DIY Zipline Cam

NastyNick

NastyNick

Member
After seeing the use of ziplines in a few vids; I thought I'd try to make my own.
The first dolly I came up with, was just for a GoPro camera; but i'm currently working on a HDSLR mount and some sweet gadgetry for controling the unit. Below you will find some pics of the dolly and a quick vid of some test runs.

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The bars that the wheels mount to, are slotted to allow the dolly to easily be mounted or dismounted from the line.
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When the dolly is mounted on the line, the wheels are recessed to capture the line and prevent the dolly from falling.
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The third wheel is for applying resistance to the line, so you can slow the dolly if needed.
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This is a quick vid of some test runs on a 200ft long, 3mm dia. cable.
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1759611503175
 
wow, thats actually way smoother than other cable cam rigs we have seen on this forum. What was the camera on the bottom? How heavy was it?
 
treynolds said:
wow, thats actually way smoother than other cable cam rigs we have seen on this forum. What was the camera on the bottom? How heavy was it?
Click to expand...

Thanks, this is just my first attempt. I'm working on a R/C version with an HDSLR mount right now. The camera that i used was a HD GoPro, set at 1280x960. I'm not sure on the weight of the camera; but i'm sure you could find it on their website. They are pretty light weight though. Its hard to hand release the dolly, without any wobble. So i'm working on resolving that issue also.
 
Yeah i was really just wondering if it was a GoPro or a smaller HDV camera or a big camera like a Z1u or a DSLR. Im not surprised to learn that it was a GoPro and i know about how much that weighs. It produces some really great footage. Perfect for what your shooting. Nice work.
 
Very cool! Nice to see another person with a cable cam interest. Just some input, make the two main(top) wheels a bit further spread apart, to help distribute the weight over a larger area. And the middle(tension) wheel, in the middle. It will help give the same amount of traction to both wheels. I can' t give to many details on mine since im just finishing the Final Version, but it's a dual line setup, so mine can go super FAST! :Drogar-Mark-10(DBG) And is very nice balanced, as I want to take mine a bit further than just the usuall Cable Cam. NICE Work Tho! Really Like it! :thumbsup:
 
Is your dual line system gravity power or a driven unit?
The reason the wheels on my first dolly weren't further apart, is because I was going for a compact system that would fit in my bikers hydration pack. My R/C unit is quite different from the micro gravity fed one. Are 2 lines "required" when reaching high speed or quick acceleration?
 
Mine is a battery powered driven unit. Two lines are required when reaching high speeds or quick acceleration, though it would be able to accelerate fast, just not as fast as a dual line setup, and I didn't want to have to balance the pan tilt roll unit I'm going to have hooked up to it. And needed to distribute the weight over a larger area.
And great I like the portability of your gravity one, and is quite smooth I have to say. Do you have pictures of your rc unit?
 
Yeah, it was a good learning and R&D session. We found a couple issues to address. Version 2.0 is going to be rediculous!!!!

 
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Sweet! Are you going to make it for ur 5D? If so cant wait to see what ideas you have.

Im only waiting for a few parts to arrive and I only have a few other "major" parts I need machined. Goal is to have it done by end of the month. But I started 8 months ago.lol In the end itll definatly be worth it.
 
what type of drive system are you using? I'm toying with a larger motor and direct drive to the urethane wheel. I've come up with a solution to the swaying issue; pretty excited to see how it works. Supposedly will hold the dolly steady even in strong wind.
 
nasty nick,
have you finished the final version? I'd like to see photos and footage if u have anything recent!
 
no, the final product is not complete. we're testing a different and larger drive system; as well as stabalizing electronics, and an FPV system. I'll post something as soon as there is a final version.
 
Im using a large 3" length motor, with about 3HP. And a transmission to drive-shaft output. Ive tested with urethane wheels, and they dont work well. Especially with a lot of weight they spin, then catch grip which tears up the rope. As I assume your using stainless steel w/ nylon coating? I have a new wheel design that im going to patent soon. Maybe this is something that may be of your interest.

Your electric stabalizer sounds interesting. That took me a few weeks to perfect. About your direct drive, I wouldnt prefer that, as you need some kind of gearing to produce the rite amount of torqure to horsepower, so you dont strip out your gears fast. But you seem like you know what your doing, let me know how things go! Nice to see someone else with ambition on something like this.
 
My drive wheel is a 80A durometer urethane on aluminum hub; the line I have been using is a Metolius Climbing, 3mm static accessory line. With this combo, I have not expirienced and slipping between drive wheel and the line; but We have noticed some slipping between the drive shive and urethane drive wheel. Hence the reason for direct drive. I can see your argument against direct drive, but there are some spectacularly high torque brushless motors. The one we are currently working with, is 2.75 long by 1.80 in diameter. Not sure on the horse power rating, but it will turn 1400rpm per volt applied under no load. Drop that by 50% in working conditions and load, coupled with a smaller drive wheel, and we feel like we could have a pretty decent system. Don't know till ya try though. Our goal is to produce a simple to use, easy to set up, and compact/portable.

Can you seriously patent a wheel profile? Or is it a mechanical system that you're patenting? Very cool, like to know a little more.
 
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