Under construction, Coming soon!!
I am getting parts in for this build right now, and will be doing the tutorial just as soon as possible, so be sure to visit regularly, Also I will post in the forums as soon as there is progress.
Home Built Video Trailcam
In this Tutorial I will be building a Video Trailcam, It will have an Servo to turn the camcorder from Normal record mode during the day for color recording, and then in the evenings it will turn the camcorder to Infrared for night recording. Although there is a lot to do to build this cam, it is a fairly easy build...the Camcorder will not have to be opened or, you simply plug it in via an LANC port on the camcorder. You will however be needing to drill a small hole in a switch and thread and epoxy a ball into it for the Servo to hook to...the arm that goes to this switch will be removable so the camcorder can be removed from the case and used as normal.
The Camcorder I will be using is a Sony Nightshot, you can either use a Digital or Hi8 tape camcorder, but be sure it has an LANC port, I will find a list of camcorders that can be used for this and put a link to it below. For this build I am going to use the Sony Nightshot CCD TR-517 Hi8 camcorder. keep in mind when buying a camcorder that TR has no LCD viewing screen, While the TRV camcorders have a small LCD viewing screen...Both models have an eye piece you can look through to watch your recordings in the field.
Also we will be building an IR array, this is a board with 108 Infrared LED lights, you will be doing the majority of your soldering on this board, but it is as easy as pie to do. This board will only be powered at night while the camcorder is recording, and it runs on 12 volt. I will get more detailed on that later in the tutorial.
The board we will be using is the BG2 LANC board, it will control everything, the camcorder, Servo and IR array. I will also be mounting an external Mic so that it will capture sound.
This is not your typical trailcam, it can be a little dificult to use at times, because it takes such a big case to house it, it is difficult to hide well and can be a little on the heavy side...but it is just SO MUCH FUN. I hope you enjoy this tutorial and I hope you are able to complete your very own Vidcam using these instructions. So sit back, look it over, take notes, look up the parts and get ready to build. Here we go!
Parts List
Sony Nightshot Camcorder. Ebay is a good place to look for one of these camcorders, but they are very common and may be found in many places
BG2 LANC board and mounting kit. Be sure to order the BG2 LANC board using the drop down list to the right, you want the standard board, no speacial programming, this and the list directly below can be purchased at Hags house.
Next you need the Servo and all the linkages, you can get those at Towerhobbies.com
Futaba S3003 Servo Standard, Sullivan 256 threaded rod 2-56 12", Sullivan Ball connector with sleeve 2-56, Dubro ball link.
Then the IR LEDS for the Array board.. get them from where ever you like, but i like those from Ebay seller coldfusionX, you can Email him from his ebay store and he will price them, as soon as he has the money he will ship them...you need 108 IR LEDs and they come in a bag of 110.
Also you need 18 resistors, these are 36 ohm 1 watt and can be found many places, But I linked you to Mouser.com. Also be aware that you may use less of a resistance value. I will get into this is much more detail when we get to building the IR array board.Pelican 1300 case, Find it on Ebay as well
Lets get Started with The Camcorder
First picture is of the Sony Night Shot CCD-TR 517 Hi8 video camera. it has the Night Shot switch in a Horizontal position, some Camcorders have the Night Shot switch in the Vertical position. This is important to know when starting as we will need to know how we will have to mount our Servo that flips this switch back and forth, From Infrared to color.
In this second pic I am showing you the LANC Port that the control board will plug into to control the camera.
Lets Modify the camcorder
For now you need a drill, a 5/64" drill bit, a little Epoxy that will set well with Plastic and metal, and you will want to get the Sullivan ball connector with sleeve out and although you will need all these parts later, right now you need the nut and threaded ball link.
Using your drill and Bit, drill a hole into the Night Shot switch with the 5/64 bit, Be very careful, go slow and don't drill to far, when you feel the bit starting to go through the switch, stop The switch is not very thick. This sounds scary, and it is first time, but if you take your time and go slow all will be fine. I like to drill the hole dead center of the switch.
Once you have the hole drilled, thread the nut onto the ball connector, it acts as a spacer to keep you from running it into the switch to deep, and supports the ball linkage. Dab a little Epoxy onto the threads and screw it into the Switch, let it dry and your finished with the camcorder.
Now that we are done with this lets figure out our layout in the Pelican 1300 case, and get it ready.