Problems with FPV Video Signal Cutting out, and w/ TBS Unify Pro Higher Power Levels

ludwant

New member
Hello everyone,

I finally finished building my first FPV quad. It is a 3S MHQ2 (3D Printed). I built it as a starter quad so I learn the ins and outs, and then can move on to a better quad. Everything is working smoothly, except for one thing: the FPV system. I am using a Runcam Eagle, TBS Unify Pro (Not HV), and TBS Triumph. I am running the Unify on the 25mW power level. For some reason, a few seconds after I start flying, the video signal starts cutting out and I end up crashing because I can't see. I thought that maybe I was getting too far away and needed a higher power level, so I switched it to the 200mW setting. However, as soon as I throttle up to a certain point, the signal immediately cuts out, but returns when I throttle back down. I can repeat this over and over, but each time it will cut out after I throttle to a certain point. Could the Unify not be getting enough power? Could this be a range issue (what should the range be on the 25mW setting?) Could something else on the quad be interfering with the video signal from the Unify?

Thanks so much, I appreciate any help I can get.
 

French

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Sounds like a voltage/ground issue. How is everything wired? What flight controller? What pdb, if any? How are the grounds hooked up to the VTX and camera?

Is it the Unify Race (25mW and 200mW) or the Unify V2 (only accepts 5V input)?

My guess is the regulator you are powering off of cannot supply sufficient amps needed.
 
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ludwant

New member
Its the Unify v2, so it only takes 5v. The XT60 is connected to a very small PDB, which basically just has pads to solder + and -. The ESCs, camera, and the 5v step down external UBEC are all connected straight to the battery. The UBEC powers the Naze32, and I am powering my Micro MinimOSD and the Unify v2 off one of the 5v pins by where you connect the ESCs.

This is the link for the UBEC, rated for 5V/3A:
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/hobbykingtm-micro-ubec-3a-5v.html?___store=en_us
 

French

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3A may be sufficient. Where do you have the ubec connected to the Naze? What camera are you using? Will it take 5V? Your problem may be that your camera and VTX aren't sharing a common ground.
 

ludwant

New member
The UBEC is also connected to an unused motor port. I'm using a Runcam Eagle, which says it accepts 5-17v, which is why I powered it straight from the battery. The camera's ground is connected to the ground on the micro minimosd
 

French

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Ok, so just to make sure I understand correctly:

The camera positive is wired to the battery positive
The camera Ground is wired to the OSD
The camera video is wired to the OSD
The UBEC positive Vin is wired to the battery positive
The UBEC negative Vin is wired to the battery negative
The UBEC positive Vout (5V) is wired to the 5V rail (extra motor pins) on your Naze
The UBEC negative Vout is wired to the ground rail on your Naze
The OSD is powered off the 5V rail on the Naze
The OSD is grounded to the ground rail of the Naze
The Unify is powered off the 5V rail on the Naze
The Unify is grounded to the ground rail on the Naze
The Unify video is wired to the OSD

Your camera power has to loop through the OSD, the FC rail, and the BEC to get back to ground. If it were me, I'd try and power the camera off the UBEC too. That may be a lot to ask of a 3A BEC.
 
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ludwant

New member
Yes, those wirings are correct, except that the Unify is also grounded on the OSD. Also, I wanted to clarify that the Unify and the OSD are powered off the same 5v pin on the Naze... could this be the issue? And wouldn't powering the camera off the BEC put more load on it? What if I grounded the camera straight to the battery?
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
I would power the FC off the 5v pads on the pdb. Then pull power for the video system off the ubec wired to the battery. The FC only out puts half an amp I believe.
 

French

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Psyborg, if I understand correctly, his pdb doesn't have a 5V regulator. It's only full battery voltage.

Ludwant, maybe try adding another ground wire from the OSD to the battery negative. Maybe that will reduce the issues with the camera.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Have you range checked your video? Is it strong up close, but when you walk away is it weak? Maybe you have an RP-SMA on the antenna, but a regular SMA on the VTX. Can you post pictures? Would be nice to see all your wiring at work, and good detailed pictures of the innards of your VTX and antenna connectors.

Cheers!
LitterBug
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
It still boils down to the fact the internal voltage regulator in the NAZE is spec'd for 500 ma which is not enough to power what he is trying to do. I would parallel it all off the BEC and not run anything thru the Naze since its a 3 amp rated and should be fine.
 
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ludwant

New member
Thank you so much for all the replies! The video does work long range, it just cuts out after maybe 20-30 sec of flying. I double-checked, both the Unify and the Triumph have SMA connectors. For some reason, the site is not letting me upload pictures (it keeps saying upload failed). So, if I powered the OSD and Unify straight from the BEC, that should solve my problems, since it isn't overloading the Naze? Can I still ground them on the Naze, or should they be grounded on the BEC as well?
 
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Montiey

Master Tinkerer
Try scaling the pictures down < 1000x1000. That should make sure that they are not too big, which will cause problems.
 

ludwant

New member
IMG_2829.jpg IMG_2830.jpg IMG_2832.jpg IMG_2831.jpg

Ok, I got it, thanks for the tip Montley! You can see the connectors for the Unify and Triumph, the OSD connections, the connections to the Naze by the motors, and the placement of the Unify and the antenna in the quad. Sorry; my wiring is a mess, I'm planning on moving the parts to a better frame and clean up the wiring soon.
 

PsyBorg

Wake up! Time to fly!
BEFORE you even attempt to power that back up mate I would SERIOUSLY cut that red wire down (last pic on the osd) to where the insulation is as close to the board as possible. That's a dead short begging to happen.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
The video wires look suspect on the left side of the OSD board too. And they are covered by a zip tie. Could be hiding a short. The FC and power wires plugged in to the top of the OSD board don't look plugged in all the way.

LB
 

Montiey

Master Tinkerer
Use some heatshrink, too. I'd be scared to poke that board with a stick without heat shrink&#8230; :black_eyed: