SD1A203T-GN-W - Dead on arrival ??

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
Hi Guys

So this arrived brand new today without a PSU, so I have used a 12v 2.5amp which gives 30w of power and I’ve configured it with centre positive but when I plug it in nothing happens.

I’ve checked there is +12v to the inner center and it’s a nice solid 12.6v.

Do I need to do anything special with a new camera to get it powered up ? I can’t see a power button or anything wrong with the cabling or power ?

Is there a fuse that could have blown or anything I can check ?

Thanks
 

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
No lights come on, the PTZ doesn’t rotate at boot up, it looks as dead as a pancake
 

fenderman

Staff member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
36,897
Reaction score
21,250
No lights come on, the PTZ doesn’t rotate at boot up, it looks as dead as a pancake
did you try it with an incorrect power supply before using this one that would cause damage?
 

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
No I was really careful not to do exactly that, so I made sure power was 12v and center positive

Could it be a fuse inside the camera or do I void the warranty opening it ?
 

fenderman

Staff member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
36,897
Reaction score
21,250
No I was really careful not to do exactly that, so I made sure power was 12v and center positive

Could it be a fuse inside the camera or do I void the warranty opening it ?
There are no serviceable parts inside and you have no warranty with the camera. Try another power supply. Its is highly unlikely to be doa like that.
 

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
I take it there should be a light that comes on to show it’s powered and wouldn’t the PTZ make some noise when booting up ? There would be some visual or audible sign it was working ?
 

fenderman

Staff member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
36,897
Reaction score
21,250
I take it there should be a light that comes on to show it’s powered and wouldn’t the PTZ make some noise when booting up ? There would be some visual or audible sign it was working ?
no idea of that specific camera...have you tested the network connection?
 

guykuo

Getting comfortable
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
553
Reaction score
1,379
Location
Sammamish, WA
How long did you allow it to power up? That particular model doesn't have a power light that lights up AND it takes an unusually LONG time for it to show signs of life. It's also pretty quiet even when the PTZ mechanism finally begins startup calibration. The first one I received initially had me fooled into thinking it was DOA. Give it power for at least two minutes before giving up. If it isn't DOA, it eventually starts moving its PTZ mechanism silently.
 

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
Awesome thanks so does the PTZ definitely moves all over the place after 2mins ?

And 12v positive center is 100% correct ?

What’s the white led looking think on the base? I thought that was a power light ?

So apart from pinging 192.168.1.8 or running the Dahau Config tool 4.09 there is no way to tell this camera is on before trying to configure it ?
 

fenderman

Staff member
Joined
Mar 9, 2014
Messages
36,897
Reaction score
21,250
It's .108 and you have to be on the same subnet to ping it
 

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
Sorry I meant 192.168.1.108 and yes I’m on the same subnet range

So can anyone confirm it’s definately 12v positive center on the connector ?
 

tangent

IPCT Contributor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
4,338
Reaction score
3,519
Hi Guys

So this arrived brand new today without a PSU, so I have used a 12v 2.5amp which gives 30w of power and I’ve configured it with centre positive but when I plug it in nothing happens.

I’ve checked there is +12v to the inner center and it’s a nice solid 12.6v.

Do I need to do anything special with a new camera to get it powered up ? I can’t see a power button or anything wrong with the cabling or power ?

Is there a fuse that could have blown or anything I can check ?

Thanks
I haven't used the SD1A203T-GN-W, but I do have a SD12200T-GN.

The SD12200T-GN supports PoE unlike your camera, but I tired to power it off of a 12V power supply and it was extremely temperamental regarding 12V power. If you have a different 12V center positive supply of sufficient current I suggest you try it. There's more to a good power supply than it's voltage and current rating. Without an oscilloscope, you can't really see how noisy it is or how much ripple it has.

There are 4 LEDs on the circuit board of the SD12200T-GN, a red power led, a green light that seems to indicate the camera is functioning, link, and network activity. In a dark room you can see a bit of glow from the red power light in the dome of the camera at certain angles. The other lights probably can't be seen without opening the camera.

I would also suggest unscrewing the cover over the micro sd slot and reset button and holding the reset button while you connect power and continuing to hold it for 2 minutes. The SD12200T-GN starts to move about 20 seconds after you power it on and comes online about 1 minute after you power it up.
 
Last edited:

looney2ns

IPCT Contributor
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
15,521
Reaction score
22,657
Location
Evansville, In. USA
I take it there should be a light that comes on to show it’s powered and wouldn’t the PTZ make some noise when booting up ? There would be some visual or audible sign it was working ?
A good regulated power supply should power it up.
Did you read the startup guide and the manual on the disc that cam with it?
 

tangent

IPCT Contributor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
4,338
Reaction score
3,519
upload_2018-9-1_12-51-13.png
Here are the LEDs inside the SD1220T-GN.

The SD1A203T family has IR LEDs and a light sensor. That's what you were noticing and mistaking for a power led. If you open your camera it will be a bit more difficult as there will be 2-3 cables between the two parts of the camera not just the microphone cable.

After it's been connected to a PSU it doesn't like a reset may be necessary while it's connected to a good PSU to get it to boot. There are a number of test points for various voltages found on the board. All the test points were at the voltage you'd expect when my camera had issues, but the incoming 12V was a little low but within 5%.

Reset button:
View attachment 27732
 
Last edited:

lucky13

Getting the hang of it
Joined
Aug 10, 2018
Messages
100
Reaction score
8
Location
uk
Amazing thanks guys so I took it all apart and applied another 12v supply, and immediately the LED’s lit up on the circuit board, this one has exactly the same volts and amps and yet it works and the other psu doesnt...it’s quite bizarre as both read 12volts on the voltmeter I’m using , both are center positive..one works and the other doesn’t.

I have an ossilocope at work so I’ll take the troubled PSU in and have a look at it.

The faulty PSU works on other devices I own, so I guess this Dahau cam is just damn picky :)

Thanks again for the help :)
 

tangent

IPCT Contributor
Joined
May 12, 2016
Messages
4,338
Reaction score
3,519
Amazing thanks guys so I took it all apart and applied another 12v supply, and immediately the LED’s lit up on the circuit board, this one has exactly the same volts and amps and yet it works and the other psu doesnt...it’s quite bizarre as both read 12volts on the voltmeter I’m using , both are center positive..one works and the other doesn’t.

I have an ossilocope at work so I’ll take the troubled PSU in and have a look at it.

The faulty PSU works on other devices I own, so I guess this Dahau cam is just damn picky :)

Thanks again for the help :)
A power supply with no load and one under load will test differently. It's also possible slight differences in the geometry of the connectors could make a difference.
 

guykuo

Getting comfortable
Joined
Jul 7, 2018
Messages
553
Reaction score
1,379
Location
Sammamish, WA
Save yourself some trouble. Get yourself a POE+ switch. Simplifies your system wiring and you'll have reliable power for all your cams.
 
Top