Verkada Camera Battery Draining Fast? How to Extend Its Life
Verkada's line of battery-powered and wireless cameras, such as the CH52-E, offers exceptional flexibility for surveillance in locations where running cables is impractical. However, to get the most out of these devices, it's crucial to optimise their battery performance. If you're finding that your camera's battery is draining faster than expected, this guide will help you troubleshoot the common causes and implement effective solutions.
Understanding the factors that consume power is the first step toward extending the operational life of your camera and ensuring continuous security coverage.
## What Consumes Power in a Verkada Camera?
Several key factors contribute to the rate at which your Verkada camera's battery is consumed:
- Motion and Analytics: The more activity the camera detects, records, and analyses, the more power it uses. Cameras in high-traffic environments will naturally have shorter battery lives.
- Wireless Signal Strength: A weak Wi-Fi or cellular signal is a major drain on the battery. The camera must boost its power output to maintain a stable connection to the network.
- Live Streaming: Actively viewing a live video feed from the camera is a power-intensive process.
- Environmental Conditions: Extreme cold or hot temperatures can significantly impact battery efficiency and its ability to hold a charge.
- Firmware and Settings: Outdated firmware or non-optimised settings can lead to unnecessary power consumption.
## Step-by-Step Guide to Optimising Battery Life
Follow these steps within your Verkada Command platform and consider the physical placement of your camera to resolve battery drain issues.
### 1. Optimise Motion Detection Settings
This is the most impactful area you can control. Your goal is to minimise the number of unimportant motion events.
- Refine Motion Zones: Navigate to your camera's settings in Verkada Command. Carefully review your motion detection zones. Ensure they are drawn tightly around the areas of interest (e.g., a doorway or a specific asset) and exclude areas with constant, irrelevant movement like public walkways or swaying trees.
- Adjust Motion Sensitivity: Lower the sensitivity to prevent false triggers from small movements or environmental changes like shadows. Find a balance that reliably captures meaningful events without being overly reactive.
- Utilise Scheduling: If you only need motion alerts during certain times (e.g., after business hours), set up a schedule to reduce unnecessary processing during busy periods.
### 2. Check and Improve Wireless Signal Strength
A strong, stable connection is key to efficient power usage.
- View Camera Status: In Verkada Command, check the reported signal strength for the camera in question.
- Improve the Signal: If the signal is weak, the solution is to decrease the distance or number of obstructions between the camera and the wireless access point or cellular base station. This might involve repositioning the camera or installing a wireless extender to boost the signal in that area.
### 3. Limit Live View Usage
While a critical feature, live streaming should be used judiciously.
- Be Mindful of Streaming: Use the live view feature when you need to actively monitor a situation, but avoid leaving the stream open for long periods.
- Educate Other Users: If multiple users have access to the camera, ensure they are also aware that frequent live viewing will impact the battery life for everyone.
### 4. Consider the Physical Environment
- Avoid Temperature Extremes: Whenever possible, install the camera in a location that is sheltered from direct, intense sunlight and extreme cold. Even a small overhang can help regulate the temperature and improve battery performance.
- Ensure Secure Mounting: Make sure the camera is mounted securely. A wobbly mount can cause the camera to move slightly in the wind, which could potentially trigger motion events.
### 5. Keep Firmware Updated
Verkada continuously improves the efficiency of their devices through firmware updates.
- Enable Automatic Updates: Your Verkada devices should update automatically. You can confirm the firmware version and update status within the camera's settings in Command to ensure you are benefiting from the latest power management enhancements.
By systematically working through these optimisation strategies, you can significantly extend the battery life of your Verkada cameras, reduce maintenance, and ensure your security system operates reliably.