Compatibility Issues between the Pro 3 and Pro 4 Ultra

There are several compatibility issues between the Pro 4 Ultra and prior versions.

Control Panel

The control panel has been changed significantly from the Pro 3 to the Pro 4 Ultra, and the communications protocol was changed.

Tether

Pin Pro 3 Pro 4
1 Video - Video -
2 Video + Video +
3 48 VDC + 74 VDC +
4 Aux + (APIC) Aux + (APIC)
5 Ground Ground
6 Aux - (APIC) Aux - (APIC)
7 CAN bus RS-485 +/B
8 CAN bus RS-485 -/A

Do not attempt to plug a Pro 3 ROV into a Pro 4 Ultra control panel, or a Pro 4 Ultra ROV into a Pro 3 control panel. Doing so may cause damage to the components.

Accessory Port

The accessory port has been changed from the Pro 3 to the Pro 4 Ultra. The table below lists the changes.

Pin Function (Pro 3 / Deep Blue) Function (Pro 4 Ultra)
1 Video - Video -
2 Video + Video +
3 48 VDC + (30 Watts) 24 VDC + (30 Watts)
4 Aux + Aux +
5 Ground Power Common (Ground)
6 Aux - Aux -
7 Manipulator 24 VDC - RS-485 -/A
8 Manipulator 24 VDC + RS-485 +/B
9 12 VDC + (6 Watts) 12 VDC + (30 Watts)

Lights

The Pro 3 and Pro 4 Ultra lights are not interchangeable between these two systems even though the connectors are the same. Using a Pro 3 light bulb on a Pro 4 Ultra ROV, or a Pro 4 Ultra LED on a Pro 3 ROV may cause damage to the lights or the ROV.

Manipulator

The Pro 3 and Pro 4 Ultra manipulators are not interchangeable between these two systems even though the connectors are the same. Using a Pro 3 manipulator on a Pro 4 Ultra ROV, or a Pro 4 Ultra manipulator on a Pro 3 ROV may cause damage to the manipulator or the ROV. You can tell the difference between Pro 3 and Pro 4 Ultra manipulators by the length of the main body. The Pro 3 body is about 75 mm (3 inches), while the Pro 4 Ultra body is about two times as long at 150 mm (6 inches). The Pro 3 manipulator uses pins 7 and 8 for + or - 24 Volts DC to drive the motor. The Pro 4 Ultra manipulator includes a processor board to allow multiple manipulators to be used on one ROV. On the Pro 4 Ultra manipulator, pins 7 and 8 are used for communications, pins 3 and 5 are used for power (24 Volts DC) and pin 12 is used to power the processor board (12 Volts DC, converted to 5 Volts DC on the board).

Calibration

The Pro 4 Ultra's depth gauge and compass do not need to be calibrated.

Run Time

The run time of the Pro 3 is stored in the control panel. The run time of the Pro 4 Ultra is stored in the ROV. This provides a more accurate representation of the amount of hours of use of the ROV.

Tether

VideoRay tether can be used with any model. The maximum tether length of the Pro 4 Ultra has been increased from about 365 meters (1,200 feet) for the Pro 3 to about 600 meters (2,000 feet).

Pro 4 Ultra Operator's Manual, Version: 2.00.00
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