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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 18, 2022 8:28:10 GMT -5
So I invested in solar panels for all of my cameras. I’ve been running them for a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, they are junk. Not sure why they don’t keep up but they don’t. Most get relatively full sun but within 3 weeks I had 2 of them completely dead. I’ve now added some rechargeable lithium tactacam batteries to try and help.
The whole point was to not touch these areas after completing my work there. Save your money.
Will also review the rechargeable lithium batteries in a few weeks to see how they are holding up as well.
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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 18, 2022 8:34:23 GMT -5
Did you get the TactaCam brand solar panels?
I’d get in touch with their customer service. They have great customer service so maybe they will replace them?
Will the TactaCam rechargeables work with the solar panels?
Right now I’m running the Energizer Ultimate Lithiums.
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 18, 2022 9:07:31 GMT -5
They are the Tactacam brand. I have 14 of them in use right now. They do work with the Tactacam rechargeable Lithium very easily. The battery pack has a connection at the bottom of it for the panel connection. I haven’t tried the customer service yet just because it doesn’t seem to be a one off problem.
So far I will say just the Energizer Lithium batteries I’ve always used have worked better. I was hoping to spend the extra money up front to see the savings on new batteries repeatedly in the future.
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Post by greghopper on Aug 18, 2022 9:27:22 GMT -5
If you decide to get rid off them I maybe interested but not all of them. Sounds like the need direct sun light…. Maybe not.
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Post by blackmouthcur on Aug 18, 2022 9:30:37 GMT -5
That’s strange, I’ve had my Tactacam solar panels out for 9 months now with no problems.  |
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Post by blackmouthcur on Aug 18, 2022 9:58:33 GMT -5
I just have energizer alkaline in mine.
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 18, 2022 10:14:46 GMT -5
If you decide to get rid off them I maybe interested but not all of them. Sounds like the need direct sun light…. Maybe not. I may be taking you up on that 🤔. That’s what kills me though is these are getting a ton of sun. |
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 18, 2022 10:19:03 GMT -5
That’s strange, I’ve had my Tactacam solar panels out for 9 months now with no problems. Just wondering if it may be an amount of pictures thing. Has the cam only taken 400 pictures in the 9 months or have you changed Sd cards in that time? My waterholes typically get 50 +/- pictures or so each day/night. Not different from other years though with regular lithium batteries. |
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Post by blackmouthcur on Aug 18, 2022 11:21:54 GMT -5
I just keep the pictures that have deer on them, I delete raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, turkeys,squirrels.
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Post by parrothead on Aug 19, 2022 5:36:05 GMT -5
I have read really good reviews with the solar panel and Tactacam rechargeable Lithium. Contact Tactacam, I have had great service every time I have talked with them.
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 19, 2022 6:30:57 GMT -5
I did watch a lot of videos on both but since they are relatively new haven’t seen many reviews. One of my highest picture cameras has both the solar and rechargeable and is still falling after only 2 weeks. 70% currently
Same spot for the last two years with energizer lithium batteries would last 2-1/2 to 3 months. Ugh….
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Post by parrothead on Aug 19, 2022 7:38:37 GMT -5
I use the same batteries and get a lot longer life out of them than 3 months. I know it depends on how many pictures it takes. Wonder if you have something sucking the power for some reason???
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 19, 2022 9:14:26 GMT -5
Not sure. I’ve changed complete cameras. Now adding all this stuff. I was good with the three month thing and right around 6,000 - 8,000 pictures but not having to mess with it would be nice too.
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Post by whitetaildave24 on Aug 19, 2022 9:34:34 GMT -5
I learned that if service is poor it will drain the batteries super quickly. I tried one in our creek bottom and it didn’t last long at all until it was dead.
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Post by huntnandplumbn on Aug 19, 2022 22:03:13 GMT -5
Could be something to the service thing. The Verizon cameras work best for the area. Heading that way in the morning to do some more work
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Post by sculver7 on Aug 30, 2022 21:26:28 GMT -5
I have heard nothing but problems from most solar panels. What I did with my two tactacams was got a 12 ah battery for each, put them in a watertight ammo can, and wired them to the cameras. They've been out for 3 months and both are still showing 100% charge. All-in, it's about 40 bucks per camera for battery, wires, and ammo box. I hang the battery boxes about 10' up in the tree and run the wire down to the camera. It has worked great so far.
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