Flexible IR camera mount for raspberry pi

This is a collection of different infrared camera mounts. It is designed for the “typical” cheap raspberry pi ribbon infrared camera. The hole spacing of the original M2 screws is 21 mm, see the drawing for dimensions. The mount has a hinge which allows you to tilt the camera.

This IR mount collection offers several variants to mount the camera depending on your needs. You can find details in the “Models provided” section. In addition to that I have a recommendation to reconfigure and optimize the power supply for the infra red lights. You can find details in the “Recommendation - Reconfigure power supply” section.

This design is part of my frame, bracket and holder collection for various boards and components: https://www.printables.com/@a123qwertz567/collections/2632544

Models provided

Depending on the way you want to mount the camera you have to print different parts. 

• Wall mount
  • Short version 30mm
  • Long version 40mm
• Camera plate, holds camera in original configuration or camera alone.
• Single separated plate, holds camera and IR lights separately (wiring needed) 
• IR light plate, holds IR light alone (wiring needed)

Parts needed

Print the parts required for your setup. For every mounting plate you use you will need to print a wall mount and get the required hardware. You will require the following parts:

• Wall mount:
  • 1x M3x30 screw
  • 3x M3 washer d_out=14mm
  • 1x M3 hex nut
• Camera plate
  • Original hardware should be usable
    • 2x M2x6-8 screw 
    • 2x M2 hex nuts
    • 2x M2 washers
• Single separated plate
  • Original hardware should be usable
    • 2x M2x6-8 screw 
    • 2x M2 hex nuts
    • 2x M2 washers
  • 2x zip tie max 2mm wide 
• IR light plate
  • 1x zip tie max 2mm wide

Assembly

• Wall mount:
  • Insert the M5 screw with a washer through the mount and the plate.
  • Insert the M5 washers between mount and plate.
  • Fix and tighten with M5 screw.
  • The wall mount can be fixed with double sided tape or screws.
• Camera plate
  • Insert nuts in back of camera plate.
  • Mount camera on plate.
  • Make sure the IR lights are making proper contact.
  • Install rest of original hardware.
• IR light plate
  • Modify IR light for separate power supply, details below.
  • Place IR light in plate and fix with zip tie.
  • You might remove the PCB from the lens to tighten the zip tie.
• Single separated plate
  • Mount camera as described above
  • Mount IR lights as described above
  • Original hardware should be usable

Recommendation - Reconfigure power supply

As you can see from the pictures I reconfigured the power supply to the infrared lights, because the lights can cause the raspberry pis internal voltage to drop. The reason is that the flex cable cameras on the pi runs with 3,3V from the internal 5V to 3,3V power converter. On the typical IR camera modules the IR lights are supplied directly from the camera, thus drawing power from the 3,3V rail. The IR lights draw around 2W (2x1W) which seems to be much for the 3,3V rail.

This is why I use a step down converter to convert 5V from the pi mains power supply to 3,3V and wire the IR lights directly to the step down converter. Of course you can do this with 24V as well. I recommend to wire one light to the step down converter and the bridge with a female connector to the next light. I recommend a female connector so you can leave it unconnected without risking a short.

This solution has some additional benefits:

• No more low voltage faults on the pi
• Allows easy integration of a relay to manually switch the lights
• Flexible positioning of the lights for better IR light in your enclosure
• The automatic brightness detection of the IR lights is still available

Print instructions:

• Recommended layer height 0,2 mm
• No supports needed

I would be happy to see some of your makes posted :)

Source files in the Alibre Atom format is available but the website does not allow the upload. If you need it send me a message.