Extreme High Altitude RC Airplane Flight in High Def 2

I modded the airplane so that the X-Port can power the video camera. The camera now weighs much less (without batteries) and so it can go much higher. I also upgraded the battery to an 8 cell. This is the highest I have flown with this airplane. It took about 8 minutes to go as high as it did and then took 8 minutes to glide back down to the ground. A few times the engine cut out because it was getting out of range. The camera lost power about 30 seconds before I landed. On the way up I flew with some hawks that you can see if you watch closely. I think about 5 of them were circling because of the farming work going on near by stirring up the mice :-). I got up high enough to see the Columbia and Snake (if you look closely) rivers.

I used a 5v linear voltage regulator from an old hub, a floppy power connector from an old pc power supply, and a dc plug from an old portable cd player to make the power adapter for the camera. Next I am going to add a magnetic fish-eye lens to the camera.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Mod
• Hack
• SuperCub
• HZ
• Kodak
• Zx1
• Camera
• On
• board
• high
• altitude

[danju07]

Hello, this is great ! Superb footage, very well done. :-)

Not trying to sound a copycat, but I picked up a ZX1 and have my SuperCub primed, for some sweet AP fun. Can I ask, what electronics did you use, to power your ZX1. Did you take a feed off the main flight battery, then add a UBEC for a solid 5V feed into the camera? Or you used a different method?

I very much look forward to your guidance - plus further videos such as this! ;-)

[rockyjvec]

@danju07 @danju07 I used a 5v voltage regulator out of an old network switch combined with an old floppy connector from a PC power supply and an old cd player power connector (to plug into the zx1). I wired it so I could plug the floppy connector into the Xport of the airplane and have it power the Zx1. I used a custom battery pack from cheapbatterypacks com with 8 1500ma cells and got about 8 minutes of full throttle flight out of it (with camera) and another 8 gliding with no engine.

[rockyjvec]

I just moved to Denver, CO area. I haven't flown since I got here but looking forward to adding more videos with mountain scenery when I do. Assuming the airplane can stay in the air at this altitude with the extra camera weight :-). Glad to see other people starting to use the Zx1 for AP :-)

[OpticFlare]

Totally awesome! how on earth did you see the orientation of your plane?

[rockyjvec]

I could just barely see it enough to tell which direction it was going. I tried to put it in a circling pattern and let the plane fly itself most of the flight.

[tankobear]

I have a question, i just bought this camera, and i want the power to be DC too, but have no idea of the Amps, i know is 5V but what about the Amps? any thoughts? thanks in advance mate, and this is an awesome video!!

[rockyjvec]

@tankobear I finally measured how many amps it was using. It peaked at about 800 milliamps when I first started recording at 60fps but then immediately dropped down to a steady 780 milliamps while recording. I measured it when it was on batteries so my guess is that will be different when using a voltage regulator, etc. but I don't know that much about electronics.

[david2011ism]

hi guys that was assume i hope i get one of these but i don't have the money to bring one but maybe one day i will nice video

[danju07]

Great, thankyou for your feedback.

Also can I ask, what's the size/dimensions of the Barrel connector that fits the ZX1, as it seems very slimline, and as yet, I havent been able to find a connector to fit ! Also I dont want to spend £20 for a mains cable, just to cut it up! Any feedback appreciated.

Look forward to further flight videos, as and when you get an opportunity! Thanks again! ;-)

[Richyroooooo]

Absolutely amazing. Nice idea, i just ordered a zx1 online hoping i get some good footage although i doubt it will look as epic as this.

[crumeater1998]

this is kinda the most awesome thing ive ever seen

[peytmanningfan]

that was beautiful