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naturebytes Wildife Cam Kit Manual
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naturebytes Wildife Cam Kit Manual

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naturebytes
Wildife Cam Kit guide
Version 4
For kits and cases bought
from Spring 2020
(for older versions go to naturebytes.org)
Suitable for Ages 8 +

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Summary of Contents for naturebytes Wildife Cam Kit

  • Page 1 Wildife Cam Kit guide Version 4 For kits and cases bought from Spring 2020 (for older versions go to naturebytes.org) Suitable for Ages 8 +...
  • Page 2 What is the naturebytes wildlife cam kit ? A. 'Standard' when using a powerbank, simpler option The naturebytes wildlife cam kit is a wildlife camera that B. 'maker' option when using alternative power sources, anyone can build to take stealthy high definition images slightly more complicated of wildlife.

  • 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. Attaching insert and powerbank 9. SD card and flashdrive 10.

  • Page 4: Check List

    Check list Case Strap Camera module Open your kit and check you have the required components: Cam Case Parts Case Main Insert - May vary Strap Battery holder 6 x Stubby Screws 6 mm 5 x Screws 25mm 2 x Screws 18mm 9 x Brass nuts 5 x Spacer 18 mm (black) 2 x Spacer 8mm (white)
  • Page 5 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

    The PIR Sensor PIR (back) Pins at the bottom Task 1 - Connect the PIR wires Attach the three coloured wires to the sensor pins. The three PINs are labelled (from left-right) VCC, OUT and GND. Make sure the correct colour cable is connected to the correct pin as follows: Red Wire - VCC (left) Yellow Wire - OUT (middle)
  • Page 7 Front view of insert (different versions) The PIR Sensor Use notch on top left to identify the front You only need one insert Task 2 - Feed the PIR wires through the insert Identify the front of insert (see diagram) Feed the wires through the insert from front to back through the lower-middle Feed PIR wires through here...
  • Page 8 Use the correct size spacers and screws The PIR Sensor Use a ruler to double check 8 mm Spacer 18 mm Screw PIR Screw location Task 3 - Secure the PIR sensor front view Screw the PIR onto the insert making sure the spacers go between the two.
  • Page 9 The PIR Sensor Task 4 - Feed 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 Back of insert Back of insert Back of insert notch on the right...
  • Page 10 Controlling the power Choose one of the two options below: A: Direct connection to powerbank 'standard' option - go to page 12 'The Camera'd B: Using a Lipo Rider (available separately) 'maker option go to page 11 'The LiPo Rider' Option A: Direct connection to a powerbank A powerbank such as Anker power 10,000 can be used to power your wildlife cam kit by directly connecting to the...
  • Page 11 Option B: 3 mm Spacer 12 mm Screw Use the correct size spacers and screws. The LiPo Rider Use a ruler to double check Task 5 - Secure the LiPo Rider Attach the LiPo Rider to the insert using the LiPo holder. Place spacers between the insert and the LiPo holder.
  • Page 12 The Camera About the Camera The camera module can be used to take high-de���� video and stills photographs. ����� ed focus camera that connects to the Raspberry pi through the ribbon. If you are using a Pi Zero your camera ribbon might look a �����...
  • Page 13 The Camera Front of insert 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 Back of insert...
  • Page 14 Usee the correct size spacers and 25 mm Screw The Camera 18 mm Spacer screws Use a ruler to double check 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 (LiPo rider optional) Back Front...
  • Page 16 (operating system) from: Model A+ Zero W Model 3B+ http://naturebytes.org/wildlife-cam-kit-resources/ Choose one of the two options below: A: Attach Pi with no RTC 'standard' option, go to page 18 B: Attach a Real Time Clock...
  • Page 17 Attach 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 Attach the Raspberry Pi Task 9 - Connect the Camera to the Raspberry Pi The camera ribbon locates into the port highlighted in the image (right). Use this explainer video to help: https://youtu.be/VzYGDq0D1mw or, follow the steps below with the help of the images on the following page;...
  • Page 19 Connect the Camera Ribbon Finished Assembly example with additional LiPo rider brass contact points HDMI connector iii) The brass contact points on the ribbon facie the HDMI plug on the Raspberry Pi If using a Raspberry Pi Zero - the brass contact points on the ribbon face down to the back of the board...
  • Page 20 Insert Assembly (back) Attach the Raspberry Pi Task 10 - Connect the Raspberry Pi to the insert assembly Attach the Raspberry Pi to the back of the insert using the three screws and spacers. Use the nuts to secure the screw from the front (see ii) Back of Pi A+ Back of Pi A+...
  • Page 21 Securing the Raspberry Pi - different footprints, same insert Insert (back) & Pi Zero Insert (back) & Pi A+ or B+ For the Raspberry Pi A+ & B+ models use the For the Pi Zero use these holes for securing to same holes as demonstrated on the previous the insert page...
  • Page 22 Connecting the Raspberry Pi Task 11 - Connect the PIR wires to Black wire - Pin 14 Red wire - Pin 2 the Raspberry Pi i) Connect wires to pins: 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 Secure the wires onto the insert Feed the 3 black cable-ties or wire through the holes and twist them to use wire or cable ties to attach wires secure the wires to the insert. What you will need: 3 x Black cable ties (or wire) Insert Assembly...
  • Page 24 Insert Assembly - showing the LiPo Rider power option...
  • Page 25 The Case About the Wildlife Cam 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

    Controlling the power Option A - Using a powerbank (standard option) go to page 29 'Attach insert assembly and powerbank'' Option B - Using a lipo rider (maker option) go to next page...
  • Page 27 Controlling the power using a LiPo Rider (Option B) Secure with 6mm screws Task 12 - Assemble the Case Place the insert assembly into the front of the case with camera facing down II) Secure with large screws at the four corners III) Connect the LiPo Rider to the Raspberry Pi using the USB cable What you will need :...

  • Page 28: The Case

    Connecting the battery Task 13 - Attach and connect the battery pack The battery pack sits in the back of the case and is the case 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 Attach insert assembly and Place the insert assembly into the front of the case powerbank (Option A) Place the powerbank into the back of the case Task 12 - Attach and connect the powerbank Place the insert assembly into the front of the case with camera facing down II) Secure with large screws at the four corners III) The powerbank sits in the back of the case.

  • Page 30: Sd Card And Flashdrive

    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 t����� insert the SD card into the top slot. What you will need: SD Card...

  • Page 31: Power-Up And Test

    The Complete Wildlife cam kit Congratulations! Your kit is fully assembled, move on to testing..Testing, the next Steps... Power-up and test your kit Viewing your images Tips for great images...
  • Page 32 Power-up and test your kit (option A) Power on your Raspberry Pi - connect the You should fully charge your powerbank before using it. This will ensure you get the best performance out of your kit and the powerbank to the Pi using the correct USB cable most out of your battery life.
  • Page 33 PIR wire arrangement and Camera ribbon connection, then repeat the test. To troubleshoot the PIR and Camera with a computer screen you can see this video guide: http://naturebytes.org/faq/ To see how to connect the kit with a screen see the page 39...

  • Page 34: Tips For Great Wildlife Images

    Tips for great wildlife images Where, when and how you place your kit will determine which animals you are likely to photograph. Make sure you get off to a good start following these tips: 1) Choose target animals - think about which animals are regular visitors that you can photograph and thinkk about their behaviour.
  • Page 35 PIR sensor, see the link below: www.naturebytes.org/faq 6) Distance and background - for good focus, place your camera at least 300 mm away from the point where you expect to see your subject.
  • Page 36 Tips for getting great wildlife images 7) Accessibility - position the kit in a convenient and accessible location to recover the kit . You can just remove the USB drive to view pictures from the kit to check images and leave hte cmaera where it is.

  • Page 37: Additional Features

    Additional Features...
  • Page 38 Using my kit as a computer Screen with To benefit from additional features, you can use the kit as a HDMI port desktop computer and access the code that runs your kit. You can plug your kit into a screen with a HDMI cable. You can use any TV for this as long as it has a HDMI input.
  • Page 39 Connect the cam kit to a screen , een , keyboard and mouse and turn on your kit and let the Naturebytes screen load up. Once loaded click on the Terminal x x function and type the following code >...
  • Page 40 Powering up with the LiPo rider (Option B only)
  • Page 41 LiPo rider Power-Up and test (maker option only) Turn the power on, flip the switch on the LiPo Rider You must charge your kit before putting it outside. This will ensure y out of your kit and the most out of your battery life. highlighted in the image To charge the battery: ii) Leave the camera face down as the Raspberry Pi...
  • Page 42 Charging with the LiPo rider (Maker option only) 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 43 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...