Pro 2 solar charger

[MikeFe]

I want to use Activity Zones on my Pro 2. It seems that the camera needs external power to do that. That's not practical for me.

If I get a solar charger, will the camera recognize that as "AC power" and allow Activity Zones? What happens at night when there is no solar power?

[dcfox1]

---

@MikeFe wrote:
I want to use Activity Zones on my Pro 2. It seems that the camera needs external power to do that. That's not practical for me.

If I get a solar charger, will the camera recognize that as "AC power" and allow Activity Zones? What happens at night when there is no solar power?

---

A solar panel is not AC power so you would need a subscription to Smart for Activity Zones to work. Either way this article states AC without a subscription is only on the Pro3, Pro3 Floodlight and Pro4. I can't confirm if that's correct. 

 What are activity zones and how do I create them? (arlo.com)

[MikeFe]

Thanks for the reply.  I'm confused.  When I connect the Pro2 to USB  power, I can set up the activity zone without a Smart subscription.  I remove the USB, and the activity zone went away. I naively assume that the solar charger works like an USB charger.  The Pro2 has no other connections, so all power must come from the USB.  How does AC power connect to a Pro 2?

I have several cameras, and don't want to pay $3 per month for each to get Smart.

[dcfox1]

Yea the USB is AC but the solar panel is not. As I said I wasn't sure the article was correct about the certain cams that can only use AC w/o a sub. So guess as I thought the Pro2 does if that clarifies it. But if you can't run a USB (AC) plugged into an outlet on all the cams as you said you would need a sub for those. 

[StephenB]

---

@dcfox1 wrote:

As I said I wasn't sure the article was correct about the certain cams that can only use AC w/o a sub. 

---

My recollection is that the Pro 2 cameras do support activity zones w/o a sub when connected to AC.

@JamesC, can you confirm?  If my memory is correct, then there's another KB article that needs revision. 

[JamesC]

Yes, Pro 2 should be able to utilize activity zones when connected to AC.power. You can find more information about that here: What are the benefits of using my Arlo Pro 2 plugged in?

When connected to a solar panel, activity zones will not be available due to the lack of power output provided by the panel. 

JamesC

[dcfox1]

@JamesC This KB article needs updated as the Pro2 in not listed in the AC without a subscription section.

What are activity zones and how do I create them? (arlo.com)

[JamesC]

dcfox1,

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, i've already submitted an update request to the KB team.

JamesC

[MikeFe]

Thanks for the updates, but I'm still confused. The Pro2 has only a single USB charging port. How does it know if the USB power comes from an AC USB pack or from a solar USB pack?

[dcfox1]

The solar Panel is just a charger that does not supply AC power. It won't charge when there is no direct sunlight.  The camera can tell when continues AC power is connected from an outlet. 

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

---

@MikeFe wrote:
Thanks for the updates, but I'm still confused. The Pro2 has only a single USB charging port. How does it know if the USB power comes from an AC USB pack or from a solar USB pack?

---

The solar panel delivers less power, so the camera can/does distinguish it from the AC charger.