Solar-powered IP network cameras

[ND_Rancher]

I have installed an network of cameras located on the buttes overlooking my ranch. They feature Toshiba IK-WB01A, 11A, and 15A models. They each are powered by solar panels wired to controllers that maintain single or dual parallel connected 12 volt deep charge batteries. They are not enclosed in any protective housing. They have withstood the minus 40 to plus 110 temperature range that we experience. The video streams are transported via Tranzeo 2.4 Ghz radios.

In fact, the radios also transport telephone and Internet connectivity form a site 4 miles away! The system has been operating for about 3 years.

The only problem I experience is with the Toshiba 15A models on single battery installations. They tend to reset when the controller cuts power due to low battery charge levels. (We recently were fogged in for about a week and a half!) This means a half mile trek via snowmobile and snowshoes to the top of a butte. I have to bring the ip cam back to the house to set it up, which is not desirable.

Does anyone have experience with other IP cams that might withstand this extreme conditions while operating on 12 volts? Any constructive input would be welcomed.

[40th Floor]

Factory reset?

What does the log file say?

I've a 15A. Used to use a loose, mini-ATX PS to power it and a few others. The 15A would reset maybe once a month or more; no such problem with the other connected cams. It was on a UPS; can't say if it was a power switch-over that caused a glitch. I replaced that UPS.

The log would say, well, let me grab some. I now use a PS from inside a real small server box; it's rated at 150W, and the mobo only uses 50W or so, so plently left for the 5 cams it also powers. Everything, including a wifi AP/router, a Gbit switch, the server box, and 5 cams, is about 95W. Anyway, since I replaced the PS, and the UPS, it's been a whole lot more reliable as far as those reboots go. If you notice, the log shows how the date would get reset (pre-new PS/UPS); it doesn't do that anymore. I don't think there's an SD card in there - another weird log message.

It's never factory reset, though. On a reset it goes to the home position, and that's the only way I can tell it reset.

Why not truck on out there, pull the camera, bring it back, copy and paste the log here. No?

[sujiro]

The latest in solar power technology, combined with a high definition time lapse ready IP camera. This stand alone image recording solution is ideal for time lapse image recording of construction sites, analysis of wildlife and conservation research, as well as some security and monitoring applications.
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