Trouble with my FPV camera

[Derek]

This is just odd. Before I built my ZMR250, I had a mini FPV camera on my Skyfun. I tested the video system and everything worked. I have two other identical cameras. One was on my other FPV plane (still haven't flown, lol) and I bought the second one because the mini's were "out of stock". When the new camera arrived, I found that it just wasn't gonna fit on the ZMR250. So, I pulled the mini camera off the Skyfun and put it on the ZMR250. The video system on the ZMR works just fine. Now, I've taken the new camera and put it on the Skyfun but I get no picture when the video system is powered up. I took the other camera off my other plane and hooked it up to the Skyfun....still no picture. I take the mini from the ZMR and hook it up to the Skyfun and the video system works.

Now, when I last tested the non-mini camera on my other FPV ship, it worked with no problem.

I've gotten my volt meter out and I have 12ish volts going from the battery to the ImmersionRC vtx. Then I have 5v leaving the vtx to the connector that goes to the FPV camera. So, all the wires seem to be ok but I have no picture. And what's even more odd, when I try using the other non-mini camera....same problem. The power is there, just no picture.

Is there a way to check the signal wire with my volt meter? It's just odd that my mini FPV camera works on my ZMR and my Skyfun but the two non-mini FPV cam's don't work on my Skyfun.

Any thoughts?

[Stambo]

Some are wired different Derek.
Check the diagram for your camera and the vtx and make sure everything goes to the right place.
Some of the cables are different, I toasted a 600mw vtx because of it.

[Graham Lawrie]

+1 on Stambo:) i have bought what i thought are similar cameras and had no signal, plugs the same, even wire colours the same but wiring different:)

[Derek]

I did up a bit of video that will, hopefully, explain what's going on. I have proven that all 3 cameras do function properly. The problem is that two of the cameras don't show video on one of my two planes. It's just odd.

Have a look..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwY3_cGGnzw

[Derek]

Ok, problem solved.

A small oversight, lol. These two cameras that would work on one plane but not the other require a 12v power source. Coming out of the ImmersionRC 5.8ghz vtx is only 5v. Once I snipped a bit of wire "here" and soldered a bit of wire "there", I now have 12v going to the camera. I powered everything up and VOILA....I now have a video image in my Fatsharks.

Excuse me while I take another sigh of relief, lol...........................................................................

OK, I'm in good shape now. Lesson learned.

[KevG]

[Stambo]

Good to see you worked it out Derek.

[Derek]

Yeah, I'm glad I got it sorted, too. I can't believe that I overlooked that....well, yes I can, lol.

So, I'm working the next couple of nights. Hopefully I can get back in the air on my next days off.

[pvolcko]

At least it wasn't a 5v camera being fed 12v.

Poof, magic smoke.

[Derek]

At least it wasn't a 5v camera being fed 12v.

Poof, magic smoke.

Lol, true enough

[Stambo]

At least it wasn't a 5v camera being fed 12v.

Poof, magic smoke.

Better be careful if you swap back Derek.

[Derek]

I think ill be ok. I now know to check and understand camera voltage, too.