wireless camera

I got a wireless camera with my new heli and I was reading up on how to install it.... the prob is that u have to hook up a 9 volt battery to it.... would this mess up the flight of the heli by adding more weight????? im a newbbbbb...... first heli... couldnt resist the spy cam....

[Daz(DJLFlapper)]

Hi,

Any addition to weight is going to affect the flight of the smaller heli's. You will need to get it as close to the C of G (centre of gravity) as possible. you may need a better motor to give you the power to lift the extra weight. unless you are experienced at flying the heli I seriously doubt weather it would be worth you mounting it to start with.

Regards
Darren.

[Thorn]

Something to keep in mind when dealing with the tiny video cameras available, is that they come with their own voltage regulator circuit! This voltage regulator is located within the plug attached to the camera. If you cut very carefully through the soft plastic housing of the connector, you will be able to free the connector inside. You will see a tiny circuit board with SMD (surface mount device) components on this board. That is the voltage regulator. It is a linear voltage regulator, so increasing the voltage from the normally used 9 volt battery, to the main battery for the heli should be ok. It is only a difference of roughly 2 volts. I do not think it will be a problem.
I cut the plug assembly off of the circuit board, then unsoldered the female plug off of the circuit board. This way, you can wire directly to it, or put on a smaller, more practical two pin plug. I used gold header pins from an old computer board. The two holes to either side of the board are ground traces. The middle hole is the positive trace. Keep that in mind, the ground pin is on the outide of the board, the positive is in the middle. After soldering two 90 degree header pins in the holes, use shrink wrap tubing to protect the circuit. It will be much smaller and lighter than before. Plus, you will lose the added 50 grams you would otherwise have if you stuck with the 9 volt battery. Not to mention losing the weight of the original plugs and wires. You could easily lose about 60 grams total weight by making this simple mod to the camera. The camera itself only weighs 9 grams. I fly my camera on my Walkera Dragonfly #4. Not a problem.

If your wireless camera requires a 9v battery, you can also use those flat round lithium batteries. The one I have used on my camera is the CR2032 which gives 3 volts. Put 3 of these together and you get 9volts.

[BubbaJoeLouis]

Even with lithiums, i think its still wise to trim out those heavy connectors. Good tip Thorn!

[wannabe heliguy]

Originally Posted by Thorn

I fly my camera on my Walkera Dragonfly #4. Not a problem.

hello thorn i also have a walkera #4 and getting to a point where im flying about 10 metres into the air
how good has the camera setup been going for you??
mabey some movies will be great for us to have a look at
me and my dad are very interested in the arial cams for rc helis

is the #4 too zippy or anything

cheers-Jason

[Thorn]

Hello. My #4 has since died a horrible death. I have not flown it in some time. I took it outside on a calm day, thinking to get some cool video flying around the house. Then, one of those gusts just came out of nowhere and blew me sideways, then upside down into the concrete. Now, my video camera setup is mounted in a Mustang P51-D. Video flying is certainly the very best way to fly IMO. Using a virtual headset is the best. You can get a bit sick though with crazy flying. I am presently working on a twin axis camera mount for the micro video cameras. Nothing like looking where you are going! Give video a try.. but don't take the #4 outside.

[wannabe heliguy]

lol

you should have told me that a few days ago man
i got a gust and it blew me into the air then i was trying to control it down
but crashed into a fence

guys if you have some good videos of aeriel give us a look i love that stuff

cheers-Jason