Homebrew Trailcameras

[div4gold`]

This is the link from one of the sellers that doesn't offer the CD.  They say it's a free download for the software that comes with it.  But then again they're an eBay seller.

http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/swu-list.pl?mdl=DSCW90&LOC=3

I can miss things but it seem like they want to charge for the CD.  You can download manuals and drivers for free but I can't figure out how to download the CD.

[ORDoubleLung]

One of the boards that I ordered from Yeti had a bad opto-isolator on it so I emailed him and thought that he was just going to send me a new isolator for me to swap out.  No big deal for me to do.  Well the package came in the mail today and he sent me a whole new board!  

That's some great customer service!  Thanks Mark.  

I'll still get a new opto-isolator and get the other board fixed and send you the money for the board.

I swapped out the board in my W90 rig and tested it in the kitchen and all is good.  Now it's wired to a tree. This cam has externals and I'm going to see how many pics I get with 4 AA's.  It's set up to run 8 AA's but I figured I would fill up my 4GB card with the 4 AA's as it is but I will see in the next day or two.

Thanks again Mark!!

[Grizzly95]

Well my cam is on its way to Newport to get set up by my cousin, he lives on some acreage near Usk so he will be able to check it frequntly without hae to drive an hour. I bought him an adapter that the card plugs into and adapts to a usb port. How long can we expect the battery in the camera itself to last, they are all the sony brand? I sent him with an extra battery and he was gonna get a second card on his way home that way he just swaps them out and the camera won't be idle too long. He was gonna try and leave it for a week before he checks it, I thought this would be a little too long. Thanks for the help.

[Craig]

What battery usually dies first. The 9 volt or the camera battery? Is there any way to add extra battery's  to both of them to extend the running time?

[gkowen]

I think you should get 500-600 pictures on a camera battery. The 9volt should last 2-3 months or more. I have not charged my camera battery in my w80 for over a month and it is still working.  I think unless you expect the camera to have taken 500 pics, you could leave it out for a month with no problems.

[bow4elk]

Does anyone know if they make a 9v battery "life left" or "% used" device that can be wired in?  I always swap out my 9v in my homebrews because I always want fresh batteries in the unit.  I suppose you could just carry a batter tester in the field and check them when you're out but that's kind of a bother.

[Skyvalhunter]

You can go on ebay and for about $5 by a battery tester that tests all different sizes of batteries.

[WASHBCBOOK]

#1 Down 4 more to go at this time..W200 yeti 1040 clear first build and WORKS SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET.I Want to shut out a huge im mean huge Thanks to RIDGERATT AND BIG DAVE..you homebrew gods came thru thanks soooooooo much..just have to add camo and done...here is a pick tell me what you think...hope you ejoy also tell me what i could have done better thanks washbcbook

[div4gold`]

How do you change your sensor board switch's?

[div4gold`]

Does anyone know if they make a 9v battery "life left" or "% used" device that can be wired in?  I always swap out my 9v in my homebrews because I always want fresh batteries in the unit.  I suppose you could just carry a batter tester in the field and check them when you're out but that's kind of a bother.

Here's one but you have to put it together yourself.

http://home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~burchil/RAD/GasGauge.6.9.12.v.html

[WASHBCBOOK]

I DIDNT EVEN THINK OF THAT I GUESS UN SCREW THE 4 SCREWS PAIN IN THE -SSS BUT I WILL SET IT AND LEAVE IT ALONE ANYMORE IDEA`S PLEASE SPEAK UP WASHBCBOOK

[bigdave]

Isn't there a board with the switches on the other side? Your design would work then. It doesn't help for this one but for your other one and the next and the next and the next.

It looks great. I really like the wires coming out the mic holes. It keep it very neat.

Great job!!

Dave

[BobR]

   I don't like the board mounted in the lid under the camera. Even if you had a board with back mounted controls, the wire connectors are still on the front of the board.  You will get very tired of this set up very quickly, trust me. I would move the board to the main case where it is supposed to be. Easy to do with a clear case. I have been there and done that, and believe me what you have done here sucks big time.
Bob

[gkowen]

It may not be ideal, but his camera will work. He has a connector in front of the camera so if he wants to remove the camera its just do the thumb screww and disconnect. As for the dipswitches, once number 6 is on I haven't changed mine. I do center the distance pot too.  He should never need to take the board out unless he wants to try a different mode.

Oh and one other tip I discovered. I use the board layout drawing to drill the holes for the board mounting. It has the four corner holes and the PIR center marked. I just print it, tape it on the back of the case and drill the 4 mounting holes. Then I drill the PIR hole through the bottom and the top. I use a small drill bit and use this as my guide to cut the larger hole for the fresnel lens. Then when I mount the fresnel lens, I just shine my laser pointer through the back hole and move the lense to get the dot on the focus point. It isn't hard with the round fresnel, but the wide angle one has a strange focus point. It worked well.

[bigdave]

Washbc,

Is there a hole for the flash? You might not need it with the clear case I guess. I was just wondering.

Dave