How to Extend Trail Camera Battery Life

A common issue faced by trail camera users is the battery life.

Longer-lasting batteries allow for extended monitoring periods, reducing the frequency of replacements. This not only decreases the chance of missing key footage, but also lowers the disturbance to the area caused by repeated human visits. Plus, longer battery life saves money by reducing the need for frequent battery swaps.

Optimizing battery usage can improve the overall performance of your trail camera setups. In this article, we will examine effective strategies to extend your trail camera's battery life, helping to minimize the risk of missing wildlife footage.

1. Choosing the Right Batteries for a Trail Camera

Selecting the correct type of battery and ensuring quality will help you maximize the battery life of your camera.

Battery Types

The kind of batteries used in your trail camera has a direct effect on its performance. High-quality batteries are needed to ensure quick triggering and power for functions like video recording and infrared LED flashes at night.

When choosing batteries for your trail camera, it's vital to pick the right type. Lithium batteries are usually recommended for their high energy density and longer lifespan when compared to alkaline batteries. While lithium batteries tend to be more expensive, we suggest them due to their superior reliability and battery life. Although alkaline batteries are cheaper, they aren't as cost-effective for trail cameras as lithium batteries.

Rechargeable Batteries vs. Disposable Batteries

Rechargeable batteries offer a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative, but make sure they are compatible with your camera and invest in a quality charger. Many trail cameras aren’t compatible with rechargeable batteries due to the lower voltage these batteries provide compared to lithium batteries. Though the camera may appear to work, trail cameras require much more power at night.

Always verify if rechargeable batteries are suitable for your camera model. If they are, we recommend Panasonic Eneloop Pro rechargeable batteries, as they are designed for high-energy-consuming devices like trail cameras.

Temperature Considerations

A high-quality trail camera will work in extremely low temperatures. For example, 70max trail cameras can withstand temperatures as low as -34°C. However, the real challenge lies in battery performance:

Lithium batteries offer the best performance in trail cameras, operating in colder environments down to around -15°C.

Rechargeable batteries (if compatible) can be quite variable in performance. Quality ones, like Panasonic Eneloop Pro, work well in temperatures as low as -20°C.

Alkaline batteries begin to lose effectiveness around 5°C, outputting only one-fifth of their power below this temperature. This is another reason we don’t recommend alkaline batteries for trail cameras—they perform poorly in colder climates.

Don’t Mix and Match Batteries

To ensure consistent battery performance, avoid mixing different brands of batteries. Additionally, don't mix new with old batteries in your trail camera.

Pro Tip: Use a Multimeter for a More Accurate Battery Reading

Battery meter readings in trail cameras can sometimes be inaccurate. Use a multimeter for a more reliable reading directly from the battery tray. Many modern camera traps run on a 12v system, which means they need at least 12v of power to operate properly. For instance, a 70max trail camera battery tray will read 14v to 14.5v with a fresh set of Energizer Ultimate Lithium AA batteries. The closer the multimeter reading is to 12v, the closer the camera is to not functioning. If the reading drops below 13v, consider swapping the batteries out to ensure the camera continues operating, but hold on to these used batteries for devices with lower power needs, like TV remotes or computer accessories.

2. Battery Power Management Tips

Once you have the best batteries for your camera, it's time to adjust some camera settings to improve battery life. We will also explore the use of external power sources.

Optimise Trail Camera Settings

There are several settings you can adjust to boost battery life. The suggestions below may not be suitable for all situations, but adopting even a few will help conserve power.

Capture delay – The capture delay (or image delay) is the time the camera pauses after recording before it’s ready to trigger again. Setting a capture delay reduces repeated triggers from the same animal. For example, when a squirrel eats a pinecone in front of the camera, a 60-second delay works well. It ensures the camera is ready but prevents it from triggering repeatedly for the same animal.

Video length – Finding the right video length is a balancing act. If it’s set too long, you may end up with empty footage. If it’s too short, you might miss something interesting. In most cases, start with 20 seconds per clip. Shorter videos, such as 10 seconds, will help extend battery life.

Number of photos – Typically, 3 to 5 photos per trigger are enough to identify a species passing by. The fewer the photos, the less work the camera does, which means longer battery life.

Modifying time-lapse intervals – Increasing the time between each photo in time-lapse mode reduces battery consumption.

Capture timer – Some cameras offer a capture timer feature, which lets you set specific times when the camera is active. For example, you can set it to be active at night for nocturnal animals, or just during dawn to catch spikes in wildlife activity.

Trigger sensitivity – An overly sensitive trigger can cause false activations, often due to moving foliage. False triggers waste battery life. Some cameras allow you to reduce trigger sensitivity, but keep in mind this may mean smaller animals like birds or rodents won’t trigger the camera. On compatible 70MAX cameras, this setting is called ‘Detection Range.’ The longer the range, the more sensitive the trigger.

Flash power – The infrared LED flash can drain battery power. Some cameras allow you to adjust the brightness of the flash, which can help save battery life.

External Power Options

Consider using external power sources to extend your trail camera’s battery life. Solar panels and external battery packs are reliable options, especially for long-term monitoring or in areas where it's hard to replace batteries. Compatibility with external power options varies by camera brand. For instance, 70MAX offers a standalone solar panel specifically for their cameras. Some models even come with built-in solar charging. While solar panels increase the initial cost, they can save money in the long run.

3. Battery Maintenance and Care

Taking care of your trail camera batteries is essential in ensuring they last as long as possible.

Cleaning and Inspecting

Regularly clean the camera’s battery contacts and check for signs of corrosion or damage. Dirty or corroded contacts can hinder the flow of power, reducing battery efficiency. Use a soft cloth or brush to clean the contacts gently.

Proper Storage

Store the trail camera and its batteries in a cool, dry place when not in use. Follow the trail camera manufacturer’s instructions for long-term storage to maintain battery health.

Troubleshooting Tips

Even with optimal battery management, issues may still arise. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to keep in mind:

Replace batteries with fresh ones to rule out battery issues.

Check for firmware updates for your specific trail camera model.

Ensure the battery contacts are clean.

Reset the camera to its default settings if other solutions fail.

Conclusion

By following these tips, you can greatly extend your trail camera’s battery life. Choosing the right batteries, using power-saving settings, and maintaining the camera properly will ensure that it operates without interruption. Consider using external power sources for longer monitoring periods, especially in remote areas.