Wombat - DIY Night Vision System

A collaborative DIY night vision project combining thermal imaging and near-infrared vision capabilities for tactical helmet mounting.

Project Overview

This project creates a dual-sensor night vision system using:

• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH - Main processing unit
• Pi NoIR 12MP Camera - Near-infrared imaging sensor
• Thermal Imaging Camera - Heat signature detection
• 5000mAh Battery - Portable power solution
• Tactical Helmet Mount - Hands-free operation

Key Features

• Dual-sensor night vision (thermal + near-infrared)
• Helmet-mounted for hands-free operation
• Portable battery-powered system
• Raspberry Pi-based for customization and development

Hardware Components

Complete Parts List

Core Components

• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH - Pre Soldered Header, Quad-Core 1GHz CPU, 512MB RAM, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth
• Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3 NoIR - 12MP 75 Degree Infrared Lens
• Adafruit MLX90640 IR Thermal Camera Breakout - Thermal imaging sensor
• 11.1V LiPo Battery 5000mAh 3S 100C - Rechargeable with XH & XT60 Connector
• Quanum Cyclops V2 FPV Goggles System - 5" 800x480 Display Built-in Receiver

Power & Connectivity

• DC 12V/24V to 5V USB C Step Down Converter - Type-C Interface 5A 25W Waterproof Buck Module
• LiPo Battery Charger 2S-3S RC Balance Charger - AC 7.4-11.1V 10W
• Tiny OTG Adapter - USB Micro to USB
• Angled 2.5mm Male to 3.5mm Female Audio Cable - Headphone Adapter

Accessories & Components

• Official Raspberry Pi A2 Class microSD Card - 32GB
• Raspberry Pi Zero FPC Camera Cable - 30cm long
• IR Illuminator LED 850nm - Infrared Flashlight, Adjustable Focus
• Adafruit KB2040 - RP2040 Kee Board Driver
• Portta HDMI Converter - HDMI to AV
• Break away 0.1" 2x20 pin Strip Dual Male Header
• 120 Pin Breadboard Jumper Wires - Length 20cm, Male to Female/Male to Male/Female to Female

3D Printed Components

• Camera Mount Bracket - Custom mount for Pi NoIR camera positioning
• Thermal Camera Housing - Protective enclosure for MLX90640 sensor
• Main System Enclosure - Weather-resistant housing for Raspberry Pi and electronics
• Helmet Mount Adapter - Tactical helmet attachment system
• Cable Management Clips - Organized routing for power and data cables

System Architecture

[Thermal Camera] ----\
                      \
                       [Pi Zero 2 WH] --> [Display/Output]
                      /
[Pi NoIR Camera] ----/
        |
[5000mAh Battery]

3D Printing and Assembly

Required 3D Printed Parts

The night vision system requires several custom 3D printed components for proper mounting and protection:

1. Camera Mount Bracket - Secures the Pi NoIR camera with adjustable positioning
2. Thermal Camera Housing - Protects the MLX90640 thermal sensor while allowing heat detection
3. Main System Enclosure - Houses the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 WH and associated electronics
4. Helmet Mount Adapter - Attaches the entire system to tactical helmet rails
5. Cable Management Clips - Keeps power and data cables organized and secure

Print Settings

• Layer Height: 0.2mm
• Infill: 20% for lightweight components, 40% for structural mounts
• Material: PETG recommended for durability and temperature resistance
• Supports: Required for overhangs and complex geometries

Assembly Notes

• Use M3 screws and heat-set inserts for secure mounting
• Apply thread locker to prevent loosening during field use
• Seal all enclosures with gaskets to prevent moisture ingress
• Test fit all components before final assembly

Setup Instructions

Coming soon - Setup and installation instructions

Usage

Coming soon - Operating instructions and user guide

Development

Coming soon - Development setup and contribution guidelines

Collaboration

This is a collaborative project. Please see the issues section for current tasks and contribute to the development.

License

License information to be added