Dive Xtras DPV Series User manual

1
General Description
The Dive Xtras DPV series is range of underwater tow behind diver propulsion
vehicles designed to enhance a diver's underwater experience. This owner’s
manual is not a training manual and should not be substituted for a proper
training course. It is the diver’s personal responsibility to seek proper training
in the use of their DPV and to dive within the limits of their training,
experience and DPV as described in the specification.
Original Instructions
Dive Xtras DPV User Manual
06/02/2020 (Version 1.2)
Models Covered: DX-004-1X000

2
Contents
Cautions & Warnings……………………………………..……..3
Specifications…………………………………………….………5
Basic Scooter Components…………………………..……….6
Batteries………………………………………………..………….7
Assembly…………………………………………….……………8
Operation…………………………………………..……………..9
Dive Planning………………………………….……………..…11
Scooter Failures………………………………………………...11
Post-Dive Procedures………………………………………….14
Travel & Storage………………………………………………..15
Maintenance………………………………………….………..16
Spare Parts………………………………………………………17
Troubleshooting………………………………………………...17
Compliance………………………………………….…………18
Warranty & Returns……………………………….……………20

3
Cautions & Warnings
Proper Training Required
Always seek proper DPV and dive training prior to using any DPV. Use of Dive Xtras DPVs assumes proper training. Dive Xtras will not be held liable for any
injury or death while using this DPV.
Do not operate continuously outside of water
Dive Xtras DPVs are not designed for continuous surface operation. Operation for periods of time longer than 15-30 seconds outside of water may damage
rotational seals and compromise sealing capability of the DPV.
Never ascend using your DPV to pull you towards the surface.
This will cause a rapid ascent as explained in basic diver training and should be avoided at all times. A rapid ascent can cause serious injuries such as, but not
limited to, lung over-expansion injuries, decompression illness, rupture of the ear drum, and in extreme cases, even death.
Never allow the DPV to put you at risk.
If at any time during your diving activity with a DPV you feel you are at risk, immediately unclip the DPV tow cord and release the DPV.
Placing your hands in the way of the propeller blades can cause damage and/or injury.
Inadvertently getting your hands or other objects caught in the spinning propeller blades can cause damage to your DPV as well as to you.
The Dive Xtras DPVs have built in safety features to minimize this danger, but damage/injury may still occur.
Be careful not to entangle hair, equipment, line and/or seaweed, etc. in the propeller.
This may cause the DPV propeller to slow or even stop. Ensure you stop, releasing the trigger, and untangle whatever has caused the entanglement.
DPV may flood if improperly sealed.
Always follow the procedure outlined in the manual for installing batteries and sealing the DPV. If flooding does occur, follow process outlined in the “Flood
Recovery” section of the manual.
DPV failure may cause a runaway scooter.
Follow the procedure outlined in the “DPV Won’t Stop Running” section of the manual in the event of a runaway scooter.
Always ensure to connect like colors, whenever connecting any electric connectors.
Always connect red to red, black to black and blue to blue. Failure to do so will result in damage to your DPV or batteries.
Always ensure correct operation of the on/off trigger prior to use.
Always ensure you check the trigger action prior to use of the DPV to ensure correct operation.
(Continued)

4
A DPV is considered a heavy object.
Use caution when lifting. Always use safe lifting practices when lifting your DPV and utilize built-in handles. Bend from your knees keeping your back straight.
When transporting your DPV on a boat, car or airplane, always ensure your DPV is safe and restrained from movement.
Your DPV is a heavy object, always safely restrain your DPV when transporting to avoid damage to your DPV or bystanders.
Always check the strap is fastened correctly and nothing has been pinched in the seals between the nose and battery tube and between the battery tube and
tail.
When assembling your DPV, it is important to ensure that nothing is caught in the seals and none of the O-rings are protruding to minimize the risk of flooding.
Your DPV is not a toy, nor a suitable rescue tool.
It is for assistance in propulsion only. Do not rely on the DPV for ascent or assistance in an emergency.
Not for use by children.
DPV use and operation is not an activity suitable for children.
Remove batteries while not in use.
Batteries may sustain damage from prolonged installation while not in use. Battery removal also minimizes risk of inadvertent operation.
Sound Levels: A-weighted emission sound pressure level does not exceed 70 dB(A) during operation.
Vibration Levels: Hand-arm system vibration does not exceed 2.5 m/s2during operation.

5
Specifications
BlackTip Travel
Weight: 24lbs (10.9kg)
Length: 24in (61cm)
Depth Rating: 330ft (100 meters)
Continuous Max Speed: 210ft/min (64m/min)
Boost Mode Max Speed: 230ft/min (73m/min)
Boost Mode Max Runtime: 7 minutes
Boost Mode Max Thrust: 57lbs (253N)
BlackTip Tech
Weight: 28.5lbs (12.9kg)
Length: 28.5in (72.3cm)
Depth Rating: 400ft (121.9 meters)
Continuous Max Speed: 210ft/min (64m/min)
Boost Mode Max Speed: 230ft/min (73m/min)
Boost Mode Max Runtime: 7 minutes
Boost Mode Max Thrust: 57lbs (253N)
BlackTip Exploration
Weight: 37lbs (16.7kg)
Length: 37in (94cm)
Depth Rating: 260ft (80 meters)
Continuous Max Speed: 210ft/min (64m/min)
Boost Mode Max Speed: 230ft/min (73m/min)
Boost Mode Max Runtime: 7 minutes
Boost Mode Max Thrust: 57lbs (253N)

6
Basic Scooter Components

7
Batteries
Which Batteries to Use?
The DPV accepts any DCB-type power tool batteries. In the USA, these are commonly called 20v Max, whereas in Europe they are known as
18v XR. Supported amp hours are 5Ah, 6Ah, 9Ah, and 12Ah battery capacities. Note that both batteries should be the same age and
capacity. For optimal performance, do not mix battery capacities or ages in your DPV. Name brand batteries are not required. Here in the
US, we purchase our batteries and chargers online via Amazon or other retailers. You will also need to purchase a compatible charger for
your batteries.
Charging Your Batteries
Always fully charge both batteries before installing them in your DPV. This will help prevent your DPV from receiving different voltage readings from each
battery and will keep your BlackTip running smoothly. Try to charge your batteries close to your dive time, and never store your batteries inside your scooter,
the small power draw of the scooter will eventually drain the batteries and potentially damage them.

8
Assembly
Installing Your Batteries
To install your batteries into the DPV, first loosen the strap securing the cylinder and
remove the nose cone off the front of the scooter. Then insert your batteries one at a time
into the two battery clips located along the length of the scooter interior. Replace the
nose cone by pressing firmly on all sides until it locks into place, then finish the installation
by securing the strap over the top of the scooter. Try to install your batteries close to your
dive time, and never store your batteries inside your scooter, the small power draw of the
scooter will eventually drain the batteries and potentially damage them.
Using the Tow-Cord Attachment
It’s very important to use the tow cord while operating your DPV, as the scooter is designed to only be used in conjunction with one. The
tow-cord carries all the thrust of the scooter, allowing you to concentrate on steering and other activities. Simply adjust the sliding knot
on the long end of your tow cord rope to match the length of your reach, then fasten it to your gear. The tow-cord typically attaches to a
D-ring secured to the crotch area of your equipment. Some dive equipment has this attachment point built-in, in the form of a crotch
strap. If your diving gear does not feature this attachment point, make sure you obtain one before operating your scooter. You can find
one listed on our website or consider buying and using a climbing harness, similar to the one pictured below.

9
Operation
Operating Your DPV
You’ll control your DPV by using double and single clicks on the thumb trigger. Once you’re in the water, double-clicking the trigger will start the
DPV at speed 3, known as cruise speed. To increase speed, double-click again -once for each speed gear increase. Single-clicking will decrease your
speed by one gear with each click. To stop your scooter, simply let go of the thumb trigger.
Safe Start
When you first start the DPV, it will spin its prop slowly at low power before shifting to cruise speed. This is called “safe start”. The DPV will not
allow you to engage any speed gears until it has sensed it is in water and nothing is in the way of the prop. This is to help prevent accidents. Once
running in the water, safe start is only active again if the scooter is at speed 3. If you are in a higher or lower gear, safe start is disabled, allowing
you to restart the scooter more quickly. With the DPV’s migrate feature, the scooter always returns to speed 3, so a scooter left alone for a period
of time will always activate in safe start mode.
Buoyancy & Trim
Your DPV’s buoyancy can be adjusted to suit your diving. It can be made neutral however it will always float nose up and there is no real way to correct this.
Weight can be added or removed from the nose of the scooter. There are pockets in the nose that can be filled with lead shot from an old soft
weight or similar. To access the pockets, remove the 4 screws on the back of the nose cap and lift off the thin stainless-steel cover plate. The
scooter ships from the factory with a larger, additional steel plate in the nose, and you can choose to leave this or remove it.
Do not try to remove weight from the tail. There is no weight adjustment in the tail, or any removable parts.
We recommend adjusting your buoyancy so the scooter will float trim while the handle is held. This way it is easy to use when scootering, and only floats nose
up when you stow it.
Speed Modes
Out of the box, the DPV comes loaded with 8 speed modes. Double-click to speed up, single click to slow down. Every time you change gear, the LED display will
indicate the current gear.
(Continued)

10
Boost Mode
At the higher speeds such as gear 7 and 8, the current draw is quite high and running at these speeds continuously would overheat the motor or electronics. To
prevent this happening, the scooter will start to throttle back its output after a period of time. In speed 8, this time is typically 7 minutes. In speed 7 however, it
is much longer. Releasing the trigger for an extended amount of time will allow the scooter to cool itself, and the boost mode time limitation will extend for
another 7 min. If you only use speed 8 for less than 7 minutes, you may never even notice it’s there! Staying on the trigger in speed 8 continuously will cause the
scooter to eventually slow down to somewhere between speed 6 or 7. But for most users, this cap will probably be undetectable, as 7 minutes at speed 8 is
quite a lot of scootering!
Speed Migrate
If you release the trigger for a brief moment, your DPV will restart in the same speed as you stopped. If you wait a longer period, the speed at which your
scooter restarts will change, migrating slowly back to the start speed. For every five seconds your scooter has been stopped, the DPV will automatically shift one
gear closer to its default speed of 3. This works both ways, whether the DPV is traveling faster or slower than speed 3. If the DPV has been stopped for less than
five seconds, it will restart at the same speed as before.