Lowering voltage from battery pack for camera

5teve · Jun 27, 2001, 04:18 PM

Hi,

I want to hook up my tiny video camera to my plane, and use the battery pack from the plane to operate the camera. My question is, how could I lower the voltage from my battery pack to the camera?

My battery is a 7 cell.. so 8.4V.. but the camera wants 6V. Would placing a resistor between the two work?

Thanks,
Steve

vicman · Jun 27, 2001, 04:42 PM

Steve you would have to make a TAP after 5 cells that way you would have 6 V.
I am pretty sure that the camera would handle
8,4V out of 7 cell but if you don't want to
risk it then some soldering is necessary.
If this is your main battery pack that the motor runs off, it will more then likely not work. Too much interference. I tried this on mine. I ended using separate battery pack.
What kind of camera are you using ?

MK · Jun 27, 2001, 04:47 PM

Forget the dropping resistor, look for a voltage regulator. A simple circuit can be made to bring the voltage down.

5teve · Jun 27, 2001, 06:03 PM

Hi,

I'm planning on using this Sharp View-Cam, that records onto SmartMedia. I don't think the camera is made anymore.
http://sharp-world.com/inet-viewcam/

I'm thinking it may be too heavy though, after reading the specs.. 5.2 oz.

-steve

vicman · Jun 27, 2001, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 5teve:
Hi,

I'm planning on using this Sharp View-Cam, that records onto SmartMedia. I don't think the camera is made anymore.
http://sharp-world.com/inet-viewcam/

I'm thinking it may be too heavy though, after reading the specs.. 5.2 oz.

-steve

OK Steve I take back what I said about the interference. That was in case of wireless camera I was using. Still how much does the camera weight with it's own original battery ? And yes 5.2 Oz could be kind of heavy. What is the current draw for the camera itself ? Usually it says on the sticker. What kind of plane are you planning to fly with the camera ?

5teve · Jun 27, 2001, 07:04 PM

The camera uses 4 AA batteries, and weighs about 8.2 oz with them (5.2 oz without). I don't have the camera in front of me, but on the website, the specs say it uses 3.4W. So upon my rough calculations.. i'm getting around .56A. That is using P = E*I. With E=6V. Is that correct?? I knew I should've paid attention in my EE classes

.

I was planning on using my Mini-Max for the camera. I have no idea how much that plane could carry. I guess I could always strap the camera onto my Zagi.

-steve

jas_Qfix · Jun 27, 2001, 08:23 PM

Do you know the wing area and total wt without the camera of the mini max?
I have the Sharp cam that give mpeg (asf file). None of my LS plane can carry it. even without the 4xAA cells.

Enjoy,
Charles

vicman · Jun 27, 2001, 09:08 PM

Steve if this is the MiniMax I am thinking - from Hobbypeople made by Wattage ?
Try to give us some numbers, wing area, weight of the plane, power setup....

Pierre Audette · Jun 27, 2001, 09:16 PM

Steve, I think you're looking for a 7806 regulator, along with some filter caps. It's good up to ~1 amp. Pretty simple circuit, as per most datasheets.
http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/MC/MC7806.pdf

5teve · Jun 28, 2001, 12:54 AM

Yes, it is the Mini-max made by wattage. I got some specs on it too.

Wingspan : 40.55 inches
Wingarea : 270 sq. inches
Wing Loading : 5.33 ounces/sq.ft
Weight : 10 oz.
Motor : 280 motor. 2.5:1 gear box

I'm going to try putting a Speed 280 motor in it instead of the 280/250 motor that is in there now. The prop is a 7.5x5.

We'll see if the plane has enough power to carry the camera.

As for the voltage regulator, that sounds exactly like the thing I need. I'll check my local electronics store and see if they have that part.

Thanks,
Steve

vicman · Jun 28, 2001, 09:41 AM

Steve these are fun planes. However you
want to add 5 Oz to plane that weight 10.
It will not work. You would maybe do OK
with up to 2 Oz. It would be heavy but it could fly. Why not try simply adding 1 oz weight and then keep increasing to test it.
Before putting the camera to test.
Anyway with slow flyer like Mini Max you could probably use the wireless camera.
Mine weights with separate battery less then 2 Oz. I use it in my Impress from Wattage.

engr · Jun 28, 2001, 10:35 AM

Just add a standard diode in series, each diode will dropp approx 0.7v, or just just a adjustable voltage regualtor which consists of a transitor size IC and 2 resistors. hope that gives you some ideas.

yb2normal · Jun 28, 2001, 11:36 AM

Hi vicman,

Can you share the details of your wireless camera setup?

Thanks,
Bill

vicman · Jun 28, 2001, 12:57 PM

I don't see why not for 5 bucks Bill

just kidding. It is plane old X10 camera
striped out of it's own housing.
It didn't seem to upset the camera too much

there are some very tiny wires so I had to be careful not to break them. I shrink wrapped the transmitter and the camera itself so it would have some protection.
Since the camera works on 12V and I couldn't use my flight pack because of the current draw from motor and interference. I got 5 cell 150Mah (light) pack and switching transformer
(it doubles the voltage) So with the small pack I get my 12-14 V to feed the camera.
The power consumption of the camera with the transmitter is around 100 milliamps. Which would give me about 1 hr run time.
The receiver runs also on 12V so I got me one of the small 7 Amp Pb batteries, this way I don't have to have the receiver sitting in my truck. The range is however not the best but can be increased with better antenna. But I did get some cool footage anyway. The receiver has output so you can either plug it in little portable TV or camcorder. My next project is to work on
the antenna to improve it.
So many projects, so little time (and money)

Quote:

Originally posted by yb2normal:
Hi vicman,

Can you share the details of your wireless camera setup?

Thanks,
Bill

yb2normal · Jun 28, 2001, 02:50 PM

Hi Steve,

I'm not sure if you are still considering putting your mpeg camera in the air or not, but a couple options you can think of is removing the plastic case on the camera, and creating a very small battery pack from 4, 2/3AA or 2/3AAA nicads... should save some weight over the regular 4 AA batteries.

Jun 27, 2001, 04:18 PM	#1
5teve Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 77	Lowering voltage from battery pack for camera Hi, I want to hook up my tiny video camera to my plane, and use the battery pack from the plane to operate the camera. My question is, how could I lower the voltage from my battery pack to the camera? My battery is a 7 cell.. so 8.4V.. but the camera wants 6V. Would placing a resistor between the two work? Thanks, Steve

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Jun 27, 2001, 04:42 PM	#2
vicman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Costa Messa, Ca, USA Posts: 211	Steve you would have to make a TAP after 5 cells that way you would have 6 V. I am pretty sure that the camera would handle 8,4V out of 7 cell but if you don't want to risk it then some soldering is necessary. If this is your main battery pack that the motor runs off, it will more then likely not work. Too much interference. I tried this on mine. I ended using separate battery pack. What kind of camera are you using ?

Jun 27, 2001, 04:47 PM	#3
MK Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: NJ Posts: 830	Forget the dropping resistor, look for a voltage regulator. A simple circuit can be made to bring the voltage down.

Jun 27, 2001, 06:03 PM	#4
5teve Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 77	Hi, I'm planning on using this Sharp View-Cam, that records onto SmartMedia. I don't think the camera is made anymore. http://sharp-world.com/inet-viewcam/ I'm thinking it may be too heavy though, after reading the specs.. 5.2 oz. -steve

Jun 27, 2001, 07:04 PM	#6
5teve Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 77	The camera uses 4 AA batteries, and weighs about 8.2 oz with them (5.2 oz without). I don't have the camera in front of me, but on the website, the specs say it uses 3.4W. So upon my rough calculations.. i'm getting around .56A. That is using P = E*I. With E=6V. Is that correct?? I knew I should've paid attention in my EE classes . I was planning on using my Mini-Max for the camera. I have no idea how much that plane could carry. I guess I could always strap the camera onto my Zagi. -steve

Jun 27, 2001, 08:23 PM	#7
jas_Qfix Registered User Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Santa Clara, CA, USA Posts: 1,499	Do you know the wing area and total wt without the camera of the mini max? I have the Sharp cam that give mpeg (asf file). None of my LS plane can carry it. even without the 4xAA cells. Enjoy, Charles

Jun 27, 2001, 09:08 PM	#8
vicman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Costa Messa, Ca, USA Posts: 211	Steve if this is the MiniMax I am thinking - from Hobbypeople made by Wattage ? Try to give us some numbers, wing area, weight of the plane, power setup....

Jun 27, 2001, 09:16 PM	#9
Pierre Audette RPV builder & operator Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Gatineau, Quebec, Canada Posts: 2,240	Steve, I think you're looking for a 7806 regulator, along with some filter caps. It's good up to ~1 amp. Pretty simple circuit, as per most datasheets. http://www.fairchildsemi.com/ds/MC/MC7806.pdf

Jun 28, 2001, 12:54 AM	#10
5teve Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: San Ramon, CA Posts: 77	Yes, it is the Mini-max made by wattage. I got some specs on it too. Wingspan : 40.55 inches Wingarea : 270 sq. inches Wing Loading : 5.33 ounces/sq.ft Weight : 10 oz. Motor : 280 motor. 2.5:1 gear box I'm going to try putting a Speed 280 motor in it instead of the 280/250 motor that is in there now. The prop is a 7.5x5. We'll see if the plane has enough power to carry the camera. As for the voltage regulator, that sounds exactly like the thing I need. I'll check my local electronics store and see if they have that part. Thanks, Steve

Jun 28, 2001, 09:41 AM	#11
vicman Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Costa Messa, Ca, USA Posts: 211	Steve these are fun planes. However you want to add 5 Oz to plane that weight 10. It will not work. You would maybe do OK with up to 2 Oz. It would be heavy but it could fly. Why not try simply adding 1 oz weight and then keep increasing to test it. Before putting the camera to test. Anyway with slow flyer like Mini Max you could probably use the wireless camera. Mine weights with separate battery less then 2 Oz. I use it in my Impress from Wattage.

Jun 28, 2001, 10:35 AM	#12
engr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Scarborough, Canada Posts: 96	Just add a standard diode in series, each diode will dropp approx 0.7v, or just just a adjustable voltage regualtor which consists of a transitor size IC and 2 resistors. hope that gives you some ideas.

Jun 28, 2001, 11:36 AM	#13
yb2normal Frequent User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Broomfield, CO, USA Posts: 1,167	Hi vicman, Can you share the details of your wireless camera setup? Thanks, Bill

Jun 28, 2001, 02:50 PM	#15
yb2normal Frequent User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Broomfield, CO, USA Posts: 1,167	Hi Steve, I'm not sure if you are still considering putting your mpeg camera in the air or not, but a couple options you can think of is removing the plastic case on the camera, and creating a very small battery pack from 4, 2/3AA or 2/3AAA nicads... should save some weight over the regular 4 AA batteries.