Batteries

Ensure your batteries maintain the correct amount of charge whether you are storing them, planning to travel with them, or are planning to run a field trial with Nautilus One. Please see the separate page for battery maintenance here or under regular maintenance for these details. This is a critical process that deserves great attention to detail. Please, go read the battery page.

Data

Ensure all data is regularly pulled off of the robot and stored at a secondary location. After it has been verified that the data has been successfully transferred off of the robot we recommend cleaning out any data files so that your robot has the necessary capacity for future deployments. We recommend performing this data transfer after every trial and recommend verifying there is no lingering data on the robot before periods of transportation or storage. Please see the separate page for offloading data here or under regular maintenance.

Mechanical Components

Like any mechanical system, there are components on Nautilus One that may need some additional attention and maintenance. The most common of these are the seals that prevent water from entering the tube enclosures. Prior to every deployment and after the robot has been sitting for a while, check the seals to make sure they haven’t become dried or cracked. If they are completely dried out or show signs of cracking/tearing, replace the seals. Make sure you put a dab of o-ring grease on the seals and spread it around before replacing on the robot. Ensure the seal has a snug fit upon replacement. Some additional areas of note prior to deployment are to check the tubes for any cracks that may allow water into the enclosure or any failure of the 3D printed parts that hold together the tubes and propellers. If any of these 3D printed parts or the propellers are compromised (have cracks, large chips that will affect function, etc.) please replace them before deployment is attempted.

Storage Recommendations

We recommend storing your Nautilus One in a warm, dry place (with limited humidity) due to the sensitive electronics on board. Do not store Nautilus One with the batteries in the tubes. If looking to store your AUV after a recent trial, allow the AUV to completely drain of water and become completely dry before storage. For long term storage (within the pelican case or on a bench) grease all seals and reassemble the robot but do not pull a vacuum within the tubes.