Security camera solar power

Charles in Aus.

Well-known Member
I have a small six volt battery powered trail type security camera to monitor my shed . It uses two banks of four 1.5 volt AA batteries , one 6 volt bank is used first then the second comes into play once the first is depleted . Lately it seems to be running the batteries flat within a week or two , this is becoming expensive . if I used rechargable AA cells would a small 6 volt solar panel keep them in working order without over charging them ? If so what wattage panel would be most appropriate ?
 
Potentially, but you will need a charger to control charge rate.

A better solution is a solar panel with charger and small gel cell.

Try Northern Tool or Harbor Freight.

Dean
 
I use rechargeable double A batteries in a couple of my trail camera's I also use for security purposes. They are lower voltage than a regular double A battery so they don't last as long but I have several so keep fresh recharged ones ready. Now what I have gone to the last year or so is a aux battery. I use a lawn mower 12 volt battery on a couple of them and made a little wooden box with a handle so easy to carry around. One other camera requires a 6 volt aux battery so that one isn't as handy. I got some adaptors from Radio Shack to hook up the aux battery. Then I found out that a lot of the AC chargers I had laying around from various items like rechargeable screwdrivers etc fit a couple of the cameras. I cut the wires off and put clamps on and now I haven't bought any new batteries for a very long time. One cheaper camera I have uses C cells and that would run you broke in a hurry. Never know what voltage they require just by looking at internal battery set up though. One camera uses the four C cells which would be 6 volts but it requires a 12 volt aux battery. One other has 8 double AA's and it is the one that requires 6 volts. Another with 8 AA's requires 12 volts.
 
Thanks , this is the problem I am having , the voltage needed is very indeterminate . My farm has only solar power with back up generators for peak load only , so any ac power pack is out of the question . I did try two six volt gel motor cycle batteries wired in series charged from a 12 volt panel . I was able to tap off six volts for the camera but even though the panel was regulated there seemed to be too much power as I melted two auxiliary leads over the space of six months .
I thought the rechargable cells might be an option as they have fewer amps and may be able to be trickled from a very small unregulated panel .
I really rely on this camera , it has captured lots of images of sticky beak locals that I have been able to subsequently ring and ask why they were on my property . The word gets out that cameras are there and the visits drop off fast . You need to keep up the vigilance though .
 
"The word gets out that cameras are there and the visits drop off fast . "

LOL... similar here, but I live up a mountain, too much hike for lazy lowlifes. A driveway sensor that detects moving steel was my solution. Along with spreading the word that I installed it, and an alarm system in my shop. They already knew I was a good shot. Problem solved, for several years now.

This thread interested me as I'd like to see who's visiting my compost pile. 4 legged neighbors.
 
mvphoto19143.jpg


One of the less than desirable types the camera has caught . Next photo in the sequence sees him running for the hills once the proximity alarm went off.
 
LOL...Nice feeling when you're reasonably certain you won't see him again, eh? And now he's (in)famous on the internet! What does your proximity alarm detect?

I had two attempts on consecutive nights at breaking into my shop, a ways down my mountain. After the first one I called the police, who were disinterested. The second day I called them again, explaining that since they couldn't (wouldn't) do anything I only had one question. I had a problem needing a solution, and a shotgun. Should I call them afterwards, or just start up the backhoe and bury the trash? An officer showed up within half an hour. Took the time to explain how to legally shoot an intruder here. Not that ones problems end if law enforcement isn't concerned...

Fortunately, my putting out the word about electronic protection precluded a need. The sleazeball also knew I'd followed the oil drips back to the trailer they lived in. Don't know which brother(s), but they left me alone after that.

They also gave me a solution for problem rats. I've never found a trap that worked for my rats. Live trap does, but I have trouble shooting a rat in a trap. Solution was to drive to their trailer and release the rats. Don't know if they ever noticed an increase in population, but I've dropped off a lot of rats there. Enjoyed it immensely.
 
(quoted from post at 18:46:12 04/13/15) I've dropped off a lot of rats there. Enjoyed it immensely.

:lol: :lol: That really is funny Tom ! I must remember that one for my arsenal . Biological warfare at its most amusing .

The proximity alarm is a passive infrared detector linked to a low current drain tone generating siren . The whole lot runs of 12 volts [ unlike the silly 6 volt camera ] and is very reliable . As soon as heat movement is detected over a range of aprox. 20 feet the siren goes off for about 30 seconds then the system resets itself . It cost about AUD$50. to put together.
mvphoto19160.jpg
 
Charles, thanks for the PIR info, and the subsequent photo. Wonderful. Your own method of dealing with rats.

PIR here, which is how the game cameras work, take a large number of forest critters. Very interesting, but not what I need to awaken me at 3 AM. I've got a system that alerts me in the house, from below my shop. Vehicle traffic is adequate.

In another life I owned a security company, sold it when I left the (US)West. No problem to protect my shop, simply used hardware I had left over from years past. Including shock sensors on the walls, which will detect anyone breaking through them. Still grid-connected here, so no current limitation.

We all do what we can to live a good life. Sharing your efforts, appreciated.
 

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