3D Printed LabRadar Anti-Rotation Arca Mount

[David Lepley]

All,

Tired of my LabRadar coming lose from tripod plate so I 3D printed an Arca mount for it. Happy to provide the STL if anyone is interested.

-Dave

 

[tfc]

That would be great, I could use the STL. What were your settings?

 

[PBero]

Great work. How to get this STL file? I need one what is a length of screw ?
Thank you.

 

[David Lepley]

All, to update, the first version was a bit on the "loose" side and still allowed screw to work loose. I am printing this version now with a tighter fitment to the taper at base of LabRadar as well as extension wings that will allow for a cable tie to reinforce.

 

[PBero]

Thank you. You save my time.

 

[David Lepley]

BTW, to add I printed in PLA with it sitting “tall” ways. 30% fill, no support, 210/60C

 

[PBero]

I planning to print it in PETG.
Yesterday I started make profile I think this device needs also corners more secure, something like kid's tablet cover .

 

[David Lepley]

Much more better! The taper dimensions I used in the “tall” version are pretty good to give you a bit of preload on the 1/4-20 screw. With a ARCA rail, a sight, and a usable power supply it’s almost half as good as it could be.

Next mod is going to have me opening it up and permanently adding external power connection, and maybe even have a look at the basic operation and see if there is anyway to do more.

Anyone know of anyone poking around the firmware or hardware at all?

 

[PBero]

Good idea about external power, you will need some stepdown schema 12v-->5v, $5 + $1 socket.
Battery compartment

 

[PBero]

labradar has 6AA battery in series.. 9 volt. that means it has its own stepdown schema. and only socket is needed for external power. tomorrow will see inside.

 

[David Lepley]

I studied the board in detail, was able to test some things, and have photos of PCB. Will upload shortly.

 

[PBero]

Great. I have my friends device and waiting for mine.

 

[David Lepley]

All,

Some photos and details of the architecture of the labRadar.

I don't have time for a complete explanation of all that I discovered but will say that from what I have seen you can connect anywhere from 5-12V to the terminals of the "battery compartment" and supply external power better than through the micro USB. I plan to 3D print a housing for a 7.4V Lipo pack and permanently replace the internal AA with a rechargeable pack.


Photos below:

1)Pre teardown

2)Internals, hidden screw under holographic sticker near tripod mount.

3) Others photos

 

[PBero]

Great. thank you.
What you think ebout external power voltage is more convenient? 9v 12v? ...

 

[PBero]

I think there are (1+1+1)x(1+1+1) battery. 3.6 to 4.5 volts.

 

[David Lepley]

No, from what I saw they are 6 in series for 9V nominal terminal voltage. You can see in the photo that it picks off 9V from the two ends of the 9V series stack, if you had 2X 3 in series you would need a different connection scheme. Also, from what I can see the "battery too low to activate radar" message is not based on absolute terminal voltage as with a lab supply connected it never displayed that message regardless of voltage.

I am just planning to run a 7.4V lipo strait into the battery terminals.

 

[David Lepley]

Also, the formed threads that mount the PCBs are very fragile. Tighten very gently, by hand.

 

[PBero]

first i thought about 9 volt and wrote above. but in your picture it has two point for minus and plus. can you fill compartment with batterys and measure ? i cant wait my labradar to open. one week more 7.4 -8.4 is good v in case of 9v.

on second picture is power box. for 18650 waterproof. two oitputs 8.4 and 5 volts.

 

[strikeeagle1]

It's fun to fabricate but for others, why not remove the mfg. plate and install a universal ARCA plate to the unit. Done. What am I missing?

I changed the factory plate to a non-arca style (using a low profile hex fastener) early with its use on a different tripod setup as well as remove the mfg. tripod legs to mount on a range table. I found the factory set up too flimsy too.

 

[David Lepley]

first i thought about 9 volt and wrote above. but in your picture it has two point for minus and plus. can you fill compartment with batterys and measure ? i cant wait my labradar to open. one week more 7.4 -8.4 is good v in case of 9v.

on second picture is power box. for 18650 waterproof. two oitputs 8.4 and 5 volts.

Your right, I was in a rush when I tore it open. I will say that the input regulator is good to more than 4.5V

 

[David Lepley]

It's fun to fabricate but for others, why not remove the mfg. plate and install a universal ARCA plate to the unit. Done. What am I missing?

I changed the factory plate to a non-arca style (using a low profile hex fastener) early with its use on a different tripod setup as well as remove the mfg. tripod legs to mount on a range table. I found the factory set up too flimsy too.

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View attachment 8052159

I had a setup exactly like that for a year, worked loose every time I used it.

I am not unique in the issue as others have made similar devices. GrayOpsCNC

 

[PBero]

It's fun to fabricate but for others, why not remove the mfg. plate and install a universal ARCA plate to the unit. Done. What am I missing?

I changed the factory plate to a non-arca style (using a low profile hex fastener) early with its use on a different tripod setup as well as remove the mfg. tripod legs to mount on a range table. I found the factory set up too flimsy too.

Yes you are right. Labradar is big device and rotates ,( arca on that flat bottom rotates), and to fix we apply more force on arca screw. we have arca but it is more stable than flat one.
I like your tripod ball on table setup.

 

[strikeeagle1]

.......one can add a dab of blue loctite on the brass fitting in the housing thread mount feature..

I found the recoil of the rifle on that simple table transferred to the tripod legs that quickly desired to walk off the table top, so a direct thru-table bolt with wide washer underneath was a simplistic solution. I use a JKL Precision sensor so Plan B is to use the chronometer tripod mounted adjacent to shooting position if preferred.

 

[PBero]

Hi. After you post I made recoil trigger from scrap and it works

 

[David Lepley]

Hi. After you post I made recoil trigger from scrap and it works

Which type of recoil trigger?

 

[PBero]

Amazon product ASIN B00M1PMYCE
I've unsoldered (?) it from schema

now waiting for

Amazon product ASIN B07S9KRCC2



You know i have added two side scotch tape for arca as a shim for whole inside surface and my arca rail it not moving at all.

 

[Maurygold]

Which type of recoil trigger?

It’s a motion detection trigger for labradar to detect shots. Very nice if suppressed or on a busy firing line.

THE ORIGINAL Piet Recoil Trigger for LabRadar

Labradar triggers now come in Orange or Black unless a special order Is made. Connect with me at [email protected]

pietrecoiltrigger.com

 

[PBero]

It’s a motion detection trigger for labradar to detect shots. Very nice if suppressed or on a busy firing line.

THE ORIGINAL Piet Recoil Trigger for LabRadar

Labradar triggers now come in Orange or Black unless a special order Is made. Connect with me at [email protected]

pietrecoiltrigger.com

and for 22lr

 

[PBero]

Hi.
On 12 kg rifle, 6 mm dasher , my sensor (above) does not work, need something more sensitive .