Batterys go dead in less than a week

[clevegregg]

VMB4000 So I have 6 Arlo pro 2 cameras all hard wired, 4 of them are working great but 2 of them are having charging issues and changing the cables will be a lot of work so I thought I would just recharge the batteries.  Well I am having to recharge them every 3-4 days.  Some of the posts I have read on the community forum say that with these same issues a new battery was doing the same thing.  I dont want to waste the money on a new battery if it isn't going to fix it.  I know the system is old but don't want to update just yet.

[DannyBearAgain]

You mentioned that all 6 cameras are wired, is this with a solar panel or Ac power?

The two problem cameras needing recharge, are the recording a lot or in high traffic locations?

[clevegregg]

They are hard wired to A/C, I’m assuming the cord going through the wall is bad. And the 2 problem cameras aren’t recording any more than the other 4

[DannyBearAgain]

The simplest way to identify if the batteries or cameras are bad is to swap batteries with a working camera.

Alternatively swap camera location to prove a faulty charger cable if not already.

The pro2 batteries are 7.2vdc and require a QC compatible charger to charge as well as run the camera, the typical 5vdc adapter will run the camera but never charges the battery.

If the mini USB connector that plugs into the camera or the camera socket has been damaged or been corroded this may cause rapid depletion of the batteries.

[clevegregg]

So, I swapped the batteries and the good battery dropped from 100% charge to 75% within 12 hours of changing them, so something with the camera is causing it to drain batteries quickly.

[DannyBearAgain]

If the camera is causing the battery to drain, apart from being faulty there could be a few other causes.

The camera location is susceptible to poor wifi signal strength or interference. Swap camera locations to prove the location is ok.

Another cause is motion detection overuse. If you’re using activity zones these can  cause the camera to be constantly active but not produce recordings. The camera streams to the cloud to determine if there is motion occurring in the wanted area of the picture. This can be alleviated by better camera positioning to remove unwanted motion from tree branches or road traffic.

[clevegregg]

The Wi-Fi signal is great at that location. It’s only 10 feet from the modem and one wall in between and that camera doesn’t see much motion.

[DannyBearAgain]

Look at a replacement camera.

The only other things to look at are extended recordings of 5min 5sec. You should have these in the library. They occur intermittently for my cameras.

If the camera is exposed to the elements check the rear charging port for corrosion, check for damage to the internal ribbon cable within the battery compartment.

[clevegregg]

No extended recordings, and ribbon cable looks ok, may be a small amount of corrosion inside charging port.  What is the best way to try to clean it?

[DannyBearAgain]

You can try using some electronic contact cleaning spray with the tube nozzle. Then working the cable connector in and out between spaying.

 If there is a lot of corrosion caused by the  discharge it might be impossible to remove completely.

[michaelkenward]

Here in the UK we have been through a longer than usual run of sub-zero temperatures.

My Arlo system keeps warning me that the solar charged floodlight battery doesn't like cold weather and won't charge.

[StephenB]

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@michaelkenward wrote:

My Arlo system keeps warning me that the solar charged floodlight battery doesn't like cold weather and won't charge.

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It won't charge below 0C - that is a battery safety constraint.

[michaelkenward]

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@StephenB wrote:

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@michaelkenward wrote:

My Arlo system keeps warning me that the solar charged floodlight battery doesn't like cold weather and won't charge.

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It won't charge below 0C - that is a battery safety constraint.

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I realise that, but thought it worth lobbing into a discussion about short battery life.

[clevegregg]

I have tried all of these suggestions above and have determined the life of the camera itself is over.

[michaelkenward]

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@clevegregg wrote:

I have tried all of these suggestions above and have determined the life of the camera itself is over.

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I have recently had a bout of premature battery death on one camera. Failed over night.

Swapped the camera with one that still works, same batteries, no longer fading within hours.