Re: Pelco Spectra Domes

[Matt Ion <soundy106@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bob La Londe wrote:
> Ok, I have a bunch of Spectra Dome cameras installed.  Mostly outdoors, but
> a few indoors.  All but a very few are in outdoor environmental pendants.
>
> The RS422 seems to be the first thing to fail, but I have been having
> various samera issues on most sites starting at 2-3 years after
> installation.
>
> I would like to get some feedback on longevity of cameras for outdoor
> application with either the environmental vs the presurized dome.  All would
> be outdoor pendant applications.
>
> We got many guys here with much Pelco Spectra Dome experience?  I already
> called Pelco, and they really could not answer me.

I've installed a few of these outdoors... serviced several others, and replaced
one that was knocked down by a truck.  Haven't yet run into one that actually
had a failure in the data connection (well, except one that the cable yanked
loose from the DVR because the installer had made it too short).

I HAVE seen problems with the contacts where the camera body attaches to the
base, and I've been told this is a known design defect in certain Spectra models
(something to do with the vibrations of the PTZ motors leading to failing
connections, don't recall the details, might wanna ask Pelco about that).

If it looks like there may be corrosion problems where the data wires connect,
try stripping them back, cleaning up the terminals, and then reconnecting
everything with the help of a little dielectric grease (the stuff auto-parts
stores sell for battery terminals and under-hood connectors).  Works great to
keep the moisture away from the connections (as it's designed to do).