Charging Your Simplisafe Outdoor Camera: A Quick Guide

The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera is a reliable security camera with clear video and audio. It comes with a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged in two ways: via a USB charging cable or by purchasing a solar panel accessory. The battery takes about 5-6 hours to charge fully, and the camera will alert you when the battery is low. To charge the battery, you need to unmount the camera, remove the battery, and plug it into a wall outlet using the provided USB cable and a power adapter with 5V and 1.5A+ output. You can also keep the camera constantly powered by purchasing a separate 25-foot power cord or a permanent camera mount.

Charging with the power cable

The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera comes with a rechargeable battery pack, which can be charged using the 25-foot power cord accessory, sold separately. The power cable can be plugged into the camera and a power outlet to keep the battery charged at all times.

To charge the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera's battery using the power cable, first, unmount the camera and twist off the cap to reveal the battery. Then, remove the battery and plug it into a wall outlet using the power cable and a USB power adapter with 5V, 1.5A+ output. You can use the power adapter of an iPhone or Android phone, or plug the battery into your computer. It takes about 6 hours for the battery to fully charge. You'll know the battery is fully charged once all 3 lights are illuminated and no longer blinking.

Once the battery is charged, insert it back into the camera with the three gold circles on the battery facing up and the battery tab facing outwards. Then, twist the cap back on the camera clockwise until you hear it click.

If you are having issues with charging the battery using the power cable, try plugging the cable into a different outlet. If that doesn't work, try using a different USB-micro cable and power adapter. If issues persist, contact the SimpliSafe Support team for further troubleshooting.

Charging with a solar panel

SimpliSafe offers a solar panel accessory that can be used to power your wireless outdoor camera. This can be a great option if you're looking for a way to keep your camera charged without having to separately recharge or replace the battery. With just three hours of direct sunlight per day, the solar panel can keep your camera powered 24/7. This makes it a good choice if your camera monitors areas with a lot of activity, such as a busy street.

The solar panel comes with a 13-foot power cord, so you have flexibility in where you place it. You can mount the solar panel on brick, stucco, concrete, or stone surfaces by drilling two holes and using the included anchors and screws to attach it to the wall. For wood surfaces, you don't need to drill holes. Just use the omnidirectional mount to aim the panel towards the direction that will give it the most sunlight access.

It's important to note that the solar panel is designed to maintain the power of a charged battery, not to charge it from a low power state. So before installing the solar panel, make sure to charge your outdoor camera's battery for at least five hours. Also, ensure that the camera's battery has been inserted properly, as the solar panel will not work without a battery in the camera.

Once the solar panel is installed and connected to the camera, you can check that it's working by accessing the Outdoor Camera's settings page in the SimpliSafe mobile app. The page will indicate that the battery is being charged. Keep in mind that the solar panel is designed to charge the camera battery within a temperature range of 32°F to 120°F.

Charging with a phone charger

The SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera comes with a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged using a power adapter. The battery pack can also be charged using a phone charger, as long as the output is 5 volts and 1.5 amps or higher. Most iPhone and Android power adapters meet this requirement.

To charge the battery, first, unmount the camera and twist off the cap to reveal the battery. Remove the battery and plug it into a wall outlet using the charging cable that came with the camera and a power adapter. It is important to ensure that the power adapter has the correct output, as mentioned above. The battery will take about 6 hours to fully charge. You will know the battery is fully charged when all 3 lights are illuminated and no longer blinking.

Once the battery is fully charged, insert it back into the camera, ensuring that the three gold circles on the battery are facing up and the battery tab is facing outwards. Finally, twist the cap back on the camera clockwise until you hear a click.

It is worth noting that the SimpliSafe Outdoor Camera can also be powered using a 25-foot power cord or a solar panel accessory, in addition to the battery pack.

Charging with a computer

To charge your SimpliSafe outdoor camera with a computer, you will need the USB-micro cable that came with the camera. This cable can be plugged into your computer to charge the camera's battery.

It is important to note that the battery must be removed from the camera before charging. Once you have removed the battery, plug it into your computer using the USB-micro cable. The battery should be placed with the three gold circles on the battery facing up and the battery tab facing outwards.

It takes about 6 hours for the battery to fully charge. You will know the battery is fully charged when all 3 lights are illuminated and no longer blinking.

Once the battery is fully charged, you can insert it back into the camera. Make sure the three gold circles on the battery are facing up and match the three gold prongs inside the camera's battery slot. The battery tab should be facing outwards, towards you. After inserting the battery, secure the lens by twisting it clockwise until you hear a click.

If you are having issues with charging your SimpliSafe outdoor camera via your computer, try using a different USB port on your computer. Additionally, ensure that your computer is powered on and functioning properly. If issues persist, you may need to try a different charging method, such as using a power adapter or purchasing a solar panel accessory.

Charging with a power adapter

To charge your SimpliSafe outdoor camera using a power adapter, you will need to first unmount the camera and twist off the cap to reveal the battery. Once you have removed the battery, plug it into a wall outlet using the charging cable that came with the camera and a USB power adapter with a 5V, 1.5A+ output.

A list of power adapters that fit this requirement includes the SimpliCam Wired Indoor Security Camera's adapter, the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera's adapter, most iPhone (Apple) adapters, and most Android adapters. If you are unsure about the output of your power adapter, you can check the device itself, as most models will have this information printed on them.

It takes about 6 hours for the battery to fully charge. You will know the battery is fully charged once all 3 lights are illuminated and no longer blinking. After the battery is fully charged, you can insert it back into the camera, ensuring that the three gold circles on the battery are facing up and the battery tab is facing outwards. Finally, twist the cap back on the camera clockwise until you hear it click into place.

If you are looking for an alternative to charging your SimpliSafe outdoor camera with a power adapter, you can also use the solar panel accessory, which keeps the camera charged as long as it receives 3 hours of direct sunlight a day.

Frequently asked questions