Seeking advice on external IR lighting

[gwminor48]

I have come to the conclusion that I need more light in front. The snapshot is from a Hivision turret at exposure 1/12. There is significant increase in noise at 1/30 (this is at 2mp - 4mp is even worse). I thought about adding IR light by replacing a motion detector light I installed 20 years ago when my daughter saw a creep looking in her window with a stocking on his head. The recommendations I have seen on this forum seem to be 12v lights (power adapter not included), I'm not sure how you guys are powering yours. Has anyone tried 120 volt powered IR's? Would it appear lit up like a Christmas ornament? I could use the existing power. I suppose you are using some sort of dusk/dawn timer to turn you IR lights off and on? Photo shows location of camera and existing light (shrub/tree will need some trimming). I appreciate your input and help.

 

[acp_xt]

Hi gwminor48,

Your scene is not too dark with the camera's built-in IR, but yes adding more IR can only help. I have bought two cheap illuminators mainly as an experiment and have been pleased with them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/48-LED-CCTV-Illuminator-Night-Vision-Light-48IR-Infrared-Security-Camera-Lamp-OY-/271920964402

I bought 1Amp 12V power adaptors off Ebay as well to power them up: www.ebay.com/itm/100-240V-AC-DC-12V-1A-For-Switching-Converter-Adapter-Power-Supply-Charger-/351258366680


My next step is to try the more wide-angle illuminators like these on AliExpress: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/30m-54-LED-12V-8W-Night-Vision-IR-Infrared-Illuminator-Light-lamp-LED-Auxiliary-lighting-For/1863601491.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.2.Fblfuv&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2_79_78_77_80,searchweb201644_5,searchweb201560_9

Cheers

 

[klasipca]

Do not but IR illuminators with those small leds, the dim and burn out very quickly. Instead, try this for a few $ more. Works well for me

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-LED-Infrared-Night-vision-IR-Light-illuminator-lamp-for-IP-CCTV-CCD-Camera-/252070308437?hash=item3ab08faa55:g:l90AAOSwT6pV3b~I

 

[acp_xt]

Interestingly the LEDs on neither lamp have dimmed noticeably. They come on every night as they have the built in light intensity detector and its been nearly a year now. I guess it depends on the quality of the particular lamps LEDs?

 

[gwminor48]

Hi gwminor48,

Your scene is not too dark with the camera's built-in IR, but yes adding more IR can only help.

Cheers

@acp_xt, it doesn't look too dark but if anyone is moving on the sidewalk coming toward the house it is very blurry with the 1/12 exposure. Thanks for your reply, very helpful.

 

[gwminor48]

Do not but IR illuminators with those small leds, the dim and burn out very quickly. Instead, try this for a few $ more. Works well for me

@klasipca So these turn on/off at dusk and dawn? That's good, I didn't know that.

 

[acp_xt]

@klasipca So these turn on/off at dusk and dawn? That's good, I didn't know that.

Yup even the cheap ones I mentioned do. The best thing is that the detector seems to be similar to the ones in the camera, and always come on before the camera auto-switches to night mode. So there is no gap in between the camera switching to night mode and the external IR lamps coming on.

 

[acp_xt]

@acp_xt, it doesn't look too dark but if anyone is moving on the sidewalk coming toward the house it is very blurry with the 1/12 exposure. Thanks for your reply, very helpful.

Yes 1/12 would be too slow for a sharp capture of a fast moving target.

 

[gwminor48]

Has anyone tried 120 volt IR externals or do they even make them? 120v may be overkill. If I put a 12v here I will have to rig up some way to have an outlet for the adapter to plug into, the current light is just straight 120v wiring to fixture.

 

[gwminor48]

I just ordered this, I'll let you know how it works out for me:
http://www.amazon.com/Univivi-U03R-WideAngle-Degree-Illuminator/dp/B00M3NHCC6

 

[Q™]

I use "100 watt equivalent" LED flood bulbs in a standard motion detection switched dual flood lights. I'm not certain how many lumens these bulbs are...but they don't draw all that much power and they function well.

 

[Q™]

I use "100 watt equivalent" LED flood bulbs in a standard motion detection switched dual flood lights. I'm not certain how many lumens these bulbs are...but they don't draw all that much power and they function well.

Got the bulbs at Costco; save the receipt and it's a FOREVER warranty

 

[gwminor48]

Hi gwminor48,

I bought 1Amp 12V power adaptors off Ebay as well to power them up: www.ebay.com/itm/100-240V-AC-DC-12V-1A-For-Switching-Converter-Adapter-Power-Supply-Charger-/351258366680
Cheers

Thanks for this @acp_xt, I just ordered a couple of them. There's no way I can see how you could beat $3.95 with free shipping!