Category Archives: 3dprinting

3dprinting

Raspberry Pi Based Security Camera (one of many)

I’ve designed several Raspberry Pi based security camera designs over the past year or so. Below is one of my most recent designs.

It consists of the following components:

  • RaspberryPi B/2/3 (shown)
  • 5MP Makerfocus Raspberry Pi Camera (IR version)
  • Micro-USB POE Splitter Adapter
  • 3D printed body/brackets

Using a POE adapter means that only a Cat5+ cable is needed to use the camera. That simplifies wiring, especially in hard-to-reach locations (like roof eaves) where security cameras are usually deployed. The POE voltage is injected with a multiport POE injector device in a more appropriate location (a 19in rack in my case).

The camera body was designed in OpenSCAD, my CAD application of choice. You can see example renderings of those below, along with an assembled rendering.

Pi Security Camera v2 - Render Parts
Pi Security Camera v2 – Render Parts

 

Pi Security Camera v2 - Render Front
Pi Security Camera v2 – Render Front

 

Assembly was straight forward, just mount the Pi and the Camera on their brackets and connect those together.

Pi Security Camera v2 - Inside
Pi Security Camera v2 – Inside

 

The brackets then slide into the camera body, along with the POE adapter, and then bolted in. Finally the swivel brackets are added and the base plate is bolted on. The base plate allows the camera to sit on a flat surface (desk, top of a cabinet, etc) or it can be replaced with several other parts as the need arises. For example, I’ve designed/printed an ‘arm’ which allows the camera to be mounted on a wall up near the ceiling/roof.

Pi Security Camera v2 - Front
Pi Security Camera v2 – Front

 

Pi Security Camera v2 - Side
Pi Security Camera v2 – Side