Ultra 2 disconnects from wifi after awhile

[tchapman]

Very strange issue here.  I have 2 Ultra cameras equi-distant from the hub.  One camera has had no issues.  The other camera will work fine for a bit and then disconnect from wifi.  Both cameras are connected to power via the 25' cable.  What I noticed is that the minute I disconnect the power from the camera, it will reconnect to the wifi.  I can then re-attach the power and it's good for a day or so and then it disconnects.  

I ended up buying a "smart" USB adapter that only provides power to the port when needed.  So what happens is that the camera cycles between power until full and then switches to battery for a few minutes until it needs to charge again.  That gets me about a week.  I monitor the health of the camera an the battery hovers around 98% the whole time.  After about a week, the camera is dead.  I have to bring it in to the house to recharge it.  

When it's in the house, connected to power, it functions with no issues for days.  My thought is the power cable is bad.  But I didn't know if others had this issue and have another recommendation.  

[jguerdat]

Swap cameras around to see if it's the camera or location.

[tchapman]

I'd say both.  Went to bed last night at 10ish, both cameras were plugged in and charging at 83%.  At 2pm, both cameras show "Charge Battery" and are offline.  I'll have to get on the ladder to bring them in to charge.  I

(a) switched camera locations.  (b) switched chargers (c) did not switch cables (too hard).

What I suspect is bad cable in the first location that probably has messed with the bad camera.  I also suspect the chargers aren't powerful enough to work through the 24' cord.  Not sure what I should look for on that.  I have ordered a new cable already since I needed to get a new doorbell that died in a rainstorm (cover split).  Hopefully that will help.  Not sure what else I can do.  It's too expensive to replace cameras that work only 2 years.

[StephenB · Accepted solution]

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@tchapman wrote:

I also suspect the chargers aren't powerful enough to work through the 24' cord.  Not sure what I should look for on that.  

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Likely that is the case if you are using a 5 volt charger - there is a voltage drop in the cable.

Arlo's outdoor charger is 9 volts, and they will charge the cameras (unless they are defective or not making a good connection for some reason).

[tchapman]

Huh.  I did not see that when I looked just now.  But at least I know what to look for from Amazon.   Thank you

[tchapman]

I purchased a 25' charging cable and didn't realize it came with the charger.  I think I was fooled by the picture even though the text does say it came with an integrated charger.  Anyways, I hooked it all up on Sunday and so far no issues.  It's usually 3 days before the camera goes offline.  I'll repost a status in about a week.  My theory is that the cable I was using was bad.  

[tchapman]

I can confirm the 25' cable with charger solved the issue.  It has both a thicker wiring from the previous version I had as well as a stronger 9v charger.  I've had no issues since the installation 2 weeks ago.  Previously I could only go 2-3 days before service interruption.