Please check out the fab comments below from pilots sharing other ideas on ways to do this. Thanks to all those who share knowledge and help others... Happy flying!
I have a small powerbank that has 5v output at 1 amp. It was designed as auxiliary charge for phones etc. The flight controllers I use will accept this power using a USB to USB-C cable. It only powers up the RX and the GPS/magnetometer. It leaves the VTX unpowered and cool while waiting for satellite lock. It usually takes about three minutes to lock 20 satellites in my area with my setup. This has become the most convenient method for me. I already had the powerbank and cable and it's small and easy to tranport. I've gotten into the habit of charging before flight just like all my gizmos (quad, radio, cameras, RID, goggles, phone, etc etc etc). Thanks for another interesting, informative, and entertaining video and thanks to the viewers who shared their methods. Happy flying amigos. 🫡 🍻
Came to say this. Plug usb power bank into usb port of the FC (wing ones now have usb as break outs). Just the Rx and GPS powered from the "4.5V" pads and when it's ready my radio just says "ready to fly" (for iNav). I then plug in the main battery disconnect the USB power bank and off we go. This is my preferred, but I also know a number of people with inline power switches. Strange neither of these two looked into
Dear Speedybee, please add switched VTX to your F405 WING FCs. I'm doing this the DIY way at the moment, with the pwm switch option, but it would be so nice to have this as a feature without extra components.
This feature was apparently added on newer versions of the FC, but there doesn't seem to be a way to tell if your FC is a "new" one. SpeedyBee's manual doesn't mention it but the Ardupilot documentation for the FC explains how to set it up using GPIO pin 81. I tried it and it didn't work so I guess I have an old board even though I got it recently.
I use the Vifly gps mate. Its great because it powers on only thr gps so there is no interference from thr other electronics and it also will keeo yhr gps active in-between battery swaps. The last plane I built I used a toggle switch for the vtx as well
I wish I knew why Walksnail cannot go into lower power (less heat) mode when in standby. Even in 25mW it cranks out the heat. DJI has similar issues so must be hardware design driven. Looks forward to those new FC boards, great video!
Lee, about the Manace RC Switch, you could use it with a momentary switch on the radio? Because, if so, it could be fun to add a horn to rc cars, using an active buzzer. About the digital FPV transmitters, there are some pretty small rocker switches you could use for powering it on and off... The only issue would be to design and 3d print a small cover for its down part... Because even using shrinking tubes I'm not really comfortable leaving the prongs exposed. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊
@Painless360 just a liner slide switch 1 pole, I cut a slot in the side of the model, hot glue switch in. I just switch the live power cable to camera . When I have the gps lock then switch the camera on and wait 10/15 seconds for camera to boot up, then job done. Saves messing about with plugs and putting hatches back on. Never had an issues with it.
I have used an RC controlled power switch to the VTX and I also put in rules to EdgeTX to ensure that while the plane is armed, the switch in on regardless of the power switch position. :)
Hi Lee, Great video and information about keeping your vtx cool. When possible I use a fan from a speed controller to keep my vtx's cool. I also use low power disarm. Thanks again for the video and information
I recently tested the vifly gps-mate w/buzzer and it really is an elegant solution. I doesn't weigh much, it takes up very little space. Push the button and the gps gets power from the little on board battery, after a couple of minutes plug the main battery in and go! It also doubles as a buzzer and lost model alarm, much like the buzzer on the original flywoo explorer, where it will beep even if the main battery gets yeeted in a crash 😂
I have this issue on my Rush Tank vTx, I've been doing this - Press HOLD on the Output Power to set pit mode, (Flashing), while my FPV Plane is on a storage voltage Lipo, get all the sat locks and generally warm up the board and sensors for a minute or so with the LiPo, once I get 12 GPS on the TX16 display, Unplug the Lipo and switch to the LiIon pack, GPS sats will be already stored and will quickly show up, check its all working (Stab/Manual), Press vTx Power button 3 secs, SOLID LAMP = Signal OUT, check goggles have a picture - LAUNCH. This saves using the Long Range flight pack power to warm up the plane / get sats etc. And you can PreFlight without rushing it.
Another way to avoid overheating on the ground is to make sure the GPS' AssistNow Offline database is up-to-date before heading out to fly, so that the GPS lock is acquired in a matter of seconds instead of minutes.
Lee, isn’t there a method of powering up the whole video system in the lowest power mode (25mw) and after GPS lock switch the video power up to desired via the headset. I’m assuming 25mw does not cause overheating….
I never needed them using the tips shown. However, I can see that a fan is handy if you land far away and don't have a power kill switch... Happy flying
@@Painless360 On the Lentus my vtx is under the canopy and it also overheated in flight while soaring because of the reduced airflow My Dragon has a custom printed nose and the vtx is also inside. It has air intakes so its not needed that much Nevertheless ot adds a little soldering and fiddeling upfront, but for every flight it saves hazzle because you can just power up everything and also adjust your video and stuff without worrying about heat. Its just an option … everybody doing FPV is doing it right ☺️❤️
I just use a power bank to power up the flight controller through usb to get the GPS to lock, that way you have receiver and GPS functioning but you are not sending power out to the ESC or VTX.
That will work well too - if you want to add extra weight, cost and complexity into the build. That also relies on the little LIPO having a charge too.. Modern M10 based GPS units lock so quickly now, I'm not seeing the same value to them as they once had. Happy flying!
What I do is to put a micro on and off switch in the positive cable of the vtx so I cut the electricity when I wait for gps lock and when is done I push the micro switch and voala all is done. And one of the main reason is voltage spike that may damage my unit.