Power adapter needed for longer cables

[31Bravo 0]

The power adapter that came with my cameras is 12V 1000milliamps. If plugged directly into the camera, the IR mode will work fine. If I try to power it through the 100ft. cables that I bought, it will work in the day, but the IR mode will not work. Does this mean I need more volts or more milliamps?

[Soundy 1]

What size (gauge) wire are you using to extend the power?

 

I'm betting it's too small and the voltage is dropping too much by the time it reaches the camera. Try metering the voltage at the camera.

[31Bravo 0]

It doesn't specify what the gauge is on the packaging

[Soundy 1]

See if it's printed on the wire itself - might be 22, 20, 18, etc. What is it sold as - speaker wire, zip wire, etc.?

 

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_wire_gauge for more info.

[31Bravo 0]

There is no gauge indication printed on the cable itself. It is sold as a dual bnc video/2.1mm power cable for cctv cameras. When the camera is powered through the cable, the led lights come on, but the camera is still dark.

[Soundy 1]

Definitely sounds like you're getting to much voltage drop. Unless there's something seriously faulty with the power supply, 1A should be way more than enough current (heck 300-500mA is probably enough), so it's not that. I'm guessing this is a regulated supply as well, as an unregulated "12VDC" unit would probably be producing anywhere from 14 to 18V at the output, and the drop over a longer run wouldn't be so problematic. If it's regulated and actually putting out a solid 12V though, it may be dropping to 10V or less by the time it gets to the camera.

 

Again, a multimeter is your friend - check the voltage at the supply and at the camera and see how much you're losing.