Guide to Securely Mounting Your Lorex Camera
Lorex systems offer robust security, but the installation can sometimes seem "hard to mount," particularly for wired cameras or on difficult surfaces. This professional guide provides solutions to common challenges, ensuring your Lorex camera is mounted securely, is weatherproof, and functions perfectly.
## Pre-Installation: Planning for Success
Proper planning is the key to a smooth installation process and avoids the most common pitfalls.
- Read the Manual: Your Lorex kit contains detailed manuals with diagrams specific to your camera models. These are your most valuable resource.
- Dry Run: Before any drilling, connect your camera to your NVR or DVR. Power it up and hold it in the desired mounting location. Check your monitor to ensure the viewing angle is correct and covers the area you need. This also confirms your cable is long enough.
- Cable Route Planning: For wired cameras, plan the entire route the cable will take from the camera to the recorder. This will help you identify any obstacles and ensure you have the necessary clips or conduit.
## Tackling Common Lorex Mounting Problems
Let's address the specific issues that can make mounting a Lorex camera difficult.
### Symptom: The Mounting Base is Not Secure or Flush with the Wall
A wobbly base is a critical failure point. It can be caused by the fixings or the cable.
Solution:
- Use Correct Fixings: This is vital. The screws and plugs with the kit are for standard drywall or wood. If you are mounting on brick, concrete, or masonry, you must use a hammer drill and masonry-specific wall plugs. This is non-negotiable for a secure, long-lasting mount.
- Cable Management at the Base: The pigtail cable coming from the camera can prevent the base from sitting flat. Most Lorex mounts have a dedicated notch or channel where the cable should be routed. Ensure the cable is sitting neatly in this channel. If it's trapped under the flat part of the base, the mount will never be stable.
### Symptom: Cable Connections Are Exposed and Untidy
Leaving the BNC, power, and ethernet connections exposed to the elements will lead to system failure.
Solution:
- Use a Junction Box: This is the professional standard. A junction box is a small, weatherproof enclosure. You mount the box to the wall, place the cable connections inside it, and then mount the camera onto the lid of the junction box. This offers several key advantages:
- Weatherproofing: It completely protects the vulnerable connectors from rain, snow, and insects.
- Cable Management: It provides a clean and tidy way to handle the excess cable.
- Easier Mounting: It gives you a flat, stable surface to mount the camera on, which is especially helpful on uneven surfaces like siding or rough brickwork.
### Symptom: The Camera Angle Droops or Sags
You set the perfect angle, but the camera's weight causes it to point downwards over time.
Solution:
- Firmly Tighten All Adjustment Screws: Lorex cameras, especially the larger bullet or PTZ models, can be heavy. The adjustment points on the mount (often Allen screws or Philips screws) must be tightened very firmly with the correct tool. Hand-tightening is often not enough. Get good leverage and ensure each screw is snug to lock the camera's position securely.
By planning your installation, using the correct hardware like masonry plugs and junction boxes, and properly tightening all adjustments, you can overcome any difficulty in mounting your Lorex camera. A solid, weatherproof installation is the cornerstone of a reliable surveillance system.