DOCS-010 Manual, SeaBotix Inc. Users, 200 Series – 18 Mar 09 - Rev B - Page 16 of 52
1.7
Trimming ROV
The LBV is designed to be NEUTRALLY buoyant and when placed in water should maintain
its depth without rapidly surfacing or sinking. From the factory, the LBV comes trimmed for
fresh water, unless otherwise specified by the client. The use of the LBV in salt water or
alteration of the LBV hardware will affect buoyancy. Should your LBV require buoyancy
adjustment follow, the procedure below.
Refer to the Manufacturing Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for working with lead.
NOTE:
If the LBV is positively buoyant or negatively buoyant, the vertical thruster
not be as effective, and the auto depth function may not work at all.
If trimmed for fresh water, the addition of 2.5 full strips of lead supplied in the basic spares
kit, (BSK) will usually adjust the trim sufficient for operation in salt water. Brackish water will
require slightly less lead depending on salt levels. However; every LBV has slightly different
ballasting characteristics. The operator may need to add, move or subtract weights on the
LBV for the desired operation in various bodies of water.
Step 1
Make sure that the tether is connected correctly as this will
affect the buoyancy of the LBV.
Step 2
Place the LBV in the same type of water in which it will be
operated, i.e. fresh, salt or brackish water. While holding
the handle or bumper frame, turn the LBV upside down
and agitate it to release trapped air.
Step 3
Place the lead weight strip found in the basic spares kit
(BSK) on the bumper frame to achieve the desired
buoyancy. You may have to the cut strips to fine adjust
the trim. Make sure that the LBV is level left to right and
fore to aft.
Step 4
Once the LBV is neutral, straighten the lead strips and
attach to the lower portion of the bumper frame using
M5x10 button head screws provided in the BSK. Be sure
to place in the same relative position to ensure that the
LBV is properly set up left to right and fore to aft.
