Trail camera question?

[Graham W]

Santa bought me a Vikeri A1 trail camera. I've set it for video with sound only with a record time of 45 seconds.
Daylight video is fine but at night (Infra red?) it only records a few seconds...all I can find online suggests low batteries but I don't think that's the case.
Any ideas?

 

[Gav.]

Just a thought, are you using rechargable batteries, they may not meet the voltage needed for the camera to run for longer even though they are charged.

Also an old camera of mine would only record short clips, I think it was due to reducing the risk of over heating the IR leds/chip?

 

[Nod]

I have a couple of cameras that don't like the lower voltage that NiCads supply (1.2V per cell rather than 1.5 from "normal cells).

 

[Graham W]

Thanks chaps. It does say not to use rechargables so I'm using Duracells. Youtube does show longer night time clips from it...I'll try dissabling sound.
The ony night time activity I've caught so far is Jilly (A dog) going out for a "Comfort" break!

 

[Nod]

Might be worth trying a brand new set of batteries in the thing, even if you think the current set are good. IF it turns out that low batteries are NOT the problem, it's something that can be crossed off the list.

 

[hunnymonster]

It's not something dumb like the IR illuminated video has a different duration set is it? I know Browning trailcams don't allow the IR video to exceed 20s with the stock firmware.

 

[Graham W]

It's not something dumb like the IR illuminated video has a different duration set is it? I know Browning trailcams don't allow the IR video to exceed 20s with the stock firmware.

I'll have another look...couldn't see anything in the menus.

 

[hunnymonster]

Browning sell it as a method to extend battery life. It's not mentioned on the camera at all... Very much a case of RTFM

 

[Graham W]

Browning sell it as a method to extend battery life. It's not mentioned on the camera at all... Very much a case of RTFM

I have RTFM. It only mentions low battery which doesn't appear to be the case...in the Q&A section it mentions using re-chargables, but in the main text it says not to ...I may give it a go if it keeps happening.

 

[social_lurker]

If it's been cold overnight, I find my camera record length drops significantly. Especially when there's a frost. But mines a cheap Chinese 'no brand' jobby.

 

[Graham W]

If it's been cold overnight, I find my camera record length drops significantly. Especially when there's a frost. But mines a cheap Chinese 'no brand' jobby.

That's a good point...had some frosty nights, could have deadned the batteries!
Branded or not I suspect they're all Made in China.