VideoRay ROV Subsea Fiber Optic Tether Cable User Guide
- July 4, 2024
- VideoRay
Table of Contents
VideoRay ROV Subsea Fiber Optic Tether Cable
Product Specifications
- Product Name: Fiber Optic Tether w/ Reel Guide
- Compatible with: Submersibles
- Connector Types: ST patch cable connector, 8-pin tether connector
- Lubricant: Fiber Optic lubricant
Product Usage Instructions
Fiber Optic Tether Setup:
- Feed the Fiber Optic tether termination block upward through the port aft frame opening.
- Mount the tether termination block to the submersible with the thumb screw.
- Remove caps from the patch cable and lubricate both ends with supplied Fiber Optic lubricant.
- Align and connect one end of the patch cable to the module on the starboard side.
- Connect the other end of the patch cable to the Channel 1 port of the tether termination block.
- Route and secure any excess patch cable slack.
- Connect the submersible strain relief and test all angles to ensure no tension on the tether.
- Connect the tether from the reel to the console 8-pin whip.
- Rotate the red Power Mains clockwise to the on position.
Subsea Battery Installation
- Lubricate and connect the 8-pin tether connector to the submersible 8-pin whip. Tighten the threaded collar to secure.
- Connect the submersible strain relief and test all angles to ensure no tension on the tether.
- Insert and secure the battery in the Expeditionary Reel battery port.
- Verify cable labels and connect tablet to reel HMI port.
Subsea Battery Operation
- Locate and connect power module and extension whip to the submersible.
- Add battery connectors to the chain of connections as per instructions.
- Insert battery’s whips through frame openings.
- Line up and insert battery camlocks into corresponding square openings in the lower frame.
- Connect battery cables to open battery ports.
- If using fiber optic tether, connect dummy plug to power module whip and secure plug with threaded cap.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
-
Q: What should I do if I encounter tension on the tether during setup?
A: Ensure all connections are properly aligned and secured, reroute any excess cable slack, and adjust strain relief as needed to eliminate tension on the tether. -
Q: How do I power on the submersible after installing the battery?
A: Follow the instructions to rotate the red Power Mains clockwise to the on position as outlined in the user manual.
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QUICK GUIDE
Fiber Optic Tether w/ Reel Guide
- Feed the Fiber Optic tether termination block upward through the port aft frame opening
- Mount the tether termination block to the submersible with thumb screw
- Remove caps from the patch cable and generously lubricate both ends with supplied Fiber Optic lubricant
- Take note of twist lock coupling and the locating sleeve of the type ST patch cable connector
- Carefully align and connect one end of the patch cable to the module on the starboard side
- Carefully align and connect the other end of the patch cable to the Channel 1 port of the tether termination block
- Route and secure any excess patch cable slack
- Connect the submersible strain relief and test all angles to prove no tension is on the tether
- Connect the tether from the reel to the console 8-pin whip
- Rotate the red Power Mains clockwise to the on position.
- Continue with standard connection, power, and function tasks
Expeditionary Copper Tether Guide
- Lubricate and connect the 8-pin tether connector to the submersible 8-pin whip. Tighten the threaded collar to secure
- Connect the submersible strain relief and test all angles to prove no tension is on the tether
- Insert and secure the 2590 battery in the Expeditionary Reel battery port
- Verify Fischer cable end labels and connect tablet to reel HMI port
- Continue with standard connection, power, and function tasks
This Quick Guide provides a basic overview and instructions for using Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) or Lithium-ion (Li-ion) Mission Specialist Subsea Battery sets and corresponding tether. Refer to the printed guide included with the battery set for detailed instructions.
Subsea Battery Set Contents
- Subsea Battery (2)
- Charger A/C Power Cord (2)
- Battery Charger (2)
- 5-Pin FM/M to 5-Pin Male Power Cable (2)
- Charger Port to XLR Charging Cable (2)
- XLR to 5-Pin Male Charging Cable (2)
- 5-Pin Male Dummy Plug (2)
- Power Wand
- 8-Pin Tether Dummy Plug w/ Cap
- 5-Pin Female Dummy Plug (2)
Subsea Battery Operation Guide
Battery Installation
Ensure subsea battery pair has different Node IDs (32/33). Use a silicon–based
lubricant when making all subsea connections. If cables are already installed,
check connections and skip to step 6.
- Remove the float block.
- Disconnect port and starboard 5-pin connector chains from the power module and 5-pin extension whip (orange cable on the port side of the submersible).
- Locate the connector for the aft vertical thruster in the starboard 5-pin chain. Remove it and add it to the port 5-pin chain.
- Add the 5-pin battery connector to the chain of connections. Repeat this process for both 5-pin chains.
- Insert the remaining other end of the battery’s 5-pin whips through the openings of the frame above both the horizontal aft thrusters.
- Turn submersible on its side or upside down. Use caution if a USBL beacon is attached.
- Line up and insert the battery camlocks into the corresponding square openings in the lower frame (skid), ensuring the 5-pin ports are at the aft end of the submersible.
- Twist camlocks 90° clockwise to secure both batteries to the frame, then turn submersible right side up.
- Connect the battery cables to the open 5-pin battery ports.
- If using fiber optic tether, connect the dummy plug to the 8-pin power module whip and secure plug with threaded cap.
- Tuck any cable slack into the frame and replace the float block.
Turning on Batteries
When turning on the batteries, powering up one battery will automatically
power up the other battery.
- Power up the batteries by inserting the included power wand into the center circular opening in the front of one of the batteries. Fully insert the wand into the opening for approximately one second and remove. Two audible tones should be heard from the battery, followed closely by two audible tones from the other battery.
- Wait several (5-10) seconds to confirm submersible power by illuminated LEDs on the Power and/or Communications modules. Both batteries are now turned on and providing power.
General Operation
- With the batteries mounted below the frame, be cognizant of the submersible’s deeper draft. Increase minimum altitude from bottom to avoid inadvertent grounding on the sea floor.
- Li-ion batteries can be used at the default power setting of 1,000 watts or greater if the mission demands it.
- If using NiMH batteries, reduce the power setting to 700 watts via the Home tab in the Flight View menu. This power setting will extend the flight time with little effect on piloting and accessories.
Battery Depletion
During extended periods of use, the batteries may experience excessive power drain resulting in insufficient power for continued normal use. In addition to on-screen battery
- meters indicating low levels , signs and symptoms of insufficient power will become apparent in the control software, to include freezing of the video feed, the ribbon compass going dark, or the video feed going dark.
- If this occurs, safe recovery of the submersible should now be the priority of the pilot. Recommended actions are as follows:
- Disable all Auto controls and turn off LEDs
- Reduce power setting to 500 watts
- Enable all Auto controls
- Navigate to safety, disable Auto controls, and recover the submersible
Turning off Batteries
Turning off the batteries requires each battery to be independently powered down.
- Insert and hold the power wand into the center opening of each battery for approximately one second to turn power off. A single audible tone should be heard when powering down.
- Confirm power to the ROV is off and that the led lights on the power and communications modules are no longer illuminating.
Charging Batteries
Batteries must be turned off prior to charging. Batteries can be charged while attached to the submersible or while in the battery case.
- Connect the XLR end of the cable to the XLR cable on the battery charger. Connect the 5-pin end of the cable to the 5-pin socket on the battery.
- Once plugged in to a power source, the charger will power on. Use the two buttons to cycle through the charging profiles until the desired profile is displayed, either “NiMH sub” or “Lithium sub”. Make sure “sub” is next to the desired profile.
- Press and hold the bottom button and release when OKAY is displayed.
- If CONNECT BATTERY is displayed after releasing the bottom button, press and hold the bottom button again and then release when FORCE START appears.
- It will take a few seconds for the batteries to begin charging. The battery icon on the left side of the display will then indicate charging status. The batteries turn on while charging and will shut off automatically after 5 minutes once charging is complete.
- After charging, remove the charging cables from the batteries. Store charger, cables, and batteries in the watertight case after they are rinsed and dry.
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