Feature release date 02/15/2022
What’s New?
- A new battery icon that corresponds to the charge level of the batteries in your camera.
- Simpler way to read the power level of your camera.
For information about the battery indicator for other models:
GoCam 2: Battery Indicator and Information for GoCam 2
GoLive/GoLive 2/Ghost: Battery Indicator and Information for GoLive/GoLive 2/Ghost
As part of our efforts to optimize the usage of our cameras, Spartan Camera has changed the appearance of the battery indicator for our GoCam models. Prior to this change, GoCam’s status report would show accurate voltage levels of the batteries or external power source, but the battery indicator would not always reflect the actual charge still left in the power source. These new icons will more accurately reflect the current power level of your camera and help keep you aware of when you need to change or recharge your camera’s power source.
If you have just added your camera to your account and the camera is not powered on, the first status report you receive from the camera will be blank. The status report will show that the camera has no signal and the battery indicator will show the empty battery icon. Request another status report from the camera after turning the camera on and completing any setup that you need to do to get an accurate reading of your camera’s current state. It is recommended that you do not leave the camera site until you receive a status report showing that your camera has a signal and that your batteries and/or solar panel are powering the camera effectively.
Unlike the Ghost and GoLive models, the GoCam models do not have an internal battery. If the last status report you’ve received from a camera that was on and sending photos shows the empty battery icon, it means that either the AA batteries in your camera are dead or your external lithium battery needs to be recharged*. You will need to replace or recharge your batteries in order to use the camera again.
*The 12v battery should be in a Spartan Camera Battery Box in order to maintain the output voltage of 6v to the camera. Do not attach your camera directly to the battery without a battery box.
Power Options
Currently, GoCam models will only report voltage levels between 5.7v and 4.2v. Because of this, only the AA5, AA1, and AA0 battery icons will show regardless of the external battery type used. If you are using a battery box with a 12v battery (6v output for the GoCam) or AA batteries, pay attention to the power level on your camera’s status report. If the reading is low and the battery is not connected to solar power, it means your external battery or AA batteries are low and need to be replaced or recharged.
If you are getting a low voltage reading from your solar setup (≤5.1v), check to make sure the panel is getting an ample amount of sunlight to keep the camera powered throughout the day. If your camera is in a high traffic area, the power will probably drain faster than if the camera was in a low traffic area. Try adjusting your camera’s trigger, photo/video transmission, and sensitivity settings to help reduce power consumption.
Battery Indicator
While in use, it is recommended that you use 12 1.2v - 1.5v AA batteries in your GoCam. However, 8 or 4 AA batteries can be used in the left two columns for emergencies or testing the camera.
The following types of batteries can be used:
- High-performance alkaline
- Lithium
- Rechargeable NiMH*
*Rechargeable batteries may show a lower base voltage when put in the camera. Please be sure your rechargeable batteries are fully charged before installing them in the camera. Keep in mind that rechargeable NiMH batteries will discharge more quickly with frequent use; you may need to monitor older NiMH batteries to gauge how long they will hold a charge.
|
External Voltage |
Icon |
Description |
|
≥5.7v |
P5 Full voltage (status report says 5.70v) |
|
|
4.9v - 5.6v |
P3 Voltage is less than full (status report says 5.10v) |
|
|
≤4.8v |
P1, P0 Voltage is low, batteries are almost dead. (status report says 4.80v) |