Solar panel build for trail cam Tgil style

[TobyMcCann]

QDM - thats a nice setup. I'm putting something similar together for my covert special ops code black camera. I tried to go the liquatite route but it didn't work out on this build. I'm using the metal sheath that comes with the standard feeder solar panels and routing it to my enclosure with glands (I have enclosed the exposed power cable in the pictures below with the same type conduit). I have the booster antennae and security enclosure on order from trailcampro to complete the setup.

How did you connect the liquatite to the camera enclosure? Is there enough room inside the enclosure to easily connect/disconnect the power cable?

Here's what I have so far:

[QDM4fun]

There is a booster antenna at the top of the 10 foot PVC pipe. The coax is running through the pipe to cam box.

There is enough room in the box for the conduit attach in the bottom. All I had to do was a little grinding work to open the hole up to accept the 3/4"

It works pretty good, but you have to totally remove the cam to service it. In my case I have to loosen hose clamps in order to raise the antenna pole about an inch. Them you can remove the box front. By rolling the cam forward I can remove it from the box. I also did a little grinding work on the box around the clasps so it it could come out. From there you can unplug the power cord and open the cam. The large diameter conduit helps when removing /inserting the cam because the plug has to work it's way into it

[76truck]

Great idea !!!

[larue1974]

We made two for our lease. Battery was from Radio Shack. Only issue was when the battery got low, the camera was suppose to switch to the onboard AA and did not. Took me a few weeks to figure out the issue when no pics were there.

[Booner Sooner]

Ok. Here goes!

I have everything but the U-bolt and metal plate.

PM sent tgil.

[NTex]

Ok. Here goes!
[ATTACH]519784[/ATTACH]
I have everything but the U-bolt and metal plate.

PM sent tgil.

Following!!!

[Booner Sooner]

Well, I've got all but the U-bolt together. Hooked the battery to the Primos without D cells in it and it fired right up!


Can't wait to get to the lease next weekend!

[tgil]

Boomer, the metal bracket for the panel was on my panel. If you buy this panel

It will have the same bracket.
The u-bolt probably came from Tractor Supply or Lowes? If it was Lowes, they are in the gate hardware area, I think? TSC, they are usually behind you if you are looking at the big selection of nuts and bolts.
Hope this helped!

[Hoghunt]

Nice work.

[Booner Sooner]

Thanks, tgil!

[dustoffer]

Built a couple for Cuddebacks--simple.


Hardest part was figuring out how to hook it up inside-

[Booner Sooner]

Ok, At the risk of sounding like a moron, what are the long white things in the cam? Rechargeable batts?

[RascalArms]

Ok, At the risk of sounding like a moron, what are the long white things in the cam? Rechargeable batts?

Dummie batteries...his wires are hooked up to the connectors inside the cam unlike the traditional set ups. Guessing Cuddebacks don't have external port.

[DRT]

I'm using basically the same set up. Where did you get the box for the battery?

[RascalArms]

Just letting you guys know I am using a new combination battery/solar panel power supply I recently found to power a couple of my Primos Truth Cam 35s and they have performed flawlessly so far for a couple of months.

Thoroughly tested here on TBH awhile back....thanks to Tgil and Smart among others. One single contained unit and simple no-build hassle for lazy folks like me!!