Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger? - Hotwire! Hardware Mods, Accessories and Insights - CHDK Forum

Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?

  • 13 Replies
  • 6537 Views
Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« on: 27 / May / 2015, 03:42:45 »
Advertisements
Hi

I have built a book scanner and need to build a dual usb trigger for my two Canon A1400s.

I plan to attach two mini usb cables from the cameras to the usb splitter below:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121284805271?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I plan to trigger the cameras using a usb foot pedal: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261319744510?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

This leaves the issue of power. It seems to be the consensus that a max of 3v can be used to trigger one A1400. I had thought of using a 6v battery as a power source.

However, I would also like to explore the option of using a mains power source. I have very basic electronic skills, but was wondering whether it might be possible to use a unit like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/350971579267?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

By hacking a mains unit, I wouldn't have the replace batteries on a regular basis.

Would such a set-up a) work, b) be safe, or would I be better off just using a battery?

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #1 on: 27 / May / 2015, 08:50:57 »
I plan to attach two mini usb cables from the cameras to the usb splitter below:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121284805271?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
That device also contains a power supply to convert +12V to +5V.   I'm pretty sure you don't want to do that.

You might want to look at this wiki page :  USB Remote : Links

Quote
I plan to trigger the cameras using a usb foot pedal: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261319744510?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
That foot pedal is designed to plug into a computer and includes circuitry to allow it to act like the button on a mouse.  I'm not sure you really need that unless you intend to attach it to your computer and trigger the cameras in software (see CHDKptp).


Quote
This leaves the issue of power. It seems to be the consensus that a max of 3v can be used to trigger one A1400. I had thought of using a 6v battery as a power source.
The USB connections are wired in parallel.  So you only need a total of 3V - not 6V.  The camera USB ports are expecting 5V but anything over 3V usually works okay on most cameras.

Quote
However, I would also like to explore the option of using a mains power source. I have very basic electronic skills, but was wondering whether it might be possible to use a unit like this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/350971579267?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0
I'd suggest looking for something similar in the 3.5V to 5V range - the closer to 5V the better.

Quote
By hacking a mains unit, I wouldn't have the replace batteries on a regular basis.
USB remote batteries tend to last for the normal shelf life of the battery ( i.e. many years).  The only time current is drawn is when the switch is closed to request a shot.  And even then the amount of current drawn is negligible.

Quote
Would such a set-up a) work, b) be safe, or would I be better off just using a battery?
Assuming you wire it up correctly and get the voltage correct, it would be perfectly safe.  Using batteries (3xAA cells) might be more convenient and one less thing plugged in the wall.
Ported :   A1200    SD940   G10    Powershot N    G16

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #2 on: 27 / May / 2015, 09:39:10 »
waterwingz, thanks for your incredibly helpful (and patient) post. Just to check, would it be OK to use the usb splitter I've bought below (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121284805271?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT) using 3xAA batteries, or would it be better to buy one without a power supply, e.g. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-USB-2-0-A-Male-to-2-Dual-Female-Jack-Y-Splitter-Hub-Power-Cord-Adapter-Cable-/331446802582?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d2bc4d896

Many thanks

Cris

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #3 on: 27 / May / 2015, 10:13:22 »
Just to check, would it be OK to use the usb splitter I've bought below using 3xAA batteries,
The one you bought has a power supply built into it that converts 12V to 5V.  So you need to supply it with 12V through a switch.   


Quote
or would it be better to buy one without a power supply,
That would be my recommendation.
Ported :   A1200    SD940   G10    Powershot N    G16

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #4 on: 27 / May / 2015, 10:16:56 »
Hi, that's great, I'll do so accordingly. Or I guess I could cut the cable before it reaches the 12v to 5v converter?

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #5 on: 27 / May / 2015, 10:27:26 »
Hi, that's great, I'll do so accordingly. Or I guess I could cut the cable before it reaches the 12v to 5v converter?
That would work too.   If you already have that unit then you might as well do just that.
Ported :   A1200    SD940   G10    Powershot N    G16

*

Offline zeno

  • *****
  • 891
Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #6 on: 27 / May / 2015, 11:37:18 »
While I understand why you want to use a foot pedal, I think the hardware you are looking at will not do what you want (unless, as Waterwingz says) you plan to use chdpptp to control the cameras. That foot pedal does not turn the power on and off - it sends usb signals.

As I see it, you just need a way of sending a 5v pulse to two usb sockets at the same time. This is exactly what people who use CHDK or SDM to take stereo photo need and there's at least one person who makes the sort of switches they need - Frans van der Kamp. You can see the sort of switches he sells here - look for the ones for SDM which have two usb sockets attached..
A570, S100, Ixus 127
Author of ASSIST, STICK, WASP, ACID, SDMInst, LICKS, WICKS, MacBoot, UBDB, CFGEdit

Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #7 on: 27 / May / 2015, 11:52:39 »
The problem with using the cables from a stereo camera rig is that they tend to be short (as the cameras are close together). A book scanner haa a much wider separation.
Ported :   A1200    SD940   G10    Powershot N    G16

*

Offline zeno

  • *****
  • 891
Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #8 on: 27 / May / 2015, 18:10:52 »
True WW, but I think Frans will make switches to order with whatever length cable you ask for.
A570, S100, Ixus 127
Author of ASSIST, STICK, WASP, ACID, SDMInst, LICKS, WICKS, MacBoot, UBDB, CFGEdit

Re: Dual Canon A1400 USB Trigger using mobile charger?
« Reply #9 on: 27 / May / 2015, 19:40:41 »
Hi, that's great, I'll do so accordingly. Or I guess I could cut the cable before it reaches the 12v to 5v converter?
By the way,  if you really want a foot pedal switch then something like this for £1.99 is probably more appropriate than what you posted :

link > New 1PCS Foot Switch Electric Power SPDT FootSwitch TFS-201 Pedal Control

Ported :   A1200    SD940   G10    Powershot N    G16

 

Related Topics


SimplePortal © 2008-2014, SimplePortal