller will go dim. After 3 more minutes of no input from the operator the controller will automatically shut down, which will also shut down the ROV. It may not power off any optional viewing devices that may be in use on the ROV. The auto-shutdown feature can be turned on or off by navigating to MENU → SETTINGS → CONTROLLER → AUTO SHUTDOWN and toggling on/off.
*In cases where a Node, BRIDGE Box or console is used. this button will only power on the controller. The connective device will power on the ROV.Preparing for a Launch
Prior to operating the Deep Trekker™ Photon ROV, ensure you have read and understood this manual.
Every dive should include a short inspection to ensure that everything is in order prior to bringing the ROV to any dive site:
Inspect the charge port and the main power port as per the section on Battery Best Practices.
Check that all ports are plugged. Operating with an open port will lead to immediate corrosion of the pins and the port will need to be replaced.
Connect the tether to the controller and the ROV.
Check the thrusters for any debris that may be left from a prior dive.
Inspect the tether for wear and damage. Ensure there are no knicks or tears in the outer jacket.
Check for loose fasteners on the ROV, especially on the thrusters.
Check for any damage to the windows on the camera head. Do not deploy the ROV if it is suspected that any cracks or fractures are present in the window.
Before turning the system on, ensure there are no obstructions in or close to the propellers. Serious injuries can occur if fingers, loose clothing, necklaces/lanyards, or other objects get caught in a moving propeller.
Turn the system on and check the functionality of the thrusters, lights, camera head, grabber and camera.
Check that the SD card is installed and data record functions are set correctly.
Complete the following checks before deployment:
Inform anyone nearby, such as divers, swimmers, or boaters, that you are deploying the ROV and its tether.
Ensure the launch and piloting areas are clean.
Ensure the tether is not tangled or twisted prior to launching.
The ROV is now ready to be deployed
To launch the ROV, lower the Deep Trekker™ Photon into the water by the handles, or gently lower it in by the grappling hook and retrieval line. It is not recommended to lower the ROV by tether as it cause damage over time with abrasion and stretching. We do not recommend to throw the Deep Trekker™ Photon into the water for risk of striking an object and damaging the batteries.
Learning to Pilot an ROV
If you are unfamiliar with the controls or this is your first Deep Trekker™ ROV, we recommend practicing your piloting skills to familiarize yourself with the operation. For a trial run, choose a safe, shallow, clear body of water that does not include obstacles capable of tangling the tether. There should be no wind or current present. A swimming pool is ideal.
At this point it is advised to operate the ROV without looking at the camera feed. Keep it near the surface for easy visibility and familiarize yourself with the controls. Once you are familiar with the controls of the ROV, you may begin to solely use the viewing screen to maneuver the Deep Trekker™ Photon. The controls are intuitive; however, a full explanation of each feature is available in Operation. We recommend keeping infrastructure or a stagnant object in view to keep your orientation while learning.
Default Driving Controls (BRIDGE Controller)
Controlling the movement of the Deep Trekker™ Photon is simple and intuitive. The controller uses the two front 4-way joysticks for steering, lateral movement, forward/reverse thrust, and depth control.
These controls are customizable in the controller settings.
Left Joystick
Pushing up on the joystick will drive the ROV forward. Pushing down will drive the ROV in reverse.
Pushing right or left will rotate the ROV right or left about the center of the body (yaw left/right).
Right Joystick
Pushing up on the joystick will cause the ROV to descend. Pushing down will cause the ROV to ascend. This can be inverted by navigating to MENU → SETTINGS → ROV → INVERT VERTICAL.
Pushing right or left on the joystick will allow for lateral right/left movement of the ROV.
Battery Status Indicators
The battery status icons can be found in the upper right-hand corner of the controller/App screen. The ROV charging status has no indicator.
Note: As battery levels decrease the icons will change from green to orange (low)/red (critically low).Charging the Controller
When the controller battery is low, the controller may stop sending data to the ROV, rendering it unusable. The controller may be charged while the system is still in use but should only be done when the unit is safely indoors and in a dry environment. Ensure to only use the Deep Trekker™ provided chargers, and in environments above 0°C [32F]. The controller is powered by a separate built-in battery pack that will require a charge approximately every 3-4 hours of run time. When the battery pack is low, the controller battery indicator on the controller will turn red. If the unit is not given a charge within 5 minutes of this warning, the battery will reach a critically low level and communication with the ROV will stop. To charge, simply plug the controller charger into the charge port on the rear of the controller.
Note: The controller charger is different from the ROV charger. This difference in charger plugs makes them impossible to interchange. Caution: Never use a charger other than those provided by Deep Trekker™ for your ROV and controller. Using a controller or ROV charger other than those provided by Deep Trekker™ can result in extensive damage to the ROV, and/or serious injury to anyone in the immediate vicinity. For charger specifications see the Parts and Service section of this manual.Charging the ROV
Before charging the ROV, inspect the charge port and the main power port as per the section on Battery Best Practices to ensure the pins are not damaged.
As the ROV battery depletes, the charge indicator will change from green to orange to red and the bar will decrease. A low power warning will be issued with approximately 5 to 15 minutes of operating time left. When the ROV batteries hit a critical threshold voltage a second low power warning will be issued, and motors will be disabled. It is recommended to return before or as soon as the first warning is issued. Deep Trekker™ Photon batteries can be charged alone or while mounted to the ROV. In either case, this must be done safely indoors, in a dry environment. Ensure that only the Deep Trekker™ provided chargers are used for charging both the ROV and the controller. It is not advised to charge either system in environments below 0°C[32°F]. Never put the Deep Trekker™ Photon in the water or near water when it is being charged. Batteries should charge from empty to full in approximately 2.5 hours. To charge the batteries, remove the two port covers from the bulkheads located at the rear of the ROV. Ensure the inside of the ports are dry and insert the charger plugs. Use a can of compressed gas to blow water out of the charge port. The connector on the battery charger is keyed to take the guesswork out of lining up the pins.
Note: Port pins must be dry prior to charging or damage to the pins will occur.The unit is charging when the LED on the charger is red. When charging is nearly complete, the LED will flash green and red. Finally, the LED will turn green to indicate full power. Be sure the charge port cover is re-installed before the next deployment of the ROV. The cover acts as a double seal at this opening and protects the electrical pins from corrosion.
The ROV charge ports are keyed.
Deep Trekker batteries are rated for 1000 charge cycles. One charge cycle is running the battery empty and then charging to full. If the battery is only depleted halfway and charged back to full this only counts as half a cycle. At 1000 charge cycles you can expect 80% charge capacity.
Swapping the Batteries
Swapping the batteries in the Deep Trekker™ Photon is fast and simple. Swapping the batteries allows the operator to keep the ROV operational without having to wait through a full battery charge.
Before swapping the batteries, inspect the charge port and the main power port on all battery skids as per Battery Best Practices to ensure there is no damage.
To Remove a Battery Pack From the ROV:
Ensure the ROV is on dry land and turn the system off. If possible, place it on an elevated surface and belly side up.
By hand, remove the two thumb screw located at the front of the pack behind the camera head.
With the screw completely removed, pull the retaining pin at the rear of the ROV out fully.
The battery is now free to be removed. Slide the battery pack out the back end of the skid (it should slide out from the battery header and disconnect power) and place it somewhere safe. The batteries can be charged independently of the ROV, so one set of batteries can be charged while a second set powers the ROV.
To install a battery pack, simply follow the above steps in reverse order. Ensure it is fully seated against the battery header.
Turn the system on and check the GUI or the diagnostics page to confirm the charge level of the replacement battery pack(s).
Shutdown
Once the dive has been completed, you may return the Deep Trekker™ Photon to dry land by using either the thrusters, or by disabling motors and gently pulling it back with the tether. Ensure all recordings have saved properly before powering down the ROV. If using the BRIDGE App to operate the ROV, recordings must be stopped before powering down the ROV , There is no auto stop/save function in the bridge app. Turn the system off and lift the ROV out of the water using the top mounted handles. Although we cannot recommending doing so, If lifting the ROV out of the water by the tether is the only option, do so in a slow and controlled manner to prevent the ROV from swinging and striking any objects that may damage the ROV or the tether. Once safely on land, inspect the outer body for any foreign objects the ROV may have picked up and remove them, as necessary. Inspect the hull, camera head, and thrusters for any signs of damage. If any part of the ROV is discovered to be damaged, contact Deep Trekker™ Support or your authorized Deep Trekker™ Reseller for assistance.
Inspect the battery skids as per the section on Battery Best Practices to ensure no damage has been sustained during the dive. Once this inspection has been completed, wipe down the ROV with a clean towel or rag. If deployed in salt water or anything other than fresh clear water, be sure to rinse the ROV off with fresh clear water to prevent corrosion. Dry off the ROV or allow it time to dry before packing the ROV in the carrying case. Any significant amount of water or moisture left in the case will promote the onset of corrosion. When not deployed, the Deep Trekker™ Photon should be stored in its case along with the tether and controller.