Building a custom topside controller

General Discussion
1

I know a couple people have voiced an interest in building a custom topside controller for their BlueROV2. I’ve been designing and building topside controllers for our ROV simulators for over 10 years and thought I’d share a few tips to those just starting out:

http://marinesimulation.com/custom-hand-controller-design/

Feel free to post any questions you might have.

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2

Very nice unit

3

Hi Paul,

Can you list the functions of each component on that controller, or post a higher res pic so I can read the labels?

Thanks!

4

@PacNW - The controller in the link was built for a client to work with our working class ROV simulator, so it has quite a few functions that aren’t relevant to an ROV like the BlueROV2. We’re designing a new controller that will work with both our observation class ROV simulators and the BlueROV2 ROV. I’ll post more information as it becomes available.

5

Ok, thanks.

6

Here’s a preview: ROVsim Surface Control Unit – marinesimulation.com

NewROVsimHandController
NewROVsimHandController1314×998 126 KB

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7

Thanks for posting that, looks nice. My controller is going to be more like the first one though, two 3-axis sticks, thumbwheel, rotary encoders for lights and gains, etc. I’m building an 8-thruster version plus trying to anticipate future tooling such as a gripper or line cutter. Still interested in the functions of that other controller, just trying to learn from what other’s have done…

8

There is no support for this at the moment. It is on the todo list, however.

9

Thanks Jacob. I’m looking forward to the revamp of the control scheme in QGC. I will be using the Leo Bodnar USB interface so the encoders will simply act as up/down joystick buttons I believe.

10

Or this one: Flight Simulator Electronics

11

Just finished building the first of our Mark 4 hand controllers: ROVsim Surface Control Unit – marinesimulation.com

12

hi @paul-unterweiser

Please can you share the link to those buttons? are those buttons self reset with light?

I´ve been really saerching for something similar.

regards,
LG

13

Hello Paul. Do you have a price for the Mark 4?

14

@luisgamez - All buttons / switches are momentary on, normally off.

@canman172 - Contact us via email to: info@marinesimulation.com

15

Check out the 3D model of our ROVsim Surface Control Unit mk4 (click to view in 3D):

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16

Just finished building a variation of the Mark 4 Controller with a “mini” hall effect joystick:

ROVsim%20Surface%20Controller%20mk4%20mod1
ROVsim%20Surface%20Controller%20mk4%20mod12560×1440 1.22 MB

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