Rescue Summit on the far horizon ...got some learning to do

[riptide1]

I am starting this thread a bit earlier than anticipated.

I am going to build a body for my Traxxas Summit capable of housing long-range fpv gear inside. I started with a newer plastic model Tonka fire rescue truck. It is not nearly large enough, so I have cut it in half width-wise and will be stretching it long and tall by adding wood and fiberglass. I have a foggy vision for what it might look like

Electronics so far include

1500mW 1.3 GHz Video Tx/Rx with Bluebeam whip antennas
500mW 433 MHz Dragonlink V2 with stock antennas paired with a Futaba 9cap Tx
Cameras include 600TVL SONY SUPER HAD CCD D-WDR Color Board Camera for live fpv and GoPro Hero2 for recording

I was hoping to use my laptop with a dazzle a/v recorder and virtualdub software but I can't get the video to show when I directly connect the camera to the dazzle. Is this because the dazzle records at 720x480 and the sony camera is NTSC: 768(H)×494(V)? My camcorder outputs to the dazzle and shows up fine in virtualdub. I also tried my 46" TV as a display and can't get video from the camera.

Pictures to follow...

[Bluestreak]

Not to early to start these threads at all! It's handy to know the process you go through in creating such a beast. I was going to make my own weatherproof shell out of pvc plastic (heated and bent to shape).
Never used dazzle? So are you saying thatyou haven't been able to get any picture at all out of your cam regardeless of what it is plugged in to? The aspect ratios shouldn't make any difference. Plugging it directly into the tv first is the easiest way to test. If it doesn't work I guess you need to make sure that the wires are correct (video/power) and check that it is getting the correct voltage.
Looking forward to pics

[riptide1]

Today I let my local CCTV shop test the camera. They concluded that the camera board is faulty. I have sent a replacement request to securitycamera2000.com ...probably a couple of weeks before I can resume camera setup

[CaliDave]

Sounds cool. Interested to see the build as you go. ;-)

[riptide1]

So while still collecting supplies my order with HK gave me these buddy codes. I couldn't find a better place on the forum so here they are.

Turnigy 2mm Heat Shrink Tube - BLACK (1mtr) $.04
Turnigy 2mm Heat Shrink Tube - RED (1 mtr) $.04
Turnigy 4mm Heat Shrink Tube - BLACK (1mtr) $.05
Turnigy 4mm Heat Shrink Tube - RED (1 mtr) $.05
Hobby King 401B AVCS Digital Head Lock Gyro $9.70
HXT500 5g / .8kg / .10sec Micro Servo $3.03
Soft Ferrite Rings 16x7x10 (5pc) $.38
Clip On Soft Ferrite Rings (5pc) $.90
Tie-D-Wires Cable & Wire Holders (10pc) $1.57
Receiver Switch (3 plug) $.76
Servo Terminals (Futaba) Gold Plated (10pair) $1.21
60CM Servo Lead Extention (JR) with hook 26A $1.60
JR Y Servo Lead 30CM Length (5pcs/bag) $2.77
FPV Fiberglass Pan-Tilt Camera Mount L-Size $3.03
HobbyKing Ultra Micro Servo 1.7g for 3D Flig $3.75

[riptide1]

Also I started studying for the Amateur Radio Licence exam Thought I might encounter some questions while out playing; I'm not leaving anything to chance.

[riptide1]

I can't figure out how to upload pictures ...I can't get the insert image or the file upload manager to work. I have tried doing this on different days and with different computers. I have tried my original size jpg 953kb and then compressed it to webpage optimized 60kb. Is it a permission thing, or is the sites server down?

[riptide1]

I know this a poor way of publishing pics but it's all that will work at the moment. These pictures are oldest to latest.

Truck at angle
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104751

Side shot
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104781

The late Steve Irwin (aka crocodile hunter; you know just in case I come across some out in the wild he will know what to do) with Natalia to keep him company for the long ride in the truck.
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104694

The steering wheel and column
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104645
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104642

The roof with roll cage to protect a rather large bluebeam antenna for 1.3Ghz (I welcome any ideas as to how you might mount the V-TX and antenna)
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104796

Rough interior mockup ....everything is still loose and needs sanding
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104701
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104733
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104740

The powerplant for this beast is coupled with a pair of 9000mah 2s lipos(they were good enough for a 3 hour hike climbing and decending 1500ft. of elevation) New stiffer springs are in the mail (they are rated at 41lbs/in and 28lb load vs. the Traxxas Purple 36.5lbs/in.)
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104851

Headlamps
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104862
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104873

Camera Pan/Tilt
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104893
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104809
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104816

IR lights and current build status as of last night (I really need help with the V=IR calculation to make these leds work in series with a 3s 11.1v battery. The specs are Voltage: 1.5V~1.6V, Current: 140mA, Peak, (pulse): 700mA, and Power: 200mW. I mounted them all for looks but I have a feeling its an overkill. I will have to check my resistors but I know that I have a bunch of 40ohm 1/4W, if that helps?
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104828
https://www.sugarsync.com/pf/D6476471_751_186104963

[riptide1]

Springs are installed ...they are perfect for the added weight. Ride height adjustment is awesome and there is still plenty on cat-like response for climbing over obstacles. I will get pictures up soon. I also have an extra set if anyone is interested.

So I burned out some of the IR LEDS trying to figure them out. I am using a small 3s lipo with a Turnigy 3A UBEC with Noise Filter set at 5V. I originally wired 3 leds in series so 1.66v going to each. This worked fine until I unplugged them and then plugged them back in. Then 3 of the 6 stopped working. I did some testing and ended up losing the other 3. I figured the most reliable setup would be a resistor per led, even though it's extra effort and material. I calculated 5-1.5 = 3.5 and / by .14amps. Did not have any 25ohm but I did have the 40ohm, so I'm using them. Works great, the power is not 200mW, but they are so bright that I'm only using 4 of the 6 on the lightbar.

I was able to mount a speaker for siren, horn, and backup sounds in an enclosure beneath the body which keeps it tidy and gives it a strong clean sound. I also added bright red tail lights to the tonka body and switched out the roof lights with these brighter red leds. I am running the 8 led headlights and 8 led tail lights with the tekin esc bec. It is rated at 5amps which is twice the traxxas esc 2.5amp rating. Anyone know what the amp requirement is on the dragonlink receiver?

The Hitec HS-55 servo I installed for tilt seems to be giving up already. I thought about trying a hxt-900 but decided to switch to a hitec hsg-5084 because of its speed, larger metal gears and precision. I am wanting to use the Hobbyking 401B Gyro with it.

[Bluestreak]

I haven't been on here for a bit but looks like you have been busy.
Pretty unique looking rig! Should have a pretty good view with all that space inside.
I think it was Roadgraders that came up with the idea - but a good way to protect your cloverleaf is to get a tupperware container in the appropriate size.
I like how you have increased your pan rotation with the gears - where did you get them from? Servo city?

EDIT: until I saw ALL your pan tilt photos I wasn't sure how well it would support the cam but it actually looks pretty decent.

My favourite setup is a "ServoCity" servo block with a 360 degree servo - Here's the video of my setup:
View this video on YouTube
You might want to use a standard size servo for for your tilt.
Best way for working out what resistors you need for your LED's is to use an online calculator like here: http://led.linear1.org/led.wiz