Best Practices including Tips and Tricks

BEFORE THE EVENT: 

1. Take Bot Master 1 and Bot Master 2 training. 
2. Be familiar with our Problem Solving guide. 99% of all support tickets are answered by this article. 
3. Buy our waterproof gear bag and keep it fully stocked. The bag has all the parts needed to build a Bot. If anything ever breaks, you will be able to fix it quickly. 
4. If you are running an event in a new area, determine the best cellular carrier. https://www.nperf.com/en/map/
5. Setup the Bots in a place that makes them easy to launch and easy to charge. Put down waterproof outdoor carpet if the area isn't clear of puncture hazards.  
   • If possible, be close to water (hose) and power to avoid unplugging the Pelican case every day. Floating plastic docks (like Versadock) are most ideal. They allow one person to launch and retrieve a Bot.  
6. Ensure the topside straps to the hull are very tight and that the topside chambers are filled to 10kpa.  
7. Assign each Bot a specific role (i.e. winward, offset, etc.)  
   • Go to the app and click Menu > Settings > Configure Bots  
   • Assign each Bot a specific role (i.e. Windward, Windward OffSet, etc).  
     • On the Layout screen when you choose "Auto Pin Bots - Yes", the waypoints will automatically move to the appropriate location based on their role.  
   • Rename the Bots to match up to their role (i.e W for Weather)  
     • Use blue painters’ tape in all four corners of the pontoons to label the Bots with the corresponding name. 
8. The Minn Kota motor head must be clear to spin which is achieved by the Minn Kota head nesting above ring C and below ring D (ring A is the bottom ring).  On some topsides, you need to pull the top ring forward after launching to confirm it is clear of the motor head. 

DURING THE EVENT - MORNING: 

1. At the beginning and end of every day, use the remote screen to test the Bots Left, Right, and Thrust to 100% before putting them in the water.  
2. Also check the air pressure on each inflatable by pressing on each cavity to ensure they are hard.  
   • The topside is critical because when it deflates it can hit the Minn Kota motor head, which physically blocks steering. 
3. When towing, have the motor in the up position with the bridle under both pontoons and do not exceed 6 knots. 
4. When launching the Bots ensure that the motor head is clear of the topside rings – pull the top rings towards you if it’s not clear. 
5. Ensure that the ProNav/Motor wires are not wrapped around the shaft while deploying and pulling up the motor when retrieving the Bot.
6. When bringing a Bot back to a dock or a RC boat, use the “come to me” button on the remote screen  
   • You can also drag the waypoint to you so that the Bot motors your way and then pull up the Remote screen. Hit stop when the Bot is 3 meters away and then hit Go using Left and Right to make small corrections.  It is best to NOT use Left 90 or Right 90 when in manual control. – For more advanced users 
7. If you have several Bots, send some of the Bots towards the dock/shore while you are collecting the others. I.e. send the windward marks towards the dock while you collect the leeward marks, Then the windward marks are on your way in. This will help save time on the tow in.

DURING THE EVENT - EVENING:

1. Test Left, Right, Prop to ensure nothing broke while towing or pulling the Bot out of the water. 
2. In saltwater, rinse the Bot with fresh water after every use.   
   • The mist setting is best for all motor parts and more aggressive spray for all rubber parts.   
   • Run water on prop between white and black parts for 15 seconds.   
   • DO NOT spray the top of the steering motor (bottom black ring). Instead, wipe it with a clean cloth. 
3. Plug the Bot in to charge as soon as you finish rinsing. 
4. If you need to remove the topside to do any maintenance, lift it by holding the d-rings on the top ring and pivoting up.

AFTER THE EVENT: 

1. If moving Bots between events/shipping, put the Motor in to the horizontal position before rinsing, which protects the steering motor. 
2. Remove the prop and secure it onto the wooden cradle, and then put the black prop collar onto the motor base, place the washer and nut back onto the pin and tighten. (This protects the prop from being damaged during transport/shipping)

MISC:

1. TAKE NOTES! – record any issues or tasks you need to do so that you don’t forget/lose track of them 
2. When doing repairs lift the topside by holding d-rings on the top ring and pivoting up. 

PERFORMING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE: 

1. Every Use:

   • Confirm inflatable pressure (40 Deck, 20 Hull, 10 Topside) 
   • Check that the ProNav/Motor wires are not wrapped around the shaft. 
   • Test Motor (L/R/100% prop) prior to launch. 
   • Rinse all components after use. 
   • Remove prop when storing for extended periods of time or transporting/shipping. 

2. Every month:

   • Inspect and CorrosionX MC4's (Check contact depth inside terminals) 
   • Check Orange silica desiccant, if grey/clear heat in oven at 250 degrees for 3 hrs. 
   • Remove the prop to inspect for foreign objects like seaweed and jellyfish on the prop shaft. 
   • Inspect thrust gasket depth (should be recessed 1/4"). 
   • Inspect prop pin (ensure that it moves freely and regrease). 
   • Inspect pelican case for any moisture or standing water 

3. Yearly:

   • Run Annual Maintenance Checklist 
   • Ensure Bot Gets Possible Upgrades   
     • Upgrade to our latest towing system that has a retractable tow bridle. 
     • Add "Lift This Way" stickers to the port side of the motor head so that people lift them correctly without snagging. 
     • Verify your ProNav has Ringke straps to protect the wires from snags and that the wire isn't being pulled hard when in the up position. 
     • White Clip to restrain ProNav wire. 
     • Orange Silica desiccant. 
       • Clear Heat Shrink covering ProNav disconnects. 
       • Short ProNav Standoff Bolts. 
       • Corrosion Block on pelican terminals. 
       • Greased Steering motor. 
       • Fresh Seals on Lower drive unit.