I just watched the awesome “Use a ESP32-CAM Module to Stream HD Video Over Local Network” guide on YouTube.
I have added, to my cart, the components to make up a two camera security system including the (I2S MEMS to record sound) but I’d like to know if there is an option to power it by battery, and a case, multi stream recording software etc so that I can make a rugged little remotely powered multi cam security system? Any thoughts appreciated.
There are a number of parts to unpack with your excellent questions.
If you want a Multi-stream recording software system for ESP32-CAM the best already built system I have found so far comes from the very talented fellow at That Project, I’ll link the youtube video worth checking out here - Multiple ESP32-CAM for Security System (ft. Android Tablet) - YouTube. I have yet to set up that system over here but it looks like a brilliant way to have a Tablet act as the Hub for your multi-camera security system. From the video, it seems like he’s nailed the recording aspect as well.
From my testing so long as the battery can provide 5V you’ll be set to go. If you try to run them at 3.3 Volts it results in a grainy Video Feed. Also, be aware that there is no Power Management System on the ESP32-CAM board so if you directly connected up a LiPo Battery and gave it enough time, it’d suck the rechargeable battery below a safe voltage level to maintain a long LiPo battery Life. To be clear, all the LiPo batteries we sell have a tiny protection circuit on them to prevent catastrophic damage/self-immolation from excessive over-charge and over-discharge. However, relying only on this tiny protection circuit won’t result in a long life for the LiPo battery. What we need is a Power Management system to go between the LiPo and the Board. I haven’t located a perfect solution for this so I’ve brought this up with the Core team. My interim recommendation would be a board like the Adafruit PowerBoost 1000 Basic, but we haven’t had stock for them for a while, or this Adafruit Micro LiPo Charger. That last option you can see operating with an ESP32-CAM board in this video here - Tic Tac Camera Using ESP32CAM And Wireless Charging - YouTube.
Ideally you would want the LiPo to be disconnected when the voltage drops too low.
I have been experimenting with two Pico W’s and a Makerverse Nano Timer.
One of the Pico W analog pins senses a voltage divider between VSYS and GND (2 resistors). At present the voltage the program calculates is pretty much the same as measured by a multimeter. When it gets below a certain level the Pico W sends a battery low message to the other Pico W then shuts down. This is not a perfect solution as the Nano Timer will eventually wake the Pico W and repeat the process. My code checks if the voltage falls lower and shuts down immediately.
The way the Nano Timer works could be incorporated into a LiPo charger. The micro sets a pin on the charger which disconnects the input power to the micro. Of course the charger would still have power. In the case of the Nano Timer it works because it consumes very little current when in its timing cycle. I am not an electronics design engineer, but I have enough knowledge that this type of device is possible. Just wonder why no one has made one yet, or maybe I have not looked far enough.
You must have been on the same train of thought as our design team because once they finished designing the original nano power timer they made another experimental version built into a Pico HAT which included a LiPo battery charger.
glad you digged the video.
