3 Tips for Keeping Arlo Charged In the Cold

[AngeloM]

The days are getting shorter and the weather is feeling colder. Winter is coming, but are you prepared for it? Getting ready for the winter season isn’t just about shoveling your driveway and throwing on some extra layers. When you need your Arlo cameras to keep an eye on your property, it’s good to pay attention to the weather.

Here are three important Arlo tips to know when preparing for this year’s winter season:

1. Keep an eye on your camera battery when the temperatures dip

According to Battery University, all batteries operate over a wide temperature range, and that temperature range depends on the type of battery. This is due to the chemical reactions in the battery that keep your device turned on and functioning. Your batteries may report low power in colder weather since its internal chemical reactions slow down at low temperatures. The original Arlo camera which utilizes CR123 li-ion batteries has an operating temperature from 14°F to 122°F (-10°C to 50°C), while Arlo Pro, Arlo Pro 2, and Arlo Go cameras which use Arlo rechargeable li-ion batteries operate between -4°F to 113°F (-20°C to 45°C). If your Arlo cameras suddenly report low power in cold weather, you can troubleshoot using the following steps:

• Return the camera to room temperature and power cycle the camera by opening and closing the battery door while the camera is unplugged. After the camera is back online, the battery capacity notification should restore to normal.
• If your camera is still reporting low battery in cold weather, place your camera in a warmer location to see if the problem is duplicated in that setting.
• If you continue to experience problems, visit Arlo Support to speak with an expert.

2. Your Arlo Solar Panel craves the sun and heat

The total energy that an Arlo Solar Panel can produce depends on many external factors: temperature, shade, weather, and amount of dust or debris on its surface. As we approach the winter solstice, we’ll receive less light and feel chillier days. As the days get shorter, you may see that the solar panel may not keep a battery fully charged due to lack of light. Also, for safety reasons due to your Arlo Security Camera’s battery, the solar panel cannot charge your camera battery at temperatures below freezing. You can use the Arlo Solar Panel in any operating temperature between 32°F to 122°F (0° to 50°C).

3. Avoid charging your Arlo Security Cameras below freezing temperatures

Your Arlo batteries might need to hibernate a bit during extremely inhospitable situations. When temperatures dip, it’s important to know that consumer-grade lithium-ion batteries cannot be charged below 32°F (0°C). Plating of metallic lithium can occur if the battery is charged below freezing temperatures, which is permanent and cannot be fixed through cycling. Batteries with lithium plating are more vulnerable to failure if exposed to vibration or other stressful conditions. If your Arlo cameras are charging outside below freezing temperatures, you may see a notification that charging is paused due to low temperatures. This protects your battery to keep your Arlo cameras running in the cold. To recharge, simply bring the battery to a moderate temperature, then charge to get back to 100%.