Mini UPS with USB output for Nest Cameras?

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#257439 3-Oct-2019 10:16

So our router and ONT will be covered for a few hours with a new ConstantVigil unit and that just leaves our two Nest Cams.

Foolishly I assumed that a small UPS with a USB output that would plug straight into a domestic socket would be an easy thing to get...but I haven't found anything quite suitable yet.

Anyone done this? Any recommendations?

Cheers

trig42

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#2328880 3-Oct-2019 10:30

Would a power bank work?

gcorgnet

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#2328893 3-Oct-2019 10:33

Another Sentry Lite with a 12v to 5v conversion (eg: https://www.jaycar.co.nz/wire-in-adaptor-12v-to-5v-usb-micro-mini/p/MP3675)?

nathan

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#2328899 3-Oct-2019 10:42

trig42:

Would a power bank work?

some powerbanks can charge, and power out at the same time, but they seem pretty rare

timmmay

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#2328917 3-Oct-2019 11:01

I have a bunch of 12V SLA batteries, which I charge using solar or a car battery charger. To provide USB output I got a 12V to dual USB converter from ebay - they're commonly used in cars. This works fine. Just add a cheap battery charger from trademe and you're done. It's not pretty, but it will work fine.

SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2328918 3-Oct-2019 11:01

The router and ONT are probably well within the specs for the Sentry Lite. Why can't you power them from the same source? You can use a larger battery if required.

A cheap SBEC for remote controlled vehicles will supply the necessary 5V from 12V fairly efficiently. Then it's just a matter of connecting the output to USB cables or a powered hub with a suitable DC connector.

chimera

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#2328993 3-Oct-2019 11:58

Item:

So our router and ONT will be covered for a few hours with a new ConstantVigil unit and that just leaves our two Nest Cams.

Foolishly I assumed that a small UPS with a USB output that would plug straight into a domestic socket would be an easy thing to get...but I haven't found anything quite suitable yet.

Anyone done this? Any recommendations?

Cheers

I did this simply by buying a power multibox that included USB outlets, then cut the power cord off and replaced with an IEC C13 (eg: UPS style) cable and plug. So that gave me both standard wall outlet plugs and USB plugs in one go.

So something like this

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/SURBEL2740632/Belkin-BSV804-8-Outlet-with-2M-Cord-with-2-USB-Por

Only difficult part is the screws that hold these together are odd shaped to stop you getting into them :-)

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#2329007 3-Oct-2019 12:26

SirHumphreyAppleby:

The router and ONT are probably well within the specs for the Sentry Lite. Why can't you power them from the same source? You can use a larger battery if required.

A cheap SBEC for remote controlled vehicles will supply the necessary 5V from 12V fairly efficiently. Then it's just a matter of connecting the output to USB cables or a powered hub with a suitable DC connector.

I bought the integrated one, not the lite!

Was that a bad idea?

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SirHumphreyAppleby

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#2329047 3-Oct-2019 13:53

Item:

I bought the integrated one, not the lite!

Was that a bad idea?

Not at all. It's a tidy solution, but not as flexible as the Lite. It has lower power output than the Lite, so splitting the cable may not be an option. It will certainly reduce runtime.

Constant Vigil are really helpful and may be able to provide a customised version with 5V output if you were looking at getting another one. I had one of the Lites customised to use a 6V battery (only 12V input was available in my case).