Can the new Nest Cam with Floodlight be mounted under an eave?

[JohnF]

Disclaimer: This thread was migrated from our previous version of the Google Nest Community. You can continue to receive updates on your thread issue here or simply ask, browse or more in the new Google Nest Community.

Original poster: Tony M 1339 

Can the new Nest Cam with Floodlight be mounted under an eave?

[JohnF]

Hi Tony,

Google have just released a YouTube video about how to install and mount the new Nest camera and floodlight. Hopefully this helps you decide if this is suitable for you requirements.

Nest camera with floodlight installation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1fA399ouLw

-from Cathal (Product Expert)

[eaj]

The product has now been released, but the installation video referenced in the answer is still marked as "private". Please release the video now that the product is in customer hands.

[Ron116]

Whoops it's truly private. 

[EI_Joe]

Video is marked private. 

[_JT_]

The installation video doesn't reference mounting on a ceiling and only shows mounting on a vertical wall. It doesn't appear as if the motion sensor is adjustable so installing on the ceiling would point the motion sensor downward instead of outward, possible limiting the range of the motion detection.

Can someone confirm if it's designed to mount on the ceiling without impact to the motion sensing?

[eaj]

Thanks for the accessible installation video link!

[BG]

I just installed mine under the eave. You would think that Google would promote this in some video or at least mention it being that 90% of all floodlights are mounted under an eave, but these are the things I simply don't understand about Google. Anyway, it installs fine, but the video will be upside down. Fortunately, there is a setting that flips the image 180 degrees.

[_JT_]

Thanks so much BG! Are the motion detection range and direction as expected (25ft distance)?

[BG]

Yes, it seems to work fine. Here is what I did... may not be "legal", but it works, and I still need to calk and paint. lol

[_JT_]

Again, huge help BG, thanks! If the motion was triggered when the fox reached the bush, that does seem a bit shy of 25' but still quite acceptable. You've convinced me! Thanks again!

[Brad]

Hey everyone, sorry about the delay.

Nest Cam with floodlight is only designed to be installed on vertical surfaces like a wall. It is not designed to be installed on horizontal surfaces because the downward facing angle would reduce the floodlight’s functionality by limiting the field of view of the PIR motion sensor (which triggers the floodlight when motion is detected). Hope this helps and we've also shared your feedback with our team.

Best Regards,

Brad.

[Ron116]

That is a really poor design choice. Like others I might give up some range for the installation choice. I am trying to fabricate an adapter to convert the eve outlet to a vertical orientation but I am also not sure about anesthetics of the adapter. I wish Google would ask normal people for input on the design stage. I have years of experience in the home automation implementation and would love to provide input. 

[BG]

I'm in the same boat, and feel like I just wasted $300. Wonder if something like this would work? You want to order it first and let me know?!?!? Hahaha

http://www.aifittings.com/catalog/fan-fixture-boxes/fan-and-fixture-mounting-boxes-for-new-construct...

This camera company thought of it....
https://us.dahuasecurity.com/?product=angled-junction-box

[Ron116]

I actually ordered that and it will be delivered next week.  I also ordered another version as well.  I am going to get those in and see if they work or if I can design a adapter and get it 3D printed.

[BG]

That sounds like a good idea to print one! Hey, let me know if you remember how it goes. Thanks

[Ron116]

I just contacted a 3D designer with my initial concept and see what he thinks.  I think the FB450 will work but look kinda cheap.  The design I am think is a mounting plate with a similar vertical plate as the FB450 and a wire channel running from the mounting plate to the vertical outlet box.  Standard outlet screw holes for the mounting plate.  3D printed with paintable plastic to match the roof fascia.

I think for your installation it would work very well and look great.

[BG]

Yeah, let me know, I didn't like the look of that "box" one either, but something more round like this would work. I think, even if it were about 60-70 degree angle, it would still work. Either way, if you refine the design, maybe he'll print a few for me! ;o)

https://store.usesi.com/hubbell-wiring-aa20045-thermoplastic-composite-45-degree-insulgrip-metallic-...

[_JT_]

Instead of a mechanical adaptation, I wonder if mounting a small mirror to redirect the IR more forward instead of downward would be effective. It could be mounted at a 45° angle right below the sensor. It wouldn't have to be very big at all. In fact, if Google/Nest could develop it to supplement this version while they iterate on the next version, that would be great! (hint, hint)

[_JT_]

Hi Brad, thanks for the update, but I must say I am disappointed. In parallel with this thread I also opened a support case with Nest and raised these same issues and was told the product could be installed on a ceiling.  I made my decision to purchase based on this thread and that support case. I'd hate to have to return the product and pay a restocking fee because of a limitation in the design of the product that wasn't made clear in any documentation or forum.

Can you find out if Google/Nest will offer an extended trial period or some sort of concession for those of us who purchased a Nest Cam Floodlight with the intent of replacing an existing floodlight on a horizontal surface?  Better yet, I'd love to get a full refund but keep the device and become a beta-tester to help Google/Nest gather more data around the use case for mounting on a horizontal surface. If not, I'd like assurances that I have the option for a full refund if the product doesn't work for me.

Thanks!

_JT_

P.S. Here are the main snippets from my Nest support case

Nest Support: I'd like to inform you that you can install Nest Cam with floodlight where you
have an existing exterior light or wiring.

Even when I brought up the angle of the motion sensor:

_JT_: Will doing so limit the range of the motion sensor since it will be pointed
straight down instead of outward?

and

_JT_: The motion sensor has "180° motion detection" which indicates in a single
direction. If it's multidirectional, that would be great.
Nest Support: Yes, I see that the Nest Cam with floodlight’s camera has a single motion
sensor, with 110° horizontal field of view. Motion can be detected from up to 25 ft (7.5 m) away.
The floodlight has 2 motion sensors, with a 180° horizontal field of view and motion can be
detected from up to 25 ft (7.5 m).
_JT_: Ahh, yeah. So if the 180° horizontal field of view is inverted to mount it on the
ceiling, it becomes a 180° vertical field of view and is effectively in the downward direction.
_JT_: And adjusting the camera for the ceiling mount would likely block the sensor
field of view.

I was ultimately told again:

Nest Support: You can install Nest Cam with floodlight where you have an existing exterior
light or wiring.

[Breabrid]

Just wanted to chime in. I too would have preferred a eve or ceiling (horizontal) mount design. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why Google didn’t make this flexible enough to do both.  I’m mechanical designer and I’m positive I could have done it. Am I to understand that there is a separate sensor to trigger the lights? Why not use the camera as the sensor? It has night vision already and it is supposed to be “smart “ right??

[BG]

Actually, the hardware/design is really pretty awesome. Yes, there is a separate and independent sensor for the floods. The floods can be controlled multiple ways independently. You can set the floodlights to come on if the camera senses an event (controlled by the camera), or not, when the the floodlights detect motion, or only the camera, etc. Even if the cameras are off the Floods still work or not depending on what you want. I believe the daylight sensor is in the Floodlight motion sensor as well (to prevent them coming on in the day). You can also set the sensitivity for the motion and daylight sensor in the camera and flood separately. Pretty versatile. 

Contrary to what they told me, I installed all 5 of mine vertically under the eaves and couldn't be happier. They must have had some insight because there is a setting to flip the camera image 180 degrees which I did on all of them. It may not be "legal", but it works great. In fact, I still left my older camera system up (Blink) side by side to compare, and the Nest Cams blow the Blink cameras away! I really like my Blink cameras, but I wanted everything hard wired (power) and floods. I realize that the flood sensor (not the camera sensor) is pointing down vertically, and not beaming out horizontally, but that actually works better in my case. Mine are installed about 20 feet up and pointing them horizontally, would beam out into nothing. this way, they are pointing more down toward the ground and somewhat out. I have them with the sensor facing out (not facing the house wall). If they ever do come out with some sort of adaptor, I might try it, but I am happy like it is, and they are well protected under the eave. My only issue is the Google Home app. :o(

[Breabrid]

Okay, that gives me some hope. In my application, I'd be mounting it over a garage, about 8 feet from the ground (I seem to be restricted from attaching photos).  I think the camera would need to be able to point maybe 45 degrees down from the ceiling. Does it have that much range of positional adjustment?

[_JT_]

The motion sensor is not adjustable at all. In my vertical installation, the sensor gets triggered about 10 ft away instead of 25ft as the spec states. But events on the camera can be used to trigger the light.

[_JT_]

I went ahead and installed mine as well and it's working out great. Mine is about 9 ft above the ground and the sensor range certainly is reduced with this orientation. But the event trigger to turn the light on does compensate for that. I also am disappointed that the camera is not available in the Nest app. I would have liked to have known about that ahead of time as well. The Nest app has far better features. Hopefully the same features will ultimately be added to the Home app. Thanks again BG for blazing the trail with your initial pictures.

[Ron116]

I have just designed an adapter that will convert the horizontal outlet to a vertical one.  Let me know if you have an interested in getting one.  They will be 3d printed from white paintable plastic.

Outlet Adapter 

[BG]

I wouldn't mind trying one, but man, the thoughts of getting it down and trying to get that white plate separated from the mount! My wiring may not be long enough either.

[_JT_]

Simple and elegant solution, Ron! I'm actually pretty satisfied with the vertical installation but If you get it printed and installed, I'd love to see pictures of it. I'm still considering a reflector of some sort to install under the IR sensor to change the angle of the IR. I think a simple small panel at a 45° attached to a partial circular ring that can snap around the unit might do the trick. The challenge would be making sure the surface reflects the IR instead of absorbing it.

[Pbj0520]

I would be very interested in purchasing one of these if make a few! 

[jarrodcodes]

Interested in buying

[Ron116]

An update on 3D printing.  I have gone and ask for quotes to get this printed and it is way too expensive for me.  The cheapest quote I got was about $100 per item.  Does anyone know how to get this printed for less?

Ron

[Ron116]

Actually found a site that can print them for about $25 each and I am working with another printer to see if they can beat that price.