Rechargables in trail cams

[Boar]

Ive never used rechargeabls in my cams but was thinking about it, anyone use them, how are they in comparison to copper tops, thats all Ive used but man get tired of bugeting a hundred bucks to keep fresh batts. on hand. But Im sure its spendy to get into rechargables the first time. I figure with 4 cams, two of which are C's an two are D's, for the C cams I'd need a chargeing base with 8 batts between the two an then swap out batts. The a D size base charger an 8 batts betwen the two an then swap outs for those too. This dosent seems financially acceptable. Anyone experience rechargeables? Do they last as long? I would think not. Input would be great, thanks boar

[sticknstring]

Check out Eneloops. All the homebrew guys swear by them. I've only had D cell cams in the past, but this spring I'll be switching to all AA and will be running Eneloops. They're about $2+ a peice but will last forever.

[mrklean]

i use to use rechargeables on one of my old cameras and they were ok, yea it beat going and spend $10 every few weeks but i think i had to change them more often. That was a 5+ year old camera, i bought a new one this year and it doesnt suck battery as much change them once every other month or so, I havent tried rechargeables in there yet since that camera doesnt suck batteries to badly

[MinnesotaMike]

I have rechargables for my trail cam and you are correct, they do not last nearly as long as copper tops.

Good Luck,

Mike

[hockeybc69]

If you are in an area that you can check the cams fairly often, the rechargebles are an option.

I have used a variety of rechargebles over the years, and you cant beat any quality alkaline battery for longevity....

Now remember,,,, if you choose to go with rechargeables.... you need to buy double because you are going to have a set in the camera and you need a set to have at home recharging to do the swap out....

[lungdeflator]

ive been using rechargable C's for 4 years now. Finally one set crapped out last fall. That was a 20$ investment that lasted 3.5 years. They might not last as long, but they last long enough. The 2 other sets i have last at least 3 weeks each during the summer. I ran them in a wildgame and they lasted a month and a half. Saves alot of money in the long run.

plus i bought a charger that can charge AA's up to D's so doesnt really matter if i have a bunch of different cams with diff battery types

[BLACKJACK]

I've bought external plugs for my Moultrie cameras, they hook up to small 12 volt batteries, I just take extra batteries with me, swap them out, and charge them at home.

[Boar]

Wats a good charging system? can ya find them at blue an yellow store with the big B? Wally world? Thanks for the input

[lungdeflator]

the one i bought was right by all the rechargable batteries in k maarrtt. about half the size of a shoe box. probably find cheap stuff online

[leechlake]

I use my 12 volt batteries from my ice fishing gear for the trail cams. They last forever and I already own them. When I changed to that my hassle with dead batteries ended. Once ice fishing starts I'm generally done with trail cameras. I only have three cams though.

[Boar]

so fill me in on in the flasher batteries for trail cams, wat kinda apperatous do ya need to make he connection?

[hockeybc69]

Be careful not to use a 12v battery in a 6v camera.... Might be an obvious statement, but someone would see this and start hooking things up.... And poof.

[Boar]

good point.

[eyeguy 54]

I have used NUON brand rechargeables in my cameras and they are much better than others I've tried. But just double A's

[leechlake]

there are weatherproof battery "boxes" that you put the battery in hook up red and black to terminals in box and close box. Then just plug the camera into the single male/female connection on side of box.

I got mine at Reeds in Walker.

[Boar]

Could you take a piceture of your set up for me? I feel I shouldnt have to buy a weather box for a battery from my sonar thats designed to with stand harsh elements of the ice an cold, probably more so for proctection perposes I guesse but i can build those. Gonna look at my cams for the connection possibilties. Thanks boar

[hockeybc69]

I have used sealed lead acid external batteries and never used a box. I dont see the need for it. They arent going to be affected by rain, and there isnt much else that could happen to them sitting on the ground.

worst I had happen was some rodent chewed through the wires leading up to the camera... I hope he got a good zap.

[Boar]

Ok got this figured out, thanks for ur help, definatley going with flasher battery opption an conections, Funny thing, I called primos saying I have a truth can 46 an am looking for a battery cord for the camera to 6volt, an how much they cost, gal said, I'll send ya one for free, it'll be there next week. How cool is that. Gona call moutlrie for the cams that are 12 volt an see wat happens. Question hockey, how long do ur 12V bat's last, The season depending on which season. I use them for bear so from mid aug. to at least the end of sept. minimum use for me. Thanks

[hockeybc69]

I dont use the SLA externals any more on the cams I have.

I have Bushnell Trophy cams and Moultrie M80's. They use AA batteries and last for thousands of pictures or months at a time.

I used to use the SLA batteries on my cuddebacks, and I can honestly say that I didnt recharge them for 6 months at a time or more. I bet you can get a year out of them depending on the camera.

[Boar]

Ok this su-cks, called moutrie an ya have to buy an solar power rechargable thingy, a solar panel charches the 12v bat. that connects to the camera, 90 bucks. the only thing they have for their cameras. Funny thing is, how do ya get a good direct sunlight hit to the solar panel in the woods and for extended periods of time to get a full charge.

[sticknstring]

Hinge a few trees nearby to open up the canopy and provide some ground cover. Win/win!

I broke down & bought alkalines for my AA cameras. I got 96 Rayovacs for $24 and my investment for rechargeables with a charger would've been over $150. Not worth the investment to me when I won't break even for 6 years.

I'd rather go your approach with a 6v and solar panel but that gets a little crazy when you're running a handful of cams.

[Boar]

Yea I thought of that but since i hunt bear i really dont like to alter the area unaturaly, I let the bear do that, Im sure it would be fine, but the deep dark thick areas i hunt, it would be a large alteration to get sunlight in. I like the fact that with the batterie cor ther would be let fumbling with the camera to change bat, I might just have to go with copper tops unless I can find a reasonable charging unit. Thanks for all the input.

[jerkbait]

Boar, you should just be able to find an adapter plug to fit the Moultrie plug in and wire direct to the 12v battery. I know all my Moultries show 12v by the plug. Ever since I have gone to the IR cameras the batteries last all season. The flashers are the one s that chew up the battereies.

[Boar]

Right chris, but that plug wires direct to the recharging panel an batt that moutlrie has, they only carry that type of connection, I called, no straight cam to batt. conection

[jerkbait]

What I am saying is can't a person make their own. Need need to find the right connection.