Last week the competitive ROV team compared the relative strengths of several different types of motors measured in their gallons per hour and Newtons of force against a fixed apparatus. The data we gathered demonstrated what we had predicted, Tsunami bilge pumps don’t provide enough power. As a result, we’ve turned to Seabotix motors which will effectively double our thrust with only a minimal increase in the weight and displacement of the ROV.
The tests also revealed that the technique we used last year to waterproof the motors, epoxy and other plastics, can’t withstand sustained operation in the conditions for the MATE 2012 competition. The Seabotix motors that we plan on buying will come already waterproofed which should solve both the problems of power and leakage. Next week we’ll receive the mission guidelines and can begin working on the props and mission specific tools.
