Starting out on FPV

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
The IRC pin allows a flight controller to change the channnel and power output of the VTX. Not used for basic camera only setups.


1737520992957.jpeg

Some VTXes can be controlled by a LUA radio script over ESP32 ELRS receivers too. https://www.expresslrs.org/software/serialvtx/

EDIT: This one "should" be able to use the ELRS VTX controls since it uses IRC protocol....
 
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LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Going to upgrade the SD AIO on this Whoop to HD Walksnail 1S nano kit. The hole pattern matches the whoop FC pattern, so need to find longer screws for the VTX board and make sure there is enough clearance between the boards that nothing shorts out. Also going to upgrade the battery connector from picoblade 1.25 to JST PH2.0 for MUCH better and consistant power transfer. The old pico connector kept this one from flying at the last indoor fly. Would boot up fine, but failed miserably under power. Will update this post with the weight change. after conversion

Before:
After: Total AUW26g Aio:
After: Total AUW WS: 11g

There is a lighter version of the 1S walksnail without the silver heat sink. I don't have one of those.

IMG_20250123_093528172.jpg


Cheers!
LB
 

AIRFORGE

Make It Fly!
Moderator
Going to upgrade the SD AIO on this Whoop to HD Walksnail 1S nano kit. The hole pattern matches the whoop FC pattern, so need to find longer screws for the VTX board and make sure there is enough clearance between the boards that nothing shorts out. Also going to upgrade the battery connector from picoblade 1.25 to JST PH2.0 for MUCH better and consistant power transfer. The old pico connector kept this one from flying at the last indoor fly. Would boot up fine, but failed miserably under power. Will update this post with the weight change. after conversion

Before:
After: Total AUW26g Aio:
After: Total AUW WS: 11g

There is a lighter version of the 1S walksnail without the silver heat sink. I don't have one of those.

Cheers!
LB
Have you tried BT2 plugs? You'll see noticeable improvement in power and flight times. I'm not much of a racer and I can see the difference with my Meteor 65's. The plugs are cheap. I already had a ViFly Whoopstar charger with both plug types, so getting batts with BT2 plugs was the only real expense.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Have you tried BT2 plugs? You'll see noticeable improvement in power and flight times. I'm not much of a racer and I can see the difference with my Meteor 65's. The plugs are cheap. I already had a ViFly Whoopstar charger with both plug types, so getting batts with BT2 plugs was the only real expense.
All my new batteries are PH2.0. Those are WAY better with the old 1S brushed quads
 

Houndpup Rc

Well-known member
I have heard that VTX's get pretty hot, is there a special way you want to mount them in a foam air frame? Like maybe on a piece of basswood.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
In airflow.....

I've never melted anything with a VTX. That said the HD vtxes get MUCH hotter than the old analog ones. The CPU power needed generates enough heat that they will shut down without enough airflow. I turn the VTX on at the very last moment to prevent a buildup of heat. This is even more critical with HD VTXes.
 

Houndpup Rc

Well-known member
In airflow.....

I've never melted anything with a VTX. That said the HD vtxes get MUCH hotter than the old analog ones. The CPU power needed generates enough heat that they will shut down without enough airflow. I turn the VTX on at the very last moment to prevent a buildup of heat. This is even more critical with HD VTXes.
Feel silly asking....but what does CPU stand for?
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Central Processing Unit. There is a computer on board the HD TX boards that does all the compression and bi-directional communication with the Receiver.
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Appears the AIO holder was too tight and pulled a critical component loose on this whoop. Will resolder it and have already filed the holder down to make it less likely to repeat. (left corner) So should be able to get nearly identical comparison flying Whoops with the FPV gear being the main difference.

IMG_20250125_121533467.jpg
 

Houndpup Rc

Well-known member
Appears the AIO holder was too tight and pulled a critical component loose on this whoop. Will resolder it and have already filed the holder down to make it less likely to repeat. (left corner) So should be able to get nearly identical comparison flying Whoops with the FPV gear being the main difference.

View attachment 247723
That's the great thing about being able to solder, you can fix your own stuff!
 

LitterBug

Techno Nut
Moderator
Got the SD AIO whoop back together. Working on Screws long enough to mount the Walksnail board on top of the Flight Controller. The walksnail board has the same hole pattern as an original Inductrix (tiny whoop). Here's the two boards ready to mount. Upgraded battery connector on the FC and added a power connector to power the walksnail. The big silver pad is a heat sink on the walksnail CPU.

IMG_20250125_171950452.jpg
 

AIRFORGE

Make It Fly!
Moderator
Got the SD AIO whoop back together. Working on Screws long enough to mount the Walksnail board on top of the Flight Controller. The walksnail board has the same hole pattern as an original Inductrix (tiny whoop). Here's the two boards ready to mount. Upgraded battery connector on the FC and added a power connector to power the walksnail. The big silver pad is a heat sink on the walksnail CPU.

View attachment 247726
No need for added stand-offs between the boards?