Recharging a nest camera

[Gquittner]

I spent 45 minutes on a chat with an agent about recharging a nest camera. The solution which worked came from a post on a google chat that I saw while trying to find some online help. The agent wanted me to do a factory reset. 
It appears that in order to recharge a nest camera it must be removed from the magnetic mount. After removing it just plug it in with adapter to an outlet and you will be messaged when the charging is completed. Then without doing anything else remount it in the magnetic holder. The camera will automatically turn on. Then using your live feed readjust the viewing angle. 
The agents may not know this as it isn’t in their playbooks. Mine did not!

[MplsCustomer]

@Gquittner 

This is all a very murky, undocumented area.

We have had a battery camera plugged in with the optional power cable for 18 months. It's "Live" all the time and the battery remains charged even though we never dismount it.

So how does the camera differentiate between our situation and yours?

[Gquittner]

When I plugged my camera into the outlet it remained online but the unit did not charge. I’m not saying it won’t work. I’m saying it does not charge beyond the level it is was when you plugged it in. 

[EmersonB]

Hello everyone,

@Gquittner, thanks for posting here in the Community. Google Nest Camera and Nest Doorbell battery charge time depends on several factors, including ambient temperature and the state and condition of the battery. The battery won't charge at temperatures below 32°F (0°C), and will charge slowly at temperatures near freezing. To help prolong the life of your Nest Doorbell's battery, it will only charge to 75% if your Nest Doorbell is wired to the doorbell system. Before you install your Nest Doorbell, you can use the USB cable to charge the battery above 75%. However, after the doorbell is wired to the system, the battery will drop down to 75% and stay at that level or below. Hit this link for more information.

I appreciate the help, MplsCustomer.
 
Best,
Emerson

[Gquittner]

Neither reply seems to understand it is 80 degrees here and we do have a temperature issues. In addition the camera is not wired but wireless.  

The issue is the nest camera needs to be removed from the magnetic holder in order to charge it. It will not charge while in place out of doors. The nest information doesn’t state this. I found it by trial and error. I was hoping to help others with that same problem.  This us not murky but fact. 

[MplsCustomer]

@Gquittner 

Here's what I think is murky.

What you report is that the camera won't charge when mounted. Are you charging it with the 1-meter charging cord that comes with the camera?

Our camera is plugged in all the time with the 10-meter charging cable. It is mounted at all times and the battery has remained charged for 18 months, varying between 77% and 100% (when we unplug it to check).

My suspicion is that the 1-meter enclosed charging cord functions different than the 5-meter and 10-meter power cables. It would make sense that they would, but it should be documented.

I've asked several times in this forum whether the 1-meter enclosed charging cord functions different than the 5-meter and 10-meter power cables. Google Nest Support Specialists in this forum have said there is no difference.

But you and others have reported various issues with the 1-meter charging cord.

Why can't Google Nest document all of this?

[EmersonB]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for getting back to us and we appreciate you sharing your ideas and thoughts with us. The documentation would only state what's included in the box. Let us know if you have other questions or concerns.

Best,

Emerson

[EmersonB]

Hi folks,

We wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help. Please let us know if you are still having any concerns or questions from here, as we would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.
 
Thanks,
Emerson 

[EmersonB]

Hey Gquittner,

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, we would be happy to keep it open. If there's more we can do, just let us know.
 
Regards,
Emerson

[NancyB4]

What adapter and where do it plug into on the camera?

[MplsCustomer]

@NancyB4 

Our battery camera came with a 1-meter charging cord. One end plugs into the bottom of the camera with the cord feeding towards the FRONT of the camera and the other end plugs into an electrical outlet.  You have to dismount the camera in order to charge it, though this does not seem to be clearly documented.

(However, we don't use it. We instead have it plugged in all the time with the 10-meter power cable.)

[Gquittner]

The adapter that comes with the unit attaches to a port on the camera body. 

[janthadeus]

Hey folks,

I'm dropping by to ensure that everything is covered here. If you have other questions and concerns, feel free to let me know.

I appreciate the help here, MplsCustomer and Emerson!

Thanks,

JT

[janthadeus]

Hi there,

It's me again. I want to check if you still need help. Don't hesitate to reach back if you do.

Regards,

JT

[PeteyPab]

My nest indoor/outdoor cam is brand new. I had charged it, checked its status and connected to the app. I wasn't able to mount until outside home projects were completed. During this time my camera battery had depleted. Now when I attempt to charge the camera, a white light comes on(2 seconds) when I attach the charging cable then shuts off. No other lights or indicators are displayed. I've tried different outlets, I've even changed out power source. Nothing is working. Do I need a new camera? Thank you for any support. 

#

[MplsCustomer]

@PeteyPab 

Did you first dismount the camera? (It won't charge if mounted.) Is the charging cord seated tightly in the bottom of the camera and feeding towards the front of the camera? (Judging from other reports, the USB plug may not always seat securely in the bottom of the camera.  Some customers report their USB plug came apart.)

[PeteyPab]

I feel a tad embarrassed, I must have missed this step. I removed the magnetic mount and it seems to be charging. Do I need to wait until the camera is fully charged to connect to my app? The blue light is yet to appear. 

[MplsCustomer]

@PeteyPab 

I'm not sure. We have our battery camera plugged in all the time with the optional power cable.

According to the Google Nest Help topic below, the status light is supposed to flash white when the camera is charging, and be solid white when it is charged.

https://support.google.com/googlenest/answer/9268073?hl=en&sjid=9088853904257155995-NA#zippy=%2Cgoog...

[janthadeus]

Hey PeteyPab,

Checking in — we hope you've got the answer you're looking for. Let us know if you have more questions in mind.

Thanks for your continued assistance here, MplsCustomer.

Best,

JT

[janthadeus]

Hi there,

I just wanted to follow up to see if you still need our help. Please let us know as we would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Best regards,

JT

[NancyB4]

My Google nest camera is working great. Thx for steering me in the correct direction. 

[janthadeus]

Hello NancyB4,

Happy to hear that! We appreciate the gesture. It looks like we can consider this one complete, so I will be locking this in 24 hours if we won't hear back from you again. Feel free to start a new thread and we'll be happy to help.

Cheers,

JT

[NancyB4]

Thank you "Bronze". I'm very new to all this security stuff. It's charging now. Will be back in action in a few hours.