Hey everyone!
I've been getting a few really good questions over Facebook from a couple people about whether it's possible to build a Model C by ordering our pre-printed parts and then sourcing the rest of the hardware on your own. And the answer is yes, especially if you already have your own tools and want to experiment with your own hardware! In response to these questions, I thought I'd post this list of all the remaining hardware you'd need after buying a set of 3D printed parts:
Fasteners
6-32 Washer (x4)
6-32 ½-Inch Machine Screw (x22)
6-32 1-Inch Machine Screw (x2)
6-32 Nut (x38)
Self-Sealing Screw (x10)
To make "self-sealing screws," outfit 10 6-32 1/2 inch screws with 1/8" inner diameter, 1/4" outer diameter o-rings (screws will be at your local hardware store, o-rings here)
Servo Screw (x1)
4-40 ½-Inch Machine Screw (x12)
4-40 Nut (x6)
2-56 ½-Inch Machine Screw (x4)
2-56 Nut (x4)
4-40 ½-Inch Machine Screw Brass (x4)
4-40 Nut Brass (x4)
We source all our fasteners at our local hardware store, and that'll probably be the most cost effective way for the typical ROV builder to get fasteners as well (unless you're buying in bulk).
Electronics and Other Hardware
Waterproof Thruster (x4) buy pre-made here, or order bilge pump motors on Amazon to make your own: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N6HDRLS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Rear Dome + Tether (x1) buy pre-made here or order a second forward dome, drill your own cable penetrations, and make your own ethernet cable - will also require a crimping tool.
Internal Motor Leads (x4) (make them yourself with 16 AWG Speaker Wire)
T-Plug Y-Harness (x1) will require 12 AWG speaker wire, as well as T-Plugs and soldering iron
Raspberry Pi 3B (x1) https://www.adafruit.com/product/3775?src=raspberrypi
Female-Female and Female-Male Jumper Wires https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Gauge-Speaker-Wire-30-feet/dp/B07LCT9GMS/ref=sr_1_13?dchild=1&keywords=12+awg+speaker&qid=1595046017&sr=8-13
Raspberry Pi Camera (x1) https://www.robotshop.com/en/raspberry-pi-camera-module-g-fisheye-lens.html
9-Gram Servo (x1) https://www.robotshop.com/en/raspberry-pi-camera-module-g-fisheye-lens.html
12v-5v DC Converter (x1) https://www.amazon.com/Aoicrie-Converter-Waterproof-Converters-Smartphone/dp/B07XJ9W5JJ/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=micro+usb+12-5v+dc+converter&qid=1595046667&sr=8-7
T-Plug Motor Driver Cable (x1) Make your own using two lengths of 14awg speaker wire, and T-plugs from our "Parts and Accessories" page
Dual Channel Motor Driver (x2) In our "Parts and Accessories" page or https://www.robotshop.com/en/cytron-10a-5-30v-dual-channel-dc-motor-driver.html
3S LiPo Battery (x1) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGQWBG3/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
WiFi Mini Router (x1) https://www.amazon.com/GL-iNET-GL-MT300N-V2-Repeater-300Mbps-Performance/dp/B073TSK26W/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=mango+router+mini&qid=1595047061&s=electronics&sr=1-1
Power Bank (x1) Home Depot has a nice one to power your WiFi mini router.
SCUBA Shot (~3lb) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034ZID5W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Micro USB (x1) Cable Comes with the Power Bank in our "Parts and Accessories" page
ADS 1115 Board (x1) Amazon sells this analog-digital chip here
Tools
Epoxy Local hardware store
Soldering Iron (x1) Local hardware store
Solder (1 spool) Local hardware store
Screwdriver Set (x1) Local hardware store
LiPo Battery Charger (x1) In our "Parts and Accessories" page
Pre-Programmed Micro SD You can program your own by running our Archimedes Software package on reboot from a crontab. If you're not comfortable with ssh, vnc, and unix programming (or don't know what any of that is), you can also order a pre-programmed Micro SD card from our store. Once you have that, just plug it into your Raspberry Pi and get building!
"Key" and "Key Plug" (x1)The key is the male side of a waterproof wire jack. A 12awg wire is looped from one terminal to the other and soldered into place to close the circuit. The key plug is the female side of this jack, and it gets soldered to the power bulkheads on the rear dome.
Overall, I think it's a lot less work to buy the kit as a whole, especially if you're new to in-depth builds and programming. It's also worth mentioning that a lot of the products you need are typically sold in multiples/bulk, so it may get a bit costly. That said, I know how intrepid you makers are, and totally understand the satisfaction in sourcing parts for yourself, so here you go!
I hope this helps you get exploring soon!
~Costas
Hey everyone, I'm done! I've been meaning to post and I will make a real one soon, but just FYI I made my first successful launch last weekend.
I sourced everything myself, mostly from Costas's links, with a few big exceptions: the 3D-printed parts and the motors. If I were starting today I might invest in a 3D printer to make my own parts, but the motors were a cost/benefit decision I don't regret. I bought a sample bilge pump motor but sealing it myself (and doing as good a job as Costas does) sounded like a nightmare.