EN CN
Basecam32 versions
  • Shift
    Hi,

    I see different PCB models on the internet. Which version is the latest version of the Basecam32 controller???

    https://viacopter.eu/multirotor-shop/camera-gimbals/basecam32-3axis-multicopter-store

    http://www.armbgc.com/armbgc-v-4-5-bt-32-bit-alexmos/

    http://www.armbgc.com/armbgc-v-4-0-32-bit-alexmos/

    Which one is the newest?
  • Garug
    Latest, I am not sure, but there is different versions of the board.

    You cab find the versions I have been testing here http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2178272

    The the latest Flyduino board has integrated Frame IMU on the board and it can handle bigger motors (3A vs. 1.5 A current, but usually 1.5A is quite enough) With the simplebgc32bit board I have had less problems with the I2C errors (sensor communication), so far actually none. The Flyduino board requires more care routing and protecting the sensor cables if they are long (more than 50 cm). Short cables are less problematic.

    So it depend of your application which one is better.
  • Shift
    A shielded cable doesn't solve the I2C errors?
  • Garug
    Not always, sometimes it makes it worse. I think this has to do with the cable inductance/ capacitance, shielding change it. If the data cables are close to each other they will crosstalk and that is bad also, and then there is the external interference like IMU power cables, motor cables etc. There is many things to consider and no simple solution for long IMU wires.

    I have used a separate shield on both data cables and ferrite rings on motor cables and that has solved the problem with 70 cm cable and Flyduino board.

    Now I will test the SimpleBGC 32-bit board + IMUs on unshielded cables, lets see.
  • Shift
    So which one should i get? With the IMU onboard or the other one. I want to use it for 5dmk3 size cameras.
  • Garug
    I have build a RED gimbal using Flyduino with integrated IMU and got it working with the shielding mentioned above.

    Now I am building a GH4 gimbal that can also take RED using SimpleBGC 32-bit. The question is is the 1.5 A enough for RED, I am using GB90 and 85 motors. So far with the power needed for GH4 + 800 g lens, it looks good and no problems. Lets see when I get the RED installed and tuned.

    I like the onboard integrated IMU as it is less units, less wires, less installation, but it makes the ACC calibration more complicated.

    For 5D Flyduino board will have for sure enough power, but maybe more problematic with I2C. the SimpleBGC 32-bit board likely has enough power and for now I have feeling that it is less problematic with the I2C, but you might want to wait for tomorrow so that I get everything installed on the GH4 camera.

  • Zeb
    If you use shielded cables it is very important to only ground one end of the screen. Otherwise you will make interference worse.
  • Garug
    That is a good point. If the shield is connected from both ends, then it acts as ground wire, and that would not be good. also good to make sure that the IMU is not electrically connected to the frame. I use nylon installation screws.
  • Garug
    I am very pleasantly surprised. To test how resistant the SimpleBGC 32-bit I made a 1 m unprotected cable and daisy chained it trough frame IMU that has about 15 cm wire. No I2C errors at all!

    Motors are pitch GB85, and GB90 on other axis, power between 100 and 180, 4S battery. This is a total overkill for GH4 camera, but it is nice to have good holding power.

    It is a bit dilemma that the board that has no problems with I2C, has weaker FETs (1.5A). So far I have not noted any mentionable heating and they are running the big motors nicely.

    Note, there might be different versions of this board and different IMUs and it might work differently on different systems, but I am very happy to this boar right now.

    These are just initial test and I will continue. At the moment there is couple of issues, for some reason Yaw is not very accurate and the motors are a bit stepping when moving the gimbal, i.e. I can feel steps, maybe this is because of the strong motors and plenty of power for a relatively light camera.

    I will be writing more in here: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2178272 .
  • gtranquilla
    Belden instrumentation wire follows the concept of using both twisted pairs or twisted triad wiring in combination with shielding..... but it is critical that the shielding be grounded at one end only. Ideally the ground should also be earth ground but that is not possible with airframes. The best grounding end for 2 or 3 axis BGC system is the BGC end since it is a common point to all axes.
    Ground loops will often occur if one attempts to ground both ends of the signal wires.
Add a Comment