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Why Is My DS2 Camera On Solar Power Losing Connection, Not Recording, Or Draining Its Battery?

Learn why DS2 cameras on solar power may show 100% battery while offline, and how swapping in a charged battery fixes connection and recording issues.

If your DS2 camera connected to a solar panel is losing connection, only recording during the day, or showing 100% battery while still dropping offline, it usually means the battery is actually low or dead. Solar panels can keep a fully charged battery alive but cannot recharge a dead battery, and the camera may mistakenly display a full charge due to direct solar power. This leads to your camera rebooting repeatedly and missing events. Swapping in a fully charged battery from your hub typically fixes the issue so your camera can operate normally while staying topped off with solar.

Symptoms you may notice:

  • No live view available
  • Camera drops offline frequently
  • Only records during the day
  • Events are not able to playback properly
  • Camera reboots repeatedly

These symptoms usually indicate that your camera’s battery is low, even if it appears to be fully charged in the app.

Why this happens:

  • Solar panels can trick the camera into showing 100% battery when in reality the battery is low.
  • The camera sees direct power from the solar panel as “full” and continues to trigger and record, which drains the battery quickly.
  • When the battery is empty, the camera reboots repeatedly as the solar panel gives it just enough power to turn on briefly, but not enough to charge fully.
  • A solar panel cannot charge a dead battery but can keep a full battery alive.

How to fix it:

  1. Swap the battery with a fully charged one from your hub:
    - Locate your hub inside your home and remove a fully charged battery.
    - Swap it with the battery in your DS2 camera experiencing issues.
    - This will allow the solar panel to keep the charged battery alive instead of trying to charge a dead one.
  2. Check for factors that may cause fast battery drain:
    - Excessive motion triggers: If your camera is triggering too frequently, it will drain the battery quickly, even on solar. Adjust camera positioning or sensitivity if needed.
    - Connection type: If your camera is still connected directly to your hub (instead of local Wi-Fi), it may drain the battery faster. Switching to a local Wi-Fi connection can help reduce battery consumption.
    - Distance to access point: Ensure your camera is within a strong signal range of your Wi-Fi or hub. A weak connection can cause the camera to use more power to stay connected.

Summary:

  • A solar panel maintains a charged battery but cannot revive a dead battery.

  • If your DS2 camera on solar is having issues, swap in a fully charged battery first to resolve the problem.

  • Review camera placement, motion settings, and connection type to prevent rapid battery drain.

If you continue to experience issues after replacing the battery, please contact our support team for further troubleshooting.