Smart Camera Dummy with ESP32-Cam

This is a small project to turn a "dummy-camera" into a working ESP32-CAM.

There is also an article on the website of the german MAKE-Magazine: https://www.heise.de/ratgeber/ESP32-Update-fuer-einen-Kamera-Dummy-4945742.html

01.12.2020 UPDATE:

Modified design for the adapter ring to match another housing. (Thanks to wolsom https://www.thingiverse.com/wolsom/designs for the idea / feedback.

BoM / Shopping List

• Dummy Casing (e.g. https://www.pollin.de/p/kameradummy-grundig-schwarz-580701)
• ESP32 Cam Module
• IR-LED Ring with 36 LEDs, appr. 53mm diameter
• Objective lens, M12 x 0,5, eg. 6mm focal length, 58° field of vision (or others)
• Step-Down-Module DC/DC (12V to 5V)
• Screws for plastic parts, 2,5 mm x 6,0 mm
• Self hardening gum (e.g. Kintsuglue or Sugru)
• 3D Parts (1 x Adapterring , 2 x Clip)
• Insulating tape (black)

Instructions

Initial steps

• Remove wall mount (1 screw)

  Open Housing (latches) and remove acrylglass holding ring (3 screws). Remove and discard plate with dummy lens, LEDs and Battery wires

  Drill centred 14 mm hole into acrylglass (a sequential drill head will do)

  Print 3D parts

  Prepare ESP 32 CAM Module

  • Open the camera ribbon cable connector and remove the camera module.
  Remove fixing glue of the calera lens. Unscrew and discard camera lens (sharp knife, engineers pliers) Remove and discard IR filter disk (tweezers) Re-connect camera module with ESP32

  Upload Software

  For the first tests and most purposes the arduino demo sketch will do.
  There are many good instructions for that on the internet.

  Camera assembly

  • Put some insulation tape around the outer side of the objective holder. This will help to avoid blinding stray light caused by the IR-LEDs.

    Plug the camera into the designated hole at the rear side of the adapter ring. Put some self hardening gum on top of it (between camera and ESP board). This will fix the camera in position.

    Mount ESP board with the two clips and 4 screws.

    Screw in the objective and connect 5V power to the ESP32 Module.

    Open webinterface in browser and adjust lens focus by turning the objective.

    When adjustment is done fix the objective threads with self hardening gum.

    Add LED-Ring from the front followed by the original holding ring. Add acrylic glass on top and fix everything with the three original screws to the housing (front).