How to make a mobile security camera with magnets
I regularly have to bring a camera with me to demonstrate to my customers the newest models or features. Rather than hauling around my biggest demo rig, I created these small plates with each camera on them which can be hug from something, or attached to a magnetic whiteboard.
This is how you can create a similar mobile security camera mount so that you can record anything that’s happening.
In this project, we’re using hangers as our backup solution to the magnets. They can be twisted in order to hang on nearly any surface, or sideways to be out of the way for magnet mounting.
If you need to hang on very large pipes or railings, choose a different hanger than what we’re using in this post. I will be sharing everything I use during these step by step instructions.
Let’s talk about what materials we’re using first. Here’s a photo to get started.
What I used for this:
- 2x Hooks (Amazon Link Here)
- 8x Magnets (Amazon Link Here)
- Piece of wood (Amazon Link Here) (Yes I amazon’ed wood, I’m that lazy)
- Hanwha Techwin QNV-8080R PoE Camera (Link Here)
- Assorted Hardware Screws (Amazon Link Here) (Though I’d suggest finding something a bit shorter than the shortest screw in this kit.)
Starting from scratch
Let’s take it back to the beginning of the project. I have my materials spread out on the floor, and I have my tools with me. Needed a small drill bit and drill for a pilot hole, a Phillips head screwdriver – I used it with my drill. The wrench for the camera cover comes with the camera which is nice.
Let’s get this guy unpacked and take a look at what we’ve got to mount.
Easy enough.. Let’s get this back plate for the camera mounted to the wood first. We’re going to use two screws to do this. I used a small drill bit to start the hole for the screw so that it would be easier. #protip
Now that we’ve got the mount screwed to the base, we need to drill a hole for the network cable to come through the back into the camera. I drilled a really small hole, but you can drill a much larger one if you’d like.
Important note: If you are installing this outdoors, make sure you use the rubber grommet. There’s a little clip included with the camera which will allow you to push through with a network cable and make it sealed.
It’s gonna take some elbow grease. Expect it to put up a fight.
Once you’ve got your network cable through, go ahead and attach the camera to the plate with the three included screws, then plug the network cable into the camera. It should like like this.
This camera is PoE – Power over Ethernet – Which means this is the only cable involved. Let’s attach this guy to the base plate now. Three screws. We’re in the home stretch!
Before we put the cover on, we need to make sure that this camera is aimed where it needs to be aimed. I needed to adjust it a bit, so when I finished it could be aimed at my door hanging from the shelf in my kitchen. You’ll see in the pictures below.
Once you have it aimed, we can put the cover back on. Note: This camera is automatic focus. If you get a cheap camera that requires you to manually focus it, you’d better do that before putting the cover back on.
Let’s go ahead and put the cover back on since this camera is autofocus.
Perfect. Now let’s put some magnets on the back real quick. Linked at the top of the post are the magnets I used here – It took 8 magnets to make this stay in place with the weight of the wood and the camera, using 3M double stick adhesive to attach the magnets to the plank of wood.
With our magnets all in place, let’s put the hooks on the end. I suggest drilling a partial pilot hole before you screw in the hooks in order to make it easier on yourself.
With the hooks attached, it’s time to hang it up and enjoy the rewards.
That sure was a lot of fun to make, and will make demonstrating how these cameras work much easier in the future! I can put them up on a magenetic whiteboard for a demonstration, and this will work with almost any type of camera dome.
Want one made for you? E-mail us at screportcom@gmail.com
