Charging Battery Cameras

[user_817261050261638_817261050261638]

Just a suggestion for all the battery camera users out there, I have 3 outdoor battery cameras (2) Argus Track and (1) Argus Eco Pro.
I tried the Reolink solar panel (bought 1 actually) and found that the only time such a small solar panel could charge a camera battery was under full sun, aimed at the sun and had more than 6 hours of this direct sun.
To get around this problem (cameras that wouldn't stay charged on cloudy days), I have a single 25W panel on a carport roof that delivers 12-17V (depending on load and sun), ran 16AWG, 2 conductor wire from it to near each camera (all 3 cables in parallel, ask if you don't know) and 3 inexpensive voltage adapters (12-24V to USB (aka 5V) at each camera. The adapters were about $6 each, the wiring about 50 cents per foot (or about $50/100 feet) and a connector pair for each at about $2.50ea. Oh, and a bunch of cable 'hangers' (nail-in holders) for the cable on the side of my house under the eaves. So, probably <$150 total not counting the solar panel which I had for keeping boat batteries charged ($50 back in 2018, now ~$25).
All 3 cameras will stay completely charged with as little as an hour of sun per day and on those cloudy days (of which there are plenty in western Oregon), one or two of the cameras will completely charge if not all 3. This is getting 3 to 10 - 30second videos from each camera daily.
Any interested can hit me up and I'll send you a schematic or wiring diagram with the part #'s of the adapters I used (send an email through Dutchman Electronics website, phone# optional). As to the solar panel I used, I can send the pertinent specs. BTW, for those of you that are DIY'ers, don't just hook up a solar panel to your camera(s)! Most solar panels (other than Reolink's) have a higher voltage than the 5V that the Reolink solar panel delivers. You will destroy your camera without an adapter on each camera to step the voltage down to the USB 5V. Hope this all helps.

[joseph_1979]

@user_817261050261638_817261050261638

Most probably you purchased the 3W solar panel. I have the 6W solar panel with the Reolink DUO 2, Argus 3 Pro and Ultra, Argus 4 Pro and have no issues as long as there is 2 hours of direct sunlight. On the Argus 4 Pro I get around 2 hours of battery usage per day.

But yes I agree that they should provide higher wattage solar panels esp in places with short periods of direct sun and higher capacity batteries (like the Altas PT ultra).

Nevertheless you did a good job. Well done. I don't ask any question as I know all the theory :).

[user_736098558853348_736098558853348]

I just got one of the new ultras and it wasn't charging with the 6v panel. After seeing that the running time on the battery was none stop I went in and reapplied all of the recording settings even if they looked ok and after a few reboots that stopped and I noticed the lightning bolt on the battery. All has been well since then.

[joseph_1979]

@user_736098558853348_736098558853348 It's unusual. Some people don't insert correctly the c-type plug into the socket on the camera. One has to push a bit. If you encounter the same issue and while still under warranty then I suggest you to email support on support @ reolink.com.

[user_736098558853348_736098558853348]

@joseph_1979
what I found out is setting the pre-motion on is what is causing the drain. when you look at the battery stats it says it is in use all of the time. turning that off brings that battery back to normal. I've tested that a few times.