Power Problems

[Bannsider 0]

Hi guys,

 

I'm trying to wire 2 dome cameras but I have a problem. Both of them run on 12vdc power. I have ran one RG59+2 cable to one camera and one RG59 cable to the other. The place I'm installing the cameras into aren't too keen on spending more money to get the extra RG59+2 cable for the other camera.

 

So my question is, how do I link the power between the two cameras? What cable do I need and how to I split them?

 

Many Thanks

[tomcctv 190]

Hi guys,

 

I'm trying to wire 2 dome cameras but I have a problem. Both of them run on 12vdc power. I have ran one RG59+2 cable to one camera and one RG59 cable to the other. The place I'm installing the cameras into aren't too keen on spending more money to get the extra RG59+2 cable for the other camera.

 

So my question is, how do I link the power between the two cameras? What cable do I need and how to I split them?

 

Many Thanks

 

 

if your customer is complaining on a little bit of cable just walk away from the job. there is not much in replacing the single RG59 for RG59+2 as it would just to run an extra flex cable to the unpowered camera. but dont try to save money on the most important part of an install.

[rory 0]

So my question is, how do I link the power between the two cameras? What cable do I need and how to I split them?

 

depending on the current draw of the 2 domes, if its not much as with most basic new domes, then just run an 18awg wire, like lamp cord wire. Remember 12VDC cant go that far also, compared to 24VAC, and if the camera is dual voltage with IR sometimes it can draw alot more current in 12VDC.

[Soundy 1]

Like Rory says, you can use just about any sort of cable for the power - 18/2 or 16/2 lamp cord will work. Speaker wire, station wire, Cat3 phone wire, Cat5 network wire... really doesn't matter as long as you have enough thickness there vs. the length of the run. In an extreme pinch you could even use another run of coax for power, although that would actually cost FAR more than simple Siamese cable.

 

However, if you do do this, do it right, and home-run the power. Don't just "link" the two cameras: that will double the total current draw over the first segment (between the power supply and first camera), and if it's already near the limit and starting to drop voltage, it will make the drop even worse for BOTH cameras. It will also substantially increase the chance of a ground loop and thus the chance of noise in the picture.

 

Ultimately though, Tom's advice is good: if this customer is THIS cheap, it's probably better to just walk away. Tell him when he's ready to spend the whole extra $20 to do it RIGHT, you'll come back... or he can get someone else to wire it up half-assed, and then THAT person will get to come back and deal with the headaches it causes.