When it comes to mobile surveillance there are several options to power your system. In this post we will review the most commonly used options for primary and backup power.
1. Grid Power or sometimes referred to as "shore" power can be used when available. Most construction sites eventually have power lines installed and contractors can run extension cords from the power demarcation. One advantage is that grid power is the lowest cost method to power a mobile surveillance system. The disadvantage is that it could easily become disconnected or may not be reliable so as with all power sources having a backup battery bank or secondary power source is vital
2. Solar power is very reliable as long as the system is properly engineered and a 25-30% buffer. Monocrystalline solar panels are the preferred type of panel for mobile security and surveillance systems. Solar panels only produce power when there is adequate sunlight and as the intensity of the sun can vary throughout the day, the voltage feeding the system will also vary widely. All systems should have an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charge controller. The MPPT controller regulates the system voltage. It protects the battery and other components from damage. It also increases the efficiency of the charging circuit and extends the life of batteries on the system.
3. Fossil Fuel Generators (gas and diesel) can provide backup power if primary power fails. They could also be used as a primary power source. A consideration with a traditional generator is noise. Diesel and gas generators do not have the same muffling capability of a car engine and can produce noise levels exceeding 100 decibels for sustained periods of time. They can be messy, produce exhaust, and also require flammable fuel to run. When used as a backup, a generator can be programmed with an input switch to turn on automatically when battery voltage drops below a set point and then shut off automatically. These generators have the advantage of being low cost.
4. Fuel Cell Generators are a relatively new development and run on hydrogen fuel cells. They are extremely efficient, make almost no noise and are perfect in almost every way...Except cost. A small unit that serves as a backup will cost about $10,000
5. While less common, there are also mini wind turbines that are designed for mobile trailers and can provide and additional power boost using a renewable energy source. For a system that just needs a small amount of additional power in addition to the primary source, this might be a viable option.