How to Build your own weatherproof webcam

[gateway2capecod]

Hello all...

came across this webpage and "How TO" ...build a weatherproof enclosure for a Logitech quickcam webcam.

when the person that wrote this up say's "weatherprrof" I am assuming they mean for temperatures above 32-40F Degrees, as I dont think the Logitech webcam would make it outside in this enclosure very long in winter cold temperature's.

either way I firugre some of you may get a kick out of reading the whole story and his idea, so check it out here:

http://maine-webcams.com/build-a-webcam.html


I myself think it would be easier, quicker and safer to just pay the $49.95 for a heated and waterproof rated Aluminum enclosure.

...Chris

[Eagleizer]

I got this idea from a friend.

I use a $15 flood light housing and gut it, make a hole big enough to get the cable(s) through. I am not sure if they are water resistant yet as we have had very little rain of late, but I will keep an eye on them for water and silicon if required.

[jwwd]

Hi

I use a case from an outdoor halogen lamp:





Best regards,

Henrik

[gateway2capecod]

Hello JWWD and eagleizer....


Those home made enclosure's you guys built look much better than the flashlight one.


Well Done!!


..Chris

[K3JAE]

These "light" enclosures are awesome. Gives nice idea and so "clean" looking.

[gateway2capecod]

Hello K3JAE/John...


They are nice idea's, But I am not sure how cold their climates get there during their winter month's.

If you are thinking of making one similiar keep in mind that with the really really cold weather we get here in the Northeastern USA during the winter months...A  camera may not survive without some type of heat inside the enclosure....especially if it is not a webcam that is rated  to be outdoors at  temps below 32F.

I know My Axis 211 is an outdoor IP Camera and is rated to be in outdoor colder temps. The heater element inside my Webcam enclosure doesnt really keep the cam warm, but is there basically to keep the glass in front of enclosure from fogging or icing up..for a clear view at all times. it also helps the rain drops on outside of glass dry up faster.

I placed an indoor/outdoor heater Probe into my enclosure, which can be read from the display inside the house to monitor the temperature inside the enclosure during the winter temps...it got pretty damn cold inside the enclosure when the temps outdoors were below 32F.  If the cam itself hadnt been made to be outdoors...most likely it would have died.

just some words for the wise that live in cold climates....Chris

[rain]

Hi Chris
I build this one with fan for cooling,and resistor for heat inside

http://users.otenet.gr/~meteo/webcamerabox.html

And here it is thread at forum

http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,37549.0.html

[jwwd]

Hello K3JAE/John...

They are nice idea's, But I am not sure how cold their climates get there during their winter month's.

Hi

My webcam used to be in my addic where the temp dropped to about -5 degrees celcius.

This winter the webcam will be outside. Our temperature rarely drops below -10 degrees celcius - so im excited to see if it can handle our climate.

Best regards,

Hernik

[Eagleizer]

There is no way mine won't survive our winter. We are lucky to see anything under 5C. The thunder storms will mines biggest test.   (ps. it has got me stumped who some of you people survive some of the temps you talk about.)  And thanks Chris for the nice words.

[weatherc]

I had some years ago a 25 euros Quickcam outside, it was time before wx-stuffing, it hadn't any proper shield, just a quickly built box of wood and a plexi as "window" so it wasn't weatherproof in any way, just so it not get wet when rained. Anyway it was out in temps below -20 C and in snowstorms and worked just fine

Also my last weather-cam has been working ok in temps around -15 C, will be intresting to see how the new one (Canon Powershot) goes this winter

I think the humidity can be a bigger problem than the temperature itself for them.

Henkka

[fondoo]

this is amazing. just what i was looking for. i tried the flood fog flash lights and it didnt turn out the way i wanted, but this flood lights will work great. is the flood lights glass or plastic? im assume glass cuz of the high heat. im going out to pick a flood light tmr. thanks

please visit my streaming webcam at http://fondoo.blogspot.com

thanks

[TokKiwi]

I have used an electrical junction box with a clear ABS lid so that is now a side of the box.  Inside I have a Logitech Quick-Cam 9000 and a solar board with remote solar sensor but have a temp sensor in the box on that board.  I use a 12VAC power supply across three 6.8ohm ceramic resistors in series and a PC PS fan at 7.5vdc blowing over the resistor bank all on a timer to cover the cold mornings and the cool evenings and this cancels all condensation.  There is also a temp switch in the attic at the power outlet that senses if it is cold and needs the heater circuit on.  I also have a dish of silica gel crystals in the box.  All sides and internal faces are painted matt black, including the curved edges of the ABS front panel.

The pic below shows the temp heating circuit coming on and off.

TK

Note - the image in my profile is from a Digital Camera inside a garage window.  The other Logitech is further down this page... http://www.inmanavenue.com/webcam.html

[MGCJerry]

For those of you using those floodlight enclosures they are generally VERY water resistant. The only way water gets into them is if the rubber seal doesn't have perfect contact with the housing. Whenever you mess with your camera get a damp towel, and wipe down the rubber gasket to make sure there isn't any grime on it. If/when I ever get a cam on my setup, I will be using a floodlight housing as well.