[Acoustics] cableway ROV'S

[Thomas P Suro]

Dan and Jon,

Yes, NY district purchased the first generation Rickly Cableway ROV and
yes, I was not impressed.  My first major issue was with Rickly's design
for mounting the unit to the main cable.

Myself and a co-worker spend close to two hours trying to mount this thing
to our main cable and could not successfully do it. I explained this to
Rickly and was going to share one of my re-design ideas with them when they
informed me that they had changed the design and that I would like the new
system. I shipped my unit back to them in May and I have still not seen the
replacement ROV with the new design.  I think that if the cable attachment
system was redesigned this unit could have some promise, but I need to test
Rickly's second generation unit to see if they have significantly improved
the mounting system.

 I have not heard any more then what was stated below about the redesigned
unit that Arkansas is testing.

The weight is also another issue. I would estimate the Rickly ROV to weigh
about 80-90 lbs. with both batteries installed. I think the unit could
probably handle a fair about of sag as long as there is good tension on the
drive wheel from the main cable.

I would say this unit is still in the "beta version" stages of development.
I have several ideas on how to improve it, but I am still waiting to get my
replacement ROV. I will let you know what I think as soon as I get the new
unit and test it.

Tom


====================
Thomas P. Suro
Hydrologist & Engineer
U.S. Geological Survey
425 Jordan Road
Troy, New York 12180
Tel:  (518) 285-5642
Fax: (518) 285-5601
tsuro at usgs.gov
====================





|---------+----------------------------------->
|         |           "Jon E Hortness"        |
|         |           <jehortne at usgs.gov>     |
|         |           Sent by:                |
|         |           acoustics-bounces at simon.|
|         |           er.usgs.gov             |
|         |                                   |
|         |                                   |
|         |           07/26/2004 11:02 AM     |
|         |                                   |
|---------+----------------------------------->
  >----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
  |                                                                                                                |
  |       To:       "Daniel G Wydra" <dgwydra at usgs.gov>                                                            |
  |       cc:       acoustics-bounces at simon.er.usgs.gov, acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov                               |
  |       Subject:  Re: [Acoustics] cableway ROV'S                                                                 |
  >----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|





Dan,
Although, I haven't used either of the rovers that are currently on the
market (Rickly Hyd. -- Cableway ROV; Unbound Tech. -- Cableway Rover), I
have asked a lot of questions about both and have seen and heard some
comments from some who have used them.

Tom Suro in New York got one of the first versions from Rickly and based on
his emails, I don't think he was impressed!!!  He was supposed to be
getting a newer version to try, but I haven't heard how that worked.

I also got some info from Bill Baldwin in Arkansas, who had Rickly come and
get them started with the ROV.  He said it worked fine for the most part.
They had some problems with power.  The controller went through batteries
pretty quickly.

The major comment from both of them was that the rover is very heavy.  New
York could not even get their first version onto the cable.  Bill said it
took two guys to lift it up to the cable.

No one that I know of has one of the Canadian versions (Unbound Tech.
Rover) yet.  The HIF has two on order.  After they get them in and try them
out, I plan on renting one for a while to try out.  I talked with the
Unbound rep. at the Hydroacoustics Workshop and also several times on the
phone since.  I like their design, but I haven't seen one of the Rickly one
in person, so I don't have anything to compare it too.  I do know that the
Unbound Tech. Rover can "lift itself" up onto the cable using one of its
motors and cables.  That in itself seems to be important.   I can think of
several cableways where even if you can get two guys onto the platform,
they probably could not reach the top of the cable to lift the rover up
there.

There's my two cents.  I'll let you know how the Canadian Rover works after
I get a chance to try it out.  Also, I'm sure you could call Tom or Bill
and get more info on the Rickly version.

Hope that helps.
Jon


***********************************************
Jon E Hortness, P.E.
Hydraulic Engineer
WR Hydroacoustics/Cableways
USGS, WRD
230 Collins Road
Boise, ID  83702
(208) 387-1319
(208) 387-1372 (fax)
***********************************************



                      "Daniel G Wydra"

                      <dgwydra at usgs.gov>              To:
acoustics at simon.er.usgs.gov

                      Sent by:                        cc:

                      acoustics-bounces at simon.        Subject:  [Acoustics]
cableway ROV'S
                      er.usgs.gov



                      07/26/2004 06:13 AM







Does anyone have recommendations on what type/brand of cableway ROV to
purchase?  Please advise, Thanks!  Dan.


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