Oh wow that explanation did make sense and I was thinking about using the old UPS batteries which total 12V and having a charging circuit hooked up to it.

Unless like I said someone know of a good power supply that is regulated better. I've seen some bench power supplies with variable level and an LED but is that good for the long run if I find a place to mount one of those? Will require the same space as finding room for a battery in the circuit.

 

Quickly wondering something here: Doorbell cameras - - - don't they sense motion and start recording? Or sense motion and send you a signal to watch the video? Running a backup camera 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, I wonder how long it will last. And how are you going to be recording the video? Do you have a DVR for it? Can your DVR (if you have one) accept the video feed from a backup camera? I honestly don't know the answers to those questions. So - - - .

Not recording. It's for the mailman and staff members who will ring a doorbell and people inside the building will be able to unlock the door with a few buttons. So far all the wireless doorbell cameras are not reliable enough for a business setting. I have seen a few wired units but 2 things about them. First they're not slim enough or if they are they are all-in-one proprietary units and are not rated so well. By going with a custom design (Separate hardware for all the components), I can swap out parts later. Let's say I have to replace the $15 camera once a year. So be it. It'll be simple since the camera just pops out easily.

Not saying I won't consider other options but I'm a bit into the process right now and have everything ready to go and some of the items have been sitting on my shelf for maybe 2 months with too much aggravation to return them.

 

Put a diode (1N4007) in series with the camera, stripe to the camera +ve lead, and see if it works on the battery.
Then try the power supplies. With the diode in line, it will protect the camera from reverse battery so you can try the power supplies both ways just to check you have not been trying with reverse volts.
Also it will drop the volts a little.

 

Thanks. Great safety idea. What's the consensus as to how to hook up things like diodes inline to maybe a 22 gauge wire. Is there any easier ways than soldering it inline. I guess all the hard core forum members wouldn't think twice about soldering.

 

Thanks. Great safety idea. What's the consensus as to how to hook up things like diodes inline to maybe a 22 gauge wire. Is there any easier ways than soldering it inline. I guess all the hard core forum members wouldn't think twice about soldering.

No real magic to it, getting the diode polarity correct is important. Also as dendad points out when placing a diode inline it only allows unidirectional current flow and you will get a small (around 0.7 volt) voltage drop.

Ron

 

Here is a way to hook it up.
Almost any wire size will be ok as it is low current.

 

Here is a way to hook it up.
Almost any wire size will be ok as it is low current.
View attachment 146117

Good system. I do this all the time when testing ideas at work. Breadboards are great for skinny leads, but for bigger parts, terminal strips make it easy to experiment with different circuit combinations.

 

Oh I love the terminal strips. Hmm now have to search around for a place I can pick up some to mount.

Thanks!

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=m570.l1313&_nkw=terminal+strips&_sacat=0