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FreeTrack Forum > FreeTrack : English Forum > Support : Tracking System > Improve my current setup, spec me a 9 LED build!

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hbuzz #1 30/01/2012 - 18h43

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Hi there, I have previously built a 3 point cap and would like to improve the performance. My setup is exactly the same as this http://forum.free-track.net/index.php?showtopic=1856&page=1 the easy build version using 2AA batteries.

Basically I game on a 27 inch monitor and I have found that when my webcam is on top of my monitor I am too far away for the camera to pick up the LED's consistently. No matter how much I play with the threshold levels and point size I can't get the software to behave consistently.  I have solved part of this problem by making a bracket to bring the camera closer to me.  This improved the performance significantly however I am still having some problems. When gaming during daylight I seem to have problems with UV light as there is a very large window behind my monitor although it's not direct light I think it interferes further with calibration. Also when turning my head sometimes the LED furthest away is lost.

I would like to try and solve these problems by using more LED's at each point of the cap. I would like to use 3 LED's at each point so I have a total of 9 altogether. When looking at other peoples screen shots their points seem much brighter and defined than mine. I am hoping that this method would give my setup more IR light work with.

I currently have the available to me a 2AA holder, the 30 Ohm resistors and the SFH485P LED's. Could somebody spec me what I would need to use 9 in total. I don't mind switching to a 5V source if necessary but if I could use anything from current setup that would be ideal.

I'm not a whizz with working all the resistance values out but if somebody could help me with a new setup  for 9 LED's I'll report back!  :blink:

Thanks!
Blindasabat #2 30/01/2012 - 19h10

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Hi,

What I'm thinking, your leds either don't get enough power or your camerafilter is too strong.
If you use those Osram IR leds you should be able to see clearly small orange dots on the leds themselves when they burn, if not try increasing the voltage or lowering the resistance. If this doesn't help your camerafilter might be too strong, if you have used a floppydisk for it, try using exposed developed film (about 3 layers).

I don't think using more leds will solve your problem and only lead to other problems with Freetrack.
dewey1 #3 30/01/2012 - 19h37

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What is the distance from the camera to your face?

I successfully use a 5 volt powered 3 IR-LED series circuit at 1 meter distance with a large window in the background with no problems.

Use your three SH485P in series to a 10 Ohm resistor to a 5 volt USB power adapter.
50 mA is more than enough

KISS principle, keep it simple stupid! More does not make it better!
hbuzz #4 30/01/2012 - 19h40

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I'm currently using two layers of exposed film, currently with this setup it's perfectly opaque. Going into the details does it matter what kind of film it is ie colour reversal or slide film? If I use any less than two layers I'm picking up other things in the room. I will try and get hold of an old floppy disk and see how that works. Do you mean when I switch on the LED's should have a continuous orange glow to the naked eye? I can't see that at all. To increse the voltage as it's currently a paralled circuit and the only resistors I have available are the 30 Ohm ones would it be possible to put it together in series to see if so how many resistors should I use? If not can your recommend an alternative resistor to replace the current ones with? Thinking about it my LED's do not seem anywhere near as bright as the screen captures I've seen.

Thanks
hbuzz #5 30/01/2012 - 19h44

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Dewey1 I presume I could substitue the USB power for a 5V battery pack? So on my shopping list is 1x10 Ohm resistor and a 5V battery pack. I'm just skeptical about my USB wiring skills! Distance to the camera from my face is 60 - 70cm's.

Thanks!
dewey1 #6 30/01/2012 - 20h03

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That is why I said a USB 5 Volt power pack!

Do not use batteries, it gets to expensive.

Have you ever supplied to much current to your LEDs?
You may have damaged them or reduced there ouput power.
hbuzz #7 31/01/2012 - 11h54

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I'm going to go with a 4xAA's for now. I am having trouble with the resistors is 10 Ohm the same as 10k for example is this suitable?

http://www1.conrad-uk.com/scripts/wgate/zcop_uk/~flN0YXRlPTIxNDM2OTAyOTI=?~template=pcat_area_s_browse&perform_special_action=DirektContentTemplate&template=Z_STICHWORTVERZEICHNIS&p_page_to_display=

If not could you recommend what resitor to choose? I will try and get a PTC fuse for going to USB power in the future.

Thanks
jaybz #8 31/01/2012 - 12h17

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hbuzz @ 31/01/2012 - 11h54 a dit:

I'm going to go with a 4xAA's for now. I am having trouble with the resistors is 10 Ohm the same as 10k for example is this suitable?

http://www1.conrad-uk.com/scripts/wgate/zcop_uk/~flN0YXRlPTIxNDM2OTAyOTI=?~template=pcat_area_s_browse&perform_special_action=DirektContentTemplate&template=Z_STICHWORTVERZEICHNIS&p_page_to_display=

If not could you recommend what resitor to choose? I will try and get a PTC fuse for going to USB power in the future.

Thanks


Hi hbuzz. I think that link requires a specific cookie on your browser, meaning it will only work for you. Also 10 ohms is not the same as 10k ohms. 10k ohms = 10,000 ohms.
Steph #9 31/01/2012 - 12h50

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I am having trouble with the resistors is 10 Ohm the same as 10k for example is this suitable?


No, 10k is 10kiloOhms.

Your link, don't works for me.
I found this one:
http://www2.conrad-uk.com/goto.php?artikel=403016


For 2XAA /3V go for 2x10Ohm in series, (to get 20Ohm), to each parallel LED or
for 5V power supply: 1x10Ohm for serial mount  

Don't use USB power from motherboard. Use 5V switched-mode power supply like this:
http://www2.conrad-uk.com/goto.php?artikel=512367
dewey1 #10 31/01/2012 - 13h07

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This is a 5 Volt USB power pack.
No need for a PTC and any wiring to your computer.

http://shop.conrad-uk.com/batteries-power/power-supplies-and-mains-adapters/mains-adapters-power-supplies/usb-mains-adapters/513281.html#

Here are 10 Ohm 1/2 W resistors;
http://shop.conrad-uk.com/components/passive-components/resistors/carbon-film-resistors/carbon-film-resistors-1-2-w/405019.html#

IR LEDs if needed;
http://shop.conrad-uk.com/components/optoelectronics/infrared-components/infrared-building-elements-osram/153831.html#
Edited by dewey1 on 31/01/2012 at 13h34.
hbuzz #11 31/01/2012 - 14h08

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Thanks for the help guys. I think I have realised my problem, I think I previously bought either a 3k or 30k resistor (for the 2xAA build) this would explain the lack of light output! I'm going to double check when I get home and have a look at the resistors and get some the correct resistance!

Thanks for your help I think I will also order some more LED's and make a usb powered build. I will report back!

Thanks!
hbuzz #12 08/02/2012 - 19h21

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All working now I've used the correct resistors! Thanks for your help, really enjoying usiing this with Rise of Flight! What a difference it makes to flight sims!

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