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Solar Powered WiFi security camera.
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onesixright:
Hi all!

I’m planning to install a few security cameras in my garden. Problem is there is no power. And don’t feel putting power-lines in the ground.

Any change I could install a small solar panel that would charge a few batteries and that could power 24/7 the camera? The camera will be mounted on a rock-wall and since this on the edge of a forest the panel needs to be positioned separate. Good thing is it’s one the south side.

Anybody that got some experience with this? What would be the best approach?

Or a silly idea?

Thanks!
soldar:
There's no reason it couldn't be done but be aware that if you can get wired power out there it will be simpler and require less maintenance.

I have some experience with security cameras and they can give a lot of problems.

Are you intending to use wifi to send the signal to the house? Because wifi is the easiest to disrupt.

Will the cameras be accessible to possible bad guys?

You want to see the grounds or the house as seen from outside?

At any rate, you can easily measure camera consumption and design a battery-solar system to power it. Should not be a problem.
grifftech:
netgear arlo
thm_w:
Its not going to be a super small solar panel if you want 24/7 power and IR night vision. But definitely possible. A good camera (hikvision), will be ~3W plus 2W for IR LEDs. So perhaps a 20W solar panel could handle that, depending on how much sun you get. Wifi tends to be unreliable, so if you spend a bit more for a camera with onboard SD slot that would essentially eliminate those issues.

Arlo looks interesting, its claiming 4 month life from 5Ah 3V. So 1.4uW average consumption? Maybe if it doesn't trigger that often.

Dirt cheap option, which I wouldn't recommend but throwing out there for fun: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32958807758.html
soldar:
A lot of questions remain. Where will the cameras be located? Outdoors? Will the camera and solar panels and batteries be hidden from view or on top of a post clearly visible? Because you might not want something as obtrusive in plain view. The solar panels need sun so cannot be easily hidden.

How far from the main building? While you can store locally at the camera I think you would want to have direct communication from the house. How will this be done? Wifi can be unreliable and is easily jammed.

Depending of situation and distance you might want to consider wiring. It will be more robust, more reliable and give less trouble.

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