- Installing on the roof with solar panels -

After the IR filter installation and weather-proofing, it was time to put the camera
to where I always wanted it; on the roof. The question on the other hand remained;
how will I power it? I did not want any cables dangling nor running from sockets,
so had an idea while we were shopping at Costco... Solar Panels!!!

Costco was selling this kit for I don't dare to remember :


After generously approved by my beloved CFO ( yes, Ági ), I got 2 panels
instead of one, totaling their output at max 30W. The battery is 150Wh in
the little inverter unit. The camera consumes about 240mW at 12V 24/7, so
I should be able to run the cam for quite a while ( ~600 hours reserve )
assuming we have at least a good 4 hours of clear and sunny skies.
As you will see in the next section, that sometimes is not the case... :-(


I bought a mailbox at Home Depot for $12 to house the electronics,
but in order to have proper ventillation, I cut three windows on it :


We should be protected now against rain, bugs and direct sunlight :


Secured and wired up the whole assembly on a pegboard :


Placed it on the roof and ( gently, but well ) secured it :


Put the battery electronics in the box :
( Yes, I asked tech support about the horizontal placement )


Fixed the camera to the board under the gutter ( aka. outer rafter ) :


Looks really nice and professional, doesn't it. :
( Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high... )


This is how the system looks now :


And this is the raw view :


After applying privacy filters, our webcam looking at the bay :
( Between the San Mateo and the Dumbarton bridges )

Go to step #7 : Limiting operations with a light sensor

Go back to the Voyager I page.