DVRAC
From IPTrains
Contents |
Overview
- 5 Volt supply You need to connect the 5VDC feed from the FBCK to the 5V supply cord. The white stripe wire is positive and connects to pin 10 of the Euro connector. The black wire connects to pin 9. The 5V plug plugs into the web server.
- USB connections Refer to the diagram above. The WiFi dongle plugs into one port on the web server, either directly or with an extension (M/F) USB cable. Since we are installing two cameras we will use a M/F USB extension cable to connect to a USB hub. From the hub will will directly connect the two USB cameras. You will want to become familiar with reterminating USB cables since the most of the cables will be too long and the camera cables have a large ferrite bead on them that you will want to remove.
- Shortening USB cables See this link for a howto on this subject Shortening USB cables
Placing the Web Server
We will place our Web Server in the rear of the locomotive with the LCD screen down. A piece of double sided tape will hold it in place on the speaker. Note the new connector on the shortened M/F extension cable that will connect us to the USB hub.
WiFi Dongle options
The dongle will work simply plugged into the web server but will have a better signal if it is higher in the car body of the locomotive. A fairly simple way to accomplish this is to remove the cases from the dongle and use a M/F extension cable to allow placement under the dynamic brake blister. If you place the dongle here you'll need to make a new hole at the rear of the switch compartment to allow routing of the cable. Since you will most likely be putting a new connector on the extension cable you may wish to just drill a hole large enough for the cable and put the new connector on the web server end with the cable in place.
Leave the cable long enough to allow access to the switches in the switch panel and don't forget to insulate the underside of the dongle with black tape. You want the antenna side up (as shown in the picture).
Those of you who are handy with SMB soldering may want to have a look at Dongle Madness to see some more options.
Hub placement
The hub will go behind the front battery. Leave it loose for easy access. You do not need to supply an external 5VDC to the hub, it will power off the cable from the web server. Note the extension cable in the picture above. Also note that we have put new connectors on the (shortened) camera cables.
Camera Placement
You will want to shorten both camera cables and remove the ferrite beads as shown above as shown above. You will also need to cave out an access hole in the rear of the cab (floor and wall) where you see the black tape to allow clean cable access.
To get camera alignment right it's helpful to detach the cab from the rear hood at this point. Also note the plastic window sill on the engineer's side, we'll trim that to allow the CM-51 to fit in there.
The rear facing IP-2061 is mounted on the fireman's chair with a piece of double sided tape and a dab of hot glue. A second dab of hot glue keeps the cable from wandering and skewing the camera view. We will remove the plastic from the top half of the fireman's rear window to allow a clearer view and prevent reflections.
The front facing CM-51 cam is mounted in the small console in front of the engineer. We will be cutting a hole in the front door window to press fit the camera lens into.
Note hole cut in console to allow cam to be at the right height. Also, the right side of the CM-51 has been lightly trimmed with a Dremel tool and the hood frame has been notched to allow a better fit.
Finishing up
That's pretty much it. Reassemble the locomotive taking care not to pinch any cables in the process. Fire up the web server and check your camera alignment, adjust as needed. Pushing the engineer's window forward will position the CM-51 nicely in the hole you cut in the door window. You will most likely want to push the IP-2061 cam down a bit as it tends to ride up when the cab is reinstalled. You may want to stabilize it with a dab of hot glue once you have the view you like. Don't forget to plug the headlight cable back in and to replace the FBB in the cab roof. Oh yeah, and glue Earl the Engineer back into his seat before reinstalling the cab, I guarantee you he came loose in all the excitement.
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DVRAC at the IPTrains store Go to the DVRAC page at the store
