u/kolaibbu

I am a Class 12 student building a low-cost DIY underwater ROV for a science project.
Current components:

• Arduino UNO R4 Minima
• Freenove ESP32-S3 WROOM with camera
• Three 12V 775 DC motors
• SG90 servo
• pH and turbidity sensors
• 12V battery

Constraints:

• Budget approximately ₹10,000–12,000
• No 3D printer, CNC machine, or laser cutter
• Construction must use acrylic tube, PVC, hardware-store materials, and basic tools

My current plan is to use a transparent acrylic tube as the pressure hull and mount three thrusters for propulsion and steering.
What are the most important design considerations for:

1. Waterproof motor mounting
2. Shaft sealing and cable entry points
3. Hull construction using acrylic and PVC
4. Maintaining stability and buoyancy
5. Common mistakes beginners make when building an ROV

I would appreciate advice from anyone with experience building small underwater robots.

I am a Class 12 student building a low-cost DIY underwater ROV for a science project.
Current components:

• Arduino UNO R4 Minima
• Freenove ESP32-S3 WROOM with camera
• Three 12V 775 DC motors
• SG90 servo
• pH and turbidity sensors
• 12V battery

Constraints:

• Budget approximately ₹10,000–12,000
• No 3D printer, CNC machine, or laser cutter
• Construction must use acrylic tube, PVC, hardware-store materials, and basic tools

My current plan is to use a transparent acrylic tube as the pressure hull and mount three thrusters for propulsion and steering.
What are the most important design considerations for:

1. Waterproof motor mounting
2. Shaft sealing and cable entry points
3. Hull construction using acrylic and PVC
4. Maintaining stability and buoyancy
5. Common mistakes beginners make when building an ROV

I would appreciate advice from anyone with experience building small underwater robots.

I am a Class 12 student building a low-cost DIY underwater ROV for a science project.

Current components:

• Arduino UNO R4 Minima
• Freenove ESP32-S3 WROOM with camera
• Three 12V 775 DC motors
• SG90 servo
• pH and turbidity sensors
• 12V battery

Constraints:

• Budget approximately ₹10,000–12,000
• No 3D printer, CNC machine, or laser cutter
• Construction must use acrylic tube, PVC, hardware-store materials, and basic tools

My current plan is to use a transparent acrylic tube as the pressure hull and mount three thrusters for propulsion and steering.

What are the most important design considerations for:

1. Waterproof motor mounting
2. Shaft sealing and cable entry points
3. Hull construction using acrylic and PVC
4. Maintaining stability and buoyancy
5. Common mistakes beginners make when building an ROV

I do not have access to a 3D printer, so I am especially interested in construction methods that use commonly available materials. If there are open-source ROV designs, student resources, makerspaces, or alternative fabrication techniques that would be suitable for a beginner, I would appreciate any recommendations.

I would appreciate advice from anyone with experience building small underwater robots.

I am a Class 12 student building a low-cost DIY underwater ROV for a science project.
Current components:

• Arduino UNO R4 Minima
• Freenove ESP32-S3 WROOM with camera
• Three 12V 775 DC motors
• SG90 servo
• pH and turbidity sensors
• 12V battery

Constraints:

• Budget approximately ₹10,000–12,000
• No 3D printer, CNC machine, or laser cutter
• Construction must use acrylic tube, PVC, hardware-store materials, and basic tools

My current plan is to use a transparent acrylic tube as the pressure hull and mount three thrusters for propulsion and steering.
What are the most important design considerations for:

1. Waterproof motor mounting
2. Shaft sealing and cable entry points
3. Hull construction using acrylic and PVC
4. Maintaining stability and buoyancy
5. Common mistakes beginners make when building an ROV

I would appreciate advice from anyone with experience building small underwater robots.