IR illumination question

I am helping an old chap secure his home from a nasty person.

I have fitted CCTV for him.

The cameras' IR illumination (LEDs) do not project that far.

the cameras are triggered by motion detection, not PIR, so if the camera 'sees' a movement, then it will record it.

Because the camers own illumination is not good enough I want to create (cheaply) some more IR illumination.

A lot of IR LED lamps could work, but I figure an IR laser would create a POINT of intense IR at a great distance and therefore if a person crossed that point the camera would be triggered. I also increase the range greatly of the camera motion detection.

If I am correct so far, what is the best method of acquiring IR lasers?

Buy ready made units? Where from? I'm new to lasers (and loving it), but realise that I have paid way over the top for stuff since I found this forum. I've been knocking up a few lasers, but paying too much for the components.

Or do I buy the diodes (again, where from?), make the driver myself, and then I can incorporate a LDR so the laser only comes on at night and I can incorporate a small solar panel to charge the battery during the day so the laser can be left in a bush, on a fence etc

Thanks for any advice

Hello Timber,

An laser IR laser diode could be used but one of sufficient power to illuminate an area at distance would need to be high powered.....say 500mw +
Although, it would be likely to be safe at distance, up close it has the potential to blind you while setting up, anyone being too inquisitive or passing wildlife.

I would think a standard IR security illuminator would be the best option?
New 140 Led IR Infrared Lamp Illuminator Light 850nm For CCTV Camera + PSU | eBay

i guess you could shroud the unit to give a more localised illumination.

ATB
MM

Thanks for that.

Yes, I did recognise the danger to me / the user, but not to wildlife, so you are quite right, not a good idea.

Thanks.

What many people fail to realize is that any incandescent lamp will produce a fair bit of IR in conjunction with the visible counterpart.

Since your cameras will also be able to see visible light, why not use a standard visible light source? This will also be a deterrence.

Visible Light sources wouldn't go because the motion detector uses an optics to detect motion, and you can't (and most likely don't) want to have a Big light source always turned on.

skavier: What Cyparagon is saying is that having that "big light source" on can do double-duty as both an IR illumination source, and a visual deterrent for would-be thieves. That's why street lights help deter crime.

timber: Something you might try, if you can, is cooling down the CCD so you can reduce noise and therefore increase the sensitivity of the sensor. A heatsink of some sort on the chip on the back of the sensor board can keep things cooler than usual.

As for the illumination, the real problem is that you've got the light coming from around the camera, which can only illuminate so much area. Even lasers would only go so far for illuminating a large area. Also, if something happens to get close to the light sources it may cause overexposure.

A better solution would be to rig up additional, separate lights in the areas you'd like to have illuminated instead of trying to increase the power of the LEDs on the camera itself. You might even be able to rig up IR-emitting LEDs in place of the white LEDs in solar lawn lights, or just hang some down from the roof or wherever. If you go the incandescent route, incandescent rope lights do a good job of illuminating an area with visible and IR light.

Drop one of these closer to the area you want to light up and you should be good to go:
48 LED Illuminator IR Infrared CCTV Night Vision Light Lamp USA Ship | eBay
2x 48 LED IR Illuminator Light CCTV Infrared Security Camera Lamp Night Vision | eBay

Incandescent may be a way to go as well if visible light isn't a problem.

Thanks guys.

Excellent points.

Hey buddy,

While looking for some stuff I saw your problem. I would like to suggest you once visit website of axtoncctv (dot) Co (dot) UK. I had great experience with them. They replaced my old Illuminators with a new one and with the addition they attached white lights also. A service provided by them was just awesome.

First post + necropost + links included + no intro... bad way to start. :/

Hey Leodahsan,

I forgot to introduce myself, because I was too much excited at that time. By the way I am Ricky. I just passed out from college, and want to make career in Photography. Basically I am from London. Now shifted to Reading. For that link, Axtoncctv are just amazing service providers. I can't stop talking about them.

Beware as people may think you're a spammer... btw the site don't even open here.
Introduce yourself on the welcome section of the forum...
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