Absolute Essentials - Inventory to start install

[Alan Carter]

I'm on a budget so am starting with only 2-3 cameras. Am hoping to get some guidance from you good folk out there on essentials I MUST HAVE to do the install. I admit I was a bit naive about all this IP camera stuff - I thought I'd just buy the camera and a few other items and that was done - but it all seems to be adding up, and I'm hoping that you can help me separate the wheat from the chaff.

In essence, I don't need the highest price products and am happy to spend less if it's still a decent product, and or I don't want to buy tools that I won't need after I finish these installs.

The cameras will be installed on soffits (which are made of wood) and on wood ceilings.

I don't know if mounts are needed, or if Andy ships those direct, or do I just make do (not sure yet? - Any advice?

Things I already have or are on order:

1. Cams from EmpiretechAndy (appreciate service there) - I can see why this can be addictive

2. Ordered outdoor/CMX cable - General Cables brand solid copper CAT5E UTP - will arrive in a week
3. Duct seal
4. Scotch Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape 130C, 3/4" Width
5. Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape, 3/4 in


Plan to buy

1. Crimper - Klein Tools VDV226-107 Compact Ratcheting Modular Crimper ? Or maybe a cheaper one if I only have 2-3 cameras?
2. RJ45 connectors
3. A computer to run BI
4. BI software
5. Will need POE switch


Thinking of:

1. Running Wire tool like https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-R...ocphy=9059806&hvtargid=pla-362775615011&psc=1 or the Klein Tools one might be better: https://www.amazon.com/25-Foot-Meas...G37KC7A5TCQ&psc=1&refRID=PYTHNPXPBG37KC7A5TCQ
2. Cable tester [ a cheapo]

Do I need:

1. Gang wall plate and keystone plate?

Anything else that you would deem essential?



I've read the wiki and done search posts; there is a wealth of information and very valuable, and would appreciate your guidance per above. The search posts have sometimes varied in the recommendations and some tools are beyond my requirements (budget and need)

Thanks folks

 

[BigFoot]

Hello Alan

Welcome to IPCT - I'm Tony from the UK and I'm only a few months in front of you, so I've already been through this

If you've not already realised, YouTube video's are a great way of learning and finding info before you buy, so ....

CRIMPER

As I was new to it all, and after lots of video's, I went for EZ-RJ45 connectors & a suitable crimp tool. For 'noobs', I found this tool a lot easier to get into things and making sure the wires are all in the correct sequence before crimping on a plug. Well worth watching some YT vids on this

RJ45 PLUGS

Re: the previous, EZ-RJ45 connectors, with strain relief boots

ALways remember to add the boot BEFORE the connector ......... you'll pick it up after a bit or cursing

KEYSTONE PLATE / PATCH PANEL

You can get these both empty (no keystones) or ready-to-go with the keystones already installed -- the latter is cheaper

Also, I went for Cat6 standard in all my purchases to allow for future expansion but also because mine carries all my network, not just my cams

COMPUTER

As an avid eBay user, I went for a Dell i7 7th gen ex-corporate machine, small form factor - just take your time and look around

Be cautious of cheap i7's that are a lower generation - buyer beware, but ultimately its your choice

POE SWITCH

Again, eBay -- as stated I went for a Cat6 Gigabit-enabled switch. I found a 16-port (of which 8 are POE) switch with PSU (always check it comes with one !) for £70 (around 100 dollars US) including shipping -- so good enough for me


Everyone here is real friendly & very helpful -- #1 Rule is ' if in doubt, ask'

Happy IP-CCTV'ing

 

[SouthernYankee]

a fish tape to pull wires. I use a 25 ft one, as that is all i needed.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Southwire-25-ft-Steel-Fish-Tape/50114245

I use multiple poe switches in cabinets and closets around the house to shorted the wire runs.

 

[xmfan]

I bought the following wire pull kit from harbor freight. The price is right and the product works really well. They come in two sizes. One for 11ft kit, the other is 33ft kit. I ended up keeping both, they are certainly cheap enough.
3/16 in. x 33 ft. Fiberglass Wire Running Kit

In regards to PoE, there are a lot of brands and choices. Here's my .02cents worth:
Generally, they are fan-less unless you start to get into 16ports or more.
Do you want managed on unmanaged ?
If unmanaged - the BIGGEST drawback I see is that if you have a need reset a cam, you'll need to go to the plug and do the unplug/plug the connector. Cost of unmanaged is generally cheaper than managed. The newer PoEs are also PoE+.
From your post, sounds like you are on a budget so stick with unmanaged and get a BV-Tech. There are plenty on amazon so get the one based on your needs. If I was on a budget, I would start with this one
https://www.amazon.com/BV-Tech-Port...ds=bvtech+poe&qid=1556317378&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Before you hang ANY cam permanently, get a home depot orange bucket (less than $4), get a bag of gravel (less than $3) and get a 10ft 2 X 4 board (less than $6). Lastly get a cheap 50ft (or whatever size works for you) network cable.
Mount the camera you are thinking of installing at the location and put it on the top part of that board, stick the other end of the board in the home depot bucket with rocks. Connect the network cable to the PoE and your PC where you are running BI software. This will give you an opportunity to get a 'dry run' of what the cam video will look like during day and leave it there till you sleep so you can also get night video. This, in my opinion will make a HUGE impact in your decision whether the location you chose is right, and/or the camera you are planning to use for that location.

Everyone can have their favorite way to make a cable. For me, as a beginner, I found that 'pass thru' connectors were very easy to work with. Look into Platinum connectors and Platinum crimper (both not really cheap but worth looking into). You'll find, the cost just might be worth it to you.

Before I started looking into my DIY solution for security cams I didn't know what I didn't know. So, keep reading this website & get educated. I'm also relatively new to cams, probably only a couple of steps ahead of you. What I know so far, I learned it here. Good Luck

 

[mat200]

I'm on a budget so am starting with only 2-3 cameras. ..

The cameras will be installed on soffits (which are made of wood) and on wood ceilings.

I don't know if mounts are needed, or if Andy ships those direct, or do I just make do (not sure yet? - Any advice?

Things I already have or are on order:

1. Cams from EmpiretechAndy (appreciate service there) - I can see why this can be addictive

2. Ordered outdoor/CMX cable - General Cables brand solid copper CAT5E UTP - will arrive in a week
3. Duct seal
4. Scotch Linerless Rubber Splicing Tape 130C, 3/4" Width
5. Scotch Super 33+ Vinyl Electrical Tape, 3/4 in


Plan to buy

1. Crimper - Klein Tools VDV226-107 Compact Ratcheting Modular Crimper ? Or maybe a cheaper one if I only have 2-3 cameras?
2. RJ45 connectors
3. A computer to run BI
4. BI software
5. Will need POE switch


Thinking of:

1. Running Wire tool like https://www.amazon.com/Fiberglass-R...ocphy=9059806&hvtargid=pla-362775615011&psc=1 or the Klein Tools one might be better: https://www.amazon.com/25-Foot-Meas...G37KC7A5TCQ&psc=1&refRID=PYTHNPXPBG37KC7A5TCQ
2. Cable tester [ a cheapo]

Do I need:

1. Gang wall plate and keystone plate?

Anything else that you would deem essential?



I've read the wiki and done search posts; there is a wealth of information and very valuable, and would appreciate your guidance per above. The search posts have sometimes varied in the recommendations and some tools are beyond my requirements (budget and need)

Thanks folks

Hi @Alan Carter

iirc we have an equipment list in a thread or the wiki - please check, and if you see anything missing feel free to help out.

Tools, my notes for you
Crimper: Klein tools - while I like them, they are pricey - think you can save on the crimper, start with using the IPCT crimper as one to compare your options with. ( monoprice carries a range of models )
Punch down tool: great for wall jacks and patch panel - I like monoprice for this. ( don't recall if there is a ipct branded option )

pull tools - you'll want both the nylon fish ( freight harbor ), steel fish tape ( electrical dept - I have a pricey one from HD, FH also carries them ), and rod kits ( freight harbor ), use the electrical tape you have to keep the joints together for the rods.

supplies:
Di-electric gel for the RJ45 boot
patch panel - i picked up a tripplite model on Amazon, monoprice while they carry them had less than stellar reviews so I sourced mine with a better reviewed model. Seriously like the idea of pulling all cat5e/6 cable to a central terminal locations for the entire home.

Advice:
Junction boxes - I'm a big fan, but not required if you can stuff the connectors back into the soffit or wall space.

Do you need one? Probably not if you have space in your soffit.

However, even with a soffit - I would consider one as it does lower the camera down a bit, and provides you an opportunity to make a smaller hole in the soffit ( just larger enough to run the bulk cat5e/6 cable ), and provides a nice box which you can easily access during trouble shooting or replacing cameras.

Also, in some situations you may want to lower your camera more, you can do this with a short section of conduit running down the wall to a junction box.

Numerous ways to place your cameras, so have some fun finding what works well for your setup and budget.

Also, if you do plan to keep the home - do consider running grey schedule 40 PVC conduit in your attic for your cable runs if you may have a critter issue ( squirrels and other rodents like to crew on all sorts of things.. )

For me the best investment is: good cable runs w/good cable to good placement locations.

 

[Alan Carter]

A big thank you to y'folks - really appreciate it.

Thanks a tonne, @BigFoot - do you have to get the Platinum crimpers for the EZ RJ45 connectors?
@mat200 I didn't see an equipm listing in the Wiki but will look again - I've read for hours and felt overwhelmed; thanks for this list!
@xmfan - The idea of testing out is amazing - I never thought of it - THANKYOU!
@SouthernYankee - Multiple switches..hadn't thought of that. They seem pretty pricey but maybe i need to look again

Thanks again everyone!

 

[BigFoot]

A big thank you to y'folks - really appreciate it.

Thanks a tonne, @BigFoot - do you have to get the Platinum crimpers for the EZ RJ45 connectors?

Hi Alan ,

To be honest I couldn't tell you - I got mine as a 'bulk' deal (100 Cat6 connectors, 100 strain relief boots, stripping tool, cable tester and crimp tool) from a 100% UK eBay seller

But it works very well

As a noob I can strip back around 1 1/2 inches of outer sheath, arrange my wires in order for 586B, feed them into a connector, CHECK BEFORE CRIMPING THAT i HAVEN'T BUGGERED IT UP , then crimp it all on

The crimp tool cuts off any excess wire sticking out of the end of the connector

......... then for the first few, get out the wire cutters, cut off the connector & start again ~~~ this time with a strain relief boot added to begin with

 

[Alan Carter]

Ahh that sounds cool....Hopefully I'll turn somewhat adept soon