Powering 2 cameras
 

I know there are teams that have used more than one camera, but how do you power them if theres only one 5v port on the PD board?

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

You can get 5v from the digital sidecar.

I usually power a camera from the DSC anyway since it's easier for wiring, since I have a lot of wire going to the DSC and it makes the routing easier.

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

Here is the response from our electrical and command and control mentor:

A couple of years ago we did run two cameras on our robot. By wiring the cameras in parallel both get 5 volts and the current available on that rail (3 amps) is distributed between the two branches of the circuit. Remember in a series circuit current is the constant and voltage changes, in parallel voltage is constant and current changes.

Example:

C = Camera


5V ------- C -------- C ------- GND Series

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

You may want to check the rules for connecting two devices in parallel to one power terminal.

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

It's trivial to splice downstream somewhere. This specific rule is because the connector is only rated for one wire, not for any other electrical reason.

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

so safest route is one camera on the DSC and one on the PD board?

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

Neither one is 'safer'. Both places supply 5v power needed for cameras, either will work for either camera. You can also connect both to one of them.

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

We always used the standard power converter from AndyMark.

Re: Powering 2 cameras
 

We ran two cameras off the PD board in 2012. No issues with power or rules. You need to watch the data rate through the wireless connection to the driver station though.