DPRG mailing list archives: [DPRG] Lightweight Power suggestion

Wed Jun 25 15:56:24 CDT 2008

I assume your vehicle is water-proof so that you don't need water- 
resistant batteries and connectors.  Look to the RC world for economy  
of scale.  Radio control car batteries are typically 7.2V and start  
at 900mAH for low-end NiCd and go up to 4500mAH using NiMH (maybe  
even higher, but that's where the cost start kicking in).

The batteries come in variety of size and shape packs with a few  
different types of connectors.  The chargers also usually have  
options of A/C wall plug or D/C automobile plug.

If the nickel solution doesn't meet your power needs, then you can  
make the step up to Li or LiPo where the prices *really* start to  
rise, for both the batteries and the chargers.

I was pleased with the wide-variety of products, quick service and  
low price of all-battery.com:
http://www.all-battery.com/index.asp? 
PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=154#back

Need to know the V input requirement of your camera to know if 7.2V  
is going to be enough.

!!Dean

On Jun 25, 2008, at 15:31 , Lance Rose wrote:

> I am trying to build my first underwater robot.  I have built and  
> tested
> a tethered version and it seems to work at shallow depths (bathtub,
> swimming pool).  It is about 10"l X 12"w X 10"h and is slightly  
> buoyant.
> It is a block of PVC pipe and some fish net floats and three small
> motors.
>
> I am now thinking about going wireless.  I am working on using a BASIC
> STAMP with a sonar.  Testing begins this weekend!  My biggest
> non-CPU/microcontroller concern right now is battery power.
>
> What would be good suggestion for < $100 battery setup?  I would  
> like it
> run about 5 minutes.  It will be powering a Basic Stamp with the  
> sonar,
> 3 small motors.  Eventually, I would like to add a small light  
> (probably
> self powered), and a video camera.
>
> I have a very small wireless camera now that is pretty lightweight.  I
> don't know if I can adapt it to the basic stamp.  I will probably work
> the camera first, then go wireless.
>
> Thanks in advance for your time.
>
>
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