Nest cameras plugged in

[jean54]

I purchased 3 nests 2nd gen battery cameras, had a electrician plug them in so they charge continuously.  When the battery is zero I do not see the symbol that says they are charging.  And the cameras go offline.  What do I have to do to get these cameras to charge since they are plugged in?  This is so VERY frustrating.  Why did Google not make the cameras like the wired doorbell.  It does not take a rocket scientist to do this.  Please help!

[MplsCustomer]

@jean54 

We've had a battery camera for 20 months, plugged in with the optional 10-meter power cable, and it's always "Live" and online. Settings | Battery shows "Plugged in" with an infinity symbol. If we unplug it to check the battery level (the only way to check the battery level), it's always between 77% and 100%.

Are your cameras plugged in with the optional power cables, or with the 1-meter charging cords that came with the cameras? While Google Nest--in this forum--claims otherwise, I'm not sure that the charging cords can be used to provide the cameras with continuous power.

Are your charging cords or power cables plugged in tightly and securely in the USB port on the bottom of the cameras, and are the cords/cables feeding towards the FRONT of the cameras, as they should? Both have been reported as problematic in other posts in this forum.

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out. I'm sorry for the delay. Could you please provide the information being asked above? It will help us to move forward. 

I appreciate your help, @MplsCustomer.

Best,

Jenelyn

[Jenelyn_O]

Hi jean54,

Checking if you still need help. Please let me know, as I'll be willing to assist you further. 

Thanks,

Jenelyn

[zoeuvre]

Hello there, 
 

We haven't heard any updates from you. I'll go ahead and lock this thread in 24 hours. If you happen to have the same concern feel free to reach us out here or start a new thread.
 

Regards,

Zoe

[jean54]

Yes, still having trouble with nest cam plugged in the house, and 3 outside.  Every time the battery is zero, I have to take the camera down and recharge it and put it back up.  I should not have to do this when it is wired.  Please help

[jean54]

Where do you buy a ten meter power cable?

[MplsCustomer]

@jean54 

On the Google Store website (https://store.google.com/product/nest_cam_weatherproof_cable) or at stores like Best Buy and Home Depot. There's also a 5-meter version.

[jean54]

Thank you very much,  will this adapter keep the cameras charged continually?

[MplsCustomer]

@jean54 

It powers the camera continuously. And our battery has remained charged for almost 21 months, varying between 77% and 100% when we check it.

[jean54 · Accepted solution]

Thank you.  It would be nice if Google would advise people to use the 10m cable to connect the cameras to charge, instead of using the charger that comes with the camera.  Now, I have to go buy ghe 10 m cables and pay s electricians to come back out and re-install them.  I think Google should send me the 10m cables.  Since they are giving customers mid information.  Thank you

[MplsCustomer]

@jean54 

The optional 5-meter and 10-meter power cables are NOT for charging the camera. They are intended to continuously power the camera itself on household current. If you want to run the camera on battery power, then you would need to periodically dismount the camera, bring it inside, and charge it using the 1-meter charging cord that comes with the camera.

[jean54]

WHY would I hire a electrician to install the cameras if I wanted to recharge the battery manually?

[MplsCustomer]

@jean54 

Sorry, I think I misinterpreted your statement on using "the 10m cable to connect the cameras to charge." I erroneously thought you were suggesting using the longer power cable to charge the battery. My mistake. Technically, when you plug in the camera with either of the optional power cables, you are not "charging" the battery; you are directly powering the camera with household current, while just happening to keep the battery charged.

"For wired installation setups with a Nest Cam (battery), the wires power the camera directly."
https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/11830989

Yes, I would agree Google Nest could be clearer about powering the battery camera with the power cable. In our case, using the power cable was the only choice; we live in Minnesota, where running the camera on battery power and repeatedly climbing a ladder to remove and charge the camera during a Minnesota winter was entirely impractical.

[jean54]

Thank you very much.  I understand!

I still think Google can do better with their explanation and installation instructions.  This is causing lots of $$$ and time and energy, not to mention frustration.  

[EdmondB]

Hello jean54,

I’m sorry to hear you’re having trouble with this. No worries; we'll check this out. During the set-up of the 2nd Gen Nest Camera Battery, it has a prompt that will ask you what the power source of the Nest Camera is, whether it's battery or hardwired. If the electrician chooses the battery option, it will not charge even if there is a cable charger connected to it. 

To correct this, you need to do a factory reset on the Nest camera and reinstall it on the Google Home app. Check out this link on how to do a factory reset on the Nest Camera or Doorbell.

Thanks for the help, @MplsCustomer.

Best,

Edmond

[EdmondB]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up and see if you still need any help. Let me know if you have any additional questions from here.

Best,
Edmond

[EdmondB]

Hey there, 

Just one quick final check in here since activity has slowed down. We'll be locking the thread in the next 24 hours, but if you still need help, I would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let me know.

Regards,
Edmond