How to Troubleshoot and Fix Comelit Night Vision Problems
A clear view from your Comelit video intercom at night is essential for your security and peace of mind. When night vision fails, leaving you with a dark or unusable image, it's crucial to identify and fix the problem. This guide will walk you through the common causes of Comelit night vision failure and how to resolve them.
## How Does Comelit Night Vision Work?
Like most security cameras, Comelit door stations use infrared (IR) light. The process is simple:
- When the ambient light level drops, a small light sensor (photocell) detects the darkness.
- This triggers the built-in infrared LEDs to switch on. These LEDs emit light in the infrared spectrum, which is invisible to our eyes.
- The camera's image sensor, which can see this IR light, captures the scene. The image is shown in black and white because this mode is more sensitive to infrared light.
Any failure in this chain of events will result in poor or non-existent night vision.
## Step 1: Visual Inspection and Cleaning
Start with the most common and easiest-to-fix issues.
- Look for the IR Glow: At night, go outside and look carefully at the camera on your Comelit door station. You should be able to see a faint red glow emanating from the small LED bulbs around the lens. This confirms that the IR illuminators are receiving power and turning on.
- If you see the glow but the image is bad: The problem is likely with the lens or reflections.
- If you do not see the glow: The LEDs are not activating. This points to a power, sensor, or hardware issue.
- Clean the Lens Cover: This is the number one cause of poor-quality night vision. Over time, the plastic or glass cover over the camera lens accumulates a layer of dust, dirt, and grime. The IR light from the LEDs hits this dirt and reflects straight back into the lens, causing a foggy, hazy, or washed-out image. Use a clean microfibre cloth to wipe the lens cover thoroughly.
- Check for Obstructions: Ensure there are no spiderwebs, leaves, or other objects directly in front of the camera that could be blocking the view or causing IR reflection.
## Step 2: Check for Environmental and Power Issues
The placement of the unit and its power supply are critical for clear night vision.
- External Light Sources: Is there a bright porch light or a nearby streetlamp shining directly at the door station? A strong light source can confuse the ambient light sensor, making it think it's still daytime. This prevents the system from switching into night mode. Try temporarily covering the external light to see if the IR LEDs turn on.
- IR Reflection (Glare): If the camera is installed too close to a light-coloured wall, a ceiling, or a window frame, the powerful IR light can bounce off this surface and into the lens. This creates a large white glare or "white-out" effect, making the rest of the scene dark. You may need to adjust the camera angle slightly or install a small shroud to block the reflection.
- Power Supply: The IR LEDs draw additional power. On long cable runs or with improper wiring (not using the Comelit-specified cable type), there can be a voltage drop. This might provide enough power for the camera to work during the day, but not enough to power both the camera and the IR LEDs at night. Ensure all wiring connections are secure and that the correct power supply and cable have been used for your specific system (e.g., Simplebus).
## Step 3: Advanced Troubleshooting
If the issue persists, it could be an internal fault.
- Power Cycle the System: A full restart can sometimes resolve software glitches. Turn off the power to the entire intercom system at your consumer unit (fuse box). Wait for two minutes, then turn the power back on. This will reboot both the external panel and the internal monitor.
- Check for Moisture: Inspect the seals around the door station. If water has managed to get inside, it can damage the electronics, including the IR LED board. If you see condensation inside the lens cover, the unit may be compromised.
- Hardware Failure: If you've tried all the above and the IR LEDs still do not glow, it's possible that the light sensor or the IR board itself has failed. At this stage, the component will likely need to be repaired or replaced by a professional installer or by contacting Comelit technical support.
By systematically working through these checks, you can diagnose and fix the vast majority of night vision problems on your Comelit system.