Dome security cameras - how to deal with 'fog' at night?

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jonathan18

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#298696 8-Jul-2022 09:12

We have a couple of Amcrest dome security cameras that work perfectly during the day, but at night it's a different story. As in the photos, image quality is degraded to the point of them being basically useless - I'm assuming this is due to the IR lights picking up moisture on the (inside of the?) dome cover.

I've tried cleaning the dome really carefully (inside and out) and adding extra silica to keep the insides dry. It works for a bit but soon goes back to this unusable state.

Can anyone advise me of possible solutions? I'm guessing turning off the IR lights is one option, but that'll also reduce the cameras' effectiveness, so I'd rather find an answer that enables them to remain on!

If I can't fix it, I guess moving to bullet cameras is an option (I have a Reolink bullet camera elsewhere and that has no such issues - rather it's damn spiders making webs in front of the lens!)

Thanks for any ideas.

davidcole

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#2939561 8-Jul-2022 09:44

Mine tend to look like that after rain, I just wipe the outside and it's generally fine. I don't think mine are fogging.

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Zorg2000

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#2939562 8-Jul-2022 09:45

I would suggest add external IR spotlights/illuminators and turn off the camera ones. Definitely solves the issue of IR reflection and also makes it less likely for spiders to think it's a good place to set up home.

jonathan18

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#2939565 8-Jul-2022 09:53

davidcole:

Mine tend to look like that after rain, I just wipe the outside and it's generally fine. I don't think mine are fogging.

Sure, if it was that I'd be ok about it but this is also when it's not raining. First two of the following screenshots are from footage of the camera before and after it turns off the IR lights, with the third a bit later that morning when it's switched to colour (to show there's no rain around!)

jonathan18

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#2939567 8-Jul-2022 09:57

Zorg2000:

I would suggest add external IR spotlights/illuminators and turn off the camera ones. Definitely solves the issue of IR reflection and also makes it less likely for spiders to think it's a good place to set up home.

That would make sense, for sure, but it would be a big hassle getting power to them as the cameras are PoE. Unless there's an option of 'double-plugging' the Ethernet and powering them via that means?!

davidcole

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#2939568 8-Jul-2022 10:09

jonathan18:

Zorg2000:

I would suggest add external IR spotlights/illuminators and turn off the camera ones. Definitely solves the issue of IR reflection and also makes it less likely for spiders to think it's a good place to set up home.

That would make sense, for sure, but it would be a big hassle getting power to them as the cameras are PoE. Unless there's an option of 'double-plugging' the Ethernet and powering them via that means?!

I did look into this, and yes there are options...some cameras have a DC barrel output which can be used for external powering of IR lights. Ultimately I gave up on it though.

Zorg2000

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#2939570 8-Jul-2022 10:09

jonathan18:

Zorg2000:

I would suggest add external IR spotlights/illuminators and turn off the camera ones. Definitely solves the issue of IR reflection and also makes it less likely for spiders to think it's a good place to set up home.

That would make sense, for sure, but it would be a big hassle getting power to them as the cameras are PoE. Unless there's an option of 'double-plugging' the Ethernet and powering them via that means?!

I used something like this from AE https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000454129729.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.0.0.21ef1802Fdlpt5

and ran 12V cables to each IR illuminator. The IR doesn't have to be near the camera to light up the area for the camera to 'see'.

There are wallwart options you can buy as well with multiple 12v cables.

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jonathan18

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#2939703 8-Jul-2022 11:07

Thanks for the ideas - good to know it may be possible, even with a bit of flaffing about.

The other option I'm considering is simply replacing them with bullet cameras - a matter of swapping out these (my current ones) for these, say. Can help offset the cost by selling the old ones, so won't be too expensive; plus those bullet ones probably have exactly the same sensor etc (it's the same FoV for example).

As an experiment I've switched off the IR lights on both cameras so will see how they perform in the dark. I'm assuming they'll be shite, but it's worth a try...

Obraik

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#2939705 8-Jul-2022 11:13

Have you tried using something like Rain-X on the dome? They have an "anti-fog" product that's designed for the interior windows in your car but it might help in your situation too.

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jonathan18

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#2939706 8-Jul-2022 11:17

Obraik:

Have you tried using something like Rain-X on the dome? They have an "anti-fog" product that's designed for the interior windows in your car but it might help in your situation too.

I have some of that exact product - bought to try to stop my glasses fogging up with masks! - but my concern was it seems to leave streaks no matter how it's applied: while not an issue for cars, I thought it may be picked up by the IR lights. However, it's totally worth a go given I've got the product! If it does make it worse, a good clean of the dome should get rid of it.

siyuan

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#2939846 8-Jul-2022 17:38

If you are certain it is fog, you could apply some kind of anti-fog treatment. I usually use dish washing liquid, apply a drop to my sunglasses and buf until clear. I usually cycle with a mask on my face, hence my sunglasses tend to fog up in winter. However, the coating washes off easily, so if you camera isn't under any cover, this might not work well for you.