BlueFlyer's Skywalker Revolution 1720

[Jake Bullit]

I power my RC2 direct from the battery ,works great.

[iwan_canobi]

yeah, the manual says it should be fine too.

I just worry about putting too much voltage into things as that energy needs to go somewhere... the internal components only require 3.7v to operate (the voltage of the battery)

I wouldn't worry, switching regulators (as used in the Runcam and just about all BECs) reduce the energy by rapidly switching on and off to effectively reduce the voltage, so the energy isn't really dissipated as heat etc. They are very efficient and robust so are ideal for these kinds of applications, and typically the IC's used can take up to 40V input, so 4S won't be any issue if it's designed correctly.

The only drawback is they can introduce their own noise into the system because of the switching, so the LC filters can still be a benefit.

[AdamG]

The 12V UBEC has dual outputs, so my intention is to solder it's input wires to the ESC side of the MFD AP current sensor, have one of it's outputs direct into the MFD AP power input pins and the other output can feed the 5v SBEC which will then be plugged into a spare channel on the MFD AP servo rail. Should be a fairly tidy setup

Hey,

Just something to note with this method of wiring. We know that occasionally these UBEC's fail. In this diagram, if your 12v UBEC dies, you lose everything... Video, control link, AP... the lot, as the power won't make it through to the 5v UBEC. Your plane will just freeze and drop all communication.

The way I have wired mine is that there are 2 power supplies coming from the current sensor, one to the 12v UBEC and one to the 5V UBEC. This way, if the 12v UBEC fails, you lose video. However, the 5v UBEC still has power, and therefore so does your AP, your Rx, servos etc... meaning you can activate RTH.

Chances of your 12v UBEC failing are slim I guess, but the second method has no disadvantages and could save you from losing a plane.  :)

[FPVSteve]

The FoV on that looks ace

[English Turbines]

Looks good Blue,

Are you sure the lines are not coming from the DVR..?...On the raw Lipo voltage, you are recording?  On that Pic it shows REC..?

No REC on the other pics?

  Its well known that some DVRs make noise as they record....Raw Lipo voltage with no ESC running should be super clean anyway.

       :vulture:

     

[English Turbines]

ET... that "REC" is not from the DVR, it's from the RunCam2. I had do have the RunCam2 recording otherwise it would switch off automatically

The reason there's no REC in the other grabs is because the REC flashes on and off (could be annoying in flight) and was off at the time of the screen grab lol

Oh, I see....I stand corrected then m8..... :zipit:.....LOL....It is unusual to get noise from just a Lipo though, isn't it?
   BTW...Id be interested to know how many Milliamps that 600mw VTX pulls being run on a 5v BEC..?...

  :vulture:

[iwan_canobi]

The RunCam2 accepts 5v-17v but the standard voltage via the USB port would normally be 5v. This means there MUST be some drop-down voltage regulator inside the camera to bring the "up to" 17v down to the operating voltage.

*COUGH*

I wouldn't worry, switching regulators (as used in the Runcam and just about all BECs) reduce the energy by rapidly switching on and off to effectively reduce the voltage, so the energy isn't really dissipated as heat etc. They are very efficient and robust so are ideal for these kinds of applications, and typically the IC's used can take up to 40V input, so 4S won't be any issue if it's designed correctly.

The only drawback is they can introduce their own noise into the system because of the switching, so the LC filters can still be a benefit.

The Runcam has a switching regulator, the fact that you didn't see noise when using the BEC's is probably just down to the inbuilt filtering they will have on board. Put the LC filter on the line going to the Runcam, as close to the Runcam as you can. People often think that the LC filter will just clean up the entire line, but it's purpose is to remove or 'decouple' the noisy part of the circuit from the rest.

Try that and see if you still get the lines.

[iwan_canobi]

Ok, so long as I get a point! :P

I do think the Runcam is noisy, I've noticed it with mine and also a friend had a lot of issues with it too. Mine was on a basic build so I just put up with it, but the LC filter next to it should clean it up. Whilst the view is good from it as an FPV cam the letterboxing is a bit annoying for me, and it's not brilliant in harsh lighting conditions, so you're probably better off with a board camera anyway.

[English Turbines]

If you checkout Octanes U-Tube channel, hes using the Runcam 2 as an FPV Camera with amazing results....If the Cameras Lipo is left in, would that help smooth out the noise..? I seem to recall he did use a filter of some kind...

I never had any noise issues with my Mobius as an FPV Camera and thats supposed to be a really noisy Camera compared to the Runcam 2.

  If its a 16:9 ratio signal it may not look so good in goggles..?....

:vulture:

[English Turbines]

The 16:9 is letterboxed so you get a 4:3 image

If I want to use the RunCam2 as FPV camera I'll just feed it 5V... no noise then

Probably the best idea, 5vdc....The Mobius has no Switched Mode PSU....It just uses a 5v Lipo top up charge, which probably explains it....
 
:vulture:

[FPVSteve]

I thought the Mobius was noisy on 433MHz? I was planning on ditching mine in favour of a GoPro Hero - very happy to be told otherwise since the Mobius weighs less (and has less momentum on landing)

[English Turbines]

I thought the Mobius was noisy on 433MHz? I was planning on ditching mine in favour of a GoPro Hero - very happy to be told otherwise since the Mobius weighs less (and has less momentum on landing)

The Mobius is noisy around the 433 band Steve....although I have used mine with my EZ setup without any issues.....If you use the extreme hopping band of 430 to 450mhz its probably going to be ok....Keep it away from your Sanders....LOL.

:vulture:

[English Turbines]

When I first started out with FPV about 2 or so years ago, the GoPro was supposed to be the go to Camera......I cant think of a Camera more unsuitable for FPV than a GoPro, then, and now.

The form factor is totally wrong.

:vulture:

[FPVSteve]

Well.. "then" the alternative was a #11 camera lol .. the GoPro had its place :)

[SnoozeDoggyDog]

You're totally right. When I started out around 5 years ago, it was all about the videos. The best videos were recorded on GoPros. Of course, back then the GoPro was literally the best lightweight HD camera.

Then there were the various keychain cameras that eventually evolved into the Mobius.... none of them ever managed to get close to GoPro quality footage, despite being the ideal form factor for fixed wing FPV.

I think the RunCam2 is as good as you'll find which is a combination of great footage quality and form factor on the market right now.

The only reason I held on to my GoPro for so long is that I've had an on/off relationship with multirotors, and I suppose I thought that if I had a GoPro, it would be super easy and cheap to get a £100 gimbal for whatever quad I buy or build and have the ability to capture awesome aerial footage..... but I've come to the conclusion that quads just aren't for me anymore.... so I have no requirement for my GoPro.

watch out for it in the classifieds soon lol

Ditto. The only reason I'm thinking of hanging onto my 4 silver is it may go in the belly of the mini T. But have been seriously giving consideration to letting the 4 go.