ARLO Pro floodlight charging compatibility issues with Wasserstein outdoor charging cable

[chrisdr1402]

I bought a Wasserstein outdoor charging cable for my Arlo pro floodlight and when connected I get a message the that camera and light are disabled while charging and will not respond to mode changes.  This defeats the purpose I had in mind which is 24/7 recording which requires to be connected at all times.  

According to the app, I got the latest firmware and out of options for resolving this issue.  

the magnetic charger is:  Wasserstein 25ft weatherproof outdoor magnetic charging cable with quick charge adapter for Arlo ultra, ultra2, pro 3, pro 4 and flood.

Any advice or solution to propose ?

Thanks

Christian

[jguerdat]

This is normal operation. If you need to keep the camera online, use a solar panel or a second battery with the external charging station.

[chrisdr1402]

Thank you for the proposed solutions. Christian

[debare]

I made the mistake of buying the Wasserstein outdoor charging cable without realizing there is a voltage difference between the various USB cables provided by third-party vendors and Arlo. The only solution I found that gives me the full benefits of the Arlo Pro Floodlight - i.e. the brightest spotlight - is buying the actual Arlo outdoor cable (comes in black or white).  So now the unit is continually charged and fires up to the maximum 3000 lumens - meaning I don't have to worry about battery life - when the floodlight and camera actually work. 

In fact, I find my six (6) Arlo Pro 3 cameras seem to have a mind of their own - turning off or disconnecting from the Arlo Smart Hub until I force them to re-connect. It's random, intermittent, and extremely annoying - given the high cost of the hardware and monthly subscriptions. 

In my opinion, Arlo makes the best-looking cameras on the market - almost impossible for anyone to spot unless they are really looking ... or the spotlight fires up at night. However, the inconsistent performance - cutting out during motion recording, missing the start of motion, or often just not recording any motion at all - has driven me to despair. I keep hoping that a firmware upgrade or some other solution will solve these issues but they have been ongoing since I installed them in June 2021. 

PS. I did notice as I was writing this post at 3:00 am in the morning that there is actually a firmware upgrade happening right now on the Pro 3 cameras ... sooooooo maybe that will fix the ongoing challenges!!!!

[TomMac]

there is a voltage difference between the various USB cables provided by third-party vendors and Arlo.

this is not uncommon...  many companies use these diffs to make their products sell.  Also at times diff dropping resistors on data/power lines to allow charging.

[debare]

Agreed - I was just explaining why the OEM cable (or even an 'indoor' Arlo cable) will not provide the juice needed to keep the double-battery security floodlight running while it's charging. I did keep the Wasserman cable for charging my other Pro 3 cameras when the Wasserman solar panels can't keep up in my often cloudy weather here. It works great on these single battery units. Cheers. 

[KG0998]

yeah,

you can take backup for the battery

[MGEllis]

So really to use the floodlight to its potential I have to buy additional charging cables from arlo at 4 times their worth?

I have 4 of these lights costing somewhere around 1500 dollars. And now I have to go spend another 4 hundred dollars on cables. That’s bananas.

[dcfox1]

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@MGEllis wrote:
So really to use the floodlight to its potential I have to buy additional charging cables from arlo at 4 times their worth?

I have 4 of these lights costing somewhere around 1500 dollars. And now I have to go spend another 4 hundred dollars on cables. That’s bananas.

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Where are you getting $400? The 25 ft outdoor is $50 and probably cheaper on Amazon. $200 for 4 at most. 

[MGEllis]

In USD maybe. In Canada we get screwed. In CAD Best Buy has them at 99 bucks. 75 on Amazon.

[debare]

Sadly MGEllis ... so true ... BestBuyCanada did have the white Arlo outdoor cables for CAD $69 but for some reason, they couldn't explain the black ones were CAD $99. But BestBuyUSA - both colours were $USD 49. Go figure.

Anyway, the black Arlo that I eventually got does actually do the job perfectly so the floodlight is always charged and beams at night at the maximum Lumens - which is why I got it. 

Cheers.