X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Automating Your House => User Modified Devices => Topic started by: nybuck on March 19, 2010, 07:59:38 PM
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OK, I finally got tired of the wavy pictures setting my motion-activated DVR software to record. The weather finally broke, so I set out to add wired video to my Floodcam. :)
I didn't want to remove the wireless transmitter, as I still want the ability to see the video on numerous TV's around the house, like when I'm expecting company... I just wanted a solid wired feed to the 'hidden' DVR computer.
This is how I did it:
Prep: Remove power and "take down" Floodcam unit.
Step 1 - Open and Remove the control cover.
Step 2 - Remove the 4 screws to open the case.
Step 3 - Slide the motion sensor/camera head toward the removed screws, revealing the circuitry.
Step 4 - Locate the yellow wire coming from the video camera head. (Refer to picture)
Step 5 - Locate the ground, in the corner. (Refer to picture)
Step 6 - Solder 2 wires (I used CAT3 telephone cord) to the yellow wire and ground.
Step 7 - Insulate the 2 connections you just made. I used liquid electrical tape. X10 likes hot glue.
Step 8 - Reassemble! :)%
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I ran CAT3 and added a RCA plug.
When I went to plug it into the computer, I realized why my video was so poor... The receiver (that weighs about an ounce) fell off the computer, and was hanging and pointing toward the floor! B:(
The 2 connections I made are circled in red. I added the liquid electrical tape afterward to avoid shorting.
Perform this mod at your own risk! It worked for me! Good luck!
(http://i869.photobucket.com/albums/ab259/nybuckx10/FloodcamMod.jpg)
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I love the easy mods! +1 from me.
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...And I forgot to add...
BEAUTIFUL SOLID PICTURE! ;D
I used a piece of wire approximately 2 feet long at the camera, terminated with an RJ11. Then I used a long piece with an RJ socket on it, and ran it to the computer, and terminated those 2 wires with an RCA plug.
In the past, I have taken a phone jack and plugged my new camera cord into it, then use the wires from the jack and add an RCA jack. I'll have to take a picture... It is a very clean install. I was running out of time today, but I'd suggest 'you' take the extra time for a neat install. I try to use the Red and Black for power and the yellow and green for the video when I wire up an Xcam2... Of course, the floodcam gets the power from the AC direct-wired, and has no audio, so only 2 wires are necessary.
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A great mod!!! You get a helpful from me.
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Thanks, Dave and Knightrider.
That means even more coming from the X10 Gurus! ;D
I was surprised how easy it was, myself. The boards are labeled clearly "VIDEO" , "GROUND", etc... The wires are color coded the universal colors. This unit even has a reasonable amount of space to run the wires (unlike the socket rocket - shoehorned in!)
I have a new appreciation for X10 products! ::)
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Mod was great.
Helpful from me also.
One thought I just had. Did the flodcam power supply have a power transformer? Reason I asked is many X10 units have a power line derived supply and the common of the board can be power line hot.
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This along with my improved night vision mod (http://www.phpwebscripting.com/index.php?module=article&view=9&MMN_position=35:33) should make for a great camera feed. I will have to do this with one of my floodcams. Helpful from me.
Dan B.
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Brian -
There is a power transformer inside - It looks like a yellow rectangle in this picture. Come to think of it, I did get a little tingle from the video line. Maybe this mod isn't as safe as it looks! No issues on my computer yet.... and a great picture!
Dan -
I was going to do the night vision mod as well, but I couldn't gather up the courage. I did mod a regular XCam. No problems with that mod - but it's an indoor camera. This Floodcam sees bright sunlight at times, and was new in the box.
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Dan -
I was going to do the night vision mod as well, but I couldn't gather up the courage. I did mod a regular XCam. No problems with that mod - but it's an indoor camera. This Floodcam sees bright sunlight at times, and was new in the box.
I have not seen any problems with the direct sunlight in the camera I have modded other than it washes out the picture a bit more. Granted it only sees a little bit of direct sun in the morning, but I don't think it should be an issue.
Dan B.
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After 2 years of use, with rock-solid picture, I revisited this camera. Although I don't see the Floodcam on the X10 site any more, I will share my new mod:
Because there is shared AC voltage on my original design, I isolated the camera section from the floodlight section.
Basically, I cut the 12 volt wires running to the camera board and connected the +12v and Common as well as the yellow video wire to some CAT5 I had laying around. That extended the video output and power back to the DVR, where I powered the camera with a 12 volt DC power supply. I also removed the RF video transmitter, as I don't intend on using it any more.
The end result is a camera with a separate power supply and wired video output. #:)
Still loving the semi-disguised design. I should have grabbed a few when they were 2 for $49.99 or the re-conditioned floodcams free with any order a while back. B:(