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sheriff_4's profile

Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 6:27 PM

Outdoor Camera Solar Panel Charging

I have two cameras I have a solar panel attached to each.  They both get direct sunlight 11-12 hours a day. (I live on top of a mountain) One camera never will charge above 74% the other would go from 70% to Zero within minutes - waiting for replacement camera - it was over night shipment from FedX on Feb. 9 - guess they have long nights!!  I have other cameras I run on solar and never an issue.  Seems that the solar panel doesn't charge these batteries well?  Anyone else have an issue?  I even got up on the ladder and checked the solar panels and connections - everything appears to be connected fine.

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Community Admin

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4.8K Messages

2 years ago

Hi sherriff_4,

The Solar Panel is designed to keep your SimpliSafe Wireless Outdoor Camera topped up - and with up to 12 hours of direct sunlight, it shouldn't be having trouble with that.

What it does suggest to me is that your cameras are both using up way more power than they should. Do they see a lot of activity? e.g. triggers, or if you livestream from them frequently.

We did recently start rolling out a major firmware update that resolves some performance issues - including with battery life. So it's possible that when that update gets to your devices, they'll perform much better.

13 Messages

@davey_d​ Thanks for responding.  Little background - I live on top of a mountain - no close neighbors.  My front area camera can go days without activity and some days maybe 3-4 times if we have company.  Neither of my cameras use a light.  My back door camera does have more use as that's the door we use so maybe up to six times in a day if we are in and out.  We are retired so some days it may record 1 or 2 times. The back door camera went from 70% to zero in a period of 4 hours - it is being replaced - the replacement is suppose to be here this afternoon.  I do have a call into you folks and have been told someone who developed the solar panels and cameras will be contacting me - (was told that yesterday).  Thanks for responding, my opinion your system is the best!!

5 Messages

Has anyone tried 3rd party solar panels?  I know it’s said it only  compatible  with SS solar charger. 

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1 Message

1 year ago

I am also having issues. The app shows that the camera is plugged into a source (the battery shows a lightning bolt for charging while my back door camera just shows a full battery), but yet my front door camera (likely due to lots of cars driving past the house), is continually dying and giving the critical low battery warning. But I knew it'd get lots of traffic that's why I have the front connected with solar. 

I wish there was a firmware update to allow sections of the camera to be more sensitive than others or even an overall sensitivity function to alter. It's just strange that the one hooked to continuous solar power is the one requiring the most recharges of the battery.

1 Message

1 year ago

My outdoor camera does not seem to charge with the solar battery either. I have to wait around for someone to change it for me. I’m very disappointed with it.☹️

Community Admin

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4.8K Messages

@svinet6050​ The Solar Panel accessory is designed to keep the camera charged up to the typical usage per day. But it sounds like your issue is that it's draining faster than the Solar Panel can charge it. Have you already been working with our Support team? We can troubleshoot to figure out the cause of the battery drain.

11 Messages

1 year ago

I read somewhere of a similar issue that was corrected by starting off with fully charged batteries before attaching the solar. I have no experience on this.

1 Message

11 months ago

ALL THREE of my solar panels are NOT keeping the battery charged up all of a sudden.  It seemed to work fine at first but after 2-3 months, it is suddenly not really keeping the batteries charged.  This defeats the purpose of purchasing this expensive component.  The purpose of purchasing this expensive component is so that I do NOT have to go out and get on a ladder to deal with battery problems.  I feel ripped off completely.  Please advise.

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I attached a SimpliSafe solar panel a few months ago. It gets many hours of direct sunlight. However, the battery status on the app has never been at 100%. It seems to be stuck in the 40-45% range. The camera does not typically get a high amount of triggers and when I know there will be a lot of activity, I turn off motion.

Community Admin

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1.3K Messages

@vwhip10​ Before installing your Solar Panel, did you charge the Outdoor Camera's battery for at least 5 hours? The Solar Panel is meant to top off the Outdoor Camera's battery, not charge it up all the way from a low percentage. If the Outdoor Camera's battery wasn't fully charged before installing the Solar Panel, I would try charging it all the way and then reconnecting the Solar Panel.

I would also check to make sure that the connection between the Outdoor Camera and Solar Panel is secure by unplugging and plugging it back in. 

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