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naturebytes Wildife Cam Kit Manual

Cam kit for kits and cases bought after autumn 2018, suitable for ages 8 +
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naturebytes
Wildife cam kit guide
Version 3
For Kits and Cases
bought after Autumn
2018
Suitable for Ages 8 +

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Summary of Contents for naturebytes Wildife Cam Kit

  • Page 1 Wildife cam kit guide Version 3 For Kits and Cases bought after Autumn 2018 Suitable for Ages 8 +...
  • Page 2 What is the naturebytes wildlife cam kit ? The naturebytes wildlife cam kit is a wildlife camera that anyone can build to take stealthy high definition images of wildlife. Beginner, expert, wildlife enthusiast or hacker,...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1.Check List 2.The PIR Sensor 3.Controlling the power 4.The Camera 5.The Raspberry Pi and Real Time Clock 6.The Power supply 7. The Case 8.Testing Your Kit 9.Tips and Tricks 10.Additional Features...

  • Page 4: Check List

    Check list Case Strap Raspberry Pi camera Open your kit and check you have all of the components displayed : Case Main Insert - May vary Strap Battery holder 6 x Large Screws 6 mm 7 x 25 mm Screws 2 x 12 mm Screws 9 x Brass nuts 2 x Spacer 18 mm...

  • Page 5: The Pir Sensor

    The PIR Sensor Contents What is a PIR sensor ? The PIR (Passive InfraRed) sensor is a clever part of your kit. The sensor can detect invisible radiation from warm blooded animals (birds, foxes, dogs and even you). When a warm blooded animal walks past the kit, the PIR sensor will detect it and trigger the camera to take a photo!
  • Page 6 The PIR Sensor Task 1 - Connecting the PIR sensor wires Attach the three colour wires to the sensor pins. The three PINs are labelled (from left-right in image) VCC, OUT and GND. Make sure the correct colour cable is connected to the correct pin as follows: Red Wire - VCC Yellow Wire - OUT...
  • Page 7 Front of Insert with the notch The PIR Sensor on the left Task 2 - Feeding the wire through the insert Feed the wire through the insert. Front of Insert to Pass the jumper wires through the hold the PIR and lower-middle hole as highlighted in the Camera image below.
  • Page 8 The PIR Sensor Make sure you are using the correct size spacers and screws. Use a ruler to double 15 mm Spacer 25 mm Screw check them. Task 3 - Secure the PIR sensor Screw the PIR onto the insert making sure the spacers go between the two.
  • Page 9 The PIR Sensor Task 4 - Feeding the wires back through the insert Feed the wires through the insert from the back to the front, as shown in the diagram Back of insert - notch on the right 2nd hole location for PIR wires Front of insert - notch on the left as shown...

  • Page 10: Controlling The Power

    Controlling the power Choose one of the two options below: Option A: The LIpo Rider The LiPo Rider board allows you to connect power to your wildlife cam kit. It boosts and regulates the power from the rechargeable battery with a RJT connection to the Raspberry Pi and allows for the battery to be charged using a micro USB charger.
  • Page 11 Option A: 3 mm Spacer 12 mm Screw Make sure you are using the correct size The LiPo Rider spacers and screws. Use a ruler to double check them. Task 5 - Secure the LiPo Rider Attach the LiPo Rider to the insert using the LiPo holder.

  • Page 12: The Camera

    The Camera About the Camera The Raspberry Pi v2 camera module can be used to take high-definition video and stills photographs. It is a 8-megapixel camera with a fixed focus that connects to the Raspberry pi through the ribbon. If you are using a Pi Zero your camera ribbon might look a little different Product Description: Size: 25 mm x 23 mm x 9 mm...
  • Page 13 The Camera Task 6 - Feed the camera ribbon through the insert Next feed the ribbon through the insert from the front (same side as the PIR), to the rear side with the LiPo rider. What you will need : Insert assembly Camera from Task 5...
  • Page 14 Make sure you are using the correct size 25 mm Screw The Camera 18 mm Spacer spacers and screws. Use a ruler to double check them. Task 7 - Secure the Camera Now attach the camera to the insert assembly using the screws, spacers and brass nuts.
  • Page 15 Your assembly should look like this...

  • Page 16: The Case

    You can use any Raspberry Pi model with the wildlife cam kit. If you have purchased the case only you can download the image file from naturebytes.org Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi Model A+...
  • Page 17 Attaching the Real Make sure the real time clock is positioned the right way round. Compare your Raspberry Pi with the images on the bright to Time Clock to the check its correct Raspberry Pi Task 8 - Attach the RTC Attach the RTC to the Raspberry Pi, positioning it on the pins shown to the right.
  • Page 18 Attaching the Raspberry Pi Task 9 - Connect the Camera to the Raspberry Pi The camera ribbon locates into the port highlighted in the image (right). Follow these steps below with the help of the images on the following page. I) Gently lift the clasp on the camera port, highlighted in image i) on the following page.
  • Page 19 Connecting the Camera Ribbon brass contact points HDMI connector iii) Make sure the brass contact points on the ribbon are facing the HDMI plug on the Raspberry Pi. If using a Raspberry Pi Zero - make Finished Assembly sure the brass contact point on the ribbon face the back of the board...
  • Page 20 Attaching the Raspberry Pi Task 10 - Connect the Raspberry Pi to the insert assembly Attach the A+ Raspberry Pi to the insert using the screws, nuts and bolts provided. What you will need : 3 x 25 mm Screws 3 x 15 mm Spacers Brass nut 3 x Brass nuts...
  • Page 21 Footprint Raspberry Pi For the Pi Zero use these holes for securing to For the Raspberry Pi B+ models use the same the insert holes as demostrted on the page before for se- curing to the insert...
  • Page 22 Connecting the Red wire Black wire goes to pin 2 goes to pin 14 Raspberry Pi Task 11 - Connect the PIR wires to the Raspberry Pi Attach the three wires from the PIR to the correct pins on the Raspberry Pi as shown in the diagram.
  • Page 23 Optional: Securing the wires use wire or cable ties to attach wires Secure the wires onto the insert Feed the 3 black cable-ties through the holes and twist them to secure the wires to the insert. What you will need : 3 x Black cable ties Task 11 Insert Assembly...
  • Page 24 Final Insert Assembly - showing the LiPo Rider power option...
  • Page 25 The Case About the Wildlife Cam Kit Case It looks snappy but the best thing about the case is that it’s weather-proof, protecting all the parts inside from the elements. The weatherproof case has passed ingress testing to gain a certified IP rating of 55.
  • Page 26 Controlling the power Option A - The lipo rider and battery follow go to the next page Option B - direct connection to powerbank skip to page 29...
  • Page 27 Controlling the power using a LiPo Rider Task 12 - Assemble the Case I) Place the insert assembly into the front of the case with camera facing down, and secure with the large screws at the four corners. II) Connect the LiPo Rider to the Raspberry Pi using the USB cable.
  • Page 28 Connecting the battery Task 13 - Attach and connect the battery pack The battery pack sits in the back of the case and is connected to the LiPo Rider. Use the screws to secure the Place the battery into the bottom of the back of the battery holder.
  • Page 29 Controlling the power using a Powerbank Task 12 - Attach and connect the powerbank I) Place the insert assembly into the front of the case with Place the powerbank into the bottom of the back of camera facing down, and secure with the large screws at the four corners.
  • Page 30 SD card and USB Flashdrive Task 15 - Insert the SD and USB Flashdrive Insert the USB Flashdrive into the lower USB slot on the Raspberry PI and to finish, insert the SD card into the top slot. What you will need : SD CardR...
  • Page 31 The Complete Wildlife cam kit...
  • Page 32 Charge your kit You must charge your kit before putting it outside. This will ensure you get the best performance out of your kit and the most out of your battery life. To charge the battery: i) You must first disconnect the micro usb wire connecting the Lipo Rider to the Rasberry Pi.
  • Page 33 Switching on your kit Now you are ready to test your kit. i) Turn the power on, flip the switch on the LiPo Rider highlighted in the image. ii) Leave the camera face down as the Raspberry Pi boots - you will see the LEDs flashing indicating itis loading.
  • Page 34 Getting your Images To view your test images: i) Remove the USB Flashdrive from the camera and plug it into another laptop or computer. ii) If you are able to view your images, your camera is working correctly. Your Cam Kit is ready to go out into the wild.
  • Page 35 Think about a suitable location There are many different ways to place your camera. Where, when and how you place it will determine which animals you are likely to photograph. Make sure you get off to a good start following these tips: 1) Look for wildlife corridors and signs of activity such as paths, fences and where you’ve seen animals before.
  • Page 36 Locating your Kit - Tips Place you camera where it is protected from direct sunlight. Changes in heat will trigger your camera, so avoid false triggers by placing the kit away from the glare of morning and afternoon sun. You can adjust the sensitivity of your PIR sensor (see online for details) if you find that the camera is taking too few or too many photos, regardless of...
  • Page 37 Locating your Kit - Tips Place your camera at least 500 mm away from the point where you expect to capture your subject. Set up at dawn and retrive the kit at dusk. This will allow for you to review the images you’ve captured and charge your cam kit overnight.

  • Page 38: Additional Features

    Additional Features...
  • Page 39 Using my kit as a computer Screen with To benefit from the addtional features on your wild- HDMI port life cam kit you simnply can access the code that powers your kit by using it as a computer. You can plug your kit into a screen with a HDMI cable.
  • Page 40 Connect the cam kit to a screen , keyboard and mouse and turn on your kit and let the Naturebytes screen load up. Once loaded click on the Terminal x function and type the following code >...
  • Page 41 Li-ion battery packs may leak, overheat or explode if abused or incorrectly used. Ensure you read and adhere to the following safety warnings. Lithium Ion batteries are a great power source for naturebytes kits but they require care during use and charging. The batteries as part of your kit have passed...