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Started By
Message
Any suggestions on choosing a solar powered home camera system?
Posted on 12/17/23 at 6:42 pm
Posted on 12/17/23 at 6:42 pm
TIA
2
Posted on 12/17/23 at 7:20 pm to Purplehaze
My suggestion is to not choose a solar powered camera system.
I love solar, but I guess weirdly only for very small low power systems or whole home size and up, no in between (unless the application is off grid).
If there is power at the building that requires a camera, I'm running a wire to it. Running a camera with solar requires big sacrifices, either in the form of very limited capability or very large solar panel and batteries.
Can I ask why you request solar power?
I love solar, but I guess weirdly only for very small low power systems or whole home size and up, no in between (unless the application is off grid).
If there is power at the building that requires a camera, I'm running a wire to it. Running a camera with solar requires big sacrifices, either in the form of very limited capability or very large solar panel and batteries.
Can I ask why you request solar power?
Posted on 12/17/23 at 11:59 pm to Korkstand
I requested solar as I thought it would be easier to install
Posted on 12/18/23 at 7:15 am to Purplehaze
It is easier to install for sure, and they may work just fine for your intended usage. Just know that they will not record 24/7, and when they do record events they will likely miss parts of what's going on, and they will miss some events altogether.
It does cost more up-front to use wired cameras, but for that price you get cameras that won't miss anything, record higher quality video, and don't have any monthly fees.
Full disclosure: I install cameras for a partial living. I won't even put up a plug-in wifi camera unless I absolutely cannot get a wire to the location because they are such a headache to get quality video. A reasonably-priced battery (with or without solar) camera does not exist that I would install.
But honestly there are some pretty cheap ones, so it won't hurt too bad for you to try one. Again it might do just fine for your use.
It does cost more up-front to use wired cameras, but for that price you get cameras that won't miss anything, record higher quality video, and don't have any monthly fees.
Full disclosure: I install cameras for a partial living. I won't even put up a plug-in wifi camera unless I absolutely cannot get a wire to the location because they are such a headache to get quality video. A reasonably-priced battery (with or without solar) camera does not exist that I would install.
But honestly there are some pretty cheap ones, so it won't hurt too bad for you to try one. Again it might do just fine for your use.
Posted on 12/18/23 at 9:23 am to Korkstand
We live in a typical Houston area suburb. I looked at some motion detected solar cameras in the $100 range that work on wifi and many of them have connectivity complaints plus these cameras only work with 2.4 GHZ. My ATT uses 5 ghz but ATT was able to set up a guest connection that works on 2.4 ghz so that issue is solved. Now I have to go to the corners of my house and use my phone to do a speed test. I figured at best it would be adequate and get 1 camera from Amazon. If it works then great, if not return it.
There are some cameras that do not need wifi but you have to pay extra for data plans so I have ruled that out.
There are some cameras that do not need wifi but you have to pay extra for data plans so I have ruled that out.
Posted on 12/18/23 at 9:33 am to Purplehaze
quote:I am interested to hear back on the results, because in my experience outside at the corners of a house are the worst. There's just more material there for the signal to penetrate.
Now I have to go to the corners of my house and use my phone to do a speed test.
Keep in mind that you're interested in the UPLOAD speed in this test. The video stream might only need 200kbit or so, but if your test shows less than 1mbit (1,000kbit) then it may have issues. On-board storage can help with this but you're adding cost.
Also keep in mind that you will be testing your phone's radio and not the camera's. The results might not be indicative of what the camera can do.
quote:Good plan.
I figured at best it would be adequate and get 1 camera from Amazon. If it works then great, if not return it.
quote:Right I would never consider those for use on any structure that has electricity. Those are for remote locations with no infrastructure and no other options.
There are some cameras that do not need wifi but you have to pay extra for data plans so I have ruled that out.
Posted on 12/18/23 at 12:58 pm to Korkstand
The outside speed test came back with double digits for both upload and download.
Now I know to expect connectivity issues. I will try buying 1 camera and hope for the best.
In the event of connectivity issues after I get this camera, would some type of wifi extender device be worth using?
Now I know to expect connectivity issues. I will try buying 1 camera and hope for the best.
In the event of connectivity issues after I get this camera, would some type of wifi extender device be worth using?
Posted on 12/18/23 at 1:23 pm to Purplehaze
quote:If double digit mbit then that should be sufficient, but regardless I always expect connectivity issues with wireless cameras.
The outside speed test came back with double digits for both upload and download.
Now I know to expect connectivity issues. I will try buying 1 camera and hope for the best.
quote:The "extenders" of today are "mesh" systems. Most homes would benefit from a mesh system, but as with cameras they work better of they are connected with a cable. I usually fix wireless problems by adding more wires, not by adding more wireless.
In the event of connectivity issues after I get this camera, would some type of wifi extender device be worth using?
To say again, the camera you are looking at might work just fine for you and you could be happy as can be. But in case you are not, be advised that there are wired systems by companies like Reolink that cost around $500 for 4 cameras plus recorder. It even comes with cables, and if you are handy or have a friend who is you can probably get them run for a case of beer. Then you'd have 24/7 recording, person and vehicle notifications, and no ongoing monthly fees.
Posted on 12/18/23 at 3:05 pm to Purplehaze
have ring solar power cameras they work fine
Posted on 12/18/23 at 3:29 pm to tigersmanager
Thank you for all of the tips
Posted on 12/20/23 at 8:19 am to tigersmanager
quote:
have ring solar power cameras they work fine
I was coming to say the same. Ring cameras with an aftermarket solar panel. Keeps the battery topped up even on cloudy days. Have had no issues with them. The panels come with about 4-6 feet of wire so they can be mounted a little away from the camera if needed for optimal sunlight positioning.
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