cameras burning-out like lightbulbs

[htu 0]

Hello!

 

I'm having an issue with several cameras going bad recently, after about two years of operation. Three of them are Honeywell HD3VC4HR (color, indoor, mini-dome), but the last one to go is a Speco HT-7815DNV (color/B&W/IR, outdoor, barrel-shape, heated).

 

The Honeywells generally displayed many thin vertical randomly-colored stripes on the entire picture with no video for days before they went totally black. One also blew the fuse for its line. The Speco just went blank, but somehow it will still display momentarily when power is applied to it.

 

I've discovered the 24V AC power supply (Altronix ALTV248) is common to all of these, and there is only one camera left operating on it. I suspected maybe the transformer (magnetic, not electronic) had a fault and was the culprit, but it measures at 25.6 volts, both at the box and at the camera locations. Is it possible there is something transient that I wouldn't catch?

 

Is there any way to attempt to fix these? (I do have some background in electronics, so I'm willing to give it a try.) Both Honeywell and Speco refuse to honor their warranties because end-users are forced to go through the distributor, and we have no idea who that is because the dealer/installer is now out of business.

 

Also, I'm looking for recommendations on replacements. A refurbished Sony mini-dome looks nice (actual Sony brand, not just the CCD) -- anyone have reservations about factory refurbs? If the Speco can't be fixed, what particular things should I be looking for, for an area that has a street light (mercury vapor)?

 

Thanks.

[rory 0]

Not sure on the fixing them part, but before you place any new cameras on there, make sure you have everything plugged into a Voltage Regulator, as sounds like that is the real problem.

[VST_Man 1]

I'm leaning towards a lighting strike vice a bad power supply.........seen it before.........

[htu 0]

Actually, the DVR and camera power are both protected by a UPS (APC brand, 900VA). Because of this, I don't suspect a surge, and also because they went out randomly over a period of several months.

 

What kind of voltage regulator would I look for? Would this be inserted between the transformer and the terminal block for the cameras, or should it be the 120V plug-in type?

 

Thanks again.

Edited April 20, 2008 by Guest

[survtech 0]

Actually, the DVR and camera power are both protected by a UPS (APC brand, 900VA). Because of this, I don't suspect a surge, and also because they went out randomly over a period of several months.

 

What kind of voltage regulator would I look for? Would this be inserted between the transformer and the terminal block for the cameras?

 

Thanks again.

A UPS won't protect cameras from lightning. Lightning is so unpredictable that you never know what path it will take. By UPS'ing the power, you may or may not protect the cameras. Power surges can still enter the power cables after the UPS. They can also get into the video distribution path or travel directly into the camera through the mount.

 

Camera power supplies, especially 24VAC supplies, rarely have problems and when they do it is almost always total loss of power to one or more outputs, not excess voltage (which is the only power-related possibility).

 

The next most common problem would be environmental. Are the cameras located where they are exposed to excess sun and/or heat? If they are outside, are the cameras installed in weatherproof enclosures or are they rated for outdoor use?

Edited April 20, 2008 by Guest

[rory 0]

Actually, the DVR and camera power are both protected by a UPS (APC brand, 900VA). Because of this, I don't suspect a surge, and also because they went out randomly over a period of several months.

 

What kind of voltage regulator would I look for? Would this be inserted between the transformer and the terminal block for the cameras?

 

Thanks again.

 

Just get an APC Voltage Regulator.

The UPS should have AVR built in, but not all units do and it typically does not work as well as a separate VR. The VR would be plugged into the wall. everything else then plugs into that.

[htu 0]

Thanks for your responses.

 

A UPS won't protect cameras from lightning. Lightning is so unpredictable that you never know what path it will take. By UPS'ing the power, you may or may not protect the cameras. Power surges can still enter the power cables after the UPS. They can also get into the video distribution path or travel directly into the camera through the mount.

 

Camera power supplies, especially 24VAC supplies, rarely have problems and when they do it is almost always total loss of power to one or more outputs, not excess voltage (which is the only power-related possibility).

 

The next most common problem would be environmental. Are the cameras located where they are exposed to excess sun and/or heat? If they are outside, are the cameras installed in weatherproof enclosures or are they rated for outdoor use?

 

The Honeywell cameras are all well indoors and away from vents, and have plastic housings mounted to drywall. The Speco is definitely the outdoor type.

 

Just get an APC Voltage Regulator.

The UPS should have AVR built in, but not all units do and it typically does not work as well as a separate VR. The VR would be plugged into the wall. everything else then plugs into that.

 

I'll look into this. However, we also have another set of cameras on a slightly different Altronix 24V AC power supply with no trouble at all. The only difference is that one appears to be on a dedicated circuit, whereas the one in question is shared with a computer and DVR. Both are on a UPS, but both are the "offline" type that switch to and from battery with a relay.

 

Also, is there any inherent advantage or disadvantage to 12V DC versus 24V AC cameras? (Aside from the fact that most pro cameras happen to be 24V AC or dual.)

[bulletproof77 0]

I have just recently run into several "bad" (why or how I do not know) Altronix (and "off brand" similar to Altronix) power supplies. Thought it was the cameras-happened on both 12 and 24 volt cams. Drove me nuts, checked wiring in walls, replaced cams, finally replaced power supplies (mostly Altronix 9-16 camera power supplies) and problem solved. I don't have a clue why, never seen so many bad supplies.

[htu 0]

I have just recently run into several "bad" (why or how I do not know) Altronix (and "off brand" similar to Altronix) power supplies. Thought it was the cameras-happened on both 12 and 24 volt cams. Drove me nuts, checked wiring in walls, replaced cams, finally replaced power supplies (mostly Altronix 9-16 camera power supplies) and problem solved. I don't have a clue why, never seen so many bad supplies.

 

Interesting! What were your cameras doing to indicate this, and what new brand did you replace the Altronix with? (Is Altronix a mediocre brand?) I assume you also had to replace the cameras because of this, or were you able to fix them?

[Javik 0]

Many camera power supplies are ultra-cheap and ultra-simple, usually nothing more than a 120v AC to 24 AC transformer. This provides no filtering, no surge protection, no nothing for power line disturbances.

 

What comes in to the transformer goes out of the transformer, just at a lower voltage. If a power surge or spike comes down the line to a basic transformer-only supply, it will just simply convert that into a 24v AC power surge or spike.

 

Plugging the camera power supply into a surge-protection power strip at minimum will provide basic surge protection.

 

A line-interactive UPS (most UPS's over $130 at Best Buy are now line-interactive) is a much better insurance policy against surges and other potential damage, plus if your DVR/server is on a UPS you will be able to record for a while when the power goes out.

 

You really don't have to spend much to protect the cameras.