This article will show you how to connect an external battery to your MicaSense Camera, if the battery uses an XT60 connector.
The table below summarizes the voltage requirements and recommended battery packs for each camera model.
Voltage Range | Recommended Battery | Power Requirements | |
RedEdge-3 | 5.0 - 5.5 VDC | USB Pack | 10W (2A@5V) Peak |
RedEdge-M/MX | 5.0 - 15.8 VDC | 2S or 3S LiPo |
3.5W (700mA @ 5.0V) Avg. 10W (2A@5V) Peak |
Altum | 5.2 - 25.2 VDC |
2S LiPo |
7W Avg. / 10W Peak |
Altum-PT | 7.0 - 25.2 VDC | 3S or 4S LiPo | 10W Avg. / 12W Peak |
RedEdge-P | 7.0 - 25.2 VDC | 3S or 4S LiPo | 7W Avg. / 10W Peak |
When considering what battery pack capacity to use, first convert the Amp-hours rating of the battery to Watt-hours by multiplying the Amp-hours rating by the average voltage of the battery. Using the RedEdge-M/MX as an example, a 3S 5000 mAh Lithium Ion battery pack would have a nominal voltage of 3.7V x 3 cells = 11.1V, yielding a Watt-hour rating of 55.5Wh (5Ah x 11.1V). This battery should power RedEdge-M/MX for approximately 15.8 hours (55.5Wh/3.5W). In reality, the actual endurance will be less than that due to losses in the battery and BEC. For best results, the battery chosen should be able to supply the peak Wattage for the camera.
For more information, please refer to these model specific guides:
- How do I power the RedEdge-3?
- How do I power the RedEdge-M/MX?
- How do I power the Altum?
- How do I power the Altum-PT?
- How do I power the RedEdge-P?
RedEdge-M/MX and Altum
The RedEdge-M/MX and Altum both employ 3-pin DF13 PWR connectors. An adapter for a LiPo battery may be constructed using an unterminated PWR/TRG cable.
External Power and External Trigger (“PWR/TRG”)
Pin # | Signal |
1 | Trigger (White) |
2 | Ground (Black) |
3 | Power (Red) |
Connector on Camera | Hirose DF13A-3P-1.25H(51) |
Mating Connector | Hirose DF13-3S-1.25C 28AWG wire recommended |
Pin 1 indicator (Δ) on DF13 family of connectors (DF13-3S-1.25C shown)
If you are using a RedEdge-M or MX, you can connect the 3-pin DF13 cable directly into the `PWR/TRG` port on the camera. It will power on automatically once plugged in.
If you are using an Altum, the 3-pin DF13 power cable will not plug in directly into the camera, but instead will make use of the blue breakout connector seen below.
Altum-PT and RedEdge-P
The Altum-PT and RedEdge-P employ a 4-pin JST-GH PWR connector. An adapter for a LiPo battery may be constructed using an unterminated PWR cable. For best results, both Power (1 and 2) and both Ground (3 and 4) should be connected to the battery or power source.
Signal |
|
1 |
Power |
2 |
Power |
3 |
Ground |
4 |
Ground |
Connectors |
|
Connector on Camera |
JST-GH BM04B-GHS-TBT |
Mating Connector |
JST-GH GHR-04V-S 28AWG wire recommended |
Alternatively, power may be provided to the camera via the User Interface Board by connecting the battery to the board using a 2.1 mm barrel jack.
For more information about connecting power to the Altum-PT or RedEdge-P, please refer to their respective integration guides here:
Constructing an Adapter
Required Components:
- A LiPo battery with an XT60 connector (Example)
- A soldering iron suitable for small electronics (Example)
- 60/40 Rosin Core solder (Example)
- XT60 connectors with heat shrink tubing (Example)
- For RedEdge-M/MX and Altum: 3-pin DF13 power cable included with your sensor (Included in Integration Kit and available from the online store) .
- For Altum Only: 15cm Blue Breakout Connector for DLS2 And Power (Included in Integration Kit)
- For Altum-PT and RedEdge-P: 4-pin JST-GH PWR cable (Included in Integration Kit)
Assembly:
Most Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries come with an XT60 connector. Below is an example of a 5000mAh 11.1V LiPo battery with this yellow-colored connector. The smaller white connector is not used in this guide.
We recommend these over USB batteries, as they are more suited for powering our sensors.
In order to connect your sensor to this battery directly, there are a few steps required to assemble the cable/connector that you will need.
Once you have all these components, you can now solder the red and black wires from the 3-pin DF13 power cable to the positive(+) and negative(-) terminals of the XT60 connector. Red is positive, black is negative. You can disregard the white cable in this 3-pin connector, as this is for triggering the camera with an external device.
This video from Hobby King is a great guideline for soldering wires on to XT60 connectors:
If you have any questions, please submit a request to Support