Just Sharing This Remote level device : )

[Spiff]

Good afternoon gentlemen on this sunny day : )

I came across this while looking for an alternative way of checking the dish elevation.

The present remote camera images are difficult to see, especially at night even with two LEDs illuminating the spirit levels.

Despite a search, there were no spirit levels with a dark fluid that I could find.

The project at the link is however a bit involved on the construction side.

Any other suggestions, other than making Alanna stand outside in the cold with a radio would be appreciated : )

Remote level device : )

God Bless Spiff

 

[ozumo]

Are the cameras for elevation static or do they move with the mount? If the cameras are static you could overlay a scale in VLC. If the cameras move perhaps you could hang something from the mount (heavy enough to stay vertical as the mount moves) and have a scale behind whatever is hanging.

 

[Spiff]

Are the cameras for elevation static or do they move with the mount? If the cameras are static you could overlay a scale in VLC. If the cameras move perhaps you could hang something from the mount (heavy enough to stay vertical as the mount moves) and have a scale behind whatever is hanging.

Hallo Ozumo,

The cameras are static, but would need to be mounted another way to make them a lot firmer.

VLC I tried to look it up, but I think it refers to some kind of overlay in the image ?

That is a very good idea : )

 

[ozumo]

VLC is a commonly used video player available for most operating systems. You can overlay an image (meant to be a channel logo or watermark) to the playing video. So if the image is a scale you may have solved your problem, though it depends on VLC being able to stream the video from the cameras to begin with!

 

[ozumo]

A boat clinometer, or something similar, may be easier:

Osculati Double bubble inclinometer : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Shop Osculati Double bubble inclinometer. Free delivery and returns on all eligible orders.

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Spiff]

Thank You ,

That is another great idea, it will be water proof and would show up on the webcams a lot better. : )

I wonder if there is a remote electronic version so I could get rid of the cameras.

The video is fed via USB to cat 5 converters, so the cat 5 cables should I think feed any digital signal.

 

[Spiff]

Found a remote one

But it is limited to 5 metres of cat 5 screened cable which is not enough.

I need over 12 metres,

 

[ozumo]

How about something like this, no camera required:

WT61C TTL 6 Axis High Precision AHRS IMU Sensor 2 Axis Tilt Angle (Roll Pitch) Inclinometer 3 Axis Accelerometer + Gyroscope MPU6050 Module (XYZ, 100HZ Output) Kalman Filter For PC/Android/Arduino : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

WT61C TTL 6 Axis High Precision AHRS IMU Sensor 2 Axis Tilt Angle (Roll Pitch) Inclinometer 3 Axis Accelerometer + Gyroscope MPU6050 Module (XYZ, 100HZ Output) Kalman Filter For PC/Android/Arduino : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Terryl]

Put some white paint behind the levels.

 

[a33]

And something old-school:
You could take a petrol tank level indicator. But I don't know how accurate they are, and how accurate you want it...

Edit: the pricinple is in the picture here: Fuel Sensors | Fuel Level Sensors
Isn't that how in the early days motor position was communicated back to the VBox (or what is was called then)?

Greetz,
A33

 

[Spiff]

Put some white paint behind the levels.

Hallo Terry1 1 did try one of the caravan type today that had a white back ground, but it did not make a lot of difference.

We found that the sun light wiped it out, it may have worked differently depending a lot on the angle of the sun.

 

[Spiff]

And something old-school:
You could take a petrol tank level indicator. But I don't know how accurate they are, and how accurate you want it...

Edit: the pricinple is in the picture here: Fuel Sensors | Fuel Level Sensors
Isn't that how in the early days motor position was communicated back to the VBox (or what is was called then)?

Greetz,
A33

I will pop up the car park after dark with a hacksaw BOOOOOM : )

There are some interesting ideas there, it would be good to make something.

This is a night shot the top right image is different as I have moved the camera today.

Before at night it was a lot worse, it just needs focusing now.

But the bottom two are the main problem.

 

[a33]

But the bottom two are the main problem.

Can't you transform these bulbs to some indicator with a (white) scale? I don't know where you are measuring there?

A33
(Far from mullion cove)

 

[Spiff]

Can't you transform these bulbs to some indicator with a (white) scale? I don't know where you are measuring there?

A33
(Far from mullion cove)

I shall try one of these I think which was suggested, to see if it shows up better than the spirit levels. : )

Lev-o-Gage II - Marine Clinometer

Thank you to all.

 

[ozumo]

If you move the LEDs away from the spirit level you may get a more even light output. You could also try to diffuse the light to make it softer, a ping pong ball over the LED might do it.

 

[Channel Hopper]

Just put a block filter in front of the camera light to tone it down a bit.

Try covering 50% with some insulating tape to start with.


Any other suggestions, other than making Alanna stand outside in the cold with a radio would be appreciated : )

It's not cold, and you could sign up to a hypnosis course before the winter draws on.

 

[Spiff]

If you move the LEDs away from the spirit level you may get a more even light output. You could also try to diffuse the light to make it softer, a ping pong ball over the LED might do it.

A ping Pong Ball or a part of one sounds a good idea.

The LEDS are mounted in the same box as the Cameras, they feed off the 5 volt rail via a dropping resistor.

I have some diffuses that came from LED spot lights, never thought of using them, the lights as they are overload the cameras sometimes.

I will give that a go as what ever they are pointed at a diffused light will help : )

 

[Terryl]

Have you thought about trying some UV LED's?? The green liquid in the bubble levels, or a UV reactive paint could glow quite nicely under UV light, I don't have one to test right now but it may work.

https://www.mouser.com/ultraviolet_leds/

 

[Spiff]

Just put a block filter in front of the camera light to tone it down a bit.

Try covering 50% with some insulating tape to start with.


Any other suggestions, other than making Alanna stand outside in the cold with a radio would be appreciated : )

It's not cold, and you could sign up to a hypnosis course before the winter draws on.

Alanna just read that and laughed Channel Hopper : )

Alanna shows a lot of interest and often comes up with good ideas on how to sort things.

There is a lot of difference in male female interests, despite what is being fed us at the moment. : )

The lady's are good at sorting mechanical / electrical problems once you get their attention, but it is not always something they gravitate to naturally.

Some do of course.

They do however make the world a lovely place : )

 

[Spiff]

I have just ordered two for £22.40 on Amazon they are £20 each on eBay : )

Sun Company 306-R Lev-o-gage II Inclinometer and Tilt Gauge - Pack of 2 | Leveling Gauges

With defuses on the lights it should all look better.

Thank you for all the advice, it was just the job : )

God Bless Spiff