Frequently Asked Questions

If I have issues with equipment out of office hours can I contact someone for help?
Yes, all of our Ashtead Technology locations have out of hours on call personnel. For technical assistance 24/7 call:

Aberdeen - +44 (0)1224 771888

Houston - +1 281 398 9533

Singapore - +65 6545 9350

How do I track the shipment coming to me?
Call your local office, who will look into your shipment and provide a tracking reference is applicable

Is there export restrictions on your equipment?
Generally, all of our equipment has some sort of export control. Our customer service representatives our highly trained in this subject and can help guide you through the process.

How much will shipping of this equipment cost me?
This all depends on the method, location and weight of the equipment being shipped and varies greatly.

Can I arrange my own shipping for equipment?
Yes, and by doing so will eliminate additional freight costs from Ashtead Technology.

Who do I contact if I have not received an invoice?
Call your local office and ask to have an invoice emailed directly to you.

Can invoices be emailed to us rather than mailed?
Yes, you have the choice to “go green” , paperless, just ask to have this option added to your billing profile.

When are invoices generated?
Invoices will be generated at the end of the month if you have a continuing project or immediately after the equipment is returned to a local office and contact is terminated.

Can I charge my rental on a credit card if I have net 30 terms?
Yes, you can download the credit card authorization form from our website and contact a customers service representative to guide you through the process. Please have your invoice number at hand.

If equipment is somehow damaged on my project will I be billed for it?
We will notify you that damage has occurred upon return of the equipment and our local engineering managers will be in touch with you to determine what the cause of failure was.

Is my equipment tested before I get it?
Absolutely, we test equipment fully in between jobs and re-test the unit prior to being dispatched to your project.

Is Ashtead Technology ISO certified?
Yes, Ashtead has pioneered the equipment rental industry in ISO certifications. All our offices are certified annually by BVQI.

Do you provide operators?
We have highly qualified engineers that can assist in mobilization of projects and in some cases operate the equipment if required.

What power requirements do I need for your equipment?
Equipment varies across the board. Some contain internal batteries, 220 / 110 VAC, 12/24/48 VDC are common voltages. We always suggest verifying in the manual before powering anything up.

Why does the frequency matter with sonar equipment?
Higher frequency equals lower range with higher resolution and detail. Lower frequency equals greater range with lower resolution.

What does ADCP stand for?
Acoustic Doppler (CURRENT) Profiler

What is your equipment data transfer protocol options?
This again varies between equipment type, however common ones are RS232, RS485, Coax, Fiber Optic, Ethernet and Arcnet (RS422)

What does FOG stand for?
Fiber Optic Gyro

Does an antenna need to be outside?
Yes, all antennas should be placed outside especially satellite antennas which require full view of the sky and may have issues in confined areas. Also be especially diligent around ships radar or sat nav equipment as there will be interference effects and should be on a different level.

Where can I get pin outs and conductor information on a rented piece of equipment?
This will always be in the manuals supplied with the equipment however if it is not clear, please phone your local Ashtead office or the equipment manufacture.

Do I need to use silicone grease on subsea connectors before deploying?
No, never use silicone grease on connectors as it makes the rubber material swell however you can lightly use “o”-ring lubrication or silicone spray but do not pack the connectors fully with grease as this will have an adverse effect.

Is a generator suitable for running my equipment?
Yes this is fine however we recommend utilizing a line conditioner or a UPS unit or both to protect the internal power supplies of the equipment from generator spikes which are inherent with all generator brands.

How much cable do I need if towing a side scan, sub bottom or magnetometer behind my vessel?
We recommend at least a 3:1 layback. For instance if you water depth is 100m you will typically need 300m of cable out.

Will a pipe tracker detect subsea cables?
It can however it is not designed to be used in this scenario and we would highly recommend a cable tracking device where a tone can be placed on the cable being tracked.

When putting a transducer over the side of a ship how deep in the water must it be?
Your transducer must be below the keel of the vessel to insure clear range to target and to avoid noise interference.

What auxiliary equipment can be added to increase accuracy of a USBL positioning system?
USBL accuracy can be improved by aiding with Attitude Heading and Reference Systems (AHRS) along with accurate GPS Positioning equipment.