I'm having a very difficult time finding answers to how to get a signal from the camera to a monitor.
If anyone can answer my questions, please explain this to me!
Basically, what I'm trying to do is use a composite video camera (pcb board cam)to help me navigate my rov. I'd like to send a video signal to the surface and watch the video on a 7" lcd monitor. I don't know what kind of wire/cable to use, if it will connect to the camera or if it will connect to the monitor. I'd prefer an lcd monitor because it would be small and lightweight. And I'd prefer to use some kind of wire that is also not bulky. I'll often be controlling the rov while in a raft or maybe even a kayak, so bulky monitors are not going to be practical, not or bulky wires desirable. What I don't understand is how to put all these things together, because there are so many different kinds of wires and connectors, signals and such. I don't know what kinds of plugs or adapters are required, and I'm having a hard time finding out. I just want to know how to get something together that is compatible with itself, so I can finish building my ROV!
Can anyone please explain this to me?
camera/cable/monitor connection!!
Re: camera/cable/monitor connection!!
Any wire will suffice, like stranded speaker wire, or more preferably twisted pair wires like in Cat5. Video baluns should be used over a long wire run to insure good clear video, perhaps not needed over short wires. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JYZ8Y76/ref=dp_prsubs_2 The connectors are probably NOT going to match up, just solder on whatever is appropriate. You can buy 'siamese' wire for security systems that has light gauge red/black power wires sealed to the video wires, usually with barrel connectors on the power side and BNC connectors on the video side. Throw the roll of wire in a tub of salty water and use a multitester to check for shorts. Make sure your LCD monitor has a yellow RCA composite video connector. Consider using a cheap set of FPV goggles as your topside monitor...lots of people who use regular LCD monitors find them almost unviewable in full sunlight. Goggles usually have a built-in DVR these days to record your dive.
I have these, they are cheap but good, with a video in port on the side. Sit on my cheekbones which i don't really like.
https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-EV800D ... ehouse=USA
If you wear glasses these are the best to have. Rest on your forehead more like a welding helmet.
https://www.szfxt.com/new-v20-version-f ... p0032.html
The general rule is, you CAN NOT power the ROV from the surface, unless you are running it with a very short tether, less than 50 ft. You must use batteries in the ROV. Without onboard batteries, goosing the motors will 'brown out' any electronics such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Even without onboard electronics, there will be a serious voltage drop over thin wires, the longer they are the worse it gets, until what gets down to the ROV won't run anything. Thicker wires will mitigate this, but they will be too thick to bend well. Higher voltages topside to compensate quickly gets dangerous. 12VDC will tickle you when conducted by salty water, but 24VDC will fry yer ash. Salvage good Lithium-ion batteries from scooter packs and build your own battery packs cheap.
https://jag35.com/collections/lithium-b ... ttery-pack
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3288883 ... 5-_dSVRp01
Keep any LED lighting as far from the camera as possible, as tiny dead organisms/ silt/ particulate matter floating in the water will cause any light to reflect back into the camera lens, making it hard to see. Definitely don't put LED's inside the camera dome. You can use cheap LEDs by simply coating them with thinned epoxy resin (5-minute epoxy thinned with a little denatured alcohol).
https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Trailer-M ... B0761TSXF4
https://www.amazon.com/RunCam-Hybrid-Tr ... B07YD53RM1
I have these, they are cheap but good, with a video in port on the side. Sit on my cheekbones which i don't really like.
https://www.banggood.com/Eachine-EV800D ... ehouse=USA
If you wear glasses these are the best to have. Rest on your forehead more like a welding helmet.
https://www.szfxt.com/new-v20-version-f ... p0032.html
The general rule is, you CAN NOT power the ROV from the surface, unless you are running it with a very short tether, less than 50 ft. You must use batteries in the ROV. Without onboard batteries, goosing the motors will 'brown out' any electronics such as an Arduino or Raspberry Pi. Even without onboard electronics, there will be a serious voltage drop over thin wires, the longer they are the worse it gets, until what gets down to the ROV won't run anything. Thicker wires will mitigate this, but they will be too thick to bend well. Higher voltages topside to compensate quickly gets dangerous. 12VDC will tickle you when conducted by salty water, but 24VDC will fry yer ash. Salvage good Lithium-ion batteries from scooter packs and build your own battery packs cheap.
https://jag35.com/collections/lithium-b ... ttery-pack
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3288883 ... 5-_dSVRp01
Keep any LED lighting as far from the camera as possible, as tiny dead organisms/ silt/ particulate matter floating in the water will cause any light to reflect back into the camera lens, making it hard to see. Definitely don't put LED's inside the camera dome. You can use cheap LEDs by simply coating them with thinned epoxy resin (5-minute epoxy thinned with a little denatured alcohol).
https://www.amazon.com/Bright-Trailer-M ... B0761TSXF4
https://www.amazon.com/RunCam-Hybrid-Tr ... B07YD53RM1