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How to Convert a Trail Cam to Solar Power

Converting a trail cam to solar power is easy enough when you use rechargeable batteries and a solar charger. Most trail cams use NiMH coin cell batteries. While it's not common to find rechargeable coin cell batteries, a few brands make them and the solar chargers to go with them. These chargers are commonly used for hearing aid and small electronic device batteries. To convert the trail cam, you'll need to remove the old batteries and replace them with rechargeable ones.

Things You'll Need

Trail cam
Rechargeable coin cell batteries
Coin cell solar charger
Small screwdriver

Instructions

Placing rechargeable batteries in a trail cam
- 1
  Use a small screwdriver to take off the protective cover of the battery housing on the trail cam. Set it aside so you don't lose it.
- 2
  Slide the coin cell batteries out of the housing with a non-metal object. A small dowel rod or plastic knife works well here.
- 3
  Insert fully-charged rechargeable coin cell batteries into casing. Typically, you'll need two batteries.
- 4
  Close up housing with plastic cover and screw back in place. Turn on your trail cam.
Recharging the batteries
- 5
  Open up the trail cam using the above steps. Set the empty rechargable batteries aside.
- 6
  Place cell batteries into a coin cell solar recharger. Put the charger in full sunlight while it works. Most chargers can recharge small cell batteries in three to five hours.
- 7
  Take the batteries out of the charger once full, and place them in a small non-metal container until you are ready to use them in the trail cam.

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