Low Power causing problems

BobW55

BobW55

Getting the hang of it
Apr 8, 2015
175
46
My camera has a sticker on it that states it requires 12 volts @ 4 amps. I did not notice this until I went out to mount the camera.
The power supply they gave me with the camera is only rated at 12 volts 2 amps. Now I extended my power cable to 50 feet using some 16 gauge wire.
I noticed last night that the camera was acting very sluggish and had trouble providing a clear picture. This morning is better. I have a nice 12 volt 35 amp power supply I can use for it.

My question is: Has anyone else noticed a problem with your IP cameras in a low power situation?
 
I might have. LOL.

I once installed a cheap ~($150, years ago) PTZ that used a 12 volt 1 amp adapter. But I ran the power down 50-100 feet of cat5e cable. The camera worked just fine at first but after a few months the PTZ stopped working and now the video still works but it is stuck in a fixed (and nearly worthless) position. It could have just been the cheapness of the camera though, and not failure due to lack of power.
 
I was monitoring the voltage out of the little power supply. It goes from 12.5 volts, down to 12 when operating the PTZ. I think I am not getting enough amps up the wire.
 
BobW55 said:
My camera has a sticker on it that states it requires 12 volts @ 4 amps. I did not notice this until I went out to mount the camera.
The power supply they gave me with the camera is only rated at 12 volts 2 amps. Now I extended my power cable to 50 feet using some 16 gauge wire.
I noticed last night that the camera was acting very sluggish and had trouble providing a clear picture. This morning is better. I have a nice 12 volt 35 amp power supply I can use for it.

My question is: Has anyone else noticed a problem with your IP cameras in a low power situation?
Click to expand...
The fact that the morning is better indicates that it may be a power issue..since the IR at night consume lots of juice...Unless you tested it without ir at night as well..
 
Hooked it up to my 35 amp supply, I never see it draw more than 2.7 amps, but video is not jerky at night.
 
Will leave it on my big power supply, it powers my radio gear when I am using it, so no big deal, but interesting to know that it can/will affect performance.
 
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