How to add an External Battery Mod to your Game Trail Camera S2E1.1 #gamecam #trailcam

This is a how to video to add an external battery to your game cameras and stop spending a lot of money on AA batteries. Some of my cameras have been running over a year on the same battery with this mod. Below are links to the parts I used.

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[JohnnieBravo]

Awesome video. I had made external rechargeable external battery packs using 10 AAA's, AA's, C's or D's for the 12 volt (10 X 1.2 volts in series =12 volts) and 5 of those for the 6 volt cams. I stuck them in waterproof enclosures. It finally occurred to me to use these 12 volt batteries like yours directly, as they are already water resistant and rechargeable, likely have more mAH capacity, and in the end cost about the same as the rechargeable battery packs. A waterproof 12 volt to 6 volt regulator can be used to connect the 6 volt cams. I don't leave mine in the woods, though, mine are scattered around the yard capturing the wildlife that raids my trash cans and bird feeders. I needed them to find out what was trashing my feeders at night, so I have been in a long term war with raccoons and possums. By the way, after finding out who the enemy was with cams, I was finally, after years of battles, able to design a simple mount that they can't negotiate, protecting all the feeders successfully. (so far)

[wildplaceswildthings]

Great video from a new subscriber. I wish we could do that with our cameras but the bears are a much bigger concern for external wires than the raccoons. They hit my first camera within 24 hours and chewed on it for 6 days before it stopped working. Now they all go in security cases.

[timtate]

I am late to seeing this but some suggestions: use a rubber grommet on your box where the wires come in… they sell a “selection” of them at Harbor Freight. You also might want to “sleeve” the wires from the box to the camera as you say you are having raccoon problems. Pick a neutral color to blend in and use a small fence staple or two to attach to the tree. A little camouflage netting around/ over the box would also help hide it. A great tutorial on doing this mod… Thanks & good luck. I have subscribed to your channel.

[basilkey]

Great video. I have been doing the same build for years. I killed a couple batteries not using a solar controller. Then I found that on a 7-amp hour batter you only need 2 / 3 watts of solar to maintain it and not over charge it. (In Alabama) I was using 10 / 5 watt panels and it killed them.

[paulwatson]

Maybe instead of glue for the wire to prevent it pulling out, you thread it through, tie an overhand knot, then proceed to wire it up. Thanks for the video!

[tiberiuswade]

You can place the exposed wires in steel conduct cables for better protection

[FinsandFur-yc]

That's a pretty slick idea you got for private property, but these trail cameras stealing thieves here public land in Michigan would have everything gone. I don't care how much you secure them to the tree either with a chain or a cable or a security box they'll just shoot it off the tree.

[DirtRooster]

I need to mail all my cameras to you for the Jerome setup.

[KajunHomestead]

Just found your wildlife channel, I love putting out camera's, I have some that came with solar and they do well, I also have that same browning camera and really like the footage i get from it. Nice video

[AckBoater]

Very informative and helpful. Thank you for sharing.

[glennbrussell]

Thanks for the video Very easy and simple and going to save me a lot of money

[russellkoopman]

It seems you are a jack of all trades. LOL Thanks for all the tips. Looks easy enough once I've seen you do it. Take care and stay warm. The high temp here in MN on Saturday was -4 F with snow blowing across the roads.

[CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Thanks for the info buddy. Maybe a steel casing for the wires? I had to use some on my camera to keep the critters from ripping it out or chewing on it. Stay safe!

[donbearden]

Darren, that’s great for one charge to last a full year.

[martinramirez]

Great setup can you add solar panel keep that battery fully charged?

[Sitkaspruce]

Great Video! I have a couple questions about the batteries. I am in Northern Canada and we get cold weather for long periods of time. I also run mostly Browning cams all on video, 10 second with a 2 minute delay. Can I run the batteries you use or should I run lithiums? Also, what Ah would be minimum? I am looking at 5Ah, should I go higher, say to a 7 or 9Ah battery? Cheers

[massacoor]

Excellent info, gonna do mine the same way, this is the way we okies do🦌

[Corné-oh]

Just watch the beautiful Gods' creatures come by, please don't shoot them.
Btw, I've been thinking about this idea a while and you're just doing it ;) I find them 8 AA batteries such a fuss. I have a charger for Ni-MN-Cd batteries with a max of 2 capacity, so you can imagine the work you have. (using the GP batteries which hold on impressively long, even in winter) And I only have 1 cam, but the fuss with the batteries kept me from buying more. I have my cameras just to see what is going on, on my property; animals or possible humans trespassing, but mainly to see what animals using the trails. Not for hunting. Any way, thank you for sharing. Will adjust mine soon.

[PnwOnTour]

Fancy charger you have 🔌 😃
I bought a 6v sla (says sealed lead calcium) and my campark t20 seems to run better on just aa’s, I tested 20+ videos but in the tree it seems to lose power after just a few days, maybe just the camera but I’m a little confused.
Funny I feel like the raccoons were avoiding mine cuz the battery was in the tree behind the camera they haven’t been seen as much haha 😆

[hphillips]

I just recently done my 4 cameras. The Plano box is made in the USA 🇺🇸. Harbor freight box is china and after the ccp virus I try not to buy made in china. Good video and good hunting from west Tennessee