cameras gor home monitoring

Regarding cameras that stop working and need a reboot (power cycle) to get them going again, some have put them on timers so the power shuts off, then back on. They have it set to turn off once a day for short time, then back on.

charlysmom&dad - sorry to hijack this post, but I tried to PM you and it failed. I notice you have a Thor Vegas. We are considering this rig for our family but wondered about laundry. From one of your posts, it appeared to me that you have a washer/dryer. Could I ask what model and where do you put it? I assume it was some sort of aftermarket setup.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I have my work cut out for me.

I have two Samsung SmartCams but they are hard wired.

They were suppose to work wirelessly but they would drop wifi connection for no apparent reason. I could just restart the camera and it would reconnect good as new.

Only problem is, I NEED them to be dependable while I am away (kid of the point) and not there to physically restart them.

I ran cat 5 and now they run fine.

Look at all the set-up options. Maybe there is a daily reboot option.
I have my Harbor Freight 4 camera system reboot at 3 AM every day. Puts system back on line when there is a glitch.
Also have that option set in the router.

Richard

someone on here recommended Blink Wireless Cameras so I researched and bought 5. Very easy setup - connects top your wifi, and great mobile app. You can set them to notify you when movement is sensed, and it will also light up dark spaces at night when movement is sensed. Battery powered, and battery's are said to last 2 years.

Wow, thanks for all the great replies. I'll be looking into all the suggestions.

Our cameras only stop working when we're on a trip, about 2 weeks in. When we're home, say running errands, I'll look at the cameras to check on the dogs. Always works fine. This goes on for months and months. It's only failed while on a trip. I think this would eliminate the power.

2x on Zmodo, easy to set up and the app works great.

I've got 4 Amcrest cams from Amazon, easy install and wireless. Never had a problem and they offer cloud recording. The app is very good as well.

I'm not familiar with your specific hardware so this may not apply to your system. I assume from the discussion that your system has a control/DVR box and several cameras hardwired to that box. You also have a separate router that connects the controller/DVR box to the internet. If that's correct then read on.

It sounds to me like your house (or power utility company) has a power SAG problem (line voltage below 104 volts). If you have this problem you will have the same failure whatever new system you buy. If you don't have a voltage tester, one simple way to test for a sag is to turn on all electric devices in your house except one or two high power devices like an electric stove or air conditioner. If the lights blink (dim) or the TV goes dark when you turn on that stove/air conditioner – you have sag. Another sag condition can be created when the power company fails to supply your house with 110 volts. This usually happens in the summertime when all customers have their air conditioners turned on.

How does sag affect your system? After the sag, the line voltage returns above 104 volts, the router/controller restarts but doesn't remember the IP address that was previously assigned to their channel so they don't talk to each other any more and you see it as a system failure. When you reboot the controller/DVR, it requests a new IP address from your router and then talks to it and everything is “fix(?)” until the next time.

To really fix this, you can do one or both of these. If you know how, you can log into your router and the controller/DVR and assign them to a static IP address that way they will know about each other whenever they restart. A better way (IMHO), is to plug the router, controller/DVR, (and cable modem if you have one) into a UPS box (uninterruptible power supply) which will keep the power stable for several hours/days until the sag recovers. I did both on my system and don't have that issue.