Hello,
I replaced the lithium polymer battery in my small covert surveillance camera with an AC to DC power supply to increase it's run time. I would like it to turn on/off when powered by an outside light switch.
Please bear with me, as I'm just starting in electronics. I'm trying to make this project an educational one, so far it has been just that.
I really appreciate any advice you can give.
1) can be set to turn on and activate when motion is detected when power is applied.
2) requires that the voltage reach it's minimum ~3.4 volts fairly quickly on start-up, otherwise it becomes a "zombie" and will not function until the next power cycle.
3) Camera saves video files to a flash card at the END of recording, so if power is cut abruptly, the recording does not finalize and video file is lost.
4) After the voltage safely lowers, causing the camera to save the file, (below 3.1v) the camera still "operates" in a state that cannot be re-energized, thus it requires a power cycle.
I'm using a 'super capacitor' bank (5Farad) to extend the run time of the camera once power is removed. This is sufficient to bring the camera voltage down slow enough ('low voltage' engages an auto save function) for the recording to safely close . . . However . . . .
Capacitor charging issue
Unfortunately the 'ramp up' voltage of charging the capacitor & starting the camera together is too slow for the camera.
The result is the camera goes into "zombie mode" and will not function (see cam behavior #2)
I am considering 2 approaches in 3 stages that should allow the desired function of the Camera:
Timer based or Comparator voltage based:
I have a rough idea of how a timer circuit might look like, I'm working on a schematic and will post it later.
Let me know if I left out any important information.
I appreciate any advice you may have, Thanks in advance!
I replaced the lithium polymer battery in my small covert surveillance camera with an AC to DC power supply to increase it's run time. I would like it to turn on/off when powered by an outside light switch.
Please bear with me, as I'm just starting in electronics. I'm trying to make this project an educational one, so far it has been just that.
I really appreciate any advice you can give.
Camera behavior:
1) can be set to turn on and activate when motion is detected when power is applied.
2) requires that the voltage reach it's minimum ~3.4 volts fairly quickly on start-up, otherwise it becomes a "zombie" and will not function until the next power cycle.
3) Camera saves video files to a flash card at the END of recording, so if power is cut abruptly, the recording does not finalize and video file is lost.
4) After the voltage safely lowers, causing the camera to save the file, (below 3.1v) the camera still "operates" in a state that cannot be re-energized, thus it requires a power cycle.
Overcoming the 'sudden power loss' problem
I'm using a 'super capacitor' bank (5Farad) to extend the run time of the camera once power is removed. This is sufficient to bring the camera voltage down slow enough ('low voltage' engages an auto save function) for the recording to safely close . . . However . . . .
Capacitor charging issue
Unfortunately the 'ramp up' voltage of charging the capacitor & starting the camera together is too slow for the camera.
The result is the camera goes into "zombie mode" and will not function (see cam behavior #2)
I am considering 2 approaches in 3 stages that should allow the desired function of the Camera:
Timer based or Comparator voltage based:
I have a rough idea of how a timer circuit might look like, I'm working on a schematic and will post it later.
Let me know if I left out any important information.
I appreciate any advice you may have, Thanks in advance!