IR illuminator install

[JPmedia]

I wanted to revisit adding an IR illuminator to our narrow side yard, specifically placement as there is quite a bit of obstacles to deal with.

With that in mind, my initial thought was to mount on the short fence panel next to the gate directly below the camera as it would be equidistant from the ground and soffit, so that's where I mounted it.

Attached is a still of the result. You can see there is quite a bit of reflection off the downspout, soffit and cable box. I think no matter where it is installed in the camera plane, there will be this issue.

Another thought is mounting to the edge of the soffit on the outside of the downspout or the back side of it, but that would leave the area from the cam to the downspout with little illumination.

Any ideas?

 

[AP514]

1) how about mounting it to the Wood Fence ? using Conduit. maybe back 1 post behind camera.
2) or mount in front of the Down Spout

 

[JPmedia]

1) how about mounting it to the Wood Fence ? using Conduit. maybe back 1 post behind camera.
2) or mount in front of the Down Spout

It currently is mounted to the fence in a temporary fashion for testing. As I mentioned, mounting the illuminator too forward will likely create a dark spot right at the gate, right where you would want to recognize the perp.

I think the only option that I can see here is right where it is currently mounted with "barn doors" added on the illuminator to help constrain the light to the narrow coverage area

 

[TonyR]

It currently is mounted to the fence in a temporary fashion for testing. As I mentioned, mounting the illuminator too forward will likely create a dark spot right at the gate, right where you would want to recognize the perp.

I think the only option that I can see here is right where it is currently mounted with "barn doors" added on the illuminator to help constrain the light to the narrow coverage area

...or maybe tie up a piece of corrugated cardboard from a box, painted flat black, just to if it can help mitigate the reflection off the items you stated. If it works, make it out of something more durable like sheet metal or polycarbonate, still using a flat, non-reflective coating.

EDIT: I'd try mounting the suggested "test" flat black cardboard right at the gutter and downspout that shows so brightly and not next to the IR emitter itself as the cable box doesn't appear to reflect nearly as much. That way it should not block any IR from hitting out at the fence. Less IR reflecting back into the lens from that bright downspout should let it open up even more.

 

[JPmedia]

...or maybe tie up a piece of corrugated cardboard from a box, painted flat black, just to if it can help mitigate the reflection off the items you stated. If it works, make it out of something more durable like sheet metal or polycarbonate, still using a flat, non-reflective coating.

EDIT: I'd try mounting the suggested "test" flat black cardboard right at the gutter and downspout that shows so brightly and not next to the IR emitter itself as the cable box doesn't appear to reflect nearly as much. That way it should not block any IR from hitting out at the fence. Less IR reflecting back into the lens from that bright downspout should let it open up even more.

If it were just me here, I'd paint the damn downspout flat black and be done with it, but I live with the wife and the WAF on covering, painting or adding something to the downspout will likely not end well.

I think my only option is to add the small deflector panels to the illuminator to help direct the light as best I can and make it look like it was part of the illuminator

 

[TonyR]

If it were just me here, I'd paint the damn downspout flat black and be done with it, but I live with the wife and the WAF on covering, painting or adding something to the downspout will likely not end well.

Understood. If she's like my first wife, she wants maximum results with minimal time and expense invested....a champagne diet on a beer budget, so to speak.