IR no worky at night

[CCCmarine 0]

Ive been having problems with an IR Bullet cam that sits under a roof overhang just below a copper gutter. The camera works fine during the day but the IR does not kick in at night. At first I thought it was some kind of interference from the gutter. I tested the light ok but using a different power supply. Could it be voltage related? Power comes from wall plug type supply 12v DC. Its about 60-80 ft run on stranded 18gauge.

 

Camera is Rainbow BCVF4WDIR (http://www.rainbowcctv.com/cameras/bcvf4wdir.html)

 

How could I verify that?

 

Another question would be is it better to 24/28VAC on longer runs compared to 12VDC?

 

 

Thanks!

[Soundy 1]

Measure the voltage AT the camera... typical cheap 12VDC supplies actually output 16-18V, so the losses shouldn't cause a problem, but a regulated or switching-mode supply will output almost exactly 12V and the drop over longer runs may cause an issue.

 

HOWEVER, 60-80' is not that long, and typically if the voltage is dropping to much, the camera will cut out when the IR comes on, so that's probably not your issue.

 

You COULD run 24VAC, but if the camera doesn't support that (odds are that it doesn't) all you'll do is fry the camera.

 

I'd look at whether it's not getting dark enough to trigger the IR - there's typically a light sensor in amongst the IR LEDs and covering it up with a finger should cause them to turn of, if everything else is working properly.

[CCCmarine 0]

Thanks Soundy.

 

Its was dead on 12V when I tested. Problem ended up being a 500Ma power supply, I replaced with a 12VDC 1amp and all was good. I want to change the whole install to use a centralized power supply with fuses. I hate the bank of wall plugs not to mention the heat it puts out.

 

So other question, on longer runs, in the 500-800 ft range is it better to use AC?

[Soundy 1]

Only if the cameras support AC.

 

What you could do in that instance is run AC, and if the cameras only take 12VDC, then put a 1A regulator board by the camera.