MuleyMadness Hunting Forums

Can a trail Cam with a 12 volt input be rigged to work of a mini solar panel, like something you can buy at Harbor Freight.

Also, does anyone know if those panels store energy or would they be pointless because the Cam wouldnt have power at night when there is no sun

i would think you would need to have them wired to rechargable batteries of some sort or all of the potential is wasted IM(unexperienced)O.

Yes you will probably need a rechargable battery pack of some kind.

OK... so I would rig it to charge the rechargeable batteries during the day and then the batteries would take over at night...

PhillyB wrote:OK... so I would rig it to charge the rechargeable batteries during the day and then the batteries would take over at night...

It seems to me that it would work like a camp trailer solar panel. The panel would send a constant trickle charge to the batteries. The camera would draw from the batteries as needed. Even the moonlight sends a small charge to the batteries so a clear night would allow for some charging.

It can be done for sure, I haven't done it though but know guys have done so.

MuleyMadness wrote:It can be done for sure, I haven't done it though but know guys have done so.

Do you know of any write ups or instructions?

I'll do some research and let you know, I think I remember seeing one somewhere but can't remember when or where.

I can help you with a solar system if you want, I work with them all the time. I have used the small panels from harbor freight and I would assume that they would provide plenty of power to maintain a small battery plant that would run your camera forever. Just to be safe, it would be good to get the current rate of your camera to find out how robust the system would need to be. One thing to remember is that panels must have full sunlight to provide anywhere near their rated output. I would also add a small inexpensive regulator to protect the electronics in your camera.--------SS

Shooter... once the cameras arrive I will be in touch.

I don't have any of the parts yet... but stuff should be arriving shortly