Posts: 2,416 Threads: 51 Likes Received: 1,861 in 1,175 posts Likes Given: 3,315 Joined: Mar 2016 Reputation: 74 While building my microquad, I came up with a way to reduce wire clutter when connecting the Pololu 5V step-up regulator ( U3V12F5) to the FX758-2 VTx. First, take the three-pin connector that was included, and push the plastic casing toward the short end slightly: Next, solder the long pins on the component side of the board: Now, clip the short pin on VIN flush with the spacer: The two remaining short pins can be soldered directly to +5V and GND on the FX758-2, with the spacer providing space for the regulator to clear the metal can on the VTx. I don't have a clean photo of that step alone, but here it is with the camera soldered to the VTx: Now you can leave the long VOUT pin in place and use a servo plug to attach to battery and camera, or you clip it off and solder the camera to the top (which is what I did): I ended up bending the two remaining leads to about a 45 degree angle to work for my setup: Depending on your setup, you might be able to use a right-angle connector in similar manner. Good luck, Scotty • Posts: 918 Threads: 83 Likes Received: 533 in 271 posts Likes Given: 498 Joined: Jan 2016 Reputation: 30 Very neat Scotty, great idea. • Posts: 2,416 Threads: 51 Likes Received: 1,861 in 1,175 posts Likes Given: 3,315 Joined: Mar 2016 Reputation: 74 (23-Apr-2016, 01:55 PM)BigglesFPV Wrote: Very neat Scotty, great idea. Thanks! It still leaves room for the mini dip switch that people usually add to this VTx. I'll probably add one to this eventually (right now it's just single channel). • Posts: 5,314 Threads: 672 Likes Received: 3,155 in 1,743 posts Likes Given: 2,027 Joined: Jan 2016 Reputation: 139 27-Apr-2016, 01:35 AM (This post was last modified: 27-Apr-2016, 01:35 AM by Oscar.) Interesting thanks for sharing! is the step-up regulator working fine? how is the noise with your FPV setup when flying? • Posts: 2,416 Threads: 51 Likes Received: 1,861 in 1,175 posts Likes Given: 3,315 Joined: Mar 2016 Reputation: 74 27-Apr-2016, 10:07 AM (This post was last modified: 27-Apr-2016, 10:15 AM by sloscotty.) (27-Apr-2016, 01:35 AM)Oscar Wrote: Interesting thanks for sharing! is the step-up regulator working fine? how is the noise with your FPV setup when flying? Regulator appears to be working OK. I had a bit of reddish tint in the video, but the noise level is fine (haven't flown it very far away yet though). I have since shortened the wires to the camera (and did a better job soldering this time ), but I haven't tested it yet. I didn't mention it above, but if you look at the first picture, you can see a small exposed ground pad near VOUT. It shouldn't matter (since the can is ground), but I put a small piece of electrical tape over it anyway to prevent any chance of it contacting the can. • Posts: 5,314 Threads: 672 Likes Received: 3,155 in 1,743 posts Likes Given: 2,027 Joined: Jan 2016 Reputation: 139 (27-Apr-2016, 10:07 AM)sloscotty Wrote: Regulator appears to be working OK. I had a bit of reddish tint in the video, but the noise level is fine (haven't flown it very far away yet though). I have since shortened the wires to the camera (and did a better job soldering this time ), but I haven't tested it yet. I didn't mention it above, but if you look at the first picture, you can see a small exposed ground pad near VOUT. It shouldn't matter (since the can is ground), but I put a small piece of electrical tape over it anyway to prevent any chance of it contacting the can. nice, using the "can" as ground, very convenient and wire free indeed! Another thing I am wondering is the output voltage of the regulator, does it hold it at 5V when you start to discharge your lipo? sorry for all the questions, it's just interesting ! • Posts: 2,416 Threads: 51 Likes Received: 1,861 in 1,175 posts Likes Given: 3,315 Joined: Mar 2016 Reputation: 74 (27-Apr-2016, 11:47 AM)Oscar Wrote: nice, using the "can" as ground, very convenient and wire free indeed! Another thing I am wondering is the output voltage of the regulator, does it hold it at 5V when you start to discharge your lipo? sorry for all the questions, it's just interesting ! It's supposed to hold 5V out with input as low as 2.5V. The specs say "output accurate within 4%". I'm not sure I'd know how to check it, but I haven't noticed any difference between the beginning of a flight and the end of a flight. (However, my flights with FPV have only been around 3 minutes... ) • Posts: 12 Threads: 2 Likes Received: 3 in 3 posts Likes Given: 0 Joined: Jun 2016 Reputation: 1 Excellent idea, will use it on my next build. Thanks for posting. • Posts: 2 Threads: 0 Likes Received: 0 in 0 posts Likes Given: 0 Joined: Jul 2016 Reputation: 0 • |