Vacuum Test

To perform a vacuum test on the BlueROV2, you’ll need the vacuum pump included in your kit. It’s important to do a vacuum test before putting the ROV in the water for the first time, and after any of the following:

You don’t need to vacuum test every time you open an enclosure—like for battery swaps—unless one of the above changes was made.

The step-by-step vacuum test procedure is provided here.

Set Up

  1. BlueROV, laptop, and toolbox arrive at CRC
  2. Connect battery
    1. remove battery tube locking cord
    2. remove battery tube end cap
    3. insert battery (without velcro)
    4. replace end cap
    5. replace locking cord
  3. Insert the Binder connector from your Fathom ROV Tether (or Spool extension cable) onto the connector bulkhead receptacle on the FXTI so the WHITE ARROW on the plug aligns with the white line.
  4. Rotate the connector head clockwise until the connector locks in place and the GREEN LOCK symbol is in the 12 o’clock position.
  5. Insert the USB Type-B connector end of the included cable into the Type-B port on the back of the FXTI.
  6. Connect the USB Type-A connector into a USB port on your topside computer.
  7. Once connected, the indicator lights on the top of the box should illuminate showing the “Power” and “Link” status
  8. Open QGroundControl
    1. For Macs that won’t open QGroundControl: system settings —> privacy and security —> under the security section, allow QGroundControl to open
  9. Proceed to Pre-Launch Checklist

Comprehensive Checklist