RemoteRig — Camera Node Hardware Design

Version: 0.2.0 | Status: Draft
Target: GoPro Hero 3 Black/Silver + ESP-01S/ESP8266 + ESP32-C3 Super Mini + USB power bank

Overview

Each camera node is two ESP boards in a small case that clips to the tripod/stand. The case does not attach to the camera — only to the stand. Powered by a standard USB power bank.

     ┌─────────────────┐
     │  USB Power Bank │── USB ──→ GoPro (power only)
     │  (off-the-shelf)│── USB ──→ ESP32 + ESP8266 (shared)
     └─────────────────┘
              │
     ┌────────┴────────┐
     │  Tripod Case    │ ← clips to stand leg
     │  ┌────────────┐ │
     │  │ ESP8266    │ │ ← Wi-Fi → GoPro AP (10.5.5.1)
     │  │ (camera)   │ │
     │  ├────────────┤ │ ← UART between boards
     │  │ ESP32      │ │ ← Wi-Fi → Travel Router
     │  │ (MQTT)     │ │
     │  └────────────┘ │
     └─────────────────┘

Bill of Materials

Item	Qty	Cost	Notes
ESP32-C3 Super Mini	1	~$5	MQTT bridge — talks to hub; board footprint 22.5 × 18.0mm
ESP-01S / ESP8266	1	~$3	Camera bridge — talks to GoPro; module envelope 24.7 × 14.3 × 12.0mm
USB power bank (5000mAh+)	1	~$10	Powers both boards + GoPro
Micro-USB cable (short)	2	~$2	Power bank → boards + GoPro
Jumper wires F-F	3	~$0.25	UART TX/RX/GND between boards
PETG filament	~25g	~$0.50	3D printed case
Velcro strap (small)	1	~$0.25	Secure power bank to stand

Total per node: ~$21 (+ GoPro already owned)

3D Printed Case

Current source: hardware/case/tripod-case-v3.scad Pipeline: hardware/DESIGN_PIPELINE.md

Four exported prototype files:

Case body — holds both boards side-by-side with extra wiring/service clearance, cable ports, rear mounting boss
Case lid — screw-on cover with ventilation and underside locating lip for flush seating
Tripod clamp — separate screw-tightened C-clamp sized around a 35mm stand/pole
Full preview — combined visualization STL only, not intended as the print job

Print Settings

Material: PETG preferred for heat/outdoor use and clamp flex
Layer: 0.2mm | Infill: 20% gyroid minimum; 35%+ recommended for clamp
Supports: Likely yes for clamp ears / dovetail overhangs depending on slicer orientation
Post-processing: M3x8mm screws for lid (4x), one M3 screw + M3 nut for clamp tightening

Wiring

USB Power Bank
  ├── USB-A → Micro-USB cable → ESP32 USB port
  │                              (powers ESP32, shared 5V rail)
  │
  ├── USB-A → Micro-USB cable → GoPro USB port
  │                              (power only — no data)
  │
  └── (ESP8266 powered via ESP32 3.3V pin, or via shared USB)

UART (inside case):
  ESP8266 TX (GPIO1)  ──→ ESP32 RX (GPIO16)
  ESP8266 RX (GPIO3)  ←── ESP32 TX (GPIO17)
  ESP8266 GND ─────────── ESP32 GND

Power note: Both boards can be powered from a single USB cable if the ESP32's VIN/5V pin is bridged to the ESP8266's VIN. Alternatively, use a USB Y-splitter cable.

Wi-Fi Topology

GoPro Hero 3 ──(AP @ 10.5.5.1)──→ ESP8266 (camera bridge)
                                        │
                                   UART │ (inside case)
                                        │
Travel Router ──(AP)─────────────────→ ESP32 (MQTT bridge)
(10.60.1.1)                           │
                                        │
                                   MQTT │
                                        ▼
                                   Pi Hub (10.60.1.56)

The ESP8266 and GoPro talk over Wi-Fi — no data cable between them. The only cable to the GoPro is USB power from the battery pack.

Field Setup

Mount GoPro on tripod/stand
Clip case to tripod leg
Connect power bank via USB to case + GoPro
Power on — ESP32 auto-connects to travel router, ESP8266 auto-connects to GoPro
Monitor from http://10.60.1.56:8080

Case Dimensions

	W × D × H (mm)
Board envelope basis	ESP32-C3 Super Mini: 22.5 × 18.0; ESP-01S: 24.7 × 14.3 × 12.0
Internal CAD allowance	~71.2 × 34.0 × 22.0; intentionally includes wiring gutters and vertical connector clearance
Case body external	~76.0 × 42.6 × 26.0 including rear mount boss depth; main shell ~76.0 × 38.8 × 26.0
Lid external	~76.0 × 38.8 × 3.6; includes 1.6mm underside locating lip
Tripod clamp	~43.0 × 53.5 × 16.0
Clamp-to-case mount	Two side-by-side M3 screws through flat mounting plate
Clamp pole fit	Nominal 35mm; smaller poles TBD / may need inserts
Total weight	TBD after prototype print

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