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Generation 2 Upgrade |
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SeaBotix continues to improve the LBV. The latest Generation 2 system represents the ongoing development from engineering, field testing and client feedback. As a result the LBV1502 has more power, is even more intuitive, has more features and is even more reliable. The ultimate small ROV system.
If you own a Generation 1 LBV150 system SeaBotix offers an upgrade kit. Depending on your configuration and technical expertise the upgrade can be done by SeaBotix or maybe by yourself. Contact SeaBotix to determine the best solution.
 More Power
The Generation 2 upgrade includes a more radical set of protective shells and a polyethylene bumper frame. This combination improves thrust by 35%. How is this accomplished? Simple the removal of the thruster tunnel, ballast tray and shell material around the thrusters allowed more water flow to the thrusters. Additionally, with the thruster tunnels and ballast tray eliminated the vertical and lateral thruster performance is increased.
 Less Drag
Adding to the increased flow and thrust is the reduction in drag. The new polyethylene bumper frame has a smaller cross section than the previous aluminum version. Also, polyethylene is an easy material to modify allowing many options to be bolted on.
Improved Maneuverability
The more radical protective shell and polyethylene bumper frame providing more power enable the LBV to respond quicker as well as the fin created by the bumper frame rails resulting in straighter line stability.
 Simplified Service
By removing the ballast tray and thruster tunnel the new more open frame design allows the operator to service the LBV with greater ease. Now you can change any one of the four (4) thrusters without removing the others. Access to the shaft seal grease gallery is open. Plus when removing the protective shells the bumper frame rails can be left attached.
The ballast weight is now located on the bottom of the polyethylene bumper frame, which is not only easier to access, but also more stable with the weight low and outside.
 Enhanced Controls
Increasing the ease of controlling the LBV is the addition of a vertical thruster control knob. Where the older style keypad offer simple operation it under certain situations was jumpy as the buttons only offer on and off. With the variable vertical thruster knob controlling the vertical movement of LBV is similar to the horizontal movement. The knob is mounted to the side of the hand controller for use by your left thumb.
More Stable Sensors
The new system offers noticeably more stable depth and heading data accomplished with component and software upgrades. As a result the Auto Depth and Auto Heading functions are even more useful.
New Machine
In addition, the Generation 2 upgrade brings your LBV up to new with all new seals (camera housing, power can and thrusters), new tilt and focus belts and all stainless hardware. Software is updated to the latest version as well as each of the electronics.
Depending on the number of hours on your LBV it might be worth replacing that scratched view port and the motors inside your (Brushed) thrusters (Brush-Less just need an oil change).
When you get your LBV back it is like a new machine.
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