Remote Control

Below is a list of all the items you might need for the control box for a ROV. This is the control box I used for my Seafox ROV and is a very simple setup with switches to turn off and on the current to the ROV's bilge pumps and light over a 100 foot tether.

The tether is made up of 18 gauge speaker wire that is used as a shared ground - both conductors - for all devices on the ROV, a Cat5e cable to carry the positive current for each device, up to 8 devices can be controlled. A second Cat5e cable is used for the CCTV camera.

Item ID:008
Name:Terminal Strip
Description:Two 15 amp terminal strips with 8 connections.
Supplier:RP Electronics
Price:$8.28

Item ID:020
Name:16 Gauge Wire
Description:7 meters of black and red automotive wire 16 gauge wire for battery hook-up.
Supplier:Wal-Mart
Price:$9.34

Item ID:023
Name:18 Gauge Wire
Description:100 feet of 18 gauge speaker wire.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$16.65

Item ID:025
Name:Cat5e Patch Cable
Description:100 feet (30 meters) of bulk cat5e patch cable at $0.85 per meter.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$28.56

Item ID:029
Name:Project Box
Description:Plastic project box for the ROV control switches. Dimensions are 6"x3" and 2" deep.
Supplier:RP Electronics
Price:$8.25

Item ID:038
Name:Pipe Insulation
Description:Pipe insulation for tether bounacy. Each six foot piece is about $2.00.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$4.13

Item ID:040
Name:Auto Flip Switch
Description:SPST flip switch rated 20A at 12VDC, about $6.70 each. I used this switch for the lights and main power.
Supplier:Circuit City
Price:$13.42

Item ID:041
Name:Rocker Switch
Description:SPST rocker switch rated 10A at 125VAC, about $4.50 each. I used four for the forward and reverse thrusters.
Supplier:Circuit City
Price:$17.88

Item ID:043
Name:Momentary Switch
Description:Momentary center-off auto flip switch rated 20A at 12VDC.
Supplier:Circuit City
Price:$6.71

Item ID:058
Name:12 Gauge Speaker Wire
Description:12 gauge speaker wire for main power at about $1.77 a meter.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$1.77

Item ID:059
Name:Quick Disconnects
Description:Package of six 1/4" female quick disconnects for switches. Rated for 22-18 AWG wire.
Supplier:Canadian Tire
Price:$1.89

Item ID:068
Name:Quick Disconnects
Description:Package of six 1/4" female quick disconnects for switches. Rated for 16-14 AWG wire.
Supplier:Canadian Tire
Price:$1.89

Item ID:070
Name:Wax Candle
Description:Wax candle for sealing wire box. 3" in diameter and 7" long.
Supplier:Wal-Mart
Price:$6.69

Item ID:113
Name:Snap Connectors
Description:Snap connectors for 16-14 AWG wire. Comes in a package of five.
Supplier:Circuit City
Price:$4.47

Item ID:132
Name:4-inch Multi-Purpose Ties
Description:One package of 4-inch natural standard multi-purpose ties for tether. Each package contains 100 ties.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$3.46

Item ID:133
Name:100 feet x 1/4-inch Poly Rope
Description:100 feet of 1/4-inch hollow braid poly rope for tether. This rope is positive bouyant.
Supplier:Home Depot
Price:$11.17