Guides how to build FPV truck - compilation of resources

[krawldude]

I've been building and FPV'ing some FPV trucks, crawlers, buggies and etc for years now so i thnk i should share tips and guides on 'how to' since many people confused and interested into whole new experience of 'first person view' driving especially scalers who love to drive inside the cockpit. I'll try my best to present you few of my resources, videos and full documentation via my setup links.

FYI driving FPV in the cockpit view is much more fun especially when you have buddy as wingman, feels like real convoy/jamboree gathering and the world around you are more interactive than ever. Everyone should FPV and based on my experience its far cheaper to setup an advance grade FPV truck than buying aluminum hop-ups for your crawler.

So below are my 'how to' FPV resources with hardware schematics and links.



FPV build videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LXJxh13u1M



FPV driving in action video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0L2ZIRelhbY


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyNHNcq5q8g



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwXOlmiud1I


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EIH5qPJ_RM



Schematics:





Detailed documented FPV setup:
Cockpit FPV details (link): https://www.supermotoxl.com/projects...nce-setup.html

Hope to see more people building scale looking FPV trucks soon.

[krawldude]

And if you're ultra broke $$, you can even build extremely cheap, portable and simple setup in few minutes build on versatile indoor micro crawler.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf5_sWdZ3xw


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R36Y_PFr8vc

[krawldude]

Visual setup - 1.9'er VATERRA TWIN HAMMER clone conversion to FPV
Here's a sample of visual conversion of an ordinary budget 1/10 Wl-toys 10428A (Vaterra Twin Hammer clone) into FPV truck.

**Build gallery archive: https://www.supermotoxl.com/10428A%2...ruck%20Warrior

1. BEFORE
All normal cheap stock truck rtr...looks boring eh? We're going to fix it!


2. TEAR DOWN
Strip down the truck electronics components and replace with reliable electronics eg: HW 1060A ESC, RX and etc


3. FPV FITTING
Installing HD FPV camera, pan cam servo, cabling...


4. PREP HARDWARE MODULES
Solder and compacting all FPV hardware modules.


4. PREP SCALE ACCESSORIES
Preparing all the scale cockpit stuff and paint it..


5. COCKPIT INSTALLATION
Installing 'animated' steering servo and cockpit accessories..


6. FPV HARWARE INSTALLATION
Installing FPV transmitter, OSD modules, BEC and wirings..


7. ADD SCALE SOUND SYSTEM
For extra audio engine realism...


8. FPV CAMERA SDERVO CALIBRATION
Make sure the camera pan match with steering movement


9. RE-BUILD BODY PANELS
Mods and customized the looks of body works..


10. FINAL TUNING
Tune up any remaining hardwares onboards such as the sound system, FPV OSD layout and VTX wattage and etc..


11. FPV TEST DRIVE
Do some long distance FPV test drive and FPV video/antenna calibration.


12. DONE!
Go out and have some fun explore the world with your FPV buddies.



10428A FPV IN ACTION!
Here videos for 1/10 Wl-toys 10428A (VATERRA TWIN HAMMER clone) in action after FPV conversion works.

Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWPX5M_NCJg


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyoUcBn7I50


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8dG2H61kQM


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPjhfWyJJZU

[jebster]

I've been very interested in adding FPV to one of my larger multi-axle rigs. lots of good stuff here that I still need to sort through. do you have recommendations for FPV systems that work well for you? (if that is laid out in one of the videos I guess i'll get to it when I have time to watch them all.)

[krawldude]

Originally Posted by jebster

I've been very interested in adding FPV to one of my larger multi-axle rigs. lots of good stuff here that I still need to sort through. do you have recommendations for FPV systems that work well for you? (if that is laid out in one of the videos I guess i'll get to it when I have time to watch them all.)

The video just show the workflow of the setup but choices of which FPV system/hardware works for individual depends on how legal the FPV equipment used locally or where you want to use it. For example in my builds video my radio controller is 2.4Ghz and my video transmitter running on 5.8Ghz is an ideal setup to run in the public places in open space with minimal building or obstruction to bounce my radio signal at the same time will not affect the surrounding radio frequency used by public or commercial radio wave length thus comply with radio emission law regulated by in our region. In some region especially in the west (US) you may probably able to use better frequency such as 433Mhz for control and 1.3Ghz for video since both radio frequency can penetrate through bigger obstacles such as big building, forest or through anything that allow your FPV car/truck to drive longer distance behind obstacles. So your FPV choice is at your discreation.

[MAC FAB]

I'll get through the videos as well. Which camera gives the best view from the driver's seat (ideally not roof mounted), while not being too fish eyed? Then the antenna..... the least ugly clover leaf that isn't too fragile. I'm in Cali, realizing ham radio licensing would be required, what gives the most bang for the least $$$? (Go fast dirt car, so if it can't take a beating, it needs to be cheap) I also have a Bomber I would like to use and a large scale go car that will be used for shooting video, not requiring the total FPV experience. Suggestions or do I need to rub a lamp and keep wishing?

[soze]

Awesome info. I've been looking at what it would take.

[krawldude]

Originally Posted by MAC FAB

I'll get through the videos as well. Which camera gives the best view from the driver's seat (ideally not roof mounted), while not being too fish eyed? Then the antenna..... the least ugly clover leaf that isn't too fragile. I'm in Cali, realizing ham radio licensing would be required, what gives the most bang for the least $$$? (Go fast dirt car, so if it can't take a beating, it needs to be cheap) I also have a Bomber I would like to use and a large scale go car that will be used for shooting video, not requiring the total FPV experience. Suggestions or do I need to rub a lamp and keep wishing?

Best camera that give best view from driver seat ideally any camera that have 120 degree FOV lens without too much fish eyes. 120 degree lens have enough width to peek left and right view aided with pan servo and view overall interior dashboards and scale stuff. All my build have 120 degree lens ranging from the budget smaller 808 #16 HD keychain FPV output capable camera to RUNCAM V1 HD FPV camera. You don't need to use Clover leaf camera on FPV trucks since most driving is perpendicular to horizontal terrain unlike flying where you have to roll and bank a lot which is why clover leaf was build to compensate loss linear signal.

I can't comment which car/trucks can take beatings but it depends on your budget. If i had the cash i would have gone for an 2.2 scaler AXIAL but my budget for overall FPV build with trucks always under $200. My income below average group.



-------------Photos-------------------

120 degree FOV lens on RUNCAM camera (1080p) K949 truck


120 degree FOV lens on mini size 808#16 camera (720p) on FY03 truck


Long slender OMNI antenna on FPV video VTX behind the cockpit (behind roof fog light)

[krawldude]

Here are our interesting video of us doing FPV after dark at night 4x4 convoy style. Whole new level of fun and challenging especially through long distance in bushes and terrains!

NIGHT FPV ACTIVITIES:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtZSfAq0X9k


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyNHNcq5q8g

[MAC FAB]

10-4. As for taking a beating, I'm talking the video equipment, not the cars. That element is under control for now, anyhow. What kind of range are you getting? Some guy on the Traxxas site in the Summit section did a repeater, could drive forever.

[krawldude]

Originally Posted by MAC FAB

10-4. As for taking a beating, I'm talking the video equipment, not the cars. That element is under control for now, anyhow. What kind of range are you getting? Some guy on the Traxxas site in the Summit section did a repeater, could drive forever.

Max distance with 2.4Ghz RADIOLINK RC4G Version 1 pistol grip radio controller (stock un-mods) + 5.8Ghz 600MW video transmitter (with cloverleaf antenna) + helical antenna at receiver unit was at average 1,000 meter, test cue taken from our local abandoned airport (our local R/C club flying field) running on 1/12 FY03 Feiyue (Mini Twin Hammer) with slight video distortion/interference. I knew few people from traxxas via other forum, they uses UHF frequency which can go even longer distance behind forest and urban. I wouldn't go too far because if the truck flips then its going to be a long walk under the sun plus lots of 'stranger danger' too. I have a repeater to but very cumbersome to setup to be mobile around. UHF repeater can go 1.5km~3km

UHF Repeater:

[krawldude]

OUch! forgot to post some vid updates on our 2020 activites so here are some:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KG0mtPO2DYA



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itPtH0Jxds4


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOmJ-uILzuQ

[krawldude]

Another night gathering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFYipKiI714

[krawldude]

Axial Maxximus out under drizzle weather at night with my bud.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eROAJIqTLLI

[krawldude]

Our muddin adventures

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeBGM5BeO0s

[krawldude]

My bud busted his gearbox....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWbOIIgNr4k

[krawldude]

Our dramatic night adventures in heavy rain at the end.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qelSQkORfcs

[krawldude]

Chill drive around the blocks.

Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TIqnpukXcds

[tigris99]

Thanks for sharing this. Had a buddy mention something about this and sounds awesome but had no idea where to start.

Sent from my SM-S906U using Tapatalk

[ferp420]

ive been doing it all wrong i just strap my cell phone to my rig and use a security camera app to push out the signal then use my tv for a screen
but the best i can get has been half way accross the property the new radio claimes 400-600 meters though so maybe i can get some more range out of it

the video quality depends on the internet signal some times its fine but other times it lages hard


i like the camera in place of the drivers head thats pretty cool

i would like a better set up but there not cheap