ImmersionRC 5.8ghz 600mw vtx question

[Derek]

Ok guys...I think I'm doing this right but I'm still getting no video in my Fatsharks.....so, it's Q and A time....

I have an ImmersionRC 5.8ghz 600mw vtx (bought used from a guy that I trust, with no wires). My FPV camera requires 12v input. Check out the picture below. On the left side, that is the input voltage from the battery....this powers the vtx. So, I have a red and black wire going from the where the plug is soldered to the esc, that way when I plug in the battery, power is then supplied to the vtx. I'm confident that I have this right because there is a light on the vtx that turns on (just to note, I do have an antenna connected to the vtx during all of this). Then, from the VIDEO pin, on the vtx, I have a white wire that goes to the yellow, SIGNAL wire, from the fpv cam. Then I have the red and black wires from the camera that go to the same wires for the esc plug....this should supply power to the camera.

immersion otherside.jpg (97.65 KiB) Viewed 4750 times

I hope this all makes sense. I dunno....maybe I'm doing something wrong. I just don't think so.

[pvolcko]

It looks like you have wires plugged into the gnd and 5v pins on the vtx. Where are those going to? Is the gnd there tied to the power gnd? Thinking you may have a floating gnd/common on that side that could be causing issues.

And of course, you have the same band and channel selected on both the vtx and goggles? Right?

[Derek]

Yep....I have the goggles and vtx on the same frequency and channel...this is verified from my FPV HK Skyfun, all setup the same.

I"ll do up an illustration of my setup

[Derek]

Ok, here's a PAINT illustration that shows what I've got. I sure hope you can help me out here. I'd very much like to get my 49" wing into the air with FPV.

FPV Layout.png (16.45 KiB) Viewed 4742 times

[Derek]

Nevermind...after retesting all the wiring, camera, and another vtx, all my retesting showed that the only thing that could be the problem points to the vtx, itself. I inspected it seriously carefully and I found that the SMA connector had been resoldered, poorly, to the vtx and the SMA connector was loose. Loose enough, in fact, that I was able to pull the SMA connector clear off the vtx. This is what I get for trying to save a few bucks and buying a second hand item. I should have just paid for a brand new one. That's what I'm going to do after I finish this post.

Broken VTX.jpg (58.42 KiB) Viewed 4740 times

[pvolcko]

Glad you found the issue. Sucks to get ripped. Guess that seller is no longer as trusted.

[Derek]

Hes definitely no longer trusted. The sad thing is, hes one of the guys that i fly with.

[Stambo]

I have a couple of these with the same problem.
Even if you solder it back on well or solder a pigtail with an smx connector on it they still don't work reliably.
How far do you want to go?
The 200mw immersion units easily get me to where I am comfortable flying and they regularly go on sale at Banggood.

[Derek]

I've only known of 1 person that has been able to resolder and then reuse a broken Immersion vtx. The others that I've talked to said, "once that sma connector is broke from the board, the vtx is trash." I've broken one before, too. Someone, here and the Hangout, had suggested to me to use an extension from the vtx to the antenna. That made great sense to me and I've been using an extension on every FPV craft I have now.

As far as "how far do I want to go?".....I really don't know. I've found a few new spots to fly at but I also want my Dad to be able to fly with me. That being said, 5.8ghz is gonna have to work for now. I've taken the 1.3ghz video system from my wing for now and added a new 5.8ghz system.

It's just frustrating that I didn't notice the crap solder work on the used vtx that I bought. Had I noticed that, I probably wouldn't have bought it from the guy. But...lesson learned.

Another guy on Facebook has been talking to me about the Cricket 600mw vtx. He has shown me that it has a push button to chance frequency and channels (no dip switches) and it has an aluminum casing but I think the AUW of the Cricket vtx is similar to the Immersion vtx.

[KevG]

the foxeer 600mw was pretty good when I had that, but for the price of a new immersion I would go for the TBS unify pro that can do up to 800mw, and is the go to vtx atm

[Derek]

the foxeer 600mw was pretty good when I had that, but for the price of a new immersion I would go for the TBS unify pro that can do up to 800mw, and is the go to vtx atm

Can a Unify Pro be set up on a 49" flying wing? I'm very much a "creature of habit." I usually just stick with "what I know".....at least until you guys show me something "awesome" and then I gotta do it, too, lol, like that ever happens (enter sarcasm here, lol)

[KevG]

The unify pro is about half as thick and half the size of an IRC 600mw. but it will need airflow to keep it cool.

[Derek]

Lol....as long as i can keep the flying wing "flying", there should be plenty of airflow lol

[Derek]

Guys....I consider myself a relatively "bright" guy. I do tend to over look things, from time to time, but I'm not a stupid fella, lol. However, I do kinda feel stupid about this, lol.

I've got a 49" flying wing, based on the FPV49v3 designed by FPVTROND on YouTube. It's a very simple build and I'm very eager to fly it but I've not flown it because I was waiting on getting a new vtx for it. The fact of the matter is, I have an ImmersionRC 5.8ghz 600mw vtx on my FPV Skyfun and it's simply mounted to the plane with a Velcro pad to keep the vtx in place and then another Velcro strap to hold it down and lock it in.

I just NOW came to the realization that I can simply swap the vtx from the Skyfun to the wing by using another Velcro pad and Velcro strap. What an idiot!!!

Yes, it will take a few more "setup minutes" to move the vtx from one plane to the other but I can get over that.

Geez!!!

[Graham Lawrie]

Lightbulb moments are always the best Derek:)

[Derek]

Lightbulb moments are always the best Derek:)

Thanks Graham.....it's just a shame that sometimes my "lightbulb" is connected to a dimmer switch, ha ha ha ha

[KevG]

Lightbulb moments are always the best Derek:)

Thanks Graham.....it's just a shame that sometimes my "lightbulb" is connected to a dimmer switch, ha ha ha ha

LMAO Derek, my lightbulb is an energy saver LOL