topic Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries. in Arlo

Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

wilkerson12820 — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 16:23:53 GMT

I see people adding power supplies to Arlo cameras. Cool idea if you are indoors or near a AC power source. And the new ability to add a solar panels to Arlo Pro cameras. With the rechargable batteries we can use in Arlo cameras. Can we not add a 6V solar panel to our Arlo cameras? As long as we have a rechargable battries in them? Or do we need to use 12v solar panel? Long time since my electronics class days.

Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

TomMac — Sat, 16 Dec 2017 16:48:01 GMT

The Pro cams require a very tight spec on the 6v solar panels to work properly... netgear sells them

I would be careful using third party solar panels, have seen some "fried" cams

Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

wilkerson12820 — Sun, 17 Dec 2017 22:43:33 GMT

Yes I have seen the solar panels for the pro cameras. But do they sell a solar panel kit for the regular Arlo? If not what if you pop in some rechargable battries and use a 6v solar panel. Think that would work?

Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

jguerdat — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 02:06:46 GMT

I suspect you'll need a higher voltage (8v?) panel to charge the batteries.

Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

wilkerson12820 — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 03:26:33 GMT

Yes true. So If I did that. How would I keep the 8v from going into the camera? And overcharging the battries? I planned to install a solar charge controller but I only can see 6v and 12v.

Re: Solar Panel and Rechargeable Batteries.

jguerdat — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 12:51:16 GMT

I suspect that would take some reverse engineering. We know that rechargeables start at ~4.2v which the camera handles with no problem. Maybe there's a built-in regulator or there's just sufficient margin from the specific components.