How can I switch on the weatherproof TTL camera?

[oldogtrik]

Hi, I have the weatherproof TTL camera connected to an Arduino UNO / Data Logging shield. I want to deploy it remotely powered by battery to take pictures after dark starting at some interval. I am concerned that because that camera has IR lights which go on when darkness is sensed by it, the battery will be drained before I start taking pictures. For example, darkness starts at 8:30PM but I want to start the photos at 4:00AM. Time coming from the Data Loggers real time clock.
How can I control the camera to conserve power until I want to use it?

[adafruit_support_bill]

You could switch power to the camera with a transistor. Those IR leds are fairly power hungry, so you will need something that can handle the current. These are simple to work with and more than capable. https://www.adafruit.com/products/355


Simply connect the Source pin to GND, the Drain pin to the ground wire from the Camera. Then connect the Gate pin to an Arduino pin to control it.