External Infrared Lighting

[big_ted]

Hey all,
Has anyone successfully used a external infrared light source for night vision instead of the internal infrared?
looking to see how best to setup to get a clearer image and reduce reflection at night off different surfaces.
Wasnt sure if best to setup a few meters away from the camera or if a seperate light would actually make any difference?

Thanks in advance

[tntmooney_234036028743894]

@big_ted Ted, I've brought that up a few times. I don't why the don't offer a POE infrared as an accessory since I think most people would have an extra port left over. I didn't check but I think the camera's usable distance is further then the weak ir lights. You could use a floodlight of course, but that isn't always possible or well liked. Actually as I think of it, I think you can add power with a switch at the camera? Easy cheesy.

[big_ted]

@tntmooney_234036028743894
Yeh is easy to setup. I was considering adding a external infrared light a few metres away to see if that would reduce some reflection off surfaces.
have you tried this yourself? curious on what would or wouldnt work

[Martin Kistell_73972976554167]

@big_ted I use IR floodlights separately for both my reolink cameras and turn off the cameras IR. There are numerous advantages to this first Its a lot easier to read number plates and less reflections on images. Secondly Spider webs are now no longer an issue, Id honestly say I have a 95% reduction in issues with spiders and webs. It may be down to them attracted to IR or just the camera no longer picks them up at night but a huge difference.

[big_ted]

@martin-kistell_73972976554167
Thanks martin,
did you place the IR next to the cameras or a metre or 2 away?

[ashall3n_532259310379259]

@big_ted I setup our cameras with external infrared powered by the cameras, just use poe splitters, that splits the power and the data, the data plugs into the camera as normal then you split the dc cable and power the camera and light.

[Martin Kistell_73972976554167]

@big_ted Front I have an IR flood light about 3 meters apart, Rear I have IR flood light around 2 meters apart.

[alanphillips40_523450861056162]

@martin-kistell_73972976554167 Hi, this is fantastic and thanks for sharing the info. I am looking to do exactly the same thing but struggling to know which IR illuminators work best. Can you recommend your brand and if so, what is it please?

[user_592327717335125_592327717335125]

@ashall3n Hello I read the info you gave, so you switch off the IR of the camera in the device settings. But switches the IR illuminator then automaticly with the camera needs the IR at night ? Or is the illuminator constantly powered on at day and night?

[joseph_1979]

@user_592327717335125_592327717335125 They incorporate light sensors to switch them on and off automatically similarly to what is being employed on cameras.

[user_592327717335125_592327717335125]

@joseph-chircop_497308027822318 Ok ....... I thought that the internal camera IR was turned on when the camera is getting darker images. So it is a sensor that turns on the internal IR.

[user_592327717335125_592327717335125]

@user_592327717335125_592327717335125 I searched on the internet for the Tendelux as discribed above, and they have different models: DI series (10 W, 20 W ), A14 , B18. Any experience in one of these models ?

[Martin Kistell_73972976554167]

@alanphillips40_523450861056162
Apologies Alan, I did not notice your reply until it was bumped up today.

As I'm in the UK, these are the new ones I'm currently using and are fantastic. Search Ebay for "130 meter infra-red Nightvision iluminator, use with CCTV cameras, PSU optional"

If your in the US I have attached an images of the types I am using.

[Crimp On_62210811129]

I have installed several Tendelux 850nm IR illuminators purchased from Amazon (under $25). Placed them at least 4-5 ft. away from the camera, powered from a regular electrical outlet.
What I had found was that flying insects seem to be drawn to the camera infrared LEDs and appeared (to the camera) as VERY BRIGHT and PRETTY LARGE (because they were so close). Created lots of motion recordings that were essentially worthless.

Once the separate IR lights were installed and the camera IR LEDs disabled, those insect problems went away.