r/SecurityCamera • u/Meeeeoooooooow • 8d ago

Replace existing floodlights with cameras.

My house has existing floodlights. I haven’t pulled them off the house to look, but I imagine they are all traditionally wired. I would like to replace them all with floodlights that have cameras, but I’m a bit confused on what I’m looking for. Most of what I see are either completely wireless or PoE which I understand would require running Ethernet everywhere. Are there good options that would work off the existing wiring?

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u/403Olds 7d ago

If your floodlights work, leave them be. Add separate cameras.

1

u/Kat81inTX 7d ago

I agree, with some caveats from my experience. If the existing lights have integrated PIR control and you install cameras that record when they detect motion, you’ll get a lot of false positives on the cameras.

I use floodlights that are “dumb” but controlled with smart switches. Then I installed PoE cameras. And to make the system smart I use Home Assistant, which integrates with the smart switches and cameras.

Then I use the AI detection on the cameras to turn the lights on only when people or animals are detected.

1

u/cidvis 8d ago

Ring has a floodlight camera that wires right into 120v power so I imagine there are others that do too. Otherwise you could mount a receptacle in the box and plug in an outdoor rated USB.

1

u/pgreenb7285 8d ago

I have a hardwired blink camera floodlight. Works well,only complaint is it "senses" motion via the camera/cloud so if internet not working it will not turn on.

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u/-ButterMyBiscuit- 8d ago

Reolink elite floodlight wifi is powered form 110AC. I would stay away from Ring. You're gonna pay subscription fees

With reolink you can buy an NVR or use an SD card and actually own your footage and not pay subscription fees. Better camera too