TBS Tiny LEDs Realpit FPV VTX Power Switch

Here’s one of those clever little products that you wouldn’t be without once you’ve used one. It’s essentially a switch that you can control from your flight controller. The obvious application is to use it to turn on/off power to your racing drone’s FPV video transmitter. VTXs work most efficiently when there is airflow keeping them cool, so the Realpit lets you turn the VTX off when you aren’t moving to save it from burning up. Equally if you enjoy LOS flying you can use the Realpit Switch to turn off your VTX to save power. The switch can also be used to control other accessires, anything up to 1A so another use for it would be to control some LEDs.

The switch is easy to install, all you need is a spare UART.

Please note that the switch does not regulate the output voltage so that the voltage supplied to pin “Batt+” will be the same as outputted at pin “VTX+”. If your VTX requires a 5V input, make sure the input voltage is 5v.

FEATURES

• Plug in your VTx at any time with 0 power start-up
• Turn off your VTx on the line to avoid heat buildup
• Fast Team Race Pit stops (Sub second transitions possible)
• Compatible with all major VTxs
• Turn off VTx during races to test hover builds without interfering with other pilots in the air.
• Turn off VTx after Crash for clean video for other racers.
• Solo Endurance Races, 3 quads ready on the line. Practice for more than 1 pack without taking off goggles. (Instructions on how to setup on OpenTX / Spektrum Coming soon)
• LED Indicator light on board. (Light On Power On)
• Can be used on any pad on Flight Controller.
• Does not need a full UART.
• I.E.: SmartAudio/Tramp on TX and RX for RealPit PinIO
• Up to 4 RealPits per quad. This opens the possibility for LEDs, and VTX, and any other device you can imagine.
• Toggle LED Power or any other devices under 1 amp draw.

CURRENTLY SUPPORTED SOFTWARE

• Betaflight (PinIO 3.3.x or Greater)
• Butterflight (PinIO)
• FlightOne 1.2.x + (VTXPRWTOGGLE) Notes: FlightOne Does not support ZERO power on. VTX will blip for a micro second prior to turning back off.

BetaFlight Settings:

In CLI:

Type RESOURCE

Locate UART TX/RX pad resource ID you are using.  We wired to RX4 in this demo. RX4 is A01  Note the name of resource and ID.

Next we will clear that pad from its assigned resource.

Next we need to assign the Resource ID to the Custom Mode switch. Using the Resource ID from above. “A01”

Type  SAVE  in CLI and then press enter. Your FC will reboot after applying changes. 

Now go to Modes and Assign an AUX channel to the USER1 mode. Just like an arm or turtle mode switch. Click SAVE.

Now flip the switch and test. A RED LED will be lit on RealPit if your are providing power.