I have 5 of these camera’s and I want to put one where there is no electricity, I do have internet/wifi coverage at this location but no power and to get electricity there would be a little expensive. Is there a package or camera system that I can buy that will work for what I need?
The Wyze cam outdoor is battery powered and you can purchase a solar panel, but you will need to plug in the base station and connect it to Ethernet or WiFi.
I’m curious how you have internet but no power
Plus you can only use 4 cameras with one base station.
My EERO devices send internet coverage at a pretty good range on my property (driveway/nearby woods area etc. I just have great range with those devices.
Since you said Outdoor cam V2 they only connect to the base WI-FI not directly to your network.
You could also consider using “Low Voltage Wiring” and burying the wire from an A.C. power outlet (indoors) power supply to the cameras. Then use a 12 volt to 5 volt micro-USB regulator adapter and install to camera.
The power Supply mounts indoors but the cable to camera can be longer as the 5 volts is regulated at the camera. And Voltage drop due to cable length is not an issue as the regulator will work with as low as 9 volts input.
I have ran over 180 feet of 2 conductor cable to camera with this setup, use low voltage lighting wiring it can be buried, it is weatherproof and UV resistant.
Connect the 12v to 5v micro-USB regulator adapter to cable matching polarity ( +red -black ) along cable where a camera is needed if more than 1 camera just get a 12 volt adapter with more current (Amps) The Adapter regulator is weatherproof except the micro-USB itself but the boot on the V3 takes care of that.
Links below to several power supplies, 1 Amp for 1 camera, 2 Amp for 2 cameras, or 5 amp for 5 cameras,
choose according to your needs. The cable run can have multiple connections for cameras along cable.
12 volt input to 5 volt output micro-USB cable (adapter)
12 volt power supply 1 amp with connector adapter
12 volt power supply 2 amp with connector adapter
12 volt power supply 5 amp with connector adapter
14/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire - 100 feet
This location originally had a V2 in an enclosure, the 12v to 5v adapter has been exposed to rain, snow, and heat of summer for over 3 years. Recently replaced V2 with a V3
Below is an event captured by this camera, note I don’t use IR as I get too many flying bug triggers.
Or if the driveway is too far away a Solar Setup could be used…
Here is my solar setup, I have 2 panels due to lack of sun/hours coverage because of tall trees in forest. Most setups will only need one smaller solar panel.
12 volt to 5 volt Micro-USB regulator adapter <— Click the Link for more info…
Low cost Solar Charge Controllers <— Click the Link for more info…
Gel Cell Batteries - You choose size according to your needs <— Click the Link for more info…
Solar Panels 100 Watt <— Click the Link for more info…
14/2 Low Voltage Landscape Wire for solar/battery to 12v to 5v Micro-USB adapter for camera
The cable I used for Solar panel to control connection
Note that some panels use different type of connectors so verify connect type before ordering, or let me know what panel you ordered so I can suggest correct cable/connector
The ice chest I made into a container for controller and battery can be found at Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc…
I added a vent for battery gases to escape (if any) and small holes in lowest point for water / moisture to escape (A.K.A. Weep-Holes)
Removed Drain plug on ice chest and put in a twist-tight wire egress for solar panel power cables and cables to cameras.
Most locations may not even need a 100 watt panel, my location needs 2 x 100 watt panels as from November to mid-February I do not get enough sunlight to keep up, as you can see in view of solar controller my usage is currently equal to my charge at 3.9 Amp-Hours per day.
This project is NOT for everybody but some people with the right background it is not that hard to do.
And the advantage is not having to remove the cameras to recharge all the time as with the Wyze Cam Outdoor units. One camera is up a tree 12 feet and needs a ladder to get to.
I like this idea of using low voltage lighting wire, I want to try this somewhere!
I recently ran some wire for landscape lights, and during Christmas I found some 12v Christmas lights and rewired a inflatable decoration to use the 12v wire.
That’s a cool idea to use it for a camera
I like the idea of this low voltage scenario also. Thank you for the information.
@IEatBeans - FYI, A lot of Low Voltage Lighting uses A.C power as A.C. has less voltage drop.
The Low Voltage setups I am using are D.C.
A.C. could be used with the 12v to 5v regulators but would need a bridge diode and possibly a capacitor between the A.C. 12v power and the D.C. regulator.
Here’s a link to the beast of a Low Voltage wiring to remote cameras:
This unit is from a @WildBill link I’d saved a while back. My question for you ‘power cats’ is how good a bargain is it for the 74Wh capacity it provides? The 37Wh version of same product is $49.99.
And if you have an alternative unit you’ve had good long service from with comparable specs.
-peep
Peep: Currently using that unit for a Raspberry Pi3 to monitor my solar PV install. Works well for that. Never used it for the cameras. It’s probably overkill for them, but it should keep them running for an extended period.
Thanks, Bill. That gives me confidence to purchase. I think I’ll spring for the higher capacity as I intend to use it for cam(s) and general utility when/if needed. This would be my first device of this type.
That was my first as well. However, I’ve added a large PV system with batteries since then as well as this (since we have regular power outages in the winter):
Gotta admit, that system appeals at first skim.
I was able to get the main unit for under $1k. I’ve got some PV panels I’m going to test with it instead of buying the ones they sell. I have two spares that should give me about 700watts of charging power. If nothing else, I can connect the unit to my off-grid system to charge.
Seller responded to my query re Warranty (not specified on sales page):
There 's a one year warranty on this mini UPS products. During the period, if there’s any functional problem, please contact us to replace.
Thanks, Shanqiu
Hey! I got my thing! Now I need one of these other things:
https://www.amazon.com/Eanetf-Splitter-Extension-Connectors-Charging/dp/B0C167WM5D
…so I can power a coupla cam v3s off the single 5V 3a USB output port. It’s always something.
Are you living in your ideal place on the planet, WildBill? Things good up there?
Very happy here in Oregon. Moved here 35 years ago. Right now, too hot and dry for my taste, but better than much of the rest of the country.
Went with this instead of the splitter (currently $6.99):
Mfr: The total current limit at the output of the product is 5V/2.6A. The hub itself consumes 5V/86mA.
The Shanqiu UPS via this hub powered two v3s for 16 hrs (recording Events to SD continuously and sending Cam Plus Lite 12-sec cloud clips seven of the sixteen hours in a medium traffic environment. Minimal live viewing and Event playing.)
/edit
Powered a single v3 (plugged directly into the UPS) for 31.5 hrs.
The UPS has four battery capacity indicator lights (25/50/75/100) but they aren’t accurate as the power draws down. Usually 1 or 2 solid lights showing when the unit shuts down, kaput. The mfr included teensy little stick-on rubber feet to cover the assembly screw holes on the bottom of the unit. They don’t stay on at all, but the unit is quite solid other than that.