Running minimal wattage security system on DC

[tnymts]

New member here.

Hopefully what I'm trying to do will also help others.
Learned much from this forum.

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Has there been any discussion on running a system on solar DC for when things take a turn for the worse.

I've been putting together a budget ( a few of us bought a pallet of used ebay panels) 48v emergency/off grid solar setup. 3.5v LiFePO4 grade A batteries are at a favorable price.

The goal is to power a sump pump, ham radio, and minimal surveillance system all on DC. Fridge, freezer, etc, cannot make the cut. Nor does an inverter.

The sump does not always run, the same with the ham. Security, maybe not always also.

Power consumption is key. Attempting to put together a security system running two cameras minimum. At least one, such as the EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 orbit for nighttime.

I looks like a NVR has the least wattage consumption compared to a dedicated PC.

Any thoughts on a NVR which would run 3rd party cameras.
I cannot go high end, it needs to be a good bang for the buck.

Just going through first learning experience with a Reolink which it looks like I am going to return since it is proprietary. Cameras look good in the daytime.

Any input is welcome.

Thank you.

 

[dudemaar]

I currently building a small off grid camera setup my self. Using a EmpireTech IPC-Color4K-T . It’s using around 7 Watts day time, waiting to see what it uses with the Warm LED’s on tonight. ( spec sheet says 10.5 Watts. I am only using an internal SD card for recording IVS events only.

 

[tigerwillow1]

You do know you need a BMS with the LiFePO4 batteries?

 

[biggen]

New member here.

Hopefully what I'm trying to do will also help others.
Learned much from this forum.

---

Has there been any discussion on running a system on solar DC for when things take a turn for the worse.

I've been putting together a budget ( a few of us bought a pallet of used ebay panels) 48v emergency/off grid solar setup. 3.5v LiFePO4 grade A batteries are at a favorable price.

The goal is to power a sump pump, ham radio, and minimal surveillance system all on DC. Fridge, freezer, etc, cannot make the cut. Nor does an inverter.

The sump does not always run, the same with the ham. Security, maybe not always also.

Power consumption is key. Attempting to put together a security system running two cameras minimum. At least one, such as the EmpireTech IPC-T54IR-ZE-S3 orbit for nighttime.

I looks like a NVR has the least wattage consumption compared to a dedicated PC.

Any thoughts on a NVR which would run 3rd party cameras.
I cannot go high end, it needs to be a good bang for the buck.

Just going through first learning experience with a Reolink which it looks like I am going to return since it is proprietary. Cameras look good in the daytime.

Any input is welcome.

Thank you.

What are the amp hour capacity of the batteries? You can determine runtime pretty quickly with that and known power consumption.

Off grid camera system on solar can be done pretty easily without WiFi. It’s when you add wifi radio and a switch to power the wifi/camera that things start getting harder. You needs lots more battery capacity and solar panel output to keep up with the constant power draw. They make 12v powered PoE switches which does simplify connections. Switch runs off battery and it powers wifi and camera via PoE.

If it were putting this in the field, I’d design the battery capacity to give 3 full days of power with no/minimal solar input. That would give you capacity to get through a couple days of storms or cloudy weather. You’d also want to upsize solar panel(s) to bring battery charge back up to full from depleted in under a days time.

 

[Underhill]

If it’s for a post SHTF scenario would you even need to record? If so maybe you could save a little by using a ssd in the nvr? Or as mentioned just recording on sd cards. Or you could go low tech and analog 12v cams with an RV tv for a monitor then everything wouldn’t need any inversion.