IP cams in arctic regions??

[t_andersen]

Hi All,

I have been asked to come up with a proposal for a system of ip-cameras to be placed at an arctic location well above the polar circle. The purpose is to study wild life, and we expect to install 5-6 iP-cams. At least for now, I have in mind to establish a solar power system combined with a small diesel generator and a radio link with an Airfiber 5 radiolink (https://www.ubnt.com/airfiber/airfiber5/).

I wonder whether anybody at the forum has experience with cameras in artic regions? The temperature may drop to some -45 deg C = -50 deg F in the winter. Any problems with ice formation on the inside of IP-cams? Maybe one has to heat them? That would obviously not be attractive from a power point of view and might generate ice problems from melting snow.

Any input from people with experience in the field would be mostly welcome!

 

[Zeddy]

I do know they used a mobotix for the Everest webcam.

http://us.sourcesecurity.com/security-videos/mobotix.html

 

[nayr]

at those temps its dry, if you keep moisture out there is nothing to freeze inside.. and at those temps no internal heat will melt external ice.

inside a sealed metal container everything will be safe and sound, but ice building up on the outside.. thats mostly mercy of the environment.. you want a strong enclosure and mounting system so when several hundred pounds of ice form on it wont end up crushed.

sand blasting glass is another issue, usually you want a design that has field serviceable glass protection.

 

[seqncr]

my company have tested some ip cameras with ir illumination in a climatic chamber, reaching about -50°C. They seemed to work fine and stable for over a day. Some of them were losing sharpness slightly, at over -30°. Speed domes were not tested. I belive the temperature itself will not be a problem.

I never experienced any worse weather conditions than rain and i have no practice at installing under extreme conditions, but i belive the question is how to install rather than what to install.