security camera set ups

[jubilation]

I'm interested in setting up some security cams at my remote/off grid cabin. Anyone have an input on what works (or what doesn't) and which equipment works well for this application. I'm eyeballing some wireless/battery op outdoor cams. It'd work while we were there & that's a start. I'd eventually love to have them to work for me while I'm away. I'm not interested in tying my modem into our main battery bank, in case of failure.

So- 2 part question- 1) what cameras work (probably wouldn't want spot lights) and 2) what sort of setup to keep power to my modem

Thank You!

 

[the nikster]

I have no real experience but I have a few thoughts as I am in a similar situation.
Quality over quantity. There are thousands of pics and vid’s of Bigfoot out there but none of them show me anything. Blurry images from 1000 feet away will not help solve where your missing chit went.
Maybe a trail cam at the obvious parking places. You will get lots of pics of friends and family and a few outliers that would go right to the top of my ‘crooks’ list.
Go out in the dark one night A couple hundred yards from the house. Have someone stand on the porch. Now sneak up on them. That’s where you need a camera.

 

[SmokeRoss]

I use trail cams. Especially at access points. Set the camera up where there is something else to draw their attention such as where your cabin pops into view. They'll be looking that way to see if anyone is home and not notice the camera on the tree next to the trail. Works like a charm.

 

[jubilation]

Thank ya'll. I get ridiculously excited when my questions are responded to. I DO have game cams out. And I keep them on my property, so other hunters don't get pissed and screw with them (had that happen). This works, but again, if people fool with them or if there's an issue- it's like 8 months until I get to view the pix, or find out that I have 2000 photos of a leave moving in front of my cam.

No cell service out there- so those fancy game cams aren't doable. Wonder about Ring type cams- I saw another brand recently that used AA's. I just don't know anyone who has went this route. And then, a reasonable way to keep my modem powered for the winter- like I don't want to connect anything that might put a drain on our main bank & wonder if there's another option besides a whole separate solar, inverter, battery set-up. Which I can do- but, wow! Hoped there was a trustworthy product for this purpose that would allow me to see trespassers as well as critters during the end of hunting season & throughout the winter.

 

[MacGyver]

No cell service out there- so those fancy game cams aren't doable. a reasonable way to keep my modem powered for the winter- like I don't want to connect anything that might put a drain on our main bank & wonder if there's another option besides a whole separate solar, inverter, battery set-up. Which I can do- but, wow!

They do make devices that disconnect the load before killing a battery or add more batteries and solar panels. Lot of options if you know what to look for. There are also ways to have cell service if you want it bad enough.

 

[jubilation]

They do make devices that disconnect the load before killing a battery or add more batteries and solar panels. Lot of options if you know what to look for. There are also ways to have cell service if you want it bad enough.

yeah- the learning curve is steep (and expensive!). We feel like we have our solar pretty much dialed in, though my husband wants another array & battery bank (so we NEVER have to run our gene). We show up after 7-8 months of winter & the lights are green & bank is charged & ready to go. Such a great feeling! So, my little side show, I'd like to keep lower expense & not tied to the main system. Maybe just daydreaming- but I feel like there must be some economical (haha) backwoods options.

 

[Daveinthebush]

Make boxes that look like bird houses and place the game cameras in them. Even Martin boxes with a conibear in front of the camera. I place mine when I'm not home high enough that the person needs a ladder to reach them. Usually, a thief doesn't look around for a ladder. Mine have a 1/4-20 threaded hole in the bottom. That helps with mounting in unusual places. On our hunting property we sometimes place a camera, looking at a camera if we have concerns.

 

[MacGyver]

yeah- the learning curve is steep (and expensive!). , I'd like to keep lower expense & not tied to the main system. Maybe just daydreaming- but I feel like there must be some economical (haha) backwoods options.

There is, keep it simple.

Have a maintenance schedule, solar panels, batteries, wiring, after you arrive and before you leave. Note any and all changes in a log. This information if kept up to date will save you $$$ when you have a problem and you will, nothing last forever.

 

[midnitesunrich]

I'm interested in setting up some security cams at my remote/off grid cabin. Anyone have an input on what works (or what doesn't) and which equipment works well for this application. I'm eyeballing some wireless/battery op outdoor cams. It'd work while we were there & that's a start. I'd eventually love to have them to work for me while I'm away. I'm not interested in tying my modem into our main battery bank, in case of failure.

So- 2 part question- 1) what cameras work (probably wouldn't want spot lights) and 2) what sort of setup to keep power to my modem

Thank You!

What also you can use is some Cellular trail cams or actual cameras. Google cellular solar cameras...they send alerts when someone trips camera. They are also Solar powered.

 

[mranes]

I'm interested in setting up some security cams at my remote/off grid cabin. Anyone have an input on what works (or what doesn't) and which equipment works well for this application. I'm eyeballing some wireless/battery op outdoor cams. It'd work while we were there & that's a start. I'd eventually love to have them to work for me while I'm away. I'm not interested in tying my modem into our main battery bank, in case of failure.

So- 2 part question- 1) what cameras work (probably wouldn't want spot lights) and 2) what sort of setup to keep power to my modem

Thank You!

I have a remote cabin in Montana and Monitor the property from Idaho with a Blink camera system, I do have Starlink up there for internet and I do have a solar/battery system for power. This system uses next to no power. The system does go down if the solar panels get covered for a few days but goes back online as soon as the sun reappears. I change the batteries at the end of each summer and the system works well and is cheap. That system around the cabin and game camera's elsewhere further out. System notifies me on my phone anytime there is movement. If the camera's are set up right you minimize false alarms. I pretty much only get activations when I see my neighbor approaching the cabin or a deer or the local fox drop by.

 

[tlagrone]

I'm interested in setting up some security cams at my remote/off grid cabin. Anyone have an input on what works (or what doesn't) and which equipment works well for this application. I'm eyeballing some wireless/battery op outdoor cams. It'd work while we were there & that's a start. I'd eventually love to have them to work for me while I'm away. I'm not interested in tying my modem into our main battery bank, in case of failure.

So- 2 part question- 1) what cameras work (probably wouldn't want spot lights) and 2) what sort of setup to keep power to my modem

Thank You!

I sell a line of Solar Powered PTZ WiFi and 4G/LTE cameras. My web site is https://www.serenilak.com — that site “Store” will give you a link to the eBay and Amazon listings for my cameras. I have a 4G camera at my remote cabin and it operates very well during daylight. I also have both WiFi and a 4G camera at my Big Lake location, so I have extremely detailed experience with cold weather operation. Worked during day down to -30 F. Lithium batteries quit somewhere between -4 F and -20 F. As previous commenter mentioned, snow covering solar panels will cause batteries to discharge. I mounted remote camera under roof on deck.

I have been selling these cameras for three years and my primary customers are on southern US border and Africa.

These particular cameras are white and work very well when temperatures are above 32 F for at least a few days each month or if you can recharge the cameras about once per month. No external power required during the daylight 6 months of year. If you have WiFi available at your cabin and 110 Volt AC or stable 12 Volt DC, there are a multitude of security cameras available at prices under $40. Walmart sells a camo 4G camera in the $250 range.

If you have GCI service, data plan is extremely expensive unless you are a large business or government agency.

I also have a special data plan available that is in the $25 per year range for security camera use. (AT&T signal required in Alaska; T-Mobile or AT&T in other 49 states - also works in Canada, Mexico and 98 other countries)

Pictures from remote camera — no geotagging in photos, (cabin doesn’t move), that is available on some high end cameras. First photo is a low resolution snapshot, second photo is screenshot of APP used to monitor camera with HD mode selected.

See my web site for detailed information on powering your modem.

 

[DieHardPressingOn]

I'm interested in setting up some security cams at my remote/off grid cabin. Anyone have an input on what works (or what doesn't) and which equipment works well for this application. I'm eyeballing some wireless/battery op outdoor cams. It'd work while we were there & that's a start. I'd eventually love to have them to work for me while I'm away. I'm not interested in tying my modem into our main battery bank, in case of failure.

So- 2 part question- 1) what cameras work (probably wouldn't want spot lights) and 2) what sort of setup to keep power to my modem

Thank You!

Try these cameras: https://premiuminvention.com/ High quality, wireless, solar powered. Mine work amazing. Great customer service.

 

[tlagrone]

Monday, Feb 20 was first day this winter with enough sun and temperatures above freezing to recharge remote camera batteries. Hopefully, we will see Spring soon.

 

[tlagrone]

GCI may be entering the IoT age for more than large corporations and government. Just saw one of my systems switch automatically to GCI. Send personal message if this information is of any interest. Previously individuals and small businesses were limited to using a cell phone plan with data for their IoT devices.