I have an outdoor camera that uses 8 AA batteries and goes through these quickly with the activity it detects and captures (still & video). I have a surplus 12V/9AH/34W battery from a failed UPS device that is less than 3 yrs old. The camera has an external power jack and its book says I could use a 6V/1.5A power supply in place of the AAs. My questions to you engineers more qualified than I am: 1) Can I build a circuit that would let me use a solar panel to trickle charge this 12V battery during the day while it powers the camera - the circuit would feed the camera's external power supply jack constantly while the panel would charge the battery when it has solar exposure? 2) Rather than designing a circuit, should I consider getting a power supply compatible with the camera's power needs, using an inverter to drive this power supply (assuming it's designed for 110V), and a separate solar charger? 3) Skip all this and invest in Duracell?

Any thoughts, ideas, and input would be appreciated! I am aware that I'll need to find a waterproof container for the battery and solar panel.

Thanks!
Dave

 

If your camera is 6V then you'll need a buck regulator to drop the 12V to 6v, ideally what current your camera needs to operate will affect the charging time of the battery in daylight.

To charge a 12V sla battery you need a constant 13.8V dc, as long as your solar panel gives out 14v or more you can charge it.

 

If your camera is 6V then you'll need a buck regulator to drop the 12V to 6v, ideally what current your camera needs to operate will affect the charging time of the battery in daylight.

To charge a 12V sla battery you need a constant 13.8V dc, as long as your solar panel gives out 14v or more you can charge it.

Thanks!! The panel was used to drive a small water pump (in the aforementioned water feature) and I recall that it was putting out at least 14v during the day (threw a meter on it while trouble shooting a pump issue).