Need advice on replacement of failing Cameras.

[Saltster]

OK, so the scoop is that I need to replace most of my failed or failing cameras. ( I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO)

I have purchased the below Sunba PTZ, which turned out to be the best Camera I have ever owned. too bad they don't sell fixed-mount cameras.
( SUNBA PoE+ PTZ Camera Outdoor, 36X Optical Zoom 5MP ) SUNBA PoE+ PTZ Camera Outdoor, 36X Optical Zoom 5MP

I have 10 Dahua cameras
4 of these went bad and leaked in water/condensation and they are under an overhang, go figure. IPC-HDW5231R-ZE

focusing on the lens - Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret, and seems to be focusing on the lens.

Hi, I have a Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret, and seems to be focusing on the lense. I took it apart and cleaned the inside of the case glass and the outside as well, I also cleaned the focal lens. When I zoom in or out it gets real blurry and takes a while to focus if at all. but it did...

ipcamtalk.com

two of these are now going bad. IPC-HFW5231E-Z12E

Dark camera before IR comes on

does anyone know why both of these cameras go totally dark for about 10 minutes before the IR comes on like in the right photo? I resent it back to factory defaults but still dark. Thanks

ipcamtalk.com

and I had one of these go bad. a IPC-T3241T-ZAS 2MP

So I need to replace them all.

other than Dahua low light cameras, which camera manufacturers with Varifocal lenses are good quality

I would appreciate any information so that I can check out my option.

Thanks

 

[aadje93]

It doesnt have to be Rain, high humidity or fog can penetrate under over overhangs

 

[TonyR]

+1^^.
A poorly protected connection to pigtail can promote corrosion and the entrance into cam @ pigtail can allow moisture into the cam itself due to thermal differential /cycling.

Thermal cycling : the device heats up during day, air inside expands, cools off at night and contracts, drawing in damp outside air, condenses, travels to low point, is trapped and won't escape during warm up cycle, just continues to collect inside.

I suggest protecting the connectors and the pigtail as here.

 

[Saltster]

+1^^.
A poorly protected connection to pigtail can promote corrosion and the entrance into cam @ pigtail can allow moisture into the cam itself due to thermal differential /cycling.

Thermal cycling : the device heats up during day, air inside expands, cools off at night and contracts, drawing in damp outside air, condenses, travels to low point, is trapped and won't escape during warm up cycle, just continues to collect inside.

I suggest protecting the connectors and the pigtail as here.

all my connections are protected. some inside a box and some wrapped. non are open to the elements.

 

[TonyR]

all my connections are protected. some inside a box and some wrapped. non are open to the elements.

Great!
And you've pumped outdoor-rated silicone sealant into the cam where the pigtail enters the cam?

 

[wittaj]

As you are aware, there are not many actual camera manufacturers out there.

Hikvision and Dahua make cameras for a lot of companies.

Hikvision provides the internals to many Sunba models, so maybe try them next?

Axis would be one to try, but you will pay a premium.

Many of the no-names like JideTech and a few others are all rebranded something.

But you are in Florida so it will be tough on cameras, especially if you didn't use dielectric grease.

Keep in mind your Sunba is only 9 months old...

I bought my Dahua Z12E and Sunba within a week of each other in 2019. The Z12E is still going strong. The Sunba not so much...

 

[Flintstone61]

Did your cameras get exposed to hurricane force winds? or Tropical storm force winds?
That last storm definitely exceeded the IP-67 rating of that some of the Camera manufacturers use.
Im sure the UV rays beat up the rubber and then the sideways rain gets driven into the cams.
Are you close to the Ocean?

 

[Flintstone61]

Like Wittaj said Hikvision is your other option besides Dahua. But nothing will last a long time in Florida.

 

[d5775927]

OK, so the scoop is that I need to replace most of my failed or failing cameras. ( I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO)

I have purchased the below Sunba PTZ, which turned out to be the best Camera I have ever owned. too bad they don't sell fixed-mount cameras.
( SUNBA PoE+ PTZ Camera Outdoor, 36X Optical Zoom 5MP ) SUNBA PoE+ PTZ Camera Outdoor, 36X Optical Zoom 5MP

I have 10 Dahua cameras
4 of these went bad and leaked in water/condensation and they are under an overhang, go figure. IPC-HDW5231R-ZE

focusing on the lens - Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret, and seems to be focusing on the lens.

Hi, I have a Dahua Starlight Varifocal Turret, and seems to be focusing on the lense. I took it apart and cleaned the inside of the case glass and the outside as well, I also cleaned the focal lens. When I zoom in or out it gets real blurry and takes a while to focus if at all. but it did...

ipcamtalk.com

two of these are now going bad. IPC-HFW5231E-Z12E

Dark camera before IR comes on

does anyone know why both of these cameras go totally dark for about 10 minutes before the IR comes on like in the right photo? I resent it back to factory defaults but still dark. Thanks

ipcamtalk.com

and I had one of these go bad. a IPC-T3241T-ZAS 2MP

So I need to replace them all.

other than Dahua low light cameras, which camera manufacturers with Varifocal lenses are good quality

I would appreciate any information so that I can check out my option.

Thanks

I don't know if it's possible, but you can try to disassemble the IPC to try to find the failure point.
For example, if you have Corrosion on the PCB or connectors or both and the IPC is within warranty maybe you can get a replacement (not sure).
In any case, this may help you to understand where you should try to improve (though it seems you don't have much to do, since the IPC is not exposed to the elements).

 

[Saltster]

Great!
And you've pumped outdoor-rated silicone sealant into the cam where the pigtail enters the cam?

No, however only a few had condensation, and the others that went dead did not. so looking for other brand recommendations.

 

[Saltster]

As you are aware, there are not many actual camera manufacturers out there.

Hikvision and Dahua make cameras for a lot of companies.

Hikvision provides the internals to many Sunba models, so maybe try them next?

Axis would be one to try, but you will pay a premium.

Many of the no-names like JideTech and a few others are all rebranded something.

But you are in Florida so it will be tough on cameras, especially if you didn't use dielectric grease.

Keep in mind your Sunba is only 9 months old...

I bought my Dahua Z12E and Sunba within a week of each other in 2019. The Z12E is still going strong. The Sunba not so much...

View attachment 149178 View attachment 149179

Thanks, I will check them out.

 

[Saltster]

Did your cameras get exposed to hurricane force winds? or Tropical storm force winds?
That last storm definitely exceeded the IP-67 rating of that some of the Camera manufacturers use.
Im sure the UV rays beat up the rubber and then the sideways rain gets driven into the cams.
Are you close to the Ocean?

No, I was in an area that did not get hit, and my cameras went bad before the storm. Most of my cameras are not in direct sun.

 

[Flintstone61]

FYI

Camera Network for Use in Weather Operations, Research, and Education

Abstract Camera technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade; photo quality continues to improve while cameras are getting smaller, more rugged, and cheaper. One outcome of this technological progress is that cameras can now be deployed remotely at low cost wherever solar power and...

journals.ametsoc.org

Network deployment
The NYSM first deployed the DS-2CD2032-I security network camera manufactured by Hikvision. The Hikvision camera weighs about 500 g, requires a maximum of 5 W, and operates between −30° and 60°C. An infrared capability enables image collection at night, and the camera permits livestreaming. Due to federal security concerns, however, the Hikvision is no longer being purchased; alternative cameras with similar specifications are being tested. At the time of this writing, the cameras are among the most economical sensors deployed across the NYSM. Once installed and leveled, the camera is low maintenance; the most common problem is water getting into the camera or cabling, but this can be minimized with proper sealant.

Each camera is oriented such that the horizon is centered in the photo, with the ground encompassing the lower half of the image and the sky the upper half (e.g., Fig. 2). This allows for regular monitoring of snow and vegetation heights as well as sky conditions. Each camera is mounted level on the station tower at a height of 3 m. Small roofs have been built over each camera to protect them from snow and ice falling from the tower above.

 

[wittaj]

FYI

Camera Network for Use in Weather Operations, Research, and Education

Abstract Camera technology has evolved rapidly over the last decade; photo quality continues to improve while cameras are getting smaller, more rugged, and cheaper. One outcome of this technological progress is that cameras can now be deployed remotely at low cost wherever solar power and...

journals.ametsoc.org

Network deployment
The NYSM first deployed the DS-2CD2032-I security network camera manufactured by Hikvision. The Hikvision camera weighs about 500 g, requires a maximum of 5 W, and operates between −30° and 60°C. An infrared capability enables image collection at night, and the camera permits livestreaming. Due to federal security concerns, however, the Hikvision is no longer being purchased; alternative cameras with similar specifications are being tested. At the time of this writing, the cameras are among the most economical sensors deployed across the NYSM. Once installed and leveled, the camera is low maintenance; the most common problem is water getting into the camera or cabling, but this can be minimized with proper sealant.

Each camera is oriented such that the horizon is centered in the photo, with the ground encompassing the lower half of the image and the sky the upper half (e.g., Fig. 2). This allows for regular monitoring of snow and vegetation heights as well as sky conditions. Each camera is mounted level on the station tower at a height of 3 m. Small roofs have been built over each camera to protect them from snow and ice falling from the tower above.

This helps stress how important dielectric grease is, even if the connections are covered. It isn't problematic with just one brand.

 

[Saltster]

+1^^.
A poorly protected connection to pigtail can promote corrosion and the entrance into cam @ pigtail can allow moisture into the cam itself due to thermal differential /cycling.

Thermal cycling : the device heats up during day, air inside expands, cools off at night and contracts, drawing in damp outside air, condenses, travels to low point, is trapped and won't escape during warm up cycle, just continues to collect inside.

I suggest protecting the connectors and the pigtail as here.

I just took this pic, this is what I was doing. I will try your suggestion protecting the connectors and the pigtail when I get some new cameras.

this is my PTZ Camera up on the poll.
all others are under eves and in boxes.

 

[Saltster]

I just don't want to get off subject. some had moisture, the others just failed over time. so moisture was not the only issue.
in either case, I need to find some new cameras.
so researching once again for low light and good resolution.

 

[Saltster]

does anyone have any pics of how they sealed their cameras, boxes, and connestions?

 

[Flintstone61]

I'm a bad example. But I skipped the fake rubber plate gasket, and siliconed the back, the front, and used no dielectric grease
It's a test so @sebastiantombs can yell at me next year when it fails and say " I told ya so-moron"

 

[TonyR]

I'm a bad example. But I skipped the fake rubber plate gasket, and siliconed the back, the front, and used no dielectric grease
It's a test so @sebastiantombs can yell at me next year when it fails and say " I told ya so-moron"


View attachment 149287View attachment 149288

Hopefully you worked quickly and fastened the lid on so that those water drops in the bottom of the box in the last image will be trapped inside the box....maybe to be joined later by more of their corrosive "friends"?

 

[Flintstone61]

rain installs are a bitch huh? I didn't want the plastic to get dry and crack, So added a few drops of humidity.