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Give me a day or two, and I will email you my wiring diagram for this P/T unit. I have several of them out in the field, and I think I still have one here at my home. Very basic units, but check underneath and make sure it operates on 24vac ( most do). This keeps things easy. I use 8 conductor cable for most of these. 5 wires for the P/T unit, and 3 wires for the cameras. I tied the common for the Pan and the Tilt together, then send 24v for Tilt Up, Tilt Down, Pan left, Pan right. Normally there is a common for each motor. I don't use the Autopan feature on any of the ones I built and installed. 3 wires for the cameras? Yes. I run one Neutral wire and two 24v hot wires. I have two cameras on these units, one b/w and one color. They switch from b/w to color via photocell control, and an "ice cube " relay. Might sound like a lot of wiring, but actually very simple , in practice.

I just emailed you some pictures of my hand held Pan/Tilt controller with 2 switches. Easy to build. Like I said, just use the Siemens 24v 140va ( or equivalent) transformer. Fuse everything. I would have to dig up my wiring diagrams ,as I also changed the connector on these , in order to keep the design simple, using a 9-pin connector.

I personally don't use any that don't have voltage regulation built-in. Almost all the upper-end APC units also have built-in communication with a PC, in order to access their fault menus, or to check on how much the system is being used. Use the APC 1000 or 1500 models. I guess if I didn't know anything about UPS systems, I would go to a local electronics store and ask. If you buy one for $20, I would almost guarantee that it doesn't have VR. You get what you pay for.

To me, the best way to do it, is to put an APC UPS unit ahead of everything else. Your UPS unit should be the first thing plugged into the source receptacle. Then power supply/DVR/monitor should plug into the UPS. The Upper-end APC UPS , and I am sure many others, do protect from brownouts, spikes, etc. as I can watch mine here on my office desk, display a "low incoming voltage" signal alarm often in the Summertime, or during a Winter storm. Go to Tigerdirect, Newegg.com, or electronic store, and I am sure you can find good model. Just that APC, to me, is probably the best I have ever used, and I use them quite often.

These normally operate on 24vac. Very easy to build your own PT control for this type . I should have a few of my older designs lying around my garage. I took Square D hand held control box, and installed 2 Allen Bradley 3 position, spring return to center, switches to control my first few PT units. I can email you a photo of how I did it. I built several for friends, until I figured out how to build a wireless (RF) control panel, that incorporates all functions, including the lens zoom, iris, and focus. Only thing is that my first designs were wired, so I guess if you don't mind running wires. It is just that by doing those functions via a wireless remote control (RF). it makes it possible to put the control panel further away. I got lucky and found some Belden 18/8 conductor. Use the same 24v Siemens (or similiar) transformer I emailed to you.

Cheapest and easiest way is to get a Video Distribution Amplifier. I have the same design at my home. I take it directly from my Avermedia DVR, then feed 3 TV's in the house from it. I don't like to mention it, but I bought it for $20 on E**Y. Pelco, American made at that. 2 years going strong. Just run your rg59 from this Amplifier to each TV you wish to view on. Make sure your TV's have a secondary AV input. Total cost to send my signal from my DVR to 3 TV's in the house ... around $40.

Everything electrical in the USA, that is used in electrical design/installation has to be UL Listed. Not "UL Tested", but "UL Listed". Every fuse I install is rated for 300volts, nothing less. My transformers and DC power supplies are used everyday in Industrial applications. When I build a power supply there is nothing that is made in China inside that panel, or I wouldn't use it. Nothing against any country, but you are correct about the "gotchas" when doing electical installations, even something as small as 12vdc. I don't use anything but Bussman fuses, no PTC's, nothing else. My DIN mount fuse holders can change a fuse in seconds. Allen Bradley quality materials. Most people have no idea about how to calculate short circuit currents (RMS), and that will cause a lot of problems in electrical design. Bottom line, always use quality materials, and you will rest easy.

When you email me, I will send you a picture of the new style PAR flood lamps I use. They use only 17 watts, but fit a normal PAR style lamp holder. Use them all around the home now. Got rid of the 100 watt incandescent, and went to these. They light up my driveway and front walkway great.

I am just not a good "salesman" at all. I hate selling things. My garage is full of power supplies, transformers, Hoffman panels, relays, DIN rail, VFD's, RTD's, Signal generators, recycle timers, Allen Bradley switches, Motor starters, etc. you name it, I have it on my shelves. A friend of mine reminds me all the time, that I promised him years ago, that when I die, he gets to "rifle" through my garage for 1 hour before anyone else. I even have several direct burial Fiber Optic housings I was going to use , but never did. All that besides my 3 welders, Plasma Cutter, 100 gallon air compressor. Did I ever send you a picture of my Stainless Steel trailer I built 3 years ago?

I carry my battery operated Radio Shack model up the ladder with me, usually. Small screen CRT, but I only paid about 20 bucks for it. I made a little holder for it, out of fishing net, in which I will put one screw into an eave to hold it, while I am working on the camera(s). Just my 2 cents.

I just noticed your posting here. If you get a chance, you can PM me for information on how to build your own Power Supplies, both 24vac and 12vdc. I build my own all the time, and I can send you some pictures of them, and what to look for. Most of my projects are DIN mount, even my fuse holders. Just don't buy "junk" parts. Look for Regulated Power Supplies. I use mostly Sola and Allen Bradley, but often times use Siemens. My background is Industrial Electrical and Mechanical, so I know the big manufacturers of electrical equipment. I buy electrical parts on Ebay all the time, you just have to know your equipment and the seller, in order to get some really good deals on top quality parts. Your DVR and Monitor should be protected by a UPS system. Go to Tigerdirect.com and see the different versions. APC is by far the best, and they are also sold at outlets such as Circuit City, Best Buy, etc. I am not in the sales business, so you won't get any sales pitch from me.

I have been to the San Antonio Toyota plant last year, on a job hunting mission. I live about 2 hours from the Toyota Fremont California plant. Never been to the Dodge truck plant in Mexico, though. Sorry, DaimlerChrysler (German) , built in Mexico. Everything is "outsourced" of sorts. I purposefully purchase items that are made in the USA, if, and when I can. I know I can't buy a TV anymore, but that's OK. I wouldn't own a Chinese rifle, but I do own several Austrian and German, as well as a many American made pistols. I make a point to look for American made products whenever possible. Plano tackle boxes at Walmart, are American made. A dollar more, but I know that buck went to an American worker, who (hopefully) paid taxes.

I have used the Pelco, and an older Vicon both. Both still working great. The Vicon was 1 in, and 6 out.

If you own an automobile, isn't that auto made in your own country? The only foreign auto I have ever owned was my last Ford F-250, which was built in Canada. My 1st Toyota was built right here in California, and my Tundra was built in Indiana. My next Tundra will be built in San Antonio. As an American, I personally would rather see things made in Mexico than made in China. Basically to help that economy prevent disaster there, and to attempt to stop what is happenning now. Never going to own a Chinese made car, sorry.

For smaller installs, and quicker, I use the Power Supply that Scorpion recommended . For more complicated installs, using 24vac and 12vdc both , I mostly build my own with Hoffman Nema 3 or Nema 4 Panels. But I have been building Industrial panels for over 20 years, so it is just a matter of time/effort needed to come up with a good panel. Just use a good brand of power supply, mostly Sola or Allen Bradley, and mount to DIN rail. Use fuses on everything to the cameras or PTZ's. Use a DIN mounted circuit breaker on the incoming 120vac line feed. Easily resettable. You can find great deals on 24v transformers by just shopping. Stick with good names like Siemens. I use many of their 24v 140va transformers. I also put cooling fans in all my panels. Good luck.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPT-PW71er0 Some videos from my Avermedia DVR at home.

My Plextor Hardware encoder, like I said, will fit in the palm of my hand. USB into either my laptop, or PC. So I can take it with me anywhere. Will take RCA or S-video inputs. It is a Hardware Encoder, which I like that fact. Using the software that comes with it, someone can save the video to over a dozen formats. Mpeg4,Mpeg2,Divx. Several levels of each format. I can then make a Video CD or DVD by just "dragging and dropping" from a list of video files. I actually took all of my home movies (VHS and 8mm) and saved them this way, but I used the DIVX format when I saved them and put them onto DVD. I also started saving all my old VHS movies to this format, onto an external hard drive, then into DVD format. They actually come out pretty well, especially coming off a 20 Y. O. VHS tape.

In cases like this, where there is an older DVR, or one which does not have a video output other than a normal 75 ohm output, I use my Plextor Hardware encoder and my laptop. You would need to take the video output , directly from the DVR, and instead of going into your monitor (TV?) go into this type of hardware encoder, then directly into a laptop or PC. It is saved onto the hard drive in whatever format you choose, Video CD, DVD, Super Video CD, etc. I use my Plextor all the time, you might want to check it out at Tigerdirect, etc. It fits in the palm of my hand. Good luck

Good idea to always check electrical connections/output with a decent multimeter. This way, if you have the DC voltage wired incorrectly, you would be able to tell before ruining a DC camera. I carry my Fluke meter with me always. My "home" Fluke, is the type with clamp-on top, so it can be setup to be visible while using the leads for troubleshooting.

Tried to upload pic today. Got the same error message also.

Ran into same problem last year. Put housings on poles for parking lot views. Ended up using UHMW 8' X 10" sheets as spacers. Problem went away.

Always transmit the largest voltage of AC first. Take it from your Utility Company. Most High Transmission lines are 12000VAC, then stepped down via transformers from that point. I don't know of any DC power transmission over long distances (maybe some solar?). Short distances are OK, but when using 12vdc and 18 guage wire, you really have a hard time trying to meet "less than 5% voltage drop". Find a voltage drop chart, and I think you can answer most questions concerning length/size of wire runs. Amperage used ( or the potential ) is probably the biggest factor in wire runs. Hope that helps.

Just wondering if anyone on this forum has purchased, or know who carries the Mosquito Teenager Deterrent device? I believe they are made in the U.K., but I am sure by now, someone in the USA carries them.

I definitely think the device has its' purpose. Lets figure that most grafitti is done by teenagers. I wouldn't install the device in a residential application for sure. I have a service station customer in which I installed cameras last year for him. On Friday and Saturday nights, he has tons of teenagers that hang around behind his station and cause all sorts of trouble. The one camera in the back works, but he normally has only one person working the store part of the station, and cannot go outside all night to chase them away. These kids are in the 12 to 16 age group. I watched the video that plays on the Mosquito website, and it is almost the same scenario. Just wanted to know if anyone on this forum has used the Mosquito yet.

I guess you didn't really look up the Ebay item numbers.If you did , you would see that anyone can purchase the BELDEN 16/2 PLENUM RATED for $30 plus shipping. LOOK at the auction before you write anything. I work in Industrial Manufacturing. Belden is #1. I don't use cheap Chinese made siamese cable. Belden is UL LISTED PLENUM RATED. Do you know what the electrical code is concerning Plenum cable? Also , 16 gauge wire, not 18 guage. 1000' for $30 plus shipping. The coax I mentioned, trying to do you a favor, is AMERICAN MADE 95% copper braid RG59. Again , LOOK at the auction ad. Don't worry, I won't offer anymore suggestions on Ebay items. You buy from whomever you wish. Good luck.