Intruder detection

[pondmeadow]

Hello,
I own a piece of property with a very nice antique house. Property is unoccupied, no electricity. I have vandals that are stealing, destroying and generally tearing the house apart. I like to catch them. I tried game cameras but they also disappear .... due to them being detectable because of "visible" light. Are there cameras that do not emit light? or is there possibly a better option? Like to have the Camera working about a week at a time. Could possibly hook up a car battery ..??!! Distance from camera to perpetrators is also an issue ... game cameras usually are for close distance. Ideas ??
Werner

 

[cowboybob]

Welcome, pondmeadow!

Most (all, I think) digital cameras are sensitive to InfraRed light. Why not put out infrared lights (or an array of infrared LEDs) for your game (or other) cams?

 

[pondmeadow]

Thanks for the come-back. Should have mentioned it earlier, but all previous cameras were IR cameras. Trouble is when they activate, the IR LEDs glow red and can easily be seen. That's how I lost them. Might as well have put a sign on them "" Take Me, Take Me "" . Probably need to find out if any of the available IR cameras work without any "visible" light. Thanks

 

[dougy83]

There are different types of "ir" LEDs; some are still slightly visible (as you've found out), while others are not. Have a look for the latter, they will have a longer wavelength.

The light from the invisible ir source can still be detected by using a camera (on a phone, for example) obviously.

 

[Frank Nash]

Install a few dummy cameras with wires that cannot be traced, through walls or whatever. Give the impression that the intruder is already recorded even if they destroy the camera. **broken link removed**

Back this up with a well hidden covert camera. **broken link removed**

 

[alec_t]

Give the impression that the intruder is already recorded

Put up a prominent sign stating that they are being recorded. Might be a deterrent (if the intruders are bright enough to be able to read)