Hikvision outdoor camera issue

[milleniumaire]

I've identified an issue with one of my outdoor Hikvision 4MP DS-2CD2347G2-LSU/SL colorvu network cameras, which were purchased and installed in October 2021.

I noticed the other day, the image was fuzzy, so finally got out some ladders and attempted to give the lens a clean, only to notice there was cloudiness/bubbles inside the lens, so wiping it didn't make any difference.

Disappointing considering it is supposed to be waterproof!

I went back to CCTV Direct UK, from where I purchased my security system only to find they no longer stock/sell Hikvision, although TBH, I wasn't expecting any kind of warranty cover after 4 years.

So, I'm now wondering if it is possible to fix the issue by taking the camera apart. I'm not sure the lens cover is removable, although clearly it isn't as water tight as it needs to be.

Anyone had a similar issue with their outdoor Hikvision security cameras?

 

[codlord]

I have had this on a couple of (many) cameras over the years - I guess the seals somewhere just deterioirate allowing a bit of moisture in.

Sometimes it will just clear itself depending on the weather, sometimes you can take down and put indoors somewhere warm for several days to clear. But usually if it's happened once it will likely happen again under certain outside weather/temperature conditions.

I usually try both of the above if it's a less important camera. First: just wait, second: take indoors, third: replace.

 

[milleniumaire]

Coincidentally, one of the bathroom double glazing units above where this camera is installed, has also blown, but that happened about 6 months ago and I still haven't got around to replacing it.

I've also recently had an 8 month old Ohme Home Pro EV charger replaced as moisture was getting into the display making it unreadable. It seems company's don't know how to make things water resistant these days

 

[codlord]

Personally I have only had this happen on a few cameras.

I support over 60 HikVision cameras of all ages, some of which are over 10 years old that are still sealed and still work fine. Discounting ones that failed due to being installed without the weatherproof cable glands I have probably only had a couple of moisture failures and a couple of other technical failures in 8 years.

I think they are just let down by pretty poor software and firmware.

 

[milleniumaire]

Personally I have only had this happen on a few cameras.

I support over 60 HikVision cameras of all ages, some of which are over 10 years old that are still sealed and still work fine. Discounting ones that failed due to being installed without the weatherproof cable glands I have probably only had a couple of moisture failures and a couple of other technical failures in 8 years.

I think they are just let down by pretty poor software and firmware.

I only have 5 Hikvision cameras, all the same, and all 4 years old, so a 20% failure rate is disappointing!

 

[JB1970]

I've never had this happen on a Hikvision IP camera and have installed hundreds over the last 11 years (though I've seen several cases with the analogue HDTVi models). They can be opened to dry them out and replace the silica gel bags. A document is attached showing the process for an older model turret but the principal will be the same:

 

[milleniumaire]

I've never had this happen on a Hikvision IP camera and have installed hundreds over the last 11 years (though I've seen several cases with the analogue HDTVi models). They can be opened to dry them out and replace the silica gel bags. A document is attached showing the process for an older model turret but the principal will be the same:

Thanks for the document. I will give this a try when I have some time over the Christmas Holidays.

 

[trempa92]

I only have 5 Hikvision cameras, all the same, and all 4 years old, so a 20% failure rate is disappointing!

So if you had 1 it would be a total clusterf*ck

 

[milleniumaire]

The second of my five Hikvision CCTV cameras now has a blurred image, so it appears that moister has got into the lens of that camera also.

One seal failure may have just been unlucky, but two seal failures suggests poor quality products. Very disappointed.

 

[JB1970]

The second of my five Hikvision CCTV cameras now has a blurred image, so it appears that moister has got into the lens of that camera also.

One seal failure may have just been unlucky, but two seal failures suggests poor quality products. Very disappointed.

As mentioned further up, I've never had a failure yet and installed hundreds.

 

[trempa92]

I firmly believe something was overlooked when installations was done. The moisture can also sneak inside hardware if cabling insulation wasn't done right.

But that doesnt mean i am pointing finger here. As JB says, we also have hundreds if not thousands installed as I work for ND. And we are not having those models for RMA.

 

[milleniumaire]

I have yet to try checking and replacing the desiccant bag on the first camera that failed as it is quite high up so requires longer ladders, which are stored away and a pain to get out! The latest camera to fail is much lower, so I should be able to check it this weekend.

 

[milleniumaire]

I firmly believe something was overlooked when installations was done. The moisture can also sneak inside hardware if cabling insulation wasn't done right.

But that doesnt mean i am pointing finger here. As JB says, we also have hundreds if not thousands installed as I work for ND. And we are not having those models for RMA.

From these photos, is there anything you see that suggests the installation wasn't done correctly?

From slightly in front of the camera:

From directly below the camera:

 

[trempa92]

It looks fine to me honestly. illtry to compare to mine i have similar model, just G3, same dimensions and junstion box and try to see differences

 

[milleniumaire]

I used the same mounting box on all 5 cameras, so they are all installed in the same way. The two cameras that have "failed" are both the 4mm lens versions, but I'm sure that has nothing to do with it.
I will try to find time to take one into the house this weekend and inspect it internally.

 

[trempa92]

 

[milleniumaire]

Thanks. Looks similar to mine. I assume your cable entry is below like mine to ensure any water on the cable runs away from the camera, rather than into the housing.

 

[trempa92]

Its actually behind junction box, i dont run my cables outside

 

[trempa92]

Only difference i see that your camera might not be tightened to junction box enough

 

[milleniumaire]

Removed one of the faulty cameras today, the lowest one, and immediately I could see the glass covering the lens was cracked. Checked the other faulty camera and exactly the same thing. The glass covering the lens on both cameras has cracked across one of the corners and this is obviously letting moisture get behind this lens glass and causing it to blur the image.

Initially, I thought this must have been done by something hitting the camera, so went through the footage at around the time it started to go blurry, but there was nothing obvious. It would therefore appear the glass has simply failed in both of these cameras. Very strange.

It was an interesting exercise taking it apart, but everything internally looked good and the bag of desiccant also looked okay.

I did wonder if the glass could be replaced, but I couldn't figure out how to remove the electronics from the cover in order to access the glass and it appears to be sealed on the outside.

Close up to the case, there was also an indication that the aluminium has started corroding. No issues inside the mounting bracket and all the cables and connections were bone dry.