Oceanscience Q-Boat 1800D, Q-Boat 1800P User Manual
The Oceanscience Group
Q-Boat 1800 User Guide
Q-Boat 1800 Page 1 8/26/2011
V2.1.0
Table of Contents Section
Introduction 1.0
Q-Boat 1800 Safety and Cautions 2.0
Q-Boat 1800 Specifications 3.0
Order Codes 3.1
Q-Boat 1800D Assembly and Installation 4.0
Outdrive and Steering Linkage Installation 4.1
Skeg Installation 4.2
Charging and Installing the Battery Systems 4.3
Q-Boat 1800P Assembly and Installation 5.0
Outdrives and Steering Linkage Installation 5.1
Skeg Installation 5.2
Charging the Battery Systems 5.3
Installing the Battery Systems and Power Up 5.4
Installing the Control System 6.0
Installing the ADCP Instrument 7.0
River Ray ADCP Installation 7.1
S5/M9 River Surveyor Installation 7.2
Workhorse Rio Grande Installation 7.3
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Deploying the Q-Boat 1800 8.0
User of the Fail Safe 8.1
Conducting a Range Test 8.2
Launching and Retrieving the Q-Boat 1800 8.3
Emergency Stop 8.4
Maintenance 9.0
Q-Boat Warranty 10.0
Addendum 11.0
Installing the Oceanscience OysterPE II 11.1
Installing the Trimble SPS 351 GPS (or similar unit) 11.2
Q-Boat 1800 Page 3 8/26/2011
1.0 Introduction
Congratulations on your recent purchase of the Oceanscience Q-Boat 1800.
The Oceanscience Q-Boat 1800 is a remotely-operated electric boat designed to make safe, unmanned
measurements of currents, bathymetry, and discharge with ADCPs. It can be customized with an
Oceanscience Oyster PE onboard computer, GPS, depth sounder and a variety of other instruments.
The rugged, lightweight hull is constructed of high-impact UV-resistant ABS. The boat’s powerful
outdrives are capable of reaching speeds up to 5 m/s and the efficient V-bottom design produces smooth,
predictable, agile handling even in choppy waters. The large watertight electronics compartment is
spacious and easily accessible. Two people can easily handle the boat and it can be transported in a
pickup, and SUV or some cars.
There are two models of Q-Boat 1800: the 1800D (displacement) and the 1800P (planning). The Q-Boat
1800D operates in displacement mode with a single 200W outdrive and a 12V NiMH battery pack,
producing a top speed of around 1.5 m/s (5 f/s). The Q-Boat 1800P operates in planning mode with twin
750W outdrives and three 24V NiMH battery packs. With the stock propellers, top speed is 4.5 m/s (15
f/s).
2.0 Safety and Cautions
Safety is a major concern when working around moving propellers. Extreme caution must be observed
when working on or around the Q-Boat. The propellers can rotate at more than 3,000 RPM and produce
750 W (1.0 HP) each. There is extreme danger of injury if the propellers are touched while operating.
Always stay clear of the propellers when the batteries are onboard.
When powering up the Q-Boat, always turn the radio transmitter on before powering the boat itself. If,
when powered up, the receiver on the boat does not detect a controller signal, the Vessel Control Unit
may unexpectedly enter the fail safe mode. This could be extremely dangerous, depending on the failsafe
setting. Though customizable in the field, the Q-Boat’s default failsafe behavior is to travel in a wide circle
until RC contact is reestablished.
Conversely, when shutting down always power down the boat (using the red battery switch) before
shutting down the transmitter. Again, if the transmitter is shut off before the boat, unexpected and
possibly very dangerous maneuvers will likely occur.
Properly installed instruments can cause the boat to fill with water. Never try to operate the Q-Boat 1800
without properly installed instruments.
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Q-BOAT 1800 SPECIFICATIONS
1800D
1800P
Typical Cruising Speed
1.0 m/s
4 m/s
Top Speed
1.8 m/s
5 m/s
Hull Length
1800 mm
1800 mm
Hull Width
900 mm
900 mm
Battery Endurance – Top
Speed
40 minutes
45 minutes
Battery Endurance –
Cruising Speed
60-120 minutes
45-140 minutes
Payload
40 lbs.
30 lbs.
Power
12V NiMH Packs (1)
24V NiMH Packs (3)
Motor
Brushed DC outdrive (1)
Brushless DC Outdrive (2)
Hull Material
UV Resistant ABS
UB Resistant ABS
Weight
23-25 kg
25 kg
Hardware
Stainless Steel
Stainless Steel
R/C Control
Futaba 6-channel
Futaba 6-channel
Remote Antenna
Omni Directional
Omni Directional
Remote Range
300 m
300 m
Remote RF Scheme
FHSS
FHSS
Remote Frequency
2.4 GHz
2.4 GHz
ADCP Size
2” – 9” diameter
2” – 9” diameter
Depth Sounder Transducer
Internal or external mount
Internal or external mount
3.0 Q-Boat 1800 Specifications
3.1 Q-Boat 1800 Order Codes
Q1800D – Q-Boat 1800 D Remotely Operated Boat
Q1800P – Q-Boat 1800P High Speed Remotely Operated Boat
QDB – Q-Boat 1800D Battery Pack with Charger
QPB – Q-Boat 1800P Battery with Charger
FRC900 – Remote Control System
Q-Boat 1800 Page 5 8/26/2011
4.0 Q-Boat 1800D Assembly and Installation
The Q-Boat 1800D is shipped with the outdrive and skeg removed. This section provides
instructions to attach the outdrive and skeg to the Q-Boat 1800D, to connect the steering linkage
and how to properly charge and install the battery.
4.1 Outdrive and Steering Linkage Installation (Q-Boat 1800D)
The following items are required to install the outdrive and steering linkage:
1 Outdrive
1 Steering Clamp
1 Steering Linkage
1 #10-32 x3/4” Hex Head Machine Screw
1 #10 Split Washer
1 ¼” Flat Washer
1 5/32” Hex Driver
1. Insert the connector and cable up through the outdrive mount and steering clamp. (See
Figure 4.1)
2. Position the outdrive shaft so that the top of the cable gland is 2-3 inches above the top of
the outdrive steering arm. (See figure 4.2)
3. Tighten the steering clamp using the 5/32” hex driver. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN.
4. Attach the steering linkage to the outdrive steering arm and servo arm. The steering linkage
should rotate freely around its longitudinal axis within the limits of the ball ends’ rotation.
(See figure 4.3)
5. Connect the motor power / control cable to the 4-pin bulkhead as shown. (See figure 4.4)
Note: the connector is keyed and will fit in only one orientation.
Notes about proper alignment
If a control signal is not present when the servo is powered up, the servo arm may turn to an
extreme angle, causing damage to the steering linkage or the servo. Use caution when powering
up the servo to avoid damaging the system. We recommend the steering linkage be
disconnected from the servo arm for the initial bench testing.
Q-Boat 1800 Page 6 8/26/2011
(Fig. 4.1) Insert connector and cable up
through outdrive mount and steering
(Fig. 4.2) Position outdrive shaft so top of
cable is 2-3” above outdrive steering arm
(Fig. 4.3) Attach steering linkage to
outdrive steering and servo arm.
(Fig. 4.4) Connect motor power/control
cable to the 4-pin bulkhead
4.2 Skeg Installation (Q-Boat 1800D)
The following items are required to install the skeg:
1 Aluminum skeg
6 #10-24 x 1” flathead machine screws
6 #10-24 locking nuts
6 #10 flat washers
1 Phillips screwdriver
1 3/8” end wrench
RTV sealant as required
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(Fig. 4) Standard crossbar with wire rope
bridle and instrument safety cable
(Fig. 5) Safety cable, wire rope bridle, and
carabiner ready for tow line
(Fig. 4.5) Apply RTV sealant to skeg
screw holes
(Fig. 4.6) Set skeg and thread flathead screws
to hold in place
(Fig. 4.7) Properly installed skeg
(Fig. 4.8) Install washer and lock nut on
each protruding mounting screw
1. Turn the Q-Boat 1800D over and support it at the forward and aft deck areas. Apply RTV
sealant to the skeg screw holes as shown. (See figure 4.5)
2. Apply RTV sealant to the threads of the #10-24 flathead screws by inserting the screws into
the end of the sealant tube.
3. Set the skeg in position on the hull and thread in the #10-24 flathead screws to hold it in
place. Start all of the screws before tightening them down as shown. (See figure 4.6) Wipe
away excess sealant. Skeg designs may vary from boat to boat. See figure 4.7 for a properly
installed skeg.
4. Turn the hull over and install (1) flat washer and (1) #10-24 locking nut on each of the skeg
mounting screws protruding through the hull. The aft-most screw (closest to the back) ties
into the transom gusset for added rigidity. (See figure 4.8)
Q-Boat 1800 Page 8 8/26/2011
(Fig. 4.9) Disconnect all Molex
connectors
(Fig. 4.10) Tamiya connectors
and identifying labels.
(Fig. 4.11) Connect three
charging adapters to battery
charger ports
4.3 Charging the Battery Systems (Q-Boat 1800D)
The Q-Boat 1800D is normally equipped with a 12V 30Ah NiMH battery pack and a Futaba 6EX
transmitter with a 9.6V NiCd battery pack. It is important that the user fully charge each battery
system before deployment.
The propulsion batteries’ operating endurance between charges ranges from 70 minutes to 240
minutes depending on operating speed and use of steering.
To charge the remote control transmitter’s battery pack, please refer to the transmitter
manufacturer’s instruction manual.
1. Disconnect all shipboard connections to the battery and remove the battery from the Q-Boat.
Place the battery in a well-ventilated area away from flammable hazards.
2. Ensure the 3-to-1 adapter cable has been disconnected from all three white Molex
connectors, or “discharge terminals”, as shown. (See figure 4.9)
Important: The battery charge terminals consist of three Tamiya connectors that are tinted
greenish-yellow. There are the connectors that will be used for charging. The white Molex
connectors are used for discharge (runtime operation) only and should never be used to
charge the battery. Depending on the battery, one or both types of these connectors may
have identifying labels. (See figure 4.10)
3. Connect the three charging adapters to each port on the 12V battery charger. Each adapter
is a 2-piece assembly. Ensure all adapters terminate in greenish-yellow Tamiya connectors
that match each battery’s charge terminals. (See figure 4.11)
Q-Boat 1800 Page 9 8/26/2011
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