topic Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount in Home Automation

Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 18:29:53 GMT

I have a nest outdoor battery camera that I connected to a solar panel. I keep getting alerts that the camera is not getting enough power because it is not correctly connected to the magnetic mount. I have reposition it several times, made sure the magnetic base is clean, and checked each time the battery and it shows it is fully charged and powered by solar. Anyone have any idea the issue?

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

MplsCustomer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:04:04 GMT

@Sloey316

Is the USB power cable plugged into the bottom of the camera with the cable feeding towards the FRONT of the camera (as it should)?

Is the mounting bracket correctly mounted, as shown starting at about 3:40 in the video here?

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10919314

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:06:42 GMT

@MplsCustomer wrote:
@Sloey316
Is the USB power cable plugged into the bottom of the camera with the cable feeding towards the FRONT of the camera (as it should)?
Is the mounting bracket correctly mounted, as shown starting at about 3:40 in the video here?
https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/10919314

Yes and I have I have taken it down several times and checked it. I have a second camera with the same set up and no problem from that one.

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

MplsCustomer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:12:11 GMT

@Sloey316

Maybe the camera is defective then. You could try contacting Support:

1. Go to https://support.google.com/googlenest/gethelp.
2. Select a category/product family, and type in a brief description of the issue, then click "Next".
3. Click "Other", then click "Next step".
4. Under "Resources", just click "Next step". (Clicking one of the listed links will bring up a Help page page.)
5. Under "Contact options", choose to get a phone call or chat with the team, depending on availability in your country.

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:13:33 GMT

Unfortunately this is a replacement cause the original did the same. I appreciate the suggestion

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

MplsCustomer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:18:05 GMT

@Sloey316

If you have two battery cameras that gave the same error when using the solar panel, that would seem to be a problem with the solar panel.

If you're using a solar panel, the solar panel does not directly power the camera:

"If you’ve connected your Nest Cam (battery) to the Wasserstein Solar Panel, the panel doesn’t directly power the camera. Instead, the battery is trickle charged by the panel, and the camera runs off the battery charge."

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11830989

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:20:30 GMT

No it is just one of the cameras that have this issue. The second camera works fine and no issues

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

MplsCustomer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:22:31 GMT

@Sloey316

I thought you said the original and the replacement did the same thing.

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:28:02 GMT

I have two cameras each connected to a solar panel. One I keep having this issue with and I have replaced the camera still does the same thing. The other cameras I have hooked up to a solar panel I have not had this issue with. Sorry for the confusion

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

MplsCustomer — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:32:30 GMT

@Sloey316

I am not an expert, just another Google Nest customer. But if you've now tried two cameras with the same solar panel--and you have another camera that IS working with a different solar panel--then MAYBE the problem lies with the first solar panel.

You could try connecting the replacement camera to the solar panel that is currently working with your other camera, and see if you get the same error.

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Sloey316 — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 19:36:02 GMT

Ok thanks for the suggestion I appreciate it

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Adim — Sun, 09 Jun 2024 11:13:12 GMT

Ensure the solar panel provides consistent output, check all connections, and update the firmware to resolve the power alert issue.

Regards

Force-V

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

Khubaib — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 09:26:33 GMT

It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating situation! Have you tried a factory reset after connecting the solar panel? Some users have found that this step is crucial for the camera to recognize the solar power source properly. Also, ensure that the power cable is securely connected and that the solar panel is getting enough sunlight. Keep us updated on how it goes!

Rewrite

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

SolarPriceinfo — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 05:17:37 GMT

As solar energy gains momentum worldwide, Pakistan has seen a steady increase in demand for solar panels, especially high-capacity options like the 540-watt solar panels. These panels are favored for their ability to produce significant amounts of energy while taking up less space compared to smaller models.

Re: Solar Panel / Magnetic mount

ammarqaiser — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 02:33:14 GMT

That issue usually happens when the magnetic contacts don’t seat perfectly or get a thin film of dust, even if the battery shows full. Try gently cleaning the contacts and adjusting the cable angle so there’s no tension. I had a similar case when testing setups with solar batteries in Pakistan — stable power delivery made a big difference.