Greetings from Myrtle Beach..
As the DE facto (but not paid for) IT guy at the golf course I work at, I have also been nominated to implement a wireless security cam setup near our pool ( we have a few local kids that decided it would be fun to crap in the pool every so often in the middle of the night, or throw in the poolside chairs & table {which are concrete})
No problem for me in setting up the IP wireless cams, router, DVR & recording software. My problem is powering the cameras themselves. As the cams will be mounted on existing QI light poles *approx 20 ft high), my first option for power would be to have an electrician 'tap in' the the lighting circuit and install a socket for the cam's power supply. Not sure how this can be accomplished without taking the pole down to due the installation.
Sorry to be so long winded, but I figure too much info is better then too little.
Second option would be to construct a solar power set up. I know they sell these as complete camera/solar panel arrays, but I forgot to mention our GM wants to keep the cost below $600 (yep a real cheapskate) for the entire system. What the hell, I figure with some chewing gum and bailing wire I can build one even if I don't know what I'm doing..
So here's my question.. The power supply for the camera is 12 V 1 amp.. how can I determine the actual draw of the camera so I can find a battery that will supply power throughout the night?
Thank you gentlemen for putting up with my verbosity