One B54IR Z4E down during the storm

[JPmedia]

The 5442 Z4E I put up recently went dark during the thunderstorm we are having. It sits right above the B54IR ZE which is working, and both are connected via combiner/splitter. I swapped the connections from the splitter at the NVR and the 2 channels status also swapped. I even replaced the splitter with another I have here - no change.

Since it's supposed to rain until after dark, I'll have to wait to check the camera and connections at the pole tomorrow. Since the inside connections check ok, it has to be out at the camera - either connections or the camera itself.

I checked the recording of these 2 cameras, and right before it went offline, there was a faint white horizontal band flash near the middle of the image, then camera output went dead. Viewing the cameras together during playback, you can hear the rumble of lightning on the ZE right after the Z4E went dark. It's odd because there were no lightning strikes close to here, about 5 miles away was the closest

 

[wittaj]

Did you use dielectric grease and other water protection measures?

 

[JPmedia]

Did you use dielectric grease and other water protection measures?

Forgot to use dielectric grease but did use the water-resistant coupler covers. Both have their own waterproof junction boxes connected together with an O-ring sealed connector. As I mentioned, still raining, so I'll have to check everything at the camera pole tomorrow

 

[looney2ns]

The Dielectric grease in all connections outdoors is a must.
Especially in your tropical environment.

 

[JPmedia]

The Dielectric grease in all connections outdoors is a must.
Especially in your tropical environment.

I hear you, but the other camera right below it is fine. Again, I'll have to inspect the installation tomorrow. I report my findings.

 

[wittaj]

Maybe the camera on top shielded the one below?

Keep in mind for the short time they have been up you probably won't see corrosion.

Deoxit works wonders and has brought many cameras to life that people swore had no corrosion. It doesn't take much corrosion on these tiny wires to wreak havoc.

 

[tigerwillow1]

If the connections are ok, try powering the camera from a 12 volt supply. Just the POE supply goes out in a lot of cases.

 

[JPmedia]

If the connections are ok, try powering the camera from a 12 volt supply. Just the POE supply goes out in a lot of cases.

I'll check later this morning

 

[JPmedia]

Maybe the camera on top shielded the one below?

Keep in mind for the short time they have been up you probably won't see corrosion.

Deoxit works wonders and has brought many cameras to life that people swore had no corrosion. It doesn't take much corrosion on these tiny wires to wreak havoc.

Your guess is as good as any.

I can't see there being water intrusion in the junction box(es) as they are typically water-tight, but I guess anything is possible. I'll inspect the installation later this morning.

 

[JPmedia]

Well, unscrewed the camera from the junction box and guess what came out the bottom? Water. I don't understand how water got into the junction box as they have a rubber seal on the cover. Something wasn't aligned correctly or something. The connector had water in it as well - but only to that camera. The overview camera connector and main connector were both dry.

When I brought the camera in to check it on the bench with an external POE switch the first time, it worked fine, so I took it back out put dielectric grease on all the connections and reinstalled it. It didn't work. I tried swapping connections at the camera pole, replacing the short jumper leads and still didn't work. I brought it back in to check it again and when I connected it to the external POE switch - no lights showing either activity or power. I plugged a 12-volt camera supply into the camera power jack and the port showed data, but no power. I was able to access the GUI and view the live stream from the camera. If I disconnect the power supply, camera goes dead. So, more than likely something in the camera POE circuit shorted and blew a fusible link.