Wiring security a camera to doorbell wires

circuitmaker

Mar 20, 2024
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Mar 20, 2024
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Hi there,
I want to hang a security camera outside, but our HOA is pretty strict. They ask for design documentation for any changes outside of the townhouse. I don't want to deal with it, preparing docs, fishing wires, drilling holes, etc. I came up with a crazy idea to connect a small security camera to the doorbell wires in parallel with a Ring doorbell. What can go wrong if the doorbell switch is pushed? I expect the camera will just lose the power supply for a moment. Is that true? Other than that it should not cause any major issues. What do you think?
If it does not sound too crazy, I want to 3D print an enclosure for both, doorbell and camera.
 

davenn

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Sep 5, 2009
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I want to hang a security camera outside, but our HOA is pretty strict. They ask for design documentation for any changes outside of the townhouse. I don't want to deal with it, preparing docs, fishing wires, drilling holes, etc.

seriously ??
there's many WiFi ( wireless) cameras out there. Many of them are very small
 

circuitmaker

Mar 20, 2024
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Mar 20, 2024
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Thanks, everyone, I am aware of the wireless wifi cameras. I even had a couple of models. Even though they may guarantee year-long batteries and a relatively easy battery-swapping mechanism. They usually don't last longer than 2-3 weeks. It is not maintainable to charge it that often.
 

circuitmaker

Mar 20, 2024
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Answering my question.
I was able to solve that issue. I am in the US and the bell transformer provides 16V AC. To get that full current, you need to connect the "front" lead with the "trans" inside the chime. That is how the Reolink doorbell is powered. Then it is just a simple task by using a step-down transformer to lower 16V AC to 5V DC. Got a bunch of them for a penny on Amazon. 3D printed a box and everything works as a charm. No need to hassle with battery charging/replacement.
 

circuitmaker

Mar 20, 2024
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seriously ??
there's many WiFi ( wireless) cameras out there. Many of them are very small
^ and also battery powered cameras too.
Battery-powered cameras are a joke. They don't register all activities around because of the cooldown delays they have to lower power consumption and prolong battery life. In addition, most of them require a subscription and don't provide RTSP streams for building custom NVRs.
 
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