PufferFish ROV with Thrusters and Tether (Rev 7)

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.

The PufferFish ROV Kit has now been upgraded to Version 7 to incorporate the following improvements:

• 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.
• The PC board is updated so that the LEDs for each of the 3 motors are now in-line.
• The propeller kit now includes a capsule of thread locker.

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 Motor and Propeller 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
• Thread 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

• 18/6 AF/PF Tether Wire – 7.6m
• 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 pipe (3.5 cm length) - 2 ea
• 1/2" PVC Cross – 1 ea
• Zip Ties - 4 ea
• Solder & Seal Connector - Blue - 6 ea

A power supply is not included in this kit. Please check out this link for more power options.

Materials for a frame is not included in this kit.