vmgtlexi

Thanks Sean. When I installed and set up the camera, I selected "color only". From the manual my understanding is that this necessarily eliminates the possibility of IR coming on. IR only comes on when the camera switches to B&W mode. Maybe I'm wrong about that, but that's what the manual implies.

Tonight, I may try to put the camera with the "wavy lines" on the 24VAC 50VA Altronix plug-in dedicated transformer to see if I have a repeat of the symptoms on that cam with that power supply. However, using that transformer at the camera location would be nearly impossible (no place to plug in even with extension cord). So, can I use the transformer at the end of my cable run (about 110' feet away). In other words, will that still be a good test; ie, will there be too much risk of voltage drop at that distance, or is 24VAC plenty capable of transmitting enough juice over that run?

To clarify... Last night, my system was as follows: One Samsung SCO-2080R powered by a dedicated plug-in Altronix 24VAC 50va (2A) transformer - did not exhibit any problems last night; this was the cam that previously was powering down inexplicably One Samsung SCO-2080R in color mode only (No IR) powered by my 12VDC 5A PSU - exhibited the "wavy lines" last night; this cam had been 100% fine up until when the other Samsung stopped having its power down issues; then the power "problem" on the first Samsung stopped and this wavy line problem began One Nuvico bullet IR that draws 1A powered by my 12VDC 5A PSU The other cams were totally disconnected from power. The "wavy lines" only occur at night.

This SCO-2080R with the "wavy lines" is not the same SCO that had the power-off problems. It is the same model, but I have two SCO-2080R's. One has/had the power-off problems. This other one has the "wavy lines" issues. The one with the "wavy lines" ONLY has these wavy lines during the middle of the night!!!???!! Although it only started happening a few days ago, I can ONLY find evidence of the "wavy lines" during night time. And, this camera is set to color only (no B&W and no IR LED's are ever used). The camera with the power-off issues has not had that problem in over 48 hours. Last night, the camera with the power-off issues was on an Altronix plug-in 24VAC transformer (2A). So, it was not on my PSU. I also disconnected all cams from my PSU except the porch cam with the wavy lines and one other critical camera (critical for security). So, last night, my 5A 12VDC PSU only had 2 cams on it. Yet, this porch cam still had the "wavy lines". The LED's on the SCO-2080R are called "black LED's" I think. My PSU is by Bolide Technology; it's called a "switching" PSU, I believe. My other cameras (Nuvicos) never have ANY problems; and, I never had any camera problems until I installed the Samsung cameras. Anyway, it seems like the "power-off" problem on one Samsung has at least for now gone away, but the "wavy lines" on the other Samsung have taken its place as the problem du jour. I have ordered a 24VAC 12.5A PSU from Altronix; it may be money wasted, but at least I will be able to 100% rule out power supply being part of the problem once I put the camera on that kind of "horsepower".

Thank you. I had a horrible thought that it could be a ground loop.

I'm just hopeful it's a simple power supply problem, because I don't want to get on ladders to take them down. Tonight, I have one of the Samsung's on a dedicated 24VAC plug in wall adapter. Thus, my 12VDC 5A PSU is now only powering 4 cameras. If I still experience problems, then I will have no choice but to send them in.

Rory - What's the benefit of "isolated" PSU's?

Great, thanks.

So, just to test all hypotheses, I bought the transformer below in which to plug my SCO-2080R directly. This will take it off my PSU power grid and help determine where the problem lies (ie, with the PSU or the camera). The transformer was only $15 so I figured it's worth a shot. It should be PLENTY of power, which will rule out power supply problems if the cameras still powers down intermittently. http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/ALTRONIX-PlugIn-Transformer-24Vac50Va-115Vac-4WCD5 Questions: 1) It is a 24VAC transformer with 50VA output. Is my math correct that this equates to 2A output? 2) The terminals are not marked with "+" or "-". I thought that on 24VAC it was especially important to get polarity correct? Is that correct, and if so how do I know which terminal is positive/negative? Thanks again!

Tom - Yes, my cams are dual voltage. That's a good point and important to remember.

I'll check the connections, but ALL of my connections at the camera end were wrapped carefully with electrical tape to ensure a TIGHT contact. At the DVR end, I'll check the termination and connection to DVR. But, it only started after I was moving power wires around on my existing PSU. I haven't moved or touched the BNC/video connections on this 2nd Samsung camera at all since it was installed.

I may get this PSU to satisfy all power needs. Will this be sufficient for my system? And, if power is the issue with the SCO-2080R's, will this solve it? I have 5 bullet IR cams (no PTZ, no heaters, no blowers). If I ever get more cams, I'll never exceed 8 standard IR cameras. Will this PSU suffice? http://www.altronix.com/index.php?pid=2&model_num=ALTV248300UL3

Here's a new issue with the SECOND SCO-2080R (not the same physical camera that started this thread, but the same model in the same system). This issue just started tonight. Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4uiaKkUPU4 Now I am really confused. Maybe Tom is right about the power; what's the likelihood that I have 2 bad SCO-2080R cams? Probably low. Samsung seemed to agree there's no way it's a power problem. I am so sick of this hobby. Ready to toss all this junk in the trash.

Shockwave, That's something I am considering. I originally owned a 4-channel DVR. I never thought I'd ever have more than 4 basic cameras. Thus, my 9-output PSU with 5A seemed like plenty for 4 simple IR bullet cams. Now, I have an 8-channel DVR, but only 5 cameras. I may not do anything new on the PSU front. But if I do, I want to be sure it's the LAST power unit I ever buy; ie, I want to get more than enough juice for 8 cameras (I never plan to own 8 cameras, but you never know). Would appreciate comments - let's assume I one day have 8 cameras; TDN IR bullets or domes (no heaters, no blowers, no PTZ needed; just solid TDN IR functions on a reliable solid camera). What would be more than enough of a PSU for those 8 cams, without going too overboard on power? I need a wall-mount PSU.

So, how does one know if the power consumption ratings in a camera's manual are calculated using 24VAC or 12VDC? The manual says the following: ELECTRICAL Input Voltage DC 12V ± 10% / AC 24V ± 10% Power Consumption Max 6.8W / 6.5W (IR-LED ON) I read it to mean that the 6.8W (before the slash) relates to the DC 12V (also before the slash). But, I know this was typed up somewhere in Asia and the language and intent are sometimes lost in translation.

I just got off the phone with a Samsung engineer (I muscled my way to the right department). He confirmed my math. They concurred the camera is not being under-powered and said "there is definitely something wrong with the camera".

manual says samsung 4 amp ..... its this high because of power drew of IR kick in No - The Samsung manual says max draw of 6.8 watts fo this camera. On 12VDC, that's 0.57A. And, .57A is almost identical to the reading I took with my multitester. The 4A you keep referring to clearly states it applies to using an "adapter"; presumably a plug-in adapter. Nowhere in the specs of the camera does it say the camera ever comes close to drawing 4A. I will clarify with Samsung and let you know what they say. If I'm wrong, so be it.

Correction - My PSU is made by "Atrix"; it is not a "no name".

Rory - 24VAC scares me. 12VDC sounds so much "friendlier" if something goes wrong (shocks, shorts, etc.). I just prefer working with low-voltage. But, if I am proven wrong about the power needs of these cameras, I will upgrade to 24VAC PSU without hesitation.

Here are my power draws: 3 Nuvicos draw 1A each max (per the manual) = 3 A draw total 2 SCO-2080R's draw 6.8W (per the manual). And, 6.8W/12VDC = .57A each. For 2 cams, that's 1.1A. So, 3A + .57A + .57A = 4.1A total draw My power supply is a 5A power supply. So, I am not exceeding my PSU capability. This video reinforces my calculations: To Tom's point, the SCO manual states a recommend 12vdc/4A "ADAPTOR"; this is not referring to the use of a PSU; it refers to someone who is plugging each camera individually into a wall outlet. It's written in bad English, but that's how I read it anyway. I can take the heat. If you think my calcs are wrong, lay it on me!

A review of the Altronix web site shows a 12VDC PSU for 16 cameras with a total 10A output; that 's the most powerful 12VDC PSU they have. So, if one were to put 16 SCO-2080R's on that power supply, by the logic of "underpowered", it still would not work. The point being - according to the "underpowered" point of view, there are no apparent 12VDC PSU's that can handle these cameras. Why would the camera be designed for 12VDC operation if there are no 12VDC PSU's that can handle them? Something does not add up.

Tomcctv- Why does the other SCO-2080R on the same PSU work perfectly 100% of time? Logic would dictate that if there is a PSU issue, the other exact model would display the same symptoms; but it does not. Why do the other cameras all work perfectly too? Why does this never occur when the IR is switching on or off? In my emails to Samsung, they have not suggested anything about the camera being under-powered, and they know everything about my PSU specs, my total camera loads, etc.. The manual notwithstanding, the camera, even under its heaviest draw, is NOT pulling even 1 amp. For this camera (and this camera alone on the same PSU as my other cams) to exhibit totally random power off/on problems (none of which occur during IR switchover or when there is any unusual power draw) does not seem to point to a PSU problem. With underpowering, one would expect symptoms across more than 1 camera; at least on both identical models; or for the failures to come under heavy loads such as IR switchover, etc.; but, it NEVER happens that way. It just shuts down randomly with no rhyme or reason, which the other SCO-2080R on them same PSU works 100% of the time.

You're right about that. Apparently, while I was testing email alerts over the past few days, the DVR had a backlog of motion alerts it was trying (but failed) to send. Once I got it working tonight, it sent out over 100 emails....OUCH! I certainly don't want to get an email every time my cat decides to change sleeping positions in the garage Now that it works, I only use email alerts for 1 "isolated" outdoor cam that does not get much motion action but is an important location. I also use it for video loss events (as in the case of the camera that started this thread; it's good to know when there's video loss so I can investigate why).

I'm done with it. Sending it to Samsung; they can play with it all they want. On a positive note, I managed to get my DVR to send email alerts after a week of fiddling with that.

I took my handy digital multi tester and tested the line. At the camera, the power measures 11.55 VDC (at the power source, it was 12.00 VDC exactly). The current at the camera is 540mA with the camera running in IR mode. Yesterday, I placed the SCO-2080R on a different power output in my power supply unit (thinking that perhaps I had one power output gone bad. Today, the camera had 2 more failures during daylight hours (ie, no IR switchover sucking down the power). I don't believe this is a power source problem. I don't have an outlet near the camera, so I can't hook up a plugged-in adapter at the camera. Anyway, I still believe this is a camera problem. If not, why is the other IDENTICAL camera NOT having these issues?