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Skonkworkstexas
Aug 16, 2007, 09:16 PM
I am starting a UAV build. The ideas might get me flamed, but I am ready.
To present myself to you I have many talents, but hope that you may guide me through, cause above all IGNORANCE is CURABLE! :o
I have been watching and following all your threads for several months off and on.
Heres the bunny:
Modified Hobbyzone J3 Cub.
Carbon Spar, ailerons, Heavy gear, Dual conversion Futaba, Himaxx 2816-1220, 8&6 APC 3S1P2200 Lipo, 22amps, 30 ounces AUW 31 ounces thrust@55MPH. 84watts per pound at the shaft.

Under half throttle she is my Buddy Box trainer. Has good roll axis, but after nearly a year of hopped up Strykers, even full throttle is....well, almost as fun as reading the phone book.
She is better under 50.
However, sedate planes are recommended for FPV, as it isn't as easy as it looks.
This from you!
I offer the sacrifice.
She will hold 2 batteries in her bay, one 4S2200 above the bay, tapped voltage divider fashion for the assorted electronics (video)
Pan and tilt by 27MC Thawk 3 channel (stored for this purposse in 2005)
Throttle channel cycles servo and microswitch array for camera switching (found here).
Have a pre y2K GPS from work (accuracy +/- 300 feet, no good for FCC consultation and licensing).
fits like a sock in the upper berth.
a Multiplex wattmeter which will bed in the new 60 inch wing.
Sounds like an awful lot of dreaming, but this is what is laying on my bench tonight!

The weatherproof color cams from Supercircuits work great in high sunlight.
however they cannot focus on the instruments. Too close.
Now, for the ignorant question.
what kind of camera gives close-in focus
B&W is OK.
I don't understand the difference between a 70 or 7 mm lens. Your advice please.
This cam has no need to focus at a distance.
Flame suit on!
Skonk

clolson
Aug 16, 2007, 09:50 PM
Hmmm, I'm also semi-interested in a close in focus camera. It occurred to me that rather than engineering some sort of fuel level sensor I could point the camera at the back of the fuel tank and see the level ... then maybe mount a couple volt-watch's next to the tank and beam the whole works down so I can just check the video monitor once in a while ... if this is done in the context of also needing an external camera, maybe there's be a way to rig some sort of electronic switcher between a couple different video inputs so you could visually monitor different systems onboard the aircraft.

Anyway, just brain storming ...

Curt.

Skonkworkstexas
Aug 16, 2007, 10:27 PM
Hmmm, I'm also semi-interested in a close in focus camera. It occurred to me that rather than engineering some sort of fuel level sensor I could point the camera at the back of the fuel tank and see the level ... then maybe mount a couple volt-watch's next to the tank and beam the whole works down so I can just check the video monitor once in a while ... if this is done in the context of also needing an external camera, maybe there's be a way to rig some sort of electronic switcher between a couple different video inputs so you could visually monitor different systems onboard the aircraft.

Anyway, just brain storming ...

Curt.
I had an ESC rig with a RF immune metal cased relay of an old Motorola chassis called an MT500 portable. OLD (TJ Hooker probably wore one),
The guys here used a Radio Shack roller switch servo, and it worked!
They were wooried about the screen going POOF, instead of a good fade to black, and back! :D
I have had to RE-Learn simplification, but these guys have been, like actually DOING this awhile, and it works!
So I am going for it their way. Worked for them, will work for me! :cool:
Skonk

Skonkworkstexas
Aug 17, 2007, 09:09 PM
Well, I also had several projects going on at once, including a P47 from Eflite.
Horizon pushed the back order back further today, so I am guessing Christmas.
Looks like the UAV will just have to come sooner!
If I build a gimbal, and buy the Tx/Rx, I can be flying much sooner, and can add the other things as block upgrades.
I already have 3 servos in Play, and wonder the feasibility of two more servos, and an extra reciever.
Anyone have troubles, or used a 3 leg 5v chip regulator?

dalbert02
Aug 17, 2007, 09:53 PM
What is the plane's mission? What does the GPS connect too? What autopilot are you using? What tracking hardware/software package are you using? It sounds more like a FPV plane then a UAV but I can't be certain... +/-300' ?!?!?
-dave

Skonkworkstexas
Aug 19, 2007, 09:06 AM
Let me answer these one at a time:

What is the plane's mission?

5 missions: 1) Some public safety, Woodland firefighting was requested.
2) Close in looks at high objects from the top like
radio towers, antennas and hardline, but not for hire.
3) Filming other planes in flight for video.
4) Fun.
5) More fun

What does the GPS connect too?
Visual Navaid only.

What autopilot are you using?
None.

What tracking hardware/software package are you using?
None.

It sounds more like a FPV plane then a UAV but I can't be certain...
Your right. My mistake. Moderators, please move to FPV, I have started the thread in the wrong place.

+/-300' ?!?!?
I dont know what this means. Please elaborate

-dave

Skonkworkstexas
Aug 20, 2007, 08:32 PM
Any suggestions on a camera that works close in?