FreeTrack Forum

Hey!
I've took it upon myself to give this a go over the weekend...
But first I feel the need to ask for some guidance from yourselves, if ya don't mind?
I've never done any kind of electrical DIY before but I think I'm capable of learning!

So, I could buy the Logitech VX1000. The guides that are written for it and the fact that I know it will work is rather persuasive. Alternatively, I could go for the cheaper option that is the Mikomi webcam. What would you do?

Now, about the LED's - I'll make a 3-point clip to attach to a headset.
Should I go get Infrared LED's or will these bicycle lights suffice? What would be best?

And well, the rest I'm really stuck on  
I have a spare 6V 150MA power plug. Could I use that? On the end is some thing to plug into...how would I get the power from that to the LED's?
What wires do I require? What resistors do I need?

Any help on the electrical side of things would be very much appreciated.
Please help  
I'll check back tomorrow...

Heya,

I am new to this too but I can tell you what I've learned so far.

I have a VX1000 aswell (its Microsoft btw, not Logitech)  
And I would choose that one.

I suggest you check out this vid on how to prepare that specific camera. It's a great and easy method, and as far I know this is a very usuable cam.

I am expecting my LEDs and Resistors to arrive this monday. But I reckon IR LED's are better then red ones.

With some help from the webmaster I could fill in my details on this page. So I knew what to order. This is what I ordered, the site is in dutch, but you can figure the technical details reading the producttitles. I am using 2 1.5volt batteries for power. I am sure theres a hardwarestore in your vicinity to get the materials needed.

IR LED: follow this link (This LED is recommended according to this site)
Resistor: follow this link

But again, use the calculator linked above and fill in the following data for more info (Thanks to Rémy, the webmaster):
* Power Supply Voltage (V) : 3
* LED Forward Voltage (V) : 1.5
* LED Forward Current (mA) : 70

I hope this information helpes a bit, as I said I am a electrical noob myself too. But at least you know what you need.

Jeroen
the Netherlands

Thanks for your reply Jeroen!

Okay, so with your help, I've decided to go for the Microsoft VX1000  
Also you've cleared up the LED/resister part for me aswell...thanks again for that.

But, what I probably need the most help with is on the wiring side of things. I don't have the slightest clue what kind of wires I need, and then how to connect them from the power supply to the LED's...

So could anybody please clarify what exact wires I require?
Speaker wire? Copper wire? Earth/Neutral?
Could I cut the connector from the end of my 6v 150mA plug then solder them to LED's? I dunno...

I'm so confused about the electric circuit thing, need more answers please guys!

Hello JohnBoy

Since freetrack uses only very small vurrent values, thin wire is far than enough.

Speaker wire is ok,
Bicycle light wire is ok too.
Mains wire is usually far too big.

About cutting th connector, I assume you talk about the connector on the DC low voltage side of your power supply.
If that's the case, it's ok to cut the connector and directly solder the wires to your setup.

cya

Hi JohnBoy,

As Jeroen said, you should use the SFH485P LEDs. If you do buy these LEDs,  and use the power supply you already have, just go to the LED Assembly Wizard and fill in the following datas :

* Power Supply Voltage (V) : 6
* Power Supply Family : Unregulated
* LED Voltage (V) : 1.5
* LED Current (mA) : 70

It will tell you which resistor to buy and how to connect them with the power supply (the positive side of the power suplly side is on the scheme's top and the negative side is on the bottom).
To knwo which side of the LED is the negative one, just have a peak to the documentation page and look for the handbook. Read both Hardware and Software FAQs as well, they are really helpful !

Hope it helps...

Rémy