10 KiB
RemoteRig — Camera Node Hardware Design
Version: 0.3.0 | Status: v4 CAD prototype ready for measurement/print validation Target: GoPro Hero 3 Black/Silver + ESP32-C3 Super Mini + ESP-01S + USB power bank
Overview
Each camera node is two ESP boards in a small upright stand-mounted case. The case does not attach to the camera; it straps to a tripod/lighting stand with reusable cloth zip ties / Velcro straps. Powered by a standard USB power bank.
┌─────────────────┐
│ USB Power Bank │
│ (off-the-shelf)│
└────────┬────────┘
│ USB-C cable into bottom USB-C female input
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Camera Node Case v4 │ ← Velcro/cloth straps to stand
│ ┌──────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Flush/recessed service lid │ │
│ │ 1.3 OLED: CAM/REC/BAT/LINK │ │
│ │ PWR LED + RGB STAT LED │ │
│ │ Small rocker power switch │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────┘ │
│ ESP-01S camera bridge ↔ ESP32-C3 │
│ side USB-A female power output ────┼── USB cable ──→ GoPro power
└─────────────────────────────────────┘
Bill of Materials
| Item | Qty | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ESP32-C3 Super Mini | 1 | ~$4–$6 | MQTT / hub-side bridge; known board envelope 22.5 × 18 mm |
| ESP-01S / ESP8266 module | 1 | ~$2–$3 | Camera-side GoPro Wi-Fi bridge; known envelope ~24.7 × 14.3 × 12 mm |
| 1.3-inch OLED/status screen | 1 | ~$4–$8 | Prototype CAD assumes ~31 × 16 mm visible window / ~37 × 22 mm panel recess; confirm exact module |
| 3 mm power LED | 1 | <$1 | Separate always-power/5V indicator |
| 3 mm RGB status LED | 1 | <$1 | Replaces separate red/green status LEDs; firmware can map node states to color |
| Small rocker switch | 1 | ~$1–$3 | On/off switch; prototype CAD assumes 13 × 19 mm snap-in opening |
| USB-C female panel/breakout connector | 1 | ~$1–$4 | Bottom power input; prototype CAD assumes ~10.5 × 4.5 mm rounded visible opening plus shallow underside recess; measure purchased part |
| USB-A female panel/breakout connector | 1 | ~$1–$4 | Right-side GoPro power passthrough output; prototype CAD assumes ~16 × 8 mm side opening; measure purchased part |
| USB power bank (5000 mAh+) | 1 | ~$10 | Powers camera node and GoPro |
| Short USB cables / wiring | as needed | ~$2–$5 | Power bank → node USB-C input; node 5 V passthrough → USB-A female → GoPro USB cable; internal power/signal wiring |
| M2 or small self-tapping screws | 4 | <$1 | Front service lid screws; pilot holes are parametric |
| PETG filament | ~35–50 g | ~$1 | 3D printed case body + lid |
| Reusable cloth zip ties / Velcro straps | 2 | ~$1 | Primary stand mount through rear strap channels |
Total per node: roughly ~$25–$35 plus GoPro and power bank, depending on display/switch choice.
3D Printed Case
Current source: hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4.scad
Pipeline: hardware/DESIGN_PIPELINE.md
The current v4 CAD replaces the rejected wide/low electronics-box layout with a tall appliance-style enclosure matching the original upright reference: a clean vertical body, large inset front panel, OLED near the top, open blank middle area, two long rounded lower slots, a bottom USB-C female power input, and a right-side USB-A female passthrough power port for the GoPro. It also replaces the v3 clamp/dovetail concept with a simpler strap-mounted field enclosure:
- Case body — shell sized around ESP32-C3 Super Mini + ESP-01S with service/wiring clearance.
- Flush/recessed full-height front service lid — screw-on front panel with locating lip and a restrained raised/recessed border.
- Front panel controls/indicators:
- 1.3-inch OLED/status screen window.
- 3 mm PWR LED.
- single 3 mm RGB STAT LED for state-dependent colors.
- small rectangular rocker switch cutout.
- two long rounded lower front slots styled after the reference appliance face.
- Rear strap channels — two low-profile external belt-loop cloth zip-tie / Velcro strap paths to reduce rotation on a tripod/stand without visually dominating the body.
- USB power ports — bottom USB-C female power input and right-side USB-A female passthrough power output for a GoPro USB power cable.
Export wrappers
Simple per-part OpenSCAD wrappers are included:
hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-body.scadhardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-lid.scadhardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-preview.scadhardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-front-review.scad
Example CLI exports, if OpenSCAD is installed:
openscad -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-body.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-body.scad
openscad -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-lid.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-lid.scad
openscad -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-preview.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-preview.scad
openscad -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-front-review.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-front-review.scad
Or render the main file directly:
openscad -D 'part="body"' -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-body.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4.scad
openscad -D 'part="lid"' -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-lid.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4.scad
openscad -D 'part="preview"' -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-preview.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4.scad
openscad -D 'part="front_review"' -o hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4-front-review.stl hardware/case/camera-node-case-v4.scad
camera-node-case-v4-preview.stl is the seated fit-check assembly. camera-node-case-v4-front-review.stl is a non-print review layout with the body and front panel separated/angled so the OLED, LED, rocker, USB connector, and lower-slot cutouts are obvious in a slicer.
Print Settings
- Material: PETG preferred for heat/outdoor use and strap-tab durability.
- Layer: 0.2 mm typical.
- Infill: 20% gyroid minimum; 30%+ recommended around rear strap bridges.
- Supports: likely minimal/none depending on orientation; verify rear strap bridge spans and USB-C/USB-A port cutouts in slicer.
- Post-processing: fit 4 lid screws; deburr OLED/LED/switch cutouts; soften strap-channel edges if the printed radius is too sharp for cloth ties.
Expected Status Screen Content
Preferred 1.3-inch OLED layout/content style:
CAM 03 REC ●
BAT 87% LINK OK
00:12:34
Suggested fields:
CAM/ node ID.RECstate with a clear recording indicator.- Battery percentage or supply estimate.
LINK OK/ degraded / disconnected state.- Recording/session timer.
Wiring
USB Power Bank
└── USB-C cable → bottom USB-C female input on Camera Node Case
├── rocker switch → node power rail
├── PWR LED indicator
├── ESP32-C3 Super Mini
├── ESP-01S / ESP8266
├── 1.3-inch OLED display
├── RGB status LED
└── 5 V passthrough rail → side USB-A female output
└── USB cable → GoPro USB port
(power only — no data)
UART / control inside case:
ESP-01S TX ──→ ESP32-C3 RX
ESP-01S RX ←── ESP32-C3 TX
ESP-01S GND ─── ESP32-C3 GND
Power note: exact wiring depends on the regulator/power board used. Confirm OLED voltage, LED current limiting, and whether the rocker switches USB 5 V input or a regulated node rail.
Wi-Fi Topology
GoPro Hero 3 ──(AP @ 10.5.5.1)──→ ESP-01S / ESP8266 camera bridge
│
UART │ (inside case)
│
Travel Router ──(AP)────────────────────→ ESP32-C3 MQTT bridge
(10.60.1.1) │
│
MQTT │
▼
Pi Hub (10.60.1.56)
The ESP8266/ESP-01S and GoPro talk over Wi-Fi. The only cable to the GoPro is USB power from the case side USB-A passthrough port.
Field Setup
- Mount GoPro on tripod/stand.
- Route two reusable cloth zip ties / Velcro straps through the rear v4 case channels.
- Strap the case to a tripod/stand leg; use both strap paths to resist rotation.
- Connect the power bank to the case bottom USB-C input; connect the GoPro USB power cable to the case side USB-A passthrough output.
- Toggle rocker switch on.
- Verify PWR LED, RGB status LED, and OLED status: camera ID, REC state, battery, link, timer.
- Monitor from
http://10.60.1.56:8080.
Case Dimensions
Prototype v4 nominal CAD dimensions:
| Part / feature | W × D × H (mm) |
|---|---|
| Case shell external | ~56 × 36 × 82 |
| Case with rear strap bridges | ~56 × 40 × 82 |
| Front recessed lid | visible panel ~48 × 2 × 74; total with locating lip ~48 × 3 × 74 |
| OLED visible window assumption | ~31 × 16 |
| Rocker cutout assumption | ~13 × 19 |
| Bottom USB-C power input cutout | ~10.5 × 4.5 opening with ~18 × 10 shallow underside recess |
| Right-side USB-A passthrough cutout | ~16 Y/front-back × 8 Z opening through side wall |
| Rear strap channels | two low-profile external belt-loop paths, ~33 mm usable slot width, ~4.2 mm strap-thickness clearance |
| Board clearance targets | ESP32-C3 22.5 × 18 mm + ESP-01S 24.7 × 14.3 × 12 mm plus wiring/service clearance |
These dimensions are placeholders for the first CAD prototype. Measure the actual OLED module, rocker switch, LEDs, screws, USB-C/USB-A connector flanges and body depths, USB cable bend radius, and strap width/thickness before committing to production prints.