12V 1A outdoor power

gman

gman

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Graham
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I'm having a bit of a quandary here. I need to power an outdoor camera that has a 12V 1A input power and it uses this style adapter (below). It's clearly not been thought out and designed for outdoor installation (even though it is an outdoor IP rated camera):

1770205226641.png


I've got 240V running outside and I usually use junction boxes and connect floodlights directly using block connectors because it's all 240V. If this was one of those 12V power supply that has a separate cable coming out with a plug (like laptops have) then I could strip the cable from the plug. I've considered buying such a power supply, but that's more expense and I'd need to make sure it fits into the camera.

So, at the moment I'm thinking an external single socket is the easiest option, but is there a cleaner way to do this?
 
Mr Perceptive said:
Can you not use PoE (or is it wireless??)
Click to expand...

It's wireless. It may have PoE available on it and I was considering looking at options there, but it would be easier if I could just use the current 240V already outside.
 
gman said:
It's wireless. It may have PoE available on it and I was considering looking at options there, but it would be easier if I could just use the current 240V already outside.
Click to expand...

For a similar scenario with some outdoor LED lighting, I bought a large outdoor polycarnoate enclosure like


Then ran from my outdoor socket into this box, where I put something like this on the end


Then plugged in my adapter

I used proper waterproof fixings for passing the wires through into the box and outdoor rated mains cable to the internal socket.
 
What does the camera actually draw in the way of power? The 1A you've quoted is probably what the pictured power supply can output.

In your position, I'd use a car/bike type battery with a solar top up/maintenance charger (Oxford make one) and make a lead to fit the camera.
 
Nod said:
What does the camera actually draw in the way of power? The 1A you've quoted is probably what the pictured power supply can output.

In your position, I'd use a car/bike type battery with a solar top up/maintenance charger (Oxford make one) and make a lead to fit the camera.
Click to expand...

Apologies, I should have said that the picture isn't the actual charger, just an example. They do solar powered cameras as well, which is tempting but I'm sceptical at their ability to maintina power.
 
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Mr Perceptive said:
For a similar scenario with some outdoor LED lighting, I bought a large outdoor polycarnoate enclosure like


Then ran from my outdoor socket into this box, where I put something like this on the end


Then plugged in my adapter

I used proper waterproof fixings for passing the wires through into the box and outdoor rated mains cable to the internal socket.
Click to expand...

Cheers, that was another thought, but then I figurted I may as well just install an outdoor socket. It will be high up, so if they can reach it to unplug then they could simply smash the camera instead. Can be padlocked as well.

I was hoping for a plug free option, but I think a socket is probably the easiest way forward.
 
So this is what the charger looks like (photo taken from internet). There's no way that's going to fit inside a standard outdoor socket and allow the lid to close and seal.

1771370218127.png


I'm going to need something like this, which is ugly as hell. I'll need to think about this.

1771370280687.png
 
Have you got a convenient supply outlet in the eaves/attic? You could then run a light dc cable through the soffit?
Click to expand...
 
1771413467128.png


I'm struggling to reply to this without doing a crude copy and paste?

I do have a lot of power in the attic from an attic conversion and it is something I could look into, although I got rid of my big ladders that can reach up there as they were only rated to 90kg.
 
Mr Perceptive said:
If the camera supports PoE, then thats the way I would go, neat single cable reliable solution.
Click to expand...

I've been thinking about this, but can you get a single socket with PoE that I could install into an outdoor enclosure? I've only seen double sockets. Or is there a dedicated PoE socket that I could fit into an outdoor enclosure? It would have to be powered from the exterior 240V spur though,
 
gman said:
I've been thinking about this, but can you get a single socket with PoE that I could install into an outdoor enclosure? I've only seen double sockets. Or is there a dedicated PoE socket that I could fit into an outdoor enclosure? It would have to be powered from the exterior 240V spur though,
Click to expand...

You can get PoE injectors.

On my CCTV system, I have a PoE switch which powers (and receives the data) from all cameras, so I have a single cable going from the switch to each camera
 
gman said:
So this is what the charger looks like (photo taken from internet). There's no way that's going to fit inside a standard outdoor socket and allow the lid to close and seal.

View attachment 475119


I'm going to need something like this, which is ugly as hell. I'll need to think about this.

View attachment 475120
Click to expand...

Maybe the ugly solution could be mounted out of sight? Or at least disguised a little.
OR, a less ugly compatible charger plugged in to a prettier socket.
For a couple of weeks, we had to charge Mrs Nod's Leaf using an extension lead and the "granny" charger (13A socket based) so used a sealable tub with some silicone sealant to house the charger and extension reel. Not beautiful but it worked!
 
Mr Perceptive said:
You can get PoE injectors.

On my CCTV system, I have a PoE switch which powers (and receives the data) from all cameras, so I have a single cable going from the switch to each camera
Click to expand...

Cheers, I've had a look and that looks like it will be just as bulky, unless I have the injector inside and run just CAT cable through the exterior wall, but that would seem counterproductive when I already have power outside.
 
Nod said:
Maybe the ugly solution could be mounted out of sight? Or at least disguised a little.
OR, a less ugly compatible charger plugged in to a prettier socket.
For a couple of weeks, we had to charge Mrs Nod's Leaf using an extension lead and the "granny" charger (13A socket based) so used a sealable tub with some silicone sealant to house the charger and extension reel. Not beautiful but it worked!
Click to expand...

I think this may end up being the case. I've got a couple of junction boxes dotted about, so I'm tempted to replace the lot with one big junction box that will also be able to house that horrible DC adapter plug and rewire everything.

Unfortunately, this has been one of those "growing arms and legs" situations where I started with one wireless camera and started adding more, rather than a fully thought-out plan from the beginning, where I would have used a proper NVR setup and PoE.

Was thinking about getting a 240V A/C camera, but I'm tied in with the EZVIZ platform at the moment.
 
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