Solar panel build for trail cam Tgil style

[tgil]

My Primos 35 seemed to be eating a set of batteries in about 2 weeks with only 800 or so pics before they croaked. I've got a 12v Moultrie power panel, but the Primos are 6v so I devised a plan.
I had a spare 6v panel so I rounded up some supplies:
The enclosure

The panel:

A u-bolt:
Guess I didn't get a pic of the whole thing, just the barcode. It is 5/16 and I think 2.5" long which is way more length than needed.


A package of terminals that I keep handy for just this type project:

And the "m" connector from Radio Shack that I also forgot to take a pic of. Just when I thought I was doing a good job!
I used the flat strap from the u-bolt as a pattern to drill my holes in the back of the box, and also for the bracket on the panel.

Next I mounted the ubolt through the panel bracket and through the back of the box.
I checked fit on the battery:

This was a little closer than I prefer but it works.
I drilled a hole at the top of the cover to feed my wires through.

And covered the unbolt with tape to prevent any issues.
I attached my terminals to the battery.

Crimped my other terminals to my wires, which I also failed to take a pic of.
I ran the wire going to the camera through a hole drilled in the bottom of the box. Here is how it looked when finished:



And the money shot in the field:

Thanks for following along, hope it helps someone else that is looking to build a solar set-up for their trail-cam.

[ttu1997]

nice job.

[WBTX1836]

sweet

[CletusBodeen]

Dang I need to build a couple of those Looks good

[redoak77]

So what was the final cost of this?

[tgil]

I think I had about $13 in it since I already had the panel and terminals. The major cost would be your panel. I've caught them on clearance for as little as $10 but seen them regular priced as high as $30.

[redoak77]

I have several cam out and two cam do not last very long before the bats need to be replaced. Looks like I will be making a trip to radio shack. thanks for the post and the info.

[JMenendez]

great job!

[DRTXBOW]

Good job.

[tgil]

This is the number for the "m" connector at Radio Shack, 274-1569

[redoak77]

Question: where did you get the box that the battery is setting in? Radio Shack? Is that the enclosure?

[Loreva13]

Nice build!

[PSD Ryan]

Been planning on doing the same.

[texasbull]

Very cool, and that looks like it'd work for just about anything.

[tgil]

Question: where did you get the box that the battery is setting in? Radio Shack? Is that the enclosure?

Yes, Radio Shack