Sony Homebrew w/Batteries

[javman]

Thanks to BobR for posting a link to another forum a couple weeks ago with the basic instructions for wiring external batteries to these W-series cameras... I figured there might be a couple people here interested who missed that.

For this to work, you need to cover the plus terminal on your Sony rechargeable battery with a piece of electrical tape. 3 C (or D) batteries in series runs at 4.5V, and the camera's battery is 3.6V -- which means the C batteries will charge your internal, and if you're using different types of batteries this could cause problems -- that's how I understand it at least  So you disable power from the internal battery, but leave the comm and minus terminals so that the camera *thinks* you're using a legitimate battery.

I had a W120 I bought a while back before I realized they are kind of slow for trailcams (3-4 seconds to first pic). When you've got it taken apart to connect your power and shutter cables, there's just one additional screw that needs to be removed to access the solder points for power (it's the red screw). Be careful with the ribbon cables.

Fitting everything in a 1040 micro case was tough. The C-battery holders at Radio Shack are longer than they need to be, so I had to cut one of them, grind it down, and tape/glue it back together. It barely fits.

Three C batteries is 8 times the battery capacity of a single Sony NP-BG1 rechargeable. It should last 2-3 months and hopefully take 1000-1500 pics. Just need eyebolts and a camo job now...

[Crunchy]

Whats the cost for building each one.  Im interested but always fear it will get stolen.

[whacker1]

Interesting - good info.

Hopefully that is on private property, because I would think 3 months at a time would be a good way to lose a camera.

Good luck.

[javman]

Crunchy - cost for a homebrew is probably $130-180... Depends on how good of a deal you can get on the camera. Parts from yeti are $70-90 per camera depending on how you go about building it. All kinds of info in this thread if you missed it: http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,16076.0.html

Whacker - Nah, not on private property... But 3 to 5 miles deep off trail in places few people will ever visit. Only time anyone is going to possibly be in the area is hunting season, at which point I will probably pull a few cams out of the woods. But yeah, I'm sure eventually someone might jack one.

[gkowen]

javman,

I saw in another post that you said the C batteries you use were 8000mah.  I didn't realize C cells were that high capacity. Are they labeled as 8000mah?

Greg

[gkowen]

Interesting, I did a search and found that C cells are 6000-8000mah.  Now I am really interested in building a low current solar charger for my Sony battery pack. Then in the right spot, the camera will not run out of battery power first but will fill up the memory card.

[Jason]

that cam is sweet, I want to do A home brew also.

[javman]

I think I got the 8000 figure off a wikipedia chart comparing battery capacities... In doing a quick search, it looks like Duracell C's are somewhere between 7000 and 7800 mAh. That cam has been out for a month since I dropped it off. Didn't put it in a heavy traffic area, but it'll be interesting to see how long it lasts.

Another question for you Greg: if you turn the LCD off on your W150 (by pressing up 4 times), and turn the camera off, then back on, does it remember to keep the LCD off? I just realized that if I turn the LCD off on my W120's, it will turn back on if the camera is turned off and on. Kinda sucks.

Tried any of the other newer cameras?

[WASHBCBOOK]

My sony w200 stays off that why i save on battery power your should also stay off good luck and dont just build 1
3 sony w200 home brew
1 w-80
1 w-90
and 1 moultrie I-60 which my homebrew blow it out of the water good luck to all in 09

[gkowen]

javman,

My w80 keeps the lcd off through a power cycle. The w150 doesn't.  I always wondered how I could forget to turn off the LCD on that camera. I haven't tried any other cameras but I will soon I hope.

Greg

[LOVHUNTIN]

what is the trigger speed on these homebrews?  what do they compare too..  lots of work

[gkowen]

Javman,

Do you have the link to the original post by BobR?  I tracked it down once and thought I remembered something funny about the wiring. I might be remembering wrong but I think he said red is positive and white is the negative, not the black. It looks like you wired to black. I am trying to track it down but thought I'd ask too.

Greg

[javman]

Is this the link?

http://www.hagshouse.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=29404

When you've got it taken apart, it's pretty easy to tell which terminal is which by holding a battery next to the wires.. If you look at the battery, the middle terminal (white wire) is labeled (C). That's the one you don't need to connect. Just be sure to cover the + terminal on the battery with some electrical tape. I've had this build out for 4 weeks -- going to check it this weekend! Hopefully it took some pics, but it wasn't in a major traffic area, and no bait, so I'm not expecting much. One pic of a nice bull would make me happy 

[gkowen]

That link doesn't work for me. Maybe I need an account there. Anyway, I am planning on hooking up a solar panel to mine. Its going to be interesting. 

Greg

[coldsteel3d]

Did you ever get that camera in the woods? How did the batteries work?