I'm interested in acquiring a camera for my layout As well. I have two tunnels that have no access (no lectures, please, I understand my mistakes!) and occasionally need to retrieve a derailed or uncoupled car Or stalled engine. I am curious if there was any ambien light in your tunnel trial or just the engine headlight? Also, would the engine headlight be enough illumination if the camera was mounted to a flat car being pushed by the engine. Thnx.
On my latest camera car using the SQ13 camera I didn’t add any lighting but it needs some light in my tunnels. The SQ13 doesn’t require much light and I’m kicking around adding a single 5mm super bright Warm White LED. There is enough room to add an LED a bit above the camera. I went with the pan mount on my recessed flat car primarily for using it for filming my scenery where it doesn’t require lighting.Two 3mm LEDs probably would work, one on each side of the SQ8 through SQ13 cameras.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
mkepler954I decided to go with a 9V battery rather than track power to maintain a clear, uninterrupted picture on the TV.
Yes, for this application, track power is overrated, even though it seems like a tempting solution. Most of us will use one of these rigs for a few hours a year. If there's space fior them, best to keep it simple with batteries.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
My arthritis still has me working on my workbench so I started piddling around with my train cameras again. I ordered a new SQ23 and it is still on the slow boat from China.I got to looking to see if I could fit a cube camera in a locomotive. I have several Proto E8s sitting around (don't particularly like them) and after getting into one I found out there is room for an SQ8 inside the Proto E8, if you want to put some elbow grease to it.I chopped a fairly large chunk out of the front frame and the SQ8 fits perfect.I did the initial cuts with a Dremel cutoff disk then the ⅜” metal cutter.I finished angling the remaining frame pieces with an 8” metal file.I used Amazing Goop to attach the SQ8 to the frame.The Proto shell just drops on the frame.If you make the shell so it’s easily removable it can be removed to have access to the camera controls and SD card. The micro USB connector is easily accessed for charging the onboard battery.I can pull the shell without disturbing the frame or wheels on the track to press the control buttons on the SQ8.The SQ23 that hasn’t arrived is a bit larger and I’m not sure it will fit inside the E8.Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.