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Detailed assembly instructions are available for the PufferFish kit, including video lessons, classroom activities, and many more topics here. You will need to register to access our lesson plans, however, registration is free.
If you're not sure where to start, take a look at this handy side-by-side comparison of the SeaMATE ROV kits
The PufferFish makes ROV building fun, educational, and straight-forward. The Pufferfish ROV kit consists of a control system, wires to receive and deliver power, and thrusters (motors, propeller adapters, and propellers). A frame is not included in the kit, but frame materials can be purchased from your local hardware store.
The control system is enclosed in a small, durable box with an O-Ring seal and a clear top ergonomically designed for younger hands. LED light indicators (indicating motor direction and power) and an amp/volt meter makes operating and troubleshooting the Pufferfish ROV easy. The Pufferfish ROV kit features robust rocker switches that are not soldered to the circuit board and can be easily replaced and a circuit board with a power filter, allowing for the attachment and protection of add-on electronic tools such as cameras. The Pufferfish kit does require students to solder components onto a printed circuit board.
The PufferFish ROV kit is semi-reusable. The control board with all the components soldered onto it can be removed, and a replacement Pufferfish circuit board with new components can be purchased here.
Would you like this kit already assembled and ready to attach to a frame? Contact us.
The PufferFish ROV with Thrusters and Tether Kit includes:
PufferFish Control Box Kit (Rev 7)
PufferFish Control Box Enclosure (w/ 4 Screws) – 1 ea
PufferFish Control Box Wrap Sticker – 1 ea
Amp/Voltmeter for Pufferfish – 1 ea
DPDT Rocker Switch (splash-resistant) – 4 ea
Flex Strain Relief Connector 3/8" (with Nut) – 1 ea
Dome Strain Relief Connector 3/8" – 1 ea
Strain Relief Connector Lock Nut 3/8" – 1 ea
1/8" flathead screwdriver – 1 ea
PufferFish Circuit Board Kit
PufferFish Printed Circuit Board (Rev 7) – 1 ea
Amp/Voltmeter instructions for Pufferfish – 1 ea
Terminal Block - 2 Position 5mm – 6 ea
Terminal Block - 3 Position 5mm – 1 ea
Switch Connectors – 20 ea
Bi-color LEDs (GREEN/RED) – 4 ea
Resistor 10 ohm – 3 ea
Resistor 1k-ohm – 4 ea
Capacitor - Ceramic 1uf 100v – 3 ea
Capacitor - Aluminum 220 uf 25v – 1 ea
Radial Inductor – 1 ea
Diode 150V 2A – 1 ea
Three-Thruster Kit
Propeller – 3 ea
Propeller Screw – 3 ea
Locknut for propeller screw – 3 ea
Propeller adapter – 3 ea
Set screw for propeller adapter – 3 ea
Thead locker (222MS purple, 0.5ml capsule) – 1 ea
Hex wrench – 1 ea
Thruster Motor – 3 ea (Johnson 500 GPH Cartridge Bilge Pump Specs • 12V • Capacity 3' Head: 525 GPH (8.72 gal/min) • Capacity Straight: 630 GPH (10.57 gal/min) • Amperage: 2.5 A • Fuse Size: 5 A • Connection: 3/4" • Max Dia.: 2.75")
PVC Thruster/Camera mount – 3 ea
Power and Powerpole Assembly Kit
10 Amp Blade Fuse – 1 ea
Power Cord 16 Ga. (blk/red zip cord) – 2.4m
Velcro Closures – 1 ea
7mm Black Heat Shrink – 7.6cm
30 Amp Bonded (Red/Black) Powerpole Connectors (red crimped to fuse holder, black crimped to zip cord) - 1 pair
14 Ga. Blade Fuse Holder – 1 ea
Yellow Solder & Seal Connector – 1 ea
7.6M Tether Kit
Velcro Closures – 1 ea
3/16" Red Heat Shrink tubing – 30cm
7mm Black Heat Shrink – 7.6cm
Dome Strain Relief Connector 1/2" – 2 ea
PVC 1/2" Female Slip Adapter – 2 ea
1/2" PVC Cross – 1 ea
The PufferFish ROV Kit has now been upgraded to Version 7 to incorporate the following improvements:
1. The PC board is updated to replace the Amp/Voltmeter wire color labels at the terminal blocks with numbered locations that can serve meters with different wire color configurations by looking up the locations on an included chart.
2. The PC board is updated so that the LEDs for each of the 3 motors are now in-line.
3. The propeller kit now includes a capsule of thread locker.
A POWER SUPPLY is not included with this kit
The Pufferfish kit does not come with a power source. You will need to provide a power source to power your vehicle. We offer three different solutions, depending on your budget and how you intend to use the ROV.
For a solution that never needs recharging, we recommend an AC to DC, 30 amp power supply that plugs into an AC outlet, and provides a constant source of 12 volt DC power that the ROV needs. This power supply can operate two Angelfish vehicles at once without issue.
SAFETY NOTE: Since this converter is being used near water, you must plug this converter into a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected outlet or have a GFCI plug on the end of the converter. DO NOT PLUG THIS INTO A STANDARD WALL SOCKET WITHOUT GFCI PROTECTION.
We also recommend keeping the AC to DC converter in a splash proof container or case. A small plastic tub turned upside down will work to keep splashes off the power supply.
The 12V power supply with GFCI protected outlet is available here.
Power pack with Powerpole adapter:
Powerpacks are battery packs that will provide the power your ROV will need. Powerpacks are often kept in vehicles to jumpstart a dead battery. They will run down over time but can be recharged by plugging them into a wall socket. The length of time a power pack can run an ROV depends on the ROV's power demands. Here is an example of a jumpstarter power pack with a 12V socket (external link)
The power packs will need an adapter for the Powerpole connector to plug into. This adapter plugs into the 12V lighter outlet found on the power packs, and the Powerpoles from your ROV plug into the adapter.
12 volt Deep-Cycle Marine/RV car battery with alligator adapter:
Large lead acid batteries are another way to power the ROV. We recommend the Deep-Cycle Marine / RV battery, as they are designed to be run down and recharged many times (a standard 12-volt car battery is not designed for this). The battery should be able to run a Pufferfish ROV for 4 to 6 hours or you can run 3 ROVs at a time for an hour or more. The battery will need to be recharged after that. To recharge a car type battery, you will need to purchase a charger.
The battery will also need an adapter for the Powerpole connectors from your ROV to plug into. This adapter has Alligator clips that connect to the battery posts on one end and has Powerpole connectors at the other end.
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