First FPV setup?

[maurof78]

Hi guys. First of all many thanks to ReadyMadeRC for the super quick delivery of my Sky Surfer! I've been enjoying flying it LOS and am now ready to equip it with some FPV gear.

Can you guys please give me your thoughts on this setup? Will it work to get me started? Should I use a regulator? BEC? Anything I should modify? Recommendations? Many thanks!

[aeryck]

Two considerations:

1; for 12v -> 5v you can use a BEC but if it is a switchmode BEC you might want to consider an LC filter to keep any noise from the BEC out of your video.

2; I see you have a 2.4GHz video Tx.. What are you using for RC control? You cannot use 2.4GHz RC with 2.4GHz Video.

[MASHTON1138]

This will work as long as you are not on 2.4 for rc control. The great thing is if you have a couple 2S batteries around, say 1000-1300mAH the Sky Surfer is big enough to handle it so you can power your transmitter off of that, no regulator or bec needed. Now the down side is that transmitter is out of stock but should be back in soon. I know this is $20 more but it will run on 12V no problem you may want to consider it http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...products_id=55 I would also recommend that you get a LC Filter like this http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...roducts_id=138 just for good measure (you could also build it if you are handy with a soldering iron).

Marc

[durangoflyer]

I recommend using an LC Filter between the battery and the vTx/regulator. On another note, I am planning on setting up a Sky Surfer from RMRC this spring. Did you get the one with his brushless motor and servos already installed? How do you like it? Wind handling? Climb performance?

[maurof78]

Thanks for the reply. For radio control I am using a Futaba 9C 72Mhz radio.

I'm trying to determine the best way to go from 12v to the 5v the tx requires and if all these cables would do the trick. I am assuming the supplied in-cable regulator is no good in this case..?

[MASHTON1138]

That regulator is no good in the configuration you plan to run with the cables you plan to purchase. It would work if you make your own harnesses.

Marc

[aeryck]

Thanks for the reply. For radio control I am using a Futaba 9C 72Mhz radio.

I'm trying to determine the best way to go from 12v to the 5v the tx requires and if all these cables would do the trick. I am assuming the supplied in-cable regulator is no good in this case..?

Good choice on the radio; 2.4GHz video should be no problem then. What in-cable regulator are you talking about? The pigtail pictured with the lawmate vtx? Typically that pigtail isn't used; I believe RMRC's wire harnesses plug directly into the lawmate Tx (although I could be mistaken). The harness pictured in the center of your pic appears to have a JST-type battery connector on it - You could plug a BEC into that to power your transmitter. I'm not too familiar with the GoPro wire harness, but it appears that it does not power the gopro at all - You have to rely on the GoPro's battery. (Just a friendly bit of advice here; make sure your gopro is charged before every flight; if that battery goes dead in flight you are SOL without video unless you happen to be close enough to see the plane LOS to fly home.)

[maurof78]

Thanks very much for the replies guys. It sounds like there are some different options to consider.. :/

I recommend using an LC Filter between the battery and the vTx/regulator. On another note, I am planning on setting up a Sky Surfer from RMRC this spring. Did you get the one with his brushless motor and servos already installed? How do you like it? Wind handling? Climb performance?

@durangoflyer - The Sky Surfer I purchased has the stock motor and servos. I did get a bigger prop for it though. It is my first plane so I have nothing to compare it to. It's been good for me to start with.

[maurof78]

This will work as long as you are not on 2.4 for rc control. The great thing is if you have a couple 2S batteries around, say 1000-1300mAH the Sky Surfer is big enough to handle it so you can power your transmitter off of that, no regulator or bec needed. Now the down side is that transmitter is out of stock but should be back in soon. I know this is $20 more but it will run on 12V no problem you may want to consider it http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...products_id=55 I would also recommend that you get a LC Filter like this http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...roducts_id=138 just for good measure (you could also build it if you are handy with a soldering iron).

Marc

Doesn't a 2S battery supply more than the required 5V to the transmitter? Is this be a problem without a regulator? The two battery approach would reduce the need for an LC filter, correct?

Operating voltage: 5-5.5VDC

[MASHTON1138]

You are right I got the operating voltage mixed up. I read it wrong thought it said 5-9 volts (12 with supplied cable) not 5-5.5 (9-12 with supplied cable), sorry. I need to slow down sometimes when reading. Use the regulator and no you won't need an LC filter with 2 batteries.

Marc