Update: External box's ready to deploy.

[mowin]

Going to make external battery boxes for my cell cams.  Lots of different options out there. Just wondering what amp hr most are running.  I can get 7.2 for under $20, but wondering if getting 10 amp hr or larger is going to make a big difference. I don't run my cams all yr, just mid August through December. 

Edited August 19 by mowin

[2BuckBizCT]

Reveal sent me one of their solar ones free. I think it’s $60 if I had to buy it. It works great. All winter perfect and now summer too which is surprising since the hardwoods are heavy canopy with not much sunlight 

[nywaw]

I use Power-Sonic 12V 12Ah F2 SEALED LEAD ACID AGM DEEP-CYCLE RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

You can get them for around $35 at Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Powersonic-PS-12120F2-12-Sealed-Battery-Terminals/dp/B005S4LR6O

It will last 12K-15K pics on bait with a Gen 1 Reveal sending Instant and having good reception (3-4 bars).

[nywaw]

For boxes, you can build your own or buy pre-made ones.   I used Herd360 for my boxes.

https://www.herd360.com/collections/diy-external-power-products

[mowin]

19 minutes ago, nywaw said:

For boxes, you can build your own or buy pre-made ones.   I used Herd360 for my boxes.

https://www.herd360.com/collections/diy-external-power-product

Was looking at harbor freight boxes. $6 a box. 

[nywaw]

6 minutes ago, mowin said:

Was looking at harbor freight boxes. $6 a box. 

Those will work, just check dimensions for the battery.  Some people like to foam the inside to keep the battery snug.  You'll need connector wire for the terminals one one end and then a main line to the 12v male plug that goes through the box with a weatherproof nut to secure it and keep water out of the box

[mowin]

8 hours ago, nywaw said:

Those will work, just check dimensions for the battery.  Some people like to foam the inside to keep the battery snug.  You'll need connector wire for the terminals one one end and then a main line to the 12v male plug that goes through the box with a weatherproof nut to secure it and keep water out of the box

I've seen complete cables on Amazon, but they didn't have the weather proof box connection. I was planning to silicone the hole, but then I can't store the cord in the box.  

[phade]

20 minutes ago, mowin said:

I've seen complete cables on Amazon, but they didn't have the weather proof box connection. I was planning to silicone the hole, but then I can't store the cord in the box.  

If you want to go cheap that is the way to do it. It’ll work but not pretty and doesn’t have convenience for cord. Also those boxes will leak from time to time. I’d suggest stepping up to MTM brand box. They seal better and are easier to rig up attaching to tree. I don’t like setting boxes on ground due to snow pack potential and increased chances of animals messing around with them. 

[mowin]

39 minutes ago, phade said:

If you want to go cheap that is the way to do it. It’ll work but not pretty and doesn’t have convenience for cord. Also those boxes will leak from time to time. I’d suggest stepping up to MTM brand box. They seal better and are easier to rig up attaching to tree. I don’t like setting boxes on ground due to snow pack potential and increased chances of animals messing around with them. 

Thanks.  I'll look into those. 

[sbuff]

14 hours ago, mowin said:

Going to make external battery boxes for my cell cams.  Lots of different options out there. Just wondering what amp hr most are running.  I can get 7.2 for under $20, but wondering if getting 10 amp hr or larger is going to make a big difference. I don't run my cams all yr, just mid August through December. 

Wouldn't a set of lithium last that time frame for you ? This Sept my two Moultrie edge cams will be in the woods for two years on the same set of lithiums battery's . Granted I don't get hundred's of pics like some ,but two years is still two years .  

[mowin]

27 minutes ago, sbuff said:

Wouldn't a set of lithium last that time frame for you ? This Sept my two Moultrie edge cams will be in the woods for two years on the same set of lithiums battery's . Granted I don't get hundred's of pics like some ,but two years is still two years .  

Yes. I get a season out of lithiums. They are usually below 50%.  For not much more than lithiums, I can make a external battery box and get several yrs out of each battery 

[sbuff]

Can't wait to see end result 

[phade]

23 hours ago, sbuff said:

Wouldn't a set of lithium last that time frame for you ? This Sept my two Moultrie edge cams will be in the woods for two years on the same set of lithiums battery's . Granted I don't get hundred's of pics like some ,but two years is still two years .  

Two years is an exceptionally long time on lithium AAs for cell cams. I don’t think I’ve seen 24 month run time reported yet. Your use case would be an exception to any conventional rule. The payback on an external or solar set it usually around one year. The good news is that the externals can go on multiple cams assuming plug size is the same or you’re willing to modify.

[Keith Nehrke]

I think I've posted my builds and components here or the other site, perhaps Lake Ontario United too. All components can be had off Amazon.

10 Ah lithium (Nermak has been good for me).

Steathcam connectors work for most cameras (5.5 x 2.1 mm), but some like Reveal require a different size (4 x 1.7 mm) - Bolyguard is what I've bought. You can build them from components too.

Gasketed boxes, like a Plano field and ammo box, small OD. I've also seen similar boxes for less at Runnings (~$6). I just run the cable under the gasket and I've never had issues. I do like simple.

Three important points: first, remember that squirrels like to chew cables. I use a small, corrugated, split cable wrap to protect my wires, and I wrap the cable once around the camera so that it can't be pulled out easily. Second, lithium batteries require a specific type of charger. Don't use a charger made for lead acid. Third, the discharge profile for lithium provide 100% power...until it doesn't. There's no warning. If your camera suddenly doesn't show up in the app, but the battery level was 100% just yesterday, it's probably empty.

I will say that even though lithium batteries are light, deploying them every year in any number can be cumbersome. The solar options being offered now are beginning to be priced competitively enough to consider as an alternative.  It's a smaller battery, but constantly kept charged. I don't know how that might affect longevity versus a larger battery that requires a single charge per season. I guess you could think phones - how long until the battery fails? Probably similar period. And you could leave the units deployed year round, even if you only run them for a couple months. I prefer to clean my cameras every year, but I have buddies who are going on three or four years now constant in the woods.

[mowin]

1 hour ago, Keith Nehrke said:

I think I've posted my builds and components here or the other site, perhaps Lake Ontario United too. All components can be had off Amazon.

10 Ah lithium (Nermak has been good for me).

Steathcam connectors work for most cameras (5.5 x 2.1 mm), but some like Reveal require a different size (4 x 1.7 mm) - Bolyguard is what I've bought. You can build them from components too.

Gasketed boxes, like a Plano field and ammo box, small OD. I've also seen similar boxes for less at Runnings (~$6). I just run the cable under the gasket and I've never had issues. I do like simple.

Three important points: first, remember that squirrels like to chew cables. I use a small, corrugated, split cable wrap to protect my wires, and I wrap the cable once around the camera so that it can't be pulled out easily. Second, lithium batteries require a specific type of charger. Don't use a charger made for lead acid. Third, the discharge profile for lithium provide 100% power...until it doesn't. There's no warning. If your camera suddenly doesn't show up in the app, but the battery level was 100% just yesterday, it's probably empty.

I will say that even though lithium batteries are light, deploying them every year in any number can be cumbersome. The solar options being offered now are beginning to be priced competitively enough to consider as an alternative.  It's a smaller battery, but constantly kept charged. I don't know how that might affect longevity versus a larger battery that requires a single charge per season. I guess you could think phones - how long until the battery fails? Probably similar period. And you could leave the units deployed year round, even if you only run them for a couple months. I prefer to clean my cameras every year, but I have buddies who are going on three or four years now constant in the woods.

Don't think I'll go lithium. Probably go with SLA battery's.  I found some pre made cables for $17.99 on herd 360. They have a waterproof connector that connects to the box, and are chew proof.  I've looked for the components to make the cable, but I don't think I'll save a ton of money going that route.  

I can get one piece cables for $6.00, but I like the idea of being able to unhook the cable from the box and store it in the box during the off season.