Solar Powered Bird Camera for Raspberry Pi

Description

*Disclaimer:* I am posting this before I have completed this project. I will probably update this post once I've completed the project. Still waiting on a replacement solar panel & battery. And waiting on 3d printer parts because my printer is down. Hello! Thanks for viewing. This is a "trail" camera that I've configured more like a dash camera that uploads footage to a local NAS over FTP. Its job is to be mounted in the top of my aviary to take timelapses/stream my birds. **Credits:** * Thanks to DieZopfe for the ball joint: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4739696 **Enclosures:** * 115mm x 90mm x 55mm "waterproof" enclosure with clear top * Unfortunately the box I bought isn't listed on amazon anymore. * I bought: Zulkit Junction Box ABS Plastic Dustproof Waterproof IP65 Universal Electrical Boxes Project Enclosure Grey with Clear Cover 4.5 x 3.5 x 2.2 inch (115 x 90 x 55mm) * The current listing (needed size missing): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PWT2FBJ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 * Here's another box I found by searching the above dimensions. There's a HIGH chance it won't work or directly fit * https://www.amazon.com/Fielect-Dustproof-Electronic-Transparent-115x90x55mm/dp/B083ND8JN9/ref=sr_1_22?dchild=1&keywords=115+x+90+x+55mm&qid=1633400418&sr=8-22 * Solar inverter, battery, boost converter enclosure * https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B089JZKD57/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 * Cable Glands: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KFCGFYF?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details **Bolts/Nuts (best guess):** * 3mm bolt and nut (x4) * 3mm bolt 25mm (x2-4) * Small (probably 2mm/2.5mm x 4mm) screws to mount the pi. * Probably just buy a kit of every size metric screw by now if you haven't. I didn't really keep track of what hardware I used. **Hardware:** * Raspberry pi zero W OR * Raspberry 3B+ (4 should also work) [Recommended] * JST XH connectors for connecting Pi * https://www.amazon.com/GeeBat-460pcs-Connector-Housing-Adapter/dp/B01MCZE2HM/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=jst+xh&qid=1633401140&sr=8-5 * 22 AWG wire that can be outside * https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NJ2SGDW?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details * Raspberry Pi Camera (+ ribbon cable adapter if using pi zero) * I used this one for wide angle + night vision + IR leds. Works great. * https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NW9KM6Y?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details ** Solar powered (optional):** * Solar panel * 6W (pi zero): https://www.adafruit.com/product/1525 * 9W (pi 3b+): https://www.adafruit.com/product/2747 * Solar inverter: https://www.adafruit.com/product/4755 * Battery * 4400Mah (pi zero): https://www.adafruit.com/product/354 * 6600Mah (pi 3b+): https://www.adafruit.com/product/353 * Boost converter for 4.4v from inverter => 5v for pi * https://protosupplies.com/product/ltc1871-adjustable-dc-dc-boost-module/ * A plug for the solar panel (if you're powering with solar) * https://www.amazon.com/dp/B077YHN1WQ?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2_dt_b_product_details * DC jack for inside the case (from solar plug to solar inverter) * Something like this. Right angle not necessary. Amazon probably has them * https://protosupplies.com/product/dc-power-right-angle-plug-with-pigtail/ **Software:** * MotionEyeOs: https://github.com/ccrisan/motioneyeos/releases/tag/nightly-dev * I tried rolling my own with Python to take pics/videos and upload over FTP. It was not worth it. Just flash MotionEyeOS on a microSD, throw a wpa_supplicant.conf in the boot directory, and then go to the Pi's IP and configure the app. It can upload pics/video to google drive/dropbox/ftp, host an ftp/samba server, motion detection, live stream, etc. *A note on the choice of Pi Zero vs 3b+.* I started with the zero w thinking it would be enough to take pictures every couple seconds. It was *okay* at this but I was pushing it to its limits when I decided I wanted video output. So I switched to the 3b+ which is why there's a mount for both types of Pi. The 3b+ is more than capable of recording 720p30 video continuously and uploading it in 1 minute segments over FTP. Unfortunately it has bigger power requirements. In fact it needs at least a 6600 mah battery just so there's enough current to boot. I've guessed the usage is around 300-500mah average, so the 9W solar panel with a 6v 1500mah output should have enough headroom to charge the battery over the course of a day and the battery should just about last through the night. Again, all of this is untested though I'm nearly ready to install it once some polishing is done. *A Note on the Mount:* What is uploaded here is v2 of the mounting bracket for this project box. V1 is shown in grey in the pictures. It was pretty bad but fully functional and I'm not one to waste filament to test v2 for thingiverse. Maybe some day. *A Note on thermals:* It's a 4.5x3.5in box with a small computer in it. Thermals are bad. I was able to easily hit 80c with a pi zero w and camera in the box (no heat sinks). Now I've upgraded to a 3b+ and added a large thermal pad on the pi. Haven't tested temps though. I bet they're bad. Who knows how long this will last. Can't add a cooling fan though since the box is water tight. *A Note on assembly:* Depending on where you put a hole for the power cord and cable gland, you might have to trim the pi mounting bracket. Measure twice and cut once here so you don't ruin the camera enclosure.

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