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Using AUX pins as relays for CHDK

Posted by Dave Williams on February 11, 2014 at 12:39pm

I'm confused and a bit frustrated, would appreciate any help as I'm not sure how to proceed.

Setup: I have a pixhawk autopilot running Arduplane 2.77, using Mission Planner 1.2.95

I've been following this guide to get my CHDK enabled camera working with my pixhawk. I'm interested in getting the camera triggering based on distance traveled.

Obviously the guide was written with APM in mind, so it needs to be adapted a bit for pixhawk; specifically the setting for RELAY_PIN. I've kept the rest of the settings the same as in the tutorial.

Pixhawk has 6 AUX ports according to the quick start guide, I am assuming that the numbers above the pins correspond to the AUX port numbering. When you mouse over the RELAY_PIN parameter, it says that pin 54 corresponds to Pixhawk FMU AUX1.

Tried setting RELAY_PIN to 54, no joy. Did a bit more looking, discovered in the release notes for 2.77: 

"Improved relay code
The relay and servo set code has had a major overhaul, with up to 4 relays now supported for MAVLink control and much better support for the DO_SET_SERVO, DO_SET_RELAY, DO_REPEAT_SERVO and DO_REPEAT_RELAY MAVLink commands. Along with these changes is a new parameter BRD_PWM_COUNT which allows you to specify how many auxillary PWM outputs to enable, with the remaining outputs being available as digital relays. This allows you to re-assign some of the aux servo outputs on Pixhawk for use as relays, by setting the RELAY_PIN, RELAY_PIN2, RELAY_PIN3 and RELAY_PIN4 parameters. The pin numbers for these pins start at 50 for the first aux servo pin, and go to 55 on Pixhawk."

Additionally,I found this github issue about this same problem that states that the Pixhawk can't trigger CHDK because its relay pins operate at 3.3V instead of 5V.

So i suppose my specific questions are:

1) Is AUX1 pin 50 or 54?

2) Can anyone confirm that the relays, when working properly, won't be able to trigger CHDK?

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Replies

  • SkySight April 5, 2015 at 9:21am

    Hi Brenner,

    Could I get you to contact us on our SkySight mail info@skysight.eu - then I will inform you about the posibilities for faster shipping..

    Best regards

    SkySight Team

  • Tagôre April 4, 2015 at 6:21pm

    I'm trying to shoot Sony Rx100 M3, but I am in doubt about the pinout, the cable has only 4 wires: red, white, green and black.
    The cable is written "B" and the camera's USB port is written "Multi" so I think it is possible.

    Someone could shoot Sony Rx100 III using Pixhawk or APM?

    I've tried all wire color options in the "Relay" and also in "Servo" CAM_TRIG_TYPE, but I'm having doubts about the value of PWM values, I tried in 1100 and 1900 respectively.

    Can someone help me?, any help is very welcome :)

    thank you

    • SkySight > Tagôre April 4, 2015 at 11:00pm

      Hi Brenner,

      It sounds like you have a regular USB "B" connector.. To trigger a MultiPort Sony camera you will need a trigger solution with the proprietary MultiPort connector..

      We will be happy to supply you with the propper solution for your needs..

      For specific APM / Mission Planner setup information - see 

      ArduPilot Wiki - Connecting SkySight MONO


      B      est regards
      SkySight Team
      Visit our shop - click here

  • Admin
    Morli April 2, 2015 at 1:05pm

    Lets not get carried away with product and marketing promotions keeping in mind that this is technical discussion forum.

  • SkySight April 1, 2015 at 1:29pm

    Hi Diydrones members,

    We would like to introduce you to our new SkySight family – trigger cables designed to enhance your UAV experience by simplifying the camera control for your Sony MultiPort™ equipped cameras. SkySight connects Sony cameras to your autopilot or R/C system, eliminating the need for a separate interface system.

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    • Wiki Ninja
      Hamish Willee > SkySight April 1, 2015 at 6:56pm

      Looks like a very nice solution - no hacking of cables

    • iskess > SkySight April 1, 2015 at 2:38pm
      What 4 trigger modes?
      Will it work as a relay? Or is it only a PWM switch?
      • SkySight > iskess April 1, 2015 at 3:19pm

        Depending on your needs, you can chose from 4 modes.

        2 burst modes
        2 single shot modes
        Please check full PDF manual on the page or instructional video.
        www.skysight.eu

        "www.skysight.eu"
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