Camera quit working in the cold

[wpiman]

The fact that it took 10 minutes for it to work inside plugged in with a short cord indicates that is might not be a power problem-- unless perhaps a cold camera just needs more juice?

EmpireTech 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS Full-color Fixed-focal Warm LED Turret Security Camera IPC-Color4K-T

The 2.8mm and 3.6mm are expected to arrive in the US in 2 weeks; expedited shipping is not supported. 8MP 1/1.2" CMOS image sensor Built-in warm light and the max. illumination distance is 50 m Supports max. 256 G Micro SD card Built-in Mic 12 VDC/PoE power supply ePoE, IP67 protection SMD 3.0

empiretech01.com

Does the "warm" light kick on to actually warm the camera up? I thought the term "warm" referred to the softness of the light.

Is your inside lit and your outside dark when this happens? Maybe when it is inside, try logging into the camera and blasting those warm lights and having the focus set to manual and go in and out. That way, you are having the camera use a lot of power. See if it powers off.

What kind of POE switch do you have? Does it report current? Maybe see if it changes when the camera comes in from a cold day.

I'd also maybe try to clean the connector pins on the camera and cable with some electronic cleaner.

Maybe also try to warm the camera up outside with a space heater or something and see if it comes back to life?

 

[bigredfish]

Warm is a description of the light color

Grab a hold of it after the white LED's have been on for a few hours.
It gets pretty warm

 

[observant1]

I installed a Lorex camera in a freezer. It didn't work. a few days later after removing it....as soon as it didn't work it still was DOA.

According to the specs it should have worked. DOA ever sense. Could have been bad from the start but wasn't my equipment. Never tested on the NVR before install (like they ask you to do) but never worked in the very cold freezer, and never worked after several days of warmth.

I didn't supply it. I just installed it. It went from about 68 to -1 degrees in a matter of 15 min.

 

[observant1]

I've also seen some cameras take their on sweet time to come alive and initiate. I always give them time. Wire test can be fine. Crazy how some seem to take longer than others to show up.

 

[observant1]

I thought the term "warm" referred to the softness of the light.

Correct. Doesn't have anything to do with cameras temp.

 

[atanner]

Update: the camera has been outside for the past three days, and has not lost its connection. I have not made any changes - but the weather has been above 25 degrees F during this period of time. My new PoE will be here today. I'm hoping that, once the temp dips lower, the new injector will provide a more reliable source of power.

 

[atanner]

Final update: Thank you all for your help with the troubleshooting process. It has been below freezing for a couple of days; however, with the new PoE injector installed, the camera has been operating like a champ!

 

[alarum_78]

Have just encounter the same issue today. I have two of these cameras. POE light looks good on my switch but no activity. I tried my spare POE switch no change.. ugh.

 

[atanner]

So, my 'final update' was a wish, a hope, a dream. Camera quit again a couple of days ago with the drop in the temperature.

Moved the problem camera to the location of the one that is working. Moved the working camera to where the problem cam used to be. The problem camera came on for. an instant as it was being hooked up, but it immediately quit working. The working cam is now installed in the location where the problem cam used to be. It (the working cam) is still on line.

So, what did I learn? There is nothing wrong with the cable or PoE at either location. The two cams are identical.
@EMPIRETECANDY do you have any thoughts?

 

[atanner]

Have just encounter the same issue today. I have two of these cameras. POE light looks good on my switch but no activity. I tried my spare POE switch no change.. ugh.

My camera quit again a couple of days ago with the drop in the temperature.

 

[d5775927]

My camera quit again a couple of days ago with the drop in the temperature.

Sounds like you eliminated all options, so what is left is the camera itself.

What is the low temperature that you have?
What is reported in the camera datasheet for working temperature?

 

[EMPIRETECANDY]

Could have moisture in cat5 connector and frozen, this may cut off the connection. Try to bring it in to warm up and test, if working use electrical grease on the fittings
Keep out the moisture. So if it works when you switched it probably moisture

 

[atanner]

Could have moisture in cat5 connector and frozen, this may cut off the connection. Try to bring it in to warm up and test, if working use electrical grease on the fittings
Keep out the moisture. So if it works when you switched it probably moisture

Negative. The other cam works fine on the same connection. This cam will not come on. I suppose I should get another one ordered. Sigh

 

[wittaj]

I really think it is the connection - these cameras run hot and I doubt it gets cold enough for the camera itself.

The copper wires at the connections are tiny and if they are at the low end of the tolerance, cold temps will shrink it just enough.

Did you say what wiring you used - CCA or pure copper and what rating?

 

[atanner]

I really think it is the connection - these cameras run hot and I doubt it gets cold enough for the camera itself.

The copper wires at the connections are tiny and if they are at the low end of the tolerance, cold temps will shrink it just enough.

Did you say what wiring you used - CCA or pure copper and what rating?

I don't know the technical specs for my wiring - it is just CAT 5 cable.

 

[wittaj]

Do you have enough visible that you can see if it is labeled CCA - if it is that is likely the issue.

 

[tigerwillow1]

More isolation could be done by supplying separate 12 volt power to the camera, but is it worth the hassle vs. replacing the camera? I've got one in my pile of old cameras labeled "works only when warm".

 

[wittaj]

Kinda like bending the prongs on a device that is a little loose going into the socket, I would probably take a blade and try to bend the copper connections a bit to ensure a connection LOL.

 

[wpiman]

I'd try some electrical grease first, and then I would try wrapping the camera up at the cold spot. Maybe with a few towels and wrapped in aluminum foil and taped.

 

[Flintstone61]

I would crush the camera with a 5 lb. hammer after replacing it with another camera, and I would keep hitting it until I was exhausted, and make sure I filmed it on You tube.