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Sir_Traveller's avatar
Sir_Traveller
Explorer
May 23, 2018

security cam > 35 amp battery > solar panel

Hello everyone

I want to keep My security IP camera and a mobile internet hotspot running while the RV is in storage ( not hooked up ), a friend recommended getting a 35 amp battery and solar panel to keep the camera running ( and the solar panel will recharge that battery ) the issue is I am very new to this and not sure how will that work ( if it will work in the way I described it ), will I need any other devices? Cables? any tips will be helpful
Thank you very much
Class A

7 Replies

  • ILVMYGT's avatar
    ILVMYGT
    Explorer
    May 27, 2018
    Can you use something like an ARLO setup. The cameras are wireless and the motion activated. when motion is detected they take a short video that is send to Cloud storage. It sends you a notification to your phone & email that motion was detected. You can turn the cameras on and off remotely. The free cloud storage is 7 days. You can download the video if you need to save it.
  • pianotuna's avatar
    pianotuna
    Nomad III
    May 23, 2018
    Set up a decent solar charge system for the existing house battery. Connect the camera to that.
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    May 23, 2018
    theoldwizard1 wrote:
    You will have to be careful with your WiFi bill !


    Good point. The nest cams can be turned on and off remotely, otherwise they are streaming 24x7.

    I just checked my charge controller. The camera is drawing 0.2 amps @ 12V.
  • theoldwizard1's avatar
    theoldwizard1
    Explorer II
    May 23, 2018
    turbojimmy wrote:
    EDIT: Better yet - why not use the 100W panel to keep your RV battery charged and run the camera off of that?

    Excellent idea ! Just make sure you have a decent solar charge controller.

    You will have to be careful with your WiFi bill !
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    May 23, 2018
    I have a Nest Outdoor cam on a remote part of my property. It's powered by a 100 watt panel and a 55 aH battery. I installed an outdoor hot spot using PoE and buried some CAT6 cable. That's not an option for you, so you'll have to figure out how much your WiFi hot spot draws. Based on my experience with this setup, 35 aH might be a little light unless you have perfect sun all the time. My 55 aH battery dies during the short winter months if I leave my infrared LED flood connected (it doesn't draw much).

    You can get a 100W solar panel kit including a controller on Amazon. Rather than convert DC to AC to DC for the camera, I got a cheap ($5 on eBay) step down converter that drops the 12V from the battery to 5V USB. I plugged the camera right into that. It's functioned flawlessly for a couple of years now.

    EDIT: Better yet - why not use the 100W panel to keep your RV battery charged and run the camera off of that?
  • bgum's avatar
    bgum
    Explorer
    May 23, 2018
    Get a Nest and a hotspot. Nest is usually powered by house current but has a small brick on the plug so I am not sure of the final current draw. Other than the solar panel and controller + battery that is all needed.

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