Remote Outback Camera System Help

[SWNRM 0]

Hey guys,

 

I live in Far West QLD (Outback Australia) and I'm trying to put together a remote wildlife monitoring system to be setup and left for 4-8 weeks between visits. The camera will ideally be a weatherproof unit with IR capabilities, and will record to a hard drive when a PIR motion detector is triggered. The whole unit will be powered by a deep cycle battery that is trickle charged by a solar panel (no mains electricity in the bush!).

 

Just wondering if anyone has set up a similar system, or if anyone has any recommendations on the various components? Would a DVR with a built in hard drive work? Any ideas how I should hook it all up?

 

Any advice is appreciated!

 

Thanks

[Numb-nuts 1]

Really I would have thought that this would be a question of how much recording time you require and how much power the DVR and camera(s) require. The idea of using batteries and a trickle charger is not new by any means.

 

I assume the areas have absolutely no ambient light so infra red may be the nigh-time answer as even low light cameras require some light. The IR is going to consume a fair bit of current on top of the cameras but not as much as floodlights which I think would probably not suit your needs anyway.

 

You will have to ensure that you have way enough recording capacity too all of which is going to affect the trickle charge and battery capacities required.

 

You would need to get advice from someone that has done this a couple times before. I only install in built up areas and while I have some experience in farms and remote locations I doubt I could advise you how to proceed. I have just pointed out the areas I think you will need to consider.

[MaxIcon 0]

There was a recent thread discussing a similar system setup - the OP may be able to offer some suggestions on what they came up with:

 

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=28593