Need to Setup a Site Construction Camera on a Pole - Insight and Advice Welcome

nuno on 06/03/2023 - 15:29
Last edited 06/03/2023 - 16:25 by 1 other user

We're building a new home on our land and would like to setup at least one, maybe two cameras on site. Not only for security purposes but for keepsakes and time lapsing which I intend to publish on a website.

So far my inventory consists of a

1) 4G WIFI router
2) Solar panel + 12v regulator.
3) Metal box
4) 3.3 meter steel pole
5) Wi-Fi Camera.
6) Deep cycle 40AH battery.
7) Reset button via keyswitch on the pole.
8) USB hub.

In addition, the pole will be mounted on a concrete footing with a staked earth rod next to it. Storage will be local on a 128GB microSD card which I can pull down once a week on my laptop.

Has anyone done such a project as this and can provide some insight?

Ready made packages are in excess of $2500. I'm anticipating I could do this under $900 and change.

Any recommendations on good outdoor Wi-Fi cameras? Are the eBay Chinese ones any good? Also, any recommendations on a 4G Wi-Fi router?

Electrical & Electronics Camera

Comments

  • Muzeeb on 06/03/2023 - 15:30
    +7

    Advise Welcome

    Classic ozbargain

    • mapax on 06/03/2023 - 15:47
      +1

      Member Since 09/01/2014

      They know the memes

  • Archi on 06/03/2023 - 15:38
    +6

    we have a house being built next door and the builder have set up a couple of cameras at the front to monitor his site and for WH&S, or so he says.

    • my recommendation is to ask you builder if they are putting up cams already.,
    • cams both front and rear of the site
    • an extra cam that can see the front boundary at who is approaching the site, because a few months ago someone broke in and vandelised the front of his site but his cam couldn't see it… lucky for him the cams in my driveway saw everything
  • boomramada on 06/03/2023 - 16:09

    Why not hire one https://www.google.com/search?q=hire+onsite+camera

    • GordonD on 06/03/2023 - 16:38

      That looks like a good idea.

    • nuno on 06/03/2023 - 18:18
      -1

      $400 per month. I'll need for 8 months plus I can onsell it when Im done.

      • boomramada on 06/03/2023 - 19:40

        I don't even see the purpose of your exercise unless you are the builder. During the house build, anything that gets stolen/damaged is covered by builders' insurance. Before you do such an exercise, check with the builder as well, not sure if tradies get comfortable getting recorded.

        • nuno on 06/03/2023 - 20:38

          I stated the reasons above. I want control of my own data, the ability to record and create the keepsake pics.

          • boomramada on 06/03/2023 - 20:50
            -3

            @nuno: You can, just wait till the build to compete 🙂

  • websterp on 06/03/2023 - 16:11
    +2

    If this is a single use project you'll probably be better off hiring one from wherever the builders get them. Will save you the hassle and can get a proven solution without needing to do any research.

  • mskeggs on 06/03/2023 - 16:28
    +2

    I'm pretty sure most of the $60 wildlife trailcams on eBay have time lapse.
    If you can access to swap out batteries every week or two, that is probably all you need

    • dcep on 06/03/2023 - 18:14

      Not only for security purposes …

      i think he wants live view + motion alert (afterhours)

  • simplystu on 06/03/2023 - 16:30
    +2

    1.) absolutely do NOT attach a loudspeaker in the mix.
    2.) make sure that camera isn't positioned at road - esp if motion detection activated.

    There is one at a house construction site - that I drive past every morning on the way to work.
    It picks up the cars driving past on the street.

    Then, it blasts "this is a restricted area, authorities have been notified" over the loudspeaker. Most days I set it off driving past - if not, then sometimes the wind sets it off.

    Reckon it's been triggered so many times, whoever is monitoring it probably ignores it.

    • poboy on 06/03/2023 - 20:49
      +3

      That is hilarious. I have never heard of such loud speaker functionality.

      • websterp on 06/03/2023 - 21:12
        +1

        They would be using Dahua Active Deterrence or Hikvision Acusense.cameras.

    • terrys on 07/03/2023 - 12:17

      There was a (very short) period in the mid 80's where some high-end vehicles would come with a proximity alarm which would warn people the car was alarmed if they got too near - and there was one that would chirp it out on Auckland's Queen street whenever the owner would park it.

      After the first few weeks of the new game, and a few robust debates regarding the rights of a legend in their own lunchbox claiming privacy rights over a section of public footpath, the owner apparently tired of coming back to a drained battery…

  • GordonD on 06/03/2023 - 16:37

    You don't think the workers on the site might not get upset at being watched?

    • nuno on 06/03/2023 - 18:21
      -8

      It's the way of the world. If I dont do it, their employer will. We're being watched every 5 mins in public.

      Im not concerned whether Jono sits around all day scratching his arse or dissappears for half day at the pub. This is for AH security and time lapse pics.

      • websterp on 06/03/2023 - 19:44
        +1

        Don't think this is how it works. If you are building with a reasonably large builder who has their processes and policies sorted out, you will be signing away access to your own block for the period of the build and not even you are legally allowed to access your build without the permission of the builder. During this period the property would be declared a construction site and any losses would be covered by the builder's insurance and not yours. Similarly you will need their permission(not agreement) to install cameras on your own land and they are within their rights to reject this and most likely they will.

        I know most home owners would want to go over the weekend or during after hours and inspect the progress but legally they are not allowed to do so without being properly "inducted" and without wearing "safety gear" needed for a construction site. Of course this is how it should work in a perfect world but installing CCTV while the property is under the control of the builder would be pushing it a bit too far imho.

        • peppet on 06/03/2023 - 19:55
          +9

          Recently built a house. Site was restricted but we lived 5 mins away so we visited every day to take progress photos. Turned out that was the best decision we made because having progress pics when something goes wrong or issues arise in the future are critical. Builders will avoid responsibility wherever possible. Ours claimed to have nothing to do with a leak and we were only able to prove they lied out their ass because we had photos taken every day.

          I'd hazard a guess that this is the exact reason they don't want your cameras around so I'm 100% for OP putting up cameras everywhere. The construction industry is extremely dodgy and you need to protect yourself

        • nuno on 06/03/2023 - 20:36
          -2

          The site has not been handed over to the builder yet but I get what you're saying. Besides I could setup the camera on my neighbours property and do the same thing.

    • bdl on 06/03/2023 - 21:07

      They'll provide swift justice to the $900 pole when they find out :)

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 06/03/2023 - 16:58
    +1

    eufy outdoor camera? Allows for 24/7 (1080p though) recording (as in you can scroll through anytime period within the memory card, as opposed to only triggered events)

    might want something a little more secure maybe as it is magnetic to the bracket mount.

  • WreckTangle on 06/03/2023 - 17:07

    I see hire ones on lots of building sites. But if you are using a builder they probably wont be happy about the idea.

  • meowsers on 06/03/2023 - 17:16
    +1

    You can literally buy a camera that has a sim card / 4g LTE function built in. So easy to do. https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/arlo-go-2-4g-wi-fi-mobile…

    Add solar panel. Mount. Done.

    • nuno on 06/03/2023 - 18:24
      -2

      I thought about going 4G off the camera but I dont particularly want to transfer 10GB over 4G every week as it does not have wifi.
      Plus I'd like to add a few more cams later on.

      having a WIFI and 4G router is the way.

  • jizmo on 06/03/2023 - 19:01

    Drive around a new estate and get the number off one of the posts.
    They do work otherwise builders wouldn't still be renting them.
    Some idiot dumps all their junk in your skip bin over the weekend that's just cost you $500. It's a no brainer

    • meowsers on 06/03/2023 - 21:00

      Even if they do and you have video, the police won't do anything. Has happened to us before.

      They don't care. The cameras are more for theft.

      • eyeballz2770 on 07/03/2023 - 21:53
        +1

        Don't know why the neg because we have had new builds all around us and this is fact.

  • kiitos on 06/03/2023 - 19:19

    Why a 4g router and USB hub?

    • nuno on 07/03/2023 - 11:23
      +1

      the 4G router to work the 4G network and on LAN wifi. The USB hub to power up the cameras, router, future accessories like 2.5 drive. The hub will be connected to the solar regulator.

  • dasher86 on 06/03/2023 - 22:29
    +1

    This thread might be of use to you.
    All you need to do is find a reliable power supply for camera and modem.
    https://forums.overclockers.com.au/threads/build-log-bye-bye…

    Or go with something like this
    https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/eufy-eufy-security-4g-st…

  • porterble on 06/03/2023 - 23:08
    +2

    For somethign more rugged than the Arlo/Eufy solutions, then you can get 4G trail cameras with solar inputs:
    e.g. https://www.securitylab.com.au/trail-camera-Hunting-traps/4g…

    Work quite well.

    • nuno on 07/03/2023 - 07:34

      I'll look into this. I like the discrete camo look.

      • PeterSnoot on 07/03/2023 - 07:56

        Plsase let us know what you end up using

  • David 1969 on 07/03/2023 - 08:06
    +2

    Not certain if things have changed, however 10 years ago when I engaged a builder to build a home on MY land, the actual building contract stated that the land (site) is temporarily under the builders legal title until completion, Cert.of Occupancy & handover.

    This is to prevent owners/others from trespassing, pinching material, but more importantly to safeguard people for safety/insurance reasons.
    Back then they didn't use temporary fencing on my project as it was rural and 1/2 acre; now EVERY home uses them to keep people out.

    So I'd be checking the contract & asking the builder if it's at all possible to enter the building site at all, let alone install something which could (potentially) be in the way, unsafe or cause an accident….. Because if one happened, who's to blame?

    Any faults/issues are covered by builders warranty insurance for 7 years, so 'needing' evidence is questionable, we don't need progress pictures of out cars being produced 🤷.

    [To digress, my parents new home had mould in a bedroom 5 years in. Insurance inspector cut holes in plasterboard and quickly located water leak caused by a failed waterproofing membrane. It literally cost THOUSANDS to fix, however the builder begrudgingly wore the expense (including carpet, plaster, rewaterproofing, paint and furniture) rather than go through his insurance and affect his policy. 🤟].

    So even though progress photos for a future website might be nice, it's probably not worth the stress. Everyone who builds knows there's ALWAYS stress regardless of which umbrella company is performing the work. (They all use subcontractors anyway 😁)

    Good luck and enjoy the process & end result, it IS nice to see your castle coming together 🤟🙏👍.

    • nuno on 07/03/2023 - 08:11

      thanks for infos. I'm determined to press ahead even if it means putting up a discrete camera on my neighbours tree. I get on well with my neighbours and i don think they'll raise any objection.

    • boomramada on 07/03/2023 - 08:41

      the actual building contract stated that the land (site) is temporarily under the builder's legal title until completion, Cert. of Occupancy & handover.

      Still the same and the builder got insurance.

  • rocmelon on 07/03/2023 - 10:35

    Plenty of irrelevant advice from "experts".
    But nothing about the question asked.

    • nuno on 07/03/2023 - 11:19
      -2

      Amazing and disappointing. I understand not everyone is tech savvy or has had a lot of experience with something like this, but nonetheless it seems there's a demographic that is compelled to participate.

      However there are some good posts providing suitable alternatives. Much appreciated.

      We heard from the Bazza scratch-arse, tradies union as to why I want to record the workers, The high chamber of Morality and privacy advocates and the builders guild. Nothing to contribute but noise.

      I was expecting someone from the Animal protection society to comment about the potential unsightly fixture that could cause disturbance to the bird population but not to be.

      It is was it is I suppose.

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