Hooking up a motion sensor to Infrared Illuminator..........

[NYCBlue 0]

Hey Guys,

 

I had success with the information and ideas provided to me from my first thread, I thought I'd give another topic a whirl. You guys here are great. I am looking to place a good infrared illuminator in my front yard. It would be best if the IR only turned on if it was tripped by a motion sensor. I don't like the idea of having the unit constantly on at night, which could be easily a tip to a uncivilized human being that the area is monitored if this person surveyed the landscape with a regular camcorder. What would be the best way to accomplish this? Any ideas, recommendations, suggestions are welcome, especially any actual motion sensor product recommendations. Thanks

[zmxtech 0]

your theory only goes so far because they will see the illuminator mounted during the day?

 

A motion detection system might miss vital footage as the camera adjusts

I have the same problem with sanyo-DN cameras soon as a spotlight lights up the the IR filter takes 1-2 seconds to adjust and the person has walked past missing the shot.

 

I like the idea of semi covert, it catches dumb criminals makes smart ones think twice and the general public dont notice it.

[scorpion 0]

A motion detector system as you described is a failure.

 

I am not sure why you want to "hide" the illuminator. Illuminators are invisible to the naked eye. This means you are hiding the slight glow from the LED style illuminators.

 

If someone is scoping your place with a camcorder then I see a premeditated crime rather than one of opportunity, or out of desperation (such as one who needs a quick drug fix). If they have a camcorder then they know what they are after, and they have more inside info then a random crime and your are more than just targeted.

 

If they are within a range while video taping then will they not set off your motion detection, and see the very illuminators that you are "hiding".

 

I was curious why you would add more money to a project?

 

The system failure is that the motion detector would never shut off depending on the environment. Outside animals, and birds, and moving branches in the wind may set off your detector constantly.

 

If you truely need this kind of a system, then I would suggest beams that a person would have to break that would trigger your illuminators (or alarms for a different project, or to trigger a DVR channel to record).

 

You would have more than one beam. A person would break two or more beams, but wild animals, or pets would only break the lower beam preventing false alarms, and if the animal is big enough to trigger all of the beams you might want that on video!

 

http://www.optexamerica.com/productpage.aspx?l1=2&l2=7&id=6

 

If a motion detector is the way for you then try various settings to get the beam high enough to prevent walking animals from triggering it. Place some tape on the inside of the detector across the top to "shield" the sky to prevent trees, and flying birds / bats from triggering the detector.

Perhaps tape across the bottom horizon, and across the top horizon may create a "slit" that the detector can see out that would trigger against a person, but minimize some of the false triggering?

 

You will want to order a motion detector that is Outdoor designed. Indoor ones will fail depending on your environment.

 

http://www.optexamerica.com/productlist.aspx?l1=2&l2=9

 

What do you think?

[NYCBlue 0]

No, the illuminator would not be visible to a passerby. Hey scorpian, zmxtech thank you for taking your time to reply. I disagree that somebody willing to go to survey an area is immediately and always a super nut or lethal crook, though obviously could very well be. Rather even somebody with minimal knowledge, a minor thief of opportunity, could be looking to steal something from somebodys yard(plastic or cement yard animal, flower pot, yard light etc.) (Yep, had each taken from mine! Gosh, people would take a gum wrapper if it had value) could simply pass by in a car or on foot and check with any simple camera for infrared illumination. I dont have a cell phone camera, can ir be visible to that too? Plus, I wouldn't want neighbors taking pictures and asking "Why does your yard glow in the dark?" LOL. By the way I would position it, and the way things are setup here in my urban area it would be very, very hard to notice the illuminator. Some of the units by some ir companies can even easily be put in a flower pot at even level at the top and very easy to miss. With a little thought, in a good location it would be very hard to find. Don't have to worry about animals, LOL! I rarely even see stray cats!! Yes, hit me with the urban dweller jokes!!

 

I don't want to turn this into a philosphical debate as to why are you doing this? don't do it, etc. Thats serves me no purpose, not the 2 cents I need, keep the change. The idea is a sound one. Those willing to further the idea and evolve it to its maximum, please do. Thanks for the links scorpian, anymore from anyone else would be appreciated, and the idea you recommended from my first thread is on the way, thanks!!