Other sections

1. Introduction
2. Basic setup & Power
3. PIR sensor
4. IR lamp
5. IR filter
6. Buttons
7. Completed pics, improvements and parts list
8. Updates

 

Box / case

I’ve built the camera to be modular which helps when tinkering about with it but does take up a lot of space, hence the rather cramped appearance.

Component list & suppliers

 

Item	supplier	Link
Battery – Easy Acc 1200mAh power bank.	Amazon UK	http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008YRG5JQ?keywords=EasyAcc%2012000mAh%20Power%20Bank&qid=1452114498&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1
Raspberry pi A	RS	Bought together but no longer available
Pi noIR camera	RS
Wi-Fi adaptor	Modmypi	http://www.modmypi.com/raspberry-pi/accessories/wifi-dongles/wifi-dongle-ultra-long-range-high-gain-w-5dbi-antenna/?search=wifi
Relay	Ciesco – now wirelessthings	https://www.wirelessthings.net/3v-relay-board-supports-logic-level-kit
Lamp	Maplin	http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/infrared-spotlight-module-a23jn
IR filter	eBay	http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/381270484479
Filter controller IC	Modmypi	http://www.modmypi.com/electronics/integrated-circuits-ics/l293dne-dual-h-bridge-ic-solenoid,-dc-and-stepper-motor-driver/?search=ADAS-807
Circuit board Adafruit permaproto pi	Modmypi	https://www.modmypi.com/search/?search=ADAS-1148
Circuit boards Adafruit permaproto ½ size boards	Modmypi	http://www.modmypi.com/raspberry-pi/breakout-boards/adafruit/adafruit-perma-proto-half-sized-breadboard-pcb-3-pack/?search=adafruit%20board
Buttons	Modmypi	http://www.modmypi.com/electronics/buttons-and-switches/colorful-tactile-button-switch-assortment-square-15-pack
PIR sensor	Tandy	http://www.tandyonline.co.uk/pir-motion-sensor-module.html
Wires and other bits	pimoroni	https://shop.pimoroni.com/
Camera software	pikrellcam	http://billw2.github.io/pikrellcam/pikrellcam.html

GPIO Pin summary

Board (physical)	BCM (logic)	Use
12	18	Button 1 (green) – reboot
7	4	Button 2 (yellow) – restart wi-fi
26	7	Button 3 (red)
5	3	LED
16	23	Motor 1A
18	24	Motor 1B
22	25	Motor 1C
11	17	IR Lamp (connection to relay)
15	22	PIR sensor

Examples

Filmed through glass and saved as an mp4

Filmed outside running on batteries. Video has been cut down in length using windows movie maker so is saved as a wmv

 

Now using adobe elements and with the interesting vids cut together

Improvements

Now that the weather has given me the chance to run the project outside, there are a couple of areas that I’m not happy with:

1. reflection – there looks to be a noticeable reflection from the light on the lens (not helped by the badger nosing it!. I need to find some way of keeping it waterproof whilst stopping the reflection – also might try and find a way to stop the IR filter cutting off the corners of the image.
2. Brightness of image – the image is too dark and noticeably darker than the previous version. I think that this is partly due to the camera being set as “auto” (hence it brightening up after the bager nosed it) and partly due to the lamp
3. Lamp connection – The hardware weak point is the connection to the lamp. At every opportunity the wires fall off to such an extent that the solder pads on the lamp have fallen apart.