Can I split GPS wire to PicoPilot and Inspire?

[smitty505000]

Hey all, Im new to UAV's but have been doing a bit of FPV. I just ordered a PicoPilot NA and was wondering if I can split the cable coming from my Geko 201 and use it on both the PicoPilot and Inspire OSD? Or should I use the Geko for the OSD and the Pico GPS for the Picopilot?

Thanks,
Smitty

[kd7ost]

Hey all, Im new to UAV's but have been doing a bit of FPV. I just ordered a PicoPilot NA and was wondering if I can split the cable coming from my Geko 201 and use it on both the PicoPilot and Inspire OSD? Or should I use the Geko for the OSD and the Pico GPS for the Picopilot?

Thanks,
Smitty

Depends on what the Inspire needs.

The output of the geko is in an RS232 format and can drive multiple devices at once. I am using the output of a geko to drive a PDC-10 and a Intuitive systems Video overlay board. If the Inspire takes RS232 you are good to go.

Dan

[smitty505000]

Yes, RS232 3 wire. The OSD works fine with the Geko 201. Was just wondering if the cable could be split and not cause any issues like signal degradation or something. Thanks for the reply!

Thanks,
Smitty

[dalbert02]

The Inspire has buffered rs-232 out. You could use that instead.
-dave

[smitty505000]

Hi Dave, Thanks for the reply. Not sure what you mean? The Geko is pluged into that plug on the Inspire board now.

Smitty

[dalbert02]

http://www.dpcav.com/inspire/inst_d.pdf
Page 5
The GPS’s NMEA sentences are available for external use at the RS-232 Interface (see Figure 11). This serial output is enabled when the micro-GPS module or the Garmin Geko handheld GPS is installed. The RS-232 pigtail (available separately) can be used if the white wire is move from Molex pin-3 to pin-2. The cable pin out is then as follows:
Molex-2: GPS NMEA Data
Molex-1: Ground.

So when looking looking at the end of the board,
from RIGHT to LEFT,
1 is ground DB-9
2 is buffered GPS data out of Inspire
3 is data out for computer RS-232
4 is GPS data in to Inspire from GPS or in from computer RS-232

Attached is a little cable I made so that I could program my Geko 201 with waypoints from my PC, or download the reports from Inspire to my PC. As you can see, one side is male, the other female. This way the Inspire can plug into the Geko when my cable is not needed.

Hope this helps.
-dave

[smitty505000]

Hi Dave, Yes I have read the manual however the Geko is already pluged into the molex connector with the optional garmin cable. I could basicaly split it right at the port. The serial in wire and ground would be connected to the geko, and the serial out and ground would be connected to the PicoPilot. Guess its not really splitting it since in and out are going to separate devices.
Thanks for the run down. :D

Smitty