Trouble powering a new IR illuminator

1

105437

BIT Beta Team
Jun 8, 2015
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1,052
I've been running a camera and IR illuminator using a PoE splitter and Y cable. This has worked just fine with a total of ~8.5W of power provided by the Unifi PoE switch port for the camera and IR illuminator. I just purchased a new IR illuminator that provides more light and uses 8W of power instead of 4W. The problem is the new 8W IR illuminator won't power on using the exact same connections as the 4W IR illuminator. My Unifi switch is capable of providing 17W of power, so I don't believe that's the issue.

Have any of you successfuly powered this IR illuminator using the same type of setup I have? Thanks!

Tendelux 120ft IR Illuminator
8-LED 90° Wide Angle
Infrared Flood Light for Security Camera

Screen Shot 2021-10-14 at 3.01.55 PM.png
 
If you plug the IR by itself does it turn on?
 
Use the power adapter that came with it and see if the unit turns on with that first.
 
Yes, it powers on just fine using a power adapter. I just had a thought, maybe the extension cable between the Y cable and the illuminator is too long or not a quality cable.
 
wittaj said:
Yep, I think the cable is too long or not a quality cable for the distance - had a similar situation with a different illuminator.
Click to expand...
Just tested... 30' extension cable I bought is the problem. Did you find a quality cable in the 10' - 15' range?
 
I would use 18-2 pure copper wire and connectors before going with another set of prefabricated cable. You’ll know there will be very little voltage drop in the run and definitely power the IR.

It will provide you a much wider operating range if another device is connected.
 
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105437 said:
I’ll need to read up and learn how to put the right connectors on.
Click to expand...
Choose your conductor and gauge, make your own extension; be sure to run positive (+) to center and negative (-) to collar, they're clearly marked. These are 2.1mm x 5.5mm and are on amazon.

FWIW, there's very nice voltage drop/wire gauge calculator here.

If needed, weatherproof with self-fusing rubber tape (coax seal) and 3M 33+ vinyl tape as mentioned here.

12VDC_PLUG-AND-JACK.jpg
 
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105437 said:
I’ll need to read up and learn how to put the right connectors on.
Click to expand...

This is just an example so read carefully as to the maker / quality but you get the general idea.

GOSONO 10Pcs/lot Male DC Power Plug Connector 2.5mm x 5.5mm/2.1x5.5 (Screw Fastening Type) Needn't Welding DC Plug Adapter (Green 5 Male + 5 Female 2.5x5.5mm, Green)
Just an example of 18-2 certified wire:

18AWG Low Voltage LED Cable 2 Conductor Jacketed in-Wall Speaker Wire UL/cUL Class 2 (200 ft Reel)
 
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IMHO, watch out for speaker wire on amazon, a LOT of it is NOT AWG, it is some bogus chinese gauge. I bought what was supposed to be 12 gauge speaker wire and turned out to be much closer to 14, and further, the strands were aluminum with a thin copper coating. I try and only by cable by a major maker like Belden, AlphaWire, and so forth.
 
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UPDATE: I made my own extension cable with 14 gauge, solid copper wire. I used the connectors @TonyR suggested. This new configuration powers the AI4 Tendelux IR just fine, but it will not power the new BI8 I showed above. I can't figure it out...
 
105437 said:
UPDATE: I made my own extension cable with 14 gauge, solid copper wire. I used the connectors @TonyR suggested. This new configuration powers the AI4 Tendelux IR just fine, but it will not power the new BI8 I showed above. I can't figure it out...
Click to expand...

Just to be clear does the new unit power on by itself with nothing else attached?
 
105437 said:
Yes, it powers on just fine using a power adapter.
Click to expand...

Does the other IR unit power on fine while connected to the Ubiquiti switch and using the 12 VDC splitter?
 
Teken said:
Does the other IR unit power on fine while connected to the Ubiquiti switch and using the 12 VDC splitter?
Click to expand...
Yes, I've been using it just fine with the current configuration... just trying to only swap/change the IR illuminator to get a little more light.
 
105437 said:
Yes, I've been using it just fine with the current configuration... just trying to only swap/change the IR illuminator to get a little more light.
Click to expand...

Can you show us a picture of the power adapter with the specifications that works with the new IR. Also, can you provide a link to the IR light so we can review the specs.
 
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