I guess the cameras are offline because the plugs are stuck on off?. I don’t have those devices set on favorites. So I can’t really pinpoint when it actually happened. I Just know the router can’t see any of them and the lights on the V3s are off. I think I remember switching them off after an update. But I can’t recall if they worked properly afterwards. Still got another functioning V3 under the same network using a Kasa plug.
I guess everyone’s experience would differ. But I’m going stay away from Wyze plugs.
I’ve have most of their cameras , and both battery cameras . With my Battery Pro (own 2batteries) they don’t last 6 mths btw . It recently disconnected from internet and cannot reconnect . I have good strength outside but with a Mesh system , plenty of reconnects . Also when the battery runs out , up the ladder you go and maybe it’ll reconnect . Now deciding on shoukd Ii buy another Chinese camera ? ( I have 3 of those which do connected to wifi better than Wyze . Wyze s weak point is I it’s wifi chip? I like the camera but like all their cameras each works just a bit differently , which is dumb .Franky their V3 was their best offering . And the weaker first battery camera never has a problem .
I find the v4 and even OG better than the v3, but that’s my personal experience.
Why would you mount a battery powered camera where you need a ladder? Even with a solar panel, it will probably need charging from time to time (unless you get a big solar panel or chain several together).
I have OGs, Panv3s, and a v4, none ever disconnect from my wifi. Your weak point may be your wifi and not the wifi chip in the cams.
I don’t blame you for that, and I don’t think it’s terrible advice because of the way some cameras have had difficulties reconnecting to Wi-Fi after a disconnect, but I’m in the “use some other brand if you can; use Wyze Plugs if that’s what you have” camp (not a hard prohibition against the use of Wyze Plugs). That’s how it was for me doing remote power cycles on my first Cam Pan v3 because I had only Wyze Plugs at the time, and that worked out well enough until they fixed that camera’s firmware. These days I’ve been even more pleased with the Tapo plugs I use, but I still have Wyze Plugs for some fans and lamps. I choose based on what I have available and the given use case.
The little 5 watt solar panel Wyze sells will keep the BCP topped off. I typically see the charge indicator between 92% - 100%. We are blessed with northern California weather so those in Vermont may see a different result.
Also keep in mind that this is very dependent on the SD card settings. If set to “Events only” and no solar you can realistically expect the battery to last 2 weeks to 2 months, depending on the number of events. The little solar panel basically negates this limitation, thus removing the need for the ladder.
Now if you set the SD card to “Continuous” and no solar you can expect the battery to last 8-10 hours. That’s it. Up the ladder you go. Adding in the little 5 watt solar panel doesn’t cut it. Worst case the BCP uses 4 watts. Best case the solar panel supplies 5 watts. In practice this means the solar can power the camera/battery from about 10am until 3pm. Then the battery starts taking over and your in the 8-10 hour battery window. Somewhere in the early morning hours the camera will die.
Bottom line. Use “Events Only” in conjuction with the 5 watt solar panel. Going up the ladder may be a thing of the past. (It’s been 17 months for our driveway BCP)
If running the SD card in “Continuous” mode is a requirement for your use case then the equation can become complicated. Now your into power banks, solar chargers, much bigger panels, fast charging schemes and how many cloudy days can you sustain. It’s not trivial and your bill of materials may go up dramatically. I’ve done it and it is beyond this thread (in the process I’ve learned a lot about solar–amazing technology and getting better).
Thanks for sharing this. I wasn’t aware Wyze plugs had this issue. I’ve only had Wyze and Amazon plugs giving me problems and not being able to resolve itself. I was a bit worried if I was actually giving harmful advice to others.
You’re welcome. Just over a year ago there were several Forum topics about Plug outages because of something Wyze did on the back end, and the second link I included is to one of those topics. (That one might link out to the others; there were maybe 2-3 concurrent topics about the same issue at the time.) That particular topic shows where Wyze recommended physically unplugging the Plugs and then plugging them back into power in order to get them to reconnect to Wi-Fi, and I think that issue specifically affected the original “v1” Plugs (they’ve released two other generations since then, I think, but I don’t have any of the newer models). I was already using other brands of smart plugs at that time in addition to my Wyze Plugs—and I don’t have any cameras that I consider critical and/or problematic enough that I feel a need to route each’s power through a smart plug—so I’m not strict in recommending against Wyze Plugs for that kind of use, but I understand the rationale of those who do.
I know this has ventured pretty far from your original topic, but since you’re continuing the conversation this way, I guess that’s okay.
I’m not vouching for the wyze plugs, if there is a defect or design flaw, by all means avoid them, but not because they’re the same brand as the cam, that in and of itself is not a reason.
I know other people that have used the amazon plugs and they seem to work great. I almost grabbed some wyze plugs when Home Depot was clearing them out but since I already had a few TP link ones and don’t use them all that much, I resisted the temptation.
I understand that, too, but I once picked up a couple of Plug Outdoors at Home Depot even though I didn’t have an immediate use for them for a couple of reasons:
The Plug Outdoors’ short cable and standard plug means they can be used in recessed sockets (like in a floor), which makes them handy for controlling things like Christmas lights.
Wyze Plugs can be used as logical switches and act as bridges between ecosystems, and with a Plug Outdoor you get two switches in one device. This can be handy for getting a Wyze Automation to trigger something in Google Home when what you want to do can’t be accomplished natively within a single ecosystem (for instance, when Google Home can’t act directly on a Wyze doorbell button press or camera detection, but it can see a Plug switching on or off if a Wyze Automation triggers that Action).
They’re handy tools to have in the kit for testing, too, like when a Forum user has a question about how to accomplish something.
I’m not at all saying that you were wrong to resist the temptation. I’m merely justifying my own (probably unnecessary) consumerism.
Yeah I was actually looking at the 2 pack of indoor ones, but the outdoor were on clearance at all my stores too. Since I never actually keep anything constantly plugged in outdoors I resisted those too (though yes they do look more robust and flexible for indoor uses too). In my case, smart plugs and bulbs just aren’t something I have a need or want for.
The second use you mention is obviously a good reason to pick a few up, but I’m nowhere near that advanced with my Wyze cams that I need to set up daisy chain automation workarounds
Mine has been up with a solar panel for a year and a half through all Michigan seasons. Has worked great except the time the squirrels ate through the cord.
Holding up to Michigan winter is already really impressive.
We use flexible gooseneck clamp mounts attached to the under roof overhang rafter tail. Very difficult for the squirrels to reach. Easy to adjust angles and relocate if needed, highly recommend. There are tons of camera mounts that use 1/4" threaded holes. No need to drill new holes in to the wall every time you move your camera or panel.
I have the BCP and wish I had never bought it. Battery life sucks! I have to change the battery every month and that is with the light turned off and very few alerts. Save your money and get something else.
If adding solar or using an outlet is out of the question. I feel like swappable batteries is probably the best option you can get. Not really a common feature in wifi cams. Trail cams usually only use cell signal.
Well johgre isn’t happy with his BCP. Care to share which other swappable batterie cams he can try? I know there are a lot of doorbell cams that have swappable batteries.
The BCP is the only battery cam currently offered by Wyze as far as I know, other than doorbells.
Honestly a month off a battery is very good, the battery life published by all these companies comes with all kinds of caveats and fine print. Going to be hard pressed to find one that lasts much longer than that on a single charge, unless you disable all kinds of features and get very specific with detection zones, aiming, etc.
: “There’s nothing to see here….”