Solar panel build for trail cam Tgil style

[BirdRanger]

Is the M adapter for a 6V or 12V. I have a bushnell Trophy cam and it takes a 6V adapter.

[TobyMcCann]

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!!

Where did you find the Moultrie power panel at that price? I'm finding prices are nearly double.

[JMAG]

following

[RascalArms]

Where did you find the Moultrie power panel at that price? I'm finding prices are nearly double.

You are probably researching the "older" Moultrie powerpanel that is larger and 12v. This is their newer 6v powerpanel that just came out this year. It is actually designed to be used on their 6v "feeder systems" but the plug adapter fits the external power port of the Primos cams perfectly.

I found mine at Native Outdoors in Royse City. You can find them on Amazon for about $44 too.

[Marine1]

Panel

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.

is this setup still holding a charge pretty good??

[tgil]

Replied to your PM. Short answer is "NO". I think it is camera related though. Not a whole lot that can go wrong on the box side.

[BuckRage]

I used a metal enclosure and used flexible metal conduit. The pic is not my normal set up. I had it on a metal stand but I had a friend at the lease move it for me and broke it so it got set up like this. Not the best but when i got back I fixed it. I left extra cable so I could put the camera in the best location while having the ability to put the solar panel in the best position to catch the sun. Its been running on full charge now for 8 months.

[BuckRage]

I built this because it is cheaper than buying the pre made units and because I don't like the all in one units. If one thing goes bad it all goes bad. The battery or panel is not removable or interchangeable. I was also able to use a larger AH battery. Works great.

[iamntxhunter]

I just set up 3 Moultrie 855A cameras and I used the Stealth camera 12v battery supply box. It cones with all the wire and a charger for 39.00 which I thought was a pretty good deal as if you bought wverything seperate it would be more than that. I built a cedar box for the battery and a bit of 3 sided protection for the camera itself. I run my cameras from Sept/Oct to the end of the season. I am thinking the 12v would last that long and then recharge and store for next season. If not I will add a solar charger. Here is a pic of mine.

[Brush Country]

Are you still using the 12v Moultrie power pack? PM me if you aren't.

Thanks

[Marine1]

[ATTACH]565475[/ATTACH]I just set up 3 Moultrie 855A cameras and I used the Stealth camera 12v battery supply box. It cones with all the wire and a charger for 39.00 which I thought was a pretty good deal as if you bought wverything seperate it would be more than that. I built a cedar box for the battery and a bit of 3 sided protection for the camera itself. I run my cameras from Sept/Oct to the end of the season. I am thinking the 12v would last that long and then recharge and store for next season. If not I will add a solar charger. Here is a pic of mine.

that looks great!

[target1911]

I found the same connector with wire leads for $0.26ea

I am sure if you search you can find the other sizes needed as well

http://http://www.monoprice.com/Prod...#specification

[target1911]

I just ordered 10 male and 10 female for under $10 shipped.


Then I found these too
http://http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-X-...item53fa4962cc

[flemi77]

How do you find out what plug you need for your camera what is the difference from the k,m,n plug i have a wildgame IR4 that i have been wanting to do just don't know which plug to get Thanks

[cecilh1986]

cool idea... I was thinking of the same thing. Thanks for the info