Getting Started
Welcome To Your Utility Crawler
Default Controls (BRIDGE Controller)
Note: The ports should always be covered when not in use. If water is allowed to enter the ports, it may cause extensive damage to the controller.
Performing a Launch
Unpack the contents from the cases and add or remove the desired Optional Equipment. Ensure any exposed connectors are kept clean and dry. Once fully charged, remove the charger from the crawler and ensure the plug cover is reinstalled.
Every use of the crawler should include a short inspection to ensure that everything is in order:
Inspect the charge port and the main power port as per the section on Battery Best Practices.
Connect the tether to the controller using the 4 pole round connector.
Connect the tether to the crawler using the 6 pole round connector and secure with the tether nut. Ensure this tether nut is completely tightened down to ensure the seal is engaged.
Connect the strain relief with the provided cotter pins
Inspect the tether for wear and damage. Ensure there are no knicks or tears in the outer jacket.
Install any addition tools or sensors needed for the mission.
See the section on mounts here for install instructions
Check for loose fasteners on the crawler and ensure the camera window is clean.
Turn the system on, ensure the wheels, lights, camera, reel, and any attachments are functioning.
Check the integrity of the safety line and clevis.
Inform anyone nearby that you are deploying the Utility Crawler and its tether. Ensure the launch and piloting areas are clean and the tether and safety line are neat and ready to deploy.
Trial Run
If you are unfamiliar with the controls or this is your first Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler, we recommend preforming a trial run to familiarize yourself with the operation. For a trial run, choose a safe, flat area. After operation on a flat surface is mastered, sloped or vertical surfaces may be attempted with the use of the mandatory provided safety line. A second person is required to manage the safety line and help keep the line tight to ensure it does not freefall if it becomes disengaged from the ferrous surface. T
Note: Take extreme care when placing the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler on a ferrous surface. The magnets will pull the vehicle very hard against the surface which can create a pinch point for anything, including hands and fingers beneath the wheels.Note: Do not operate the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler on a surface that is inverted or upside down, gravity will work to disengage the magnets from the ferrous surface and the vehicle will fall without warning. Note: Do not operate the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler overhead when people or valuable/breakable property are below.Deployment
Inform anyone nearby that you are deploying the Utility Crawler and its tether. Ensure the launch and piloting areas are clean and the tether and safety line are neat and ready to deploy.
Set the Crawler next to the deployment point with the tether next to it and the tether pointing in the direction of deployment.
Lower the crawler into the water by the safety line or carefully attach to the ferrous surface.
It is not recommended to lower the crawler by the tether as it cause damage over time with abrasion and stretching.
Safety Line
The Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler is shipped with a safety line that must be used whenever working overhead (MAG Crawler). The safety line has a rated strength of 340kg (750lbs) and should be used to ensure the Utility Crawler does not fall to the ground. A second person will be required to manage the safety line and help keep the line tight between the vehicle and top side. This will ensure that it does not freefall if it becomes disengaged from the ferrous surface. Check the safety line thoroughly between each use to ensure it is not cut or damaged. The weight of the vehicle with attachments can exceed 23kg (50lbs) so a firm hold must be made on the top side.
Warning: Under no circumstances should the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler be used overhead when people or valuable/breakable property are in the vicinity below. Do not lift other items with this safety line and do not lift a mass in excess of the rating. Warning: If the batteries on the crawler die during a deployment, the brakes on the wheels will not engage and the crawler may roll down a vertical or sloped surface.Retrieval and Shutdown
Return the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler under its own power to the launch site and secure the vehicle from a rollaway during shutdown. Press the ON/OFF button to shut the vehicle off and remove the crawler from the tank or ferrous surface. If deployed in water, lift the crawler with the safety line. If Using the crawler with the MAG wheel configuration, Drive the crawler to a location that is safely reachable and pull the caster wheel away from the surface, tilting the crawler forward. Once tilted the main wheel magnets should release.
Once on a safe, flat surface inspect the Utility Crawler and clean as required. If deployed in salt water or water where there is heavy material saturation, rinse the crawler thoroughly with fresh water before storing. Look through the camera head window for any sign of water or fogging. If you see either of these problems you may have a leak and need to contact Deep Trekker Support or your authorized Deep Trekker™ Reseller for assistance.
If possible, do not close the lid of the carrying case tight immediately after use. Allow 1-2 hours for the Deep Trekker™ Utility Crawler and tether to dry off after washing prior to sealing the case shut. Any significant amount of moisture left in the case will promote corrosion.
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 Vehicle
Before charging the Crawler, 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, 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 crawler 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 port cover from the bulkhead located at the rear of the crawler. Ensure the inside of the port is dry and insert the charger plug. 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 crawler 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.