Ring Floodlight Cam Hack - Mounting Horizontal Under An Eave or Overhang

BG199 - Quick video on how to do a simple hack using a Dremel tool to allow your Ring Floodlight cam to mount horizontal underneath an overhang, eave, soffit, etc. Simple and takes 10 minutes max to get great results. Easy home security system to install and setup.

[@mbonds4024]

Thanks for the video. I bought a ring and I was gonna cut as you suggested, but it wasn’t necessary. I did as Robert etherington suggested. I was able to rotate the cam lock collar 180 degrees. It took me a few minutes to figure this out.

[@docbob819]

Great video, just finished my install under the eves and everything worked out great! There is a quick fix for the overhang being on the bottom of the LEDs: grab the LED arm and unscrew it (counterclockwise) 180 degrees. Tighten the lock collar at the bottom to hold the arms in the new position. Then, loosen the thumbscrew on the LED elbow and flip them around so the lights again point forward - with the little overhang now on the top over the LEDs.

[@andrewdiamond2697]

It's 2 years later, and they still have the same issue. Got out my Dremel and a grind wheel and prepped it in maybe 3 minutes. I was thinking the problem in the installation was me, but it was not. Thanks for the video.

[@RobBelin]

I just finished mounting our Ring Floodlight Camera on the corner under our roof overhang. No issue whatsoever and no modification necessary. We are using it to monitor from our driveway to the garage door and while we don't have a very long driveway (2 cars fit) I didn't even use all of the 'throw. Good tip for those who need more range though.

[@st2216]

Seems like some people commenting here misunderstood poster's installation situation. Installing the unit VERTICALLY against a wall is not the problem. The problem he had: installing the unit under an eave, thus, mounting it HORIZONTALLY, then you will encounter the situation as he described: which was not having enough "play" for the camera to tilt up to give him more camera view coverage. I came here because I am having the same situation, so thanks a lot Blueglow for sharing your ingenuity!

[@bobbymele9057]

You can also just spin the tube that has the female end of the ball 180• so that the open end strap (the side with screw) is facing opposite direction and that allows the ball socket to swivel more toward the ground for eve mounting. No need to grind or shave the part. In short, losen the pipe/ tube that ball socket mounts to and flip it around. The camera can now be swiveled toward the ground for eve mount.

[@petedoanato7287]

Thanks do you have a video the shows that process for anyone to review?

[@bobbymele9057]

@@petedoanato7287 , sorry, I don’t. I installed the unit under my eve after watching this and several other videos. While doing so I discovered that there is NO NEED to grind anything as it would likely void your warranty instantly.

[@jimalexander5571]

Alternative kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnPWmH2ZZ9WigJo

[@johnbowen8917]

Yep, it's just like any electrical box. back it off or back off the jam nut and rotate then set the jam nut.. Check your wires and all that still as you don't want it to get twisted up too much.

[@bobbymele9057]

@@johnbowen8917 hard to believe so many had to go through grinding and cutting. You’d think Ring would explain what to do for under eve application so you don’t have an issue returning device if it doesn’t work after installing. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@DJBTEUK]

The newer ones you can rotate the camera arm, unscrew the bolt and nut, spin it so the nut part is on the top, inset camera with motion sensor at the bottom and you can get the same angle. As someone else pointed out you can unscrew the light tighteners at the base and rotate them also so the lights are the correct way also. Plan on mounting tomorrow.

[@joneser64]

Just bought one myself and wondered about soffit mounting. Found your video and now I'm going to install mine. Thanks for your DIY video solution.

[@ElPasoTom]

Genius. Ring should hire you as they obviously don't care to update their design.

[@19mmullen58]

Exactly what I was looking for. I knew it would be a problem but wasn’t sure what I would need to do. Thanks

[@bsmoovekutdr]

Thanks for the video. I’ve taken my floodlight cam down because of the angle of the camera not being able to adjust as I needed it to. Now that I’ve watched your video, I’m headed to my garage right now to do this and reinstall it. 👍🏾

[@GoProSteve]

Great I was thinking of doing this. Seeing your video made me sure it would work. Mine are mounted under eve and no about of fiddling with the ball joint would fix it. I took it out turned it upside down nope. I experiment with dremel first on PCV pipe. Now it can see entire back yard and Bottom sensor is level with ground just like instructions say. My old lights were under this eve for 37 years and no rust. So i'm not worried about weather here in MN. I did drop the little nut in the snow but found it! It was 20 degrees out and I did it on a ladder! Thanks a bunch.

[@dennisprow7576]

The design changed a bit, not the part you grinded away is in sections so I just pulled it out with channel locks. Worked great, thanks for the video!

[@jackkinkead3133]

Tried to find a 45 degree elbow but could not match threads, so decided to try your hack. SUCCESS...I did remove the wire nuts so I could pull the wires out of the plastic mount, made the Drexel grinding easier.

[@herbzerden1535]

How did you remove the wire nuts?

[@Ryantacular]

You can just turn the overhang for the lights as well if you want. It’s what I did.

[@rjack52]

Very clever! You analyzed the problem, and modified the existing part in order to accommodate your need for mounting under an eave. Hope the manufacturer took notice! Thank you for your detailed and very instructive video!

[@GavSaysPogMoThoin]

4:53 It is possible to get the overhang (shield part on top of the lights) to be the right way around; you just need to remove the innermost cover (two screws). That gives you access to the screws that hold the light fixtures in places. Remove those screws there and you can simply flip the light fixtures round and that's it.

[@lylejohnston4125]

I wish! My unit is brand new and the sealed it with another piece of plastic.

[@GavSaysPogMoThoin]

@@lylejohnston4125 it's the exact same unit as mine. It's possible. You just need to disassemble it.

[@lylejohnston4125]

@@GavSaysPogMoThoin Nope. On mine, the plastic looks like it's "sound welded" together. I think I'm going to mount it on the wall and cover the hole in the eave.

[@MIHfishing]

Same

[@sonotdown998]

I am surprised that Waffles doesn’t provide all the home security one might ever need!

[@serjseiwert1577]

m

[@slickman1953]

Great hack!!! I just ordered a Foscam just like this, I was wondering how I was going to mount this under my eve. Perfect...

[@jmilz08]

The camera and ball that’s attached actually just pop out and you can just turn the camera around and pop it back in instead of drilling anything out .

[@christurner6140]

This is the right answer. Simply pop the camera out from the socket and turn it around. The lights will also swivel to the right direction and have the hoods be aligned properly. Didn't have to grind away or otherwise modify the camera.

[@Bernie570]

Excellent suggestion I did exactly what you said. No cutting fits excellent under the Eve.

[@BajaTym]

Ideally you’d be correct, unfortunately simply popping the ball out and flipping the unit will not provide adequate room/play/articulation to instal the infrared sensor (dome/ball) parallel to the ground. I did this very mod, it works like a champ. This is a simple mod for most, but some may find it difficult to perform without a Dremel/rotary tool. 👍

[@lorisean06]

We did flip things but we will still need to notch like this because we don't have enough play to get the angle we want. So you kind of need to do both things. To get this perfect.

[@andrewdiamond2697]

I tried that, but it didn't get the camera quite level enough - still cut out a little trough.

[@fuggedaboudit223]

Did like you said. Worked perfect. The instructions said that camera comes out of box in eave mountion position . They lied.

[@jiannichan]

Thank you for this. One of the reasons I haven't bought one was I thought it can only be mounted on a wall.

[@thedad1]

Loosen the light collars and rotate the lights with the shades above the lights, not below as you show. Your hack is well done.

[@GiordanoPlastering]

Thanks for the helpful video. Took less than five minutes to do the same modification with a Dremel and it worked like a dream.

[@gwbabcock]

I love the hack. However, the new Floodlight comes with a metal collar and can't be ground down because it is high enough. It looks like they have intentionally thwarted this hack. I'll keep my old motion Floods and put in a doorbell instead.

[@desmondmathew1097]

Really helpful. I was struggling to mount my Ring cam to the ceiling.

[@cbradiospronto8781]

Just what I needed. Hey, good cap video as well. Coincidentally stumbled across your other videos when looking for this Ring mounting video.

[@brentwalker3893]

Pressure washing will affect the water-resistant capability of the fixture.

[@gonzsori]

That’s exactly the difficult that I had. Thank you very much for this video.

[@OscarHernandez-fv9ec]

Excellent video. Thanks for a great solution to my mounting problem!

[@guillermoramos5047]

thank you so much, work as a service tech so i put up about 20 of this unit already and yes cant mounted on the soffit unit now , even on the wall i do run into problem getting the right angle.

[@happyhealthybuilders1765]

that lens cover is throwing light upward with it being upside down. It is not just to protect the lens from water, but to direct the light I believe.

[@1mw4tch1ng]

you still want the led light hood to right side up to help prevent dust collecting on the led glass face and on the hood. The other design flaw from Ring when using the round Jbox and the ring mounting plate (floodlight plus) does not flush on the j-box surface due to the mounting screw. you have the grind the j-box screw hole down to make the bar and mounting screw flush on the j-box for the ring plate to flush on the j-box.

[@markvaio5201]

Don't have to do that. The first you did was right. Loosen up and remove the light. Put light back in upside down and then loosen the tight wheel under that to make further adjustment to any direction you need. It's under my eve perfect position. Also you can adjust the LED lights so the cover is on correctly. Again loosen the tight wheel on each light and make the adjustments.

[@Blueglow]

Depends on how low your eave, in my case 7', without adjusting it, could never see the other side of the deck

[@jpyron1727]

Mark Vaio any pics?

[@ramaturner]

Yep, this was the ticket! Didn’t have to drill anything. Not sure how to paste a photo here but here’s a link to a photo of my result: drive.google.com/file/d/1dbPVbcixpTFMcOfZXtsQ-XooKRZInDbr/view?usp=drivesdk

[@ckicinvestments]

Awesome. That was my hold up on buying. Thanks for your video

[@DavidVelezPhotography]

Thank you for posting this video! It is still relevant!

[@ginafrazee616]

Enjoyed your video and your hack trick, however all you have to do is Loosen All Nuts and turn and adjust the camera (turn the ball lock so it is facing the top of the camera) and lights the way you want it, including turning the lights (loosening the lock nut on the base, adjust and retighten) the shield is above the led light.

[@jfgreen1959]

Ring has fixed the design, it comes shipped in the position to be mounted under a soffit.

[@joyzerfoss2087]

I just bought mine in December of 2023 and it hasn’t been redesigned. My video is upside down.

[@jdogglissa]

Thank you so much. It works perfectly and I also loosened the Locking nuts for the LED lights and spun it around so now the light covers are on top. Just a heads up

[@waylonmitchell1451]

I just noticed that also.

[@michelleduarte2776]

Exactly what i needed, I have been sitting on this product for 2 years without being able to return it, now I can install under the eave. Question, can I install under the eave on a 2 story house? Will the video cam work well enough from the 20 feet eave??

[@crocsonletsgo9665]

Well heck, so obvious, and so easy. Those are the best mods! Thanks

[@1lowlife]

Thank you the video. I'm researching buying one of these...

[@MtnBadger]

Thanks for the the tip. As for water, if all else fails, they make silicone covers for the ring spot/floodlight cams. Go figure. They obviously had to come up with a solution for a known problem. A cover is easier (for them) than re-engineering the same generation camera. The next generation will probably address all these issues. Mean time, it's just a matter of being smarter than the camera. There's a way to fix almost anything. :)

[@garydiffley7809]

thanks for the video it worked out great with mine ,Ring should definitely do something about it

[@williambell4591]

Thanks so much for this tip - I've had my Ring sitting in the box for almost 2 years now! Yes, Ring SHOULD HAVE produced some kind of fix for this or better, came out with a horizontally mounted version. I will def give your suggestion a try! Unfortunately my existing flood light is mounted right under the edge of the metal awning above my deck, and a LOT of water pours down onto it when it rains - I'll have to really look at insulating the Ring from water - flex seal perhaps, to keep the water from getting into the wiring...

[@spacecowboy306]

well your 100% correct. but ring is looking for a way to make a different camera for under hang. as you can see they are always coming out with different devices. on another note, if your having problems with ring connecting. its you phone. i had LG stylo phones (2) and both had problems. got a Galaxy A70 and its fast and all my devices (PC, Tablet, Phone. ) work great.

[@Culprits5]

Some under-eve surfaces are angled like the roof and not horizontal like yours, which gives you an even larger problem to overcome. The spot light you replaced needed no modifications, proving that Ring’s design flaw was a blatant one.

[@NSmoosedog]

Wow! Thanks for this for real. I got one of these a while ago but, we have had bad weather here and I now have a chance to put it up. I need to mount it on the soffit. I was lucky to find this.

[@kirkj2573]

Before cutting try rotating the ball joint 180 degrees so the lock screw is on top and you are pushing the light into that direction. I tried it and it gives you more play. It gave me enough so the motion ball is exaclty parallel to the ground as in the picture on page 5. If you are super low and need more then you will have to cut but this at least gives you more play so you can match the manual.

[@markhennings7207]

Like you're watching during the day!

[@xMillsenx]

Which mounting materials did you use for the overhang? Seems there is a gap between the boards and the roof, mine looks like yours. So something special to get it to holding in there? Thanks in advance

[@jesusosorio4816]

Thank you. You just gave me ideas to extend the camera cables so I can install the floodlights higher and camera much lower. (of course, running wires through the wall and creating a new wall mount base for camera)

[@johnmiller9219]

I'm more interested in how you wired this into what i assume was an existing dome light? Or did you get the batter powered unit? Mounting as well?

[@Wheelabarraback]

Well done that was a really good tutorial! I knew the warranty police would be scolding you over the obvious. We pay double the price you pay for them in Australia

[@cjmoore1889]

You DON’T need to do this hack for eave mounting. Rotate the camera base nut and camera the opposite of how they come out of the box. They can be very tight.....loosen everything up, the base nut and the tension clamp screw with the nut ...pull the camera out of the hole by pivoting it straight up towards the base... it pops out. Spin the nut around and work everything into place. If you’re mixed up or don’t understand how to get it, just keep trying. I almost took mine back, I wasn’t happy about drilling/cutting into $500 worth of lights. So, I was sitting at the table, just got done watching this video and i told myself, I’m not doing this and decided to return them.....started putting it back together. I put it together (accidentally) with the base nut opposite and the camera the other way and I realized it would work when I held it up. I don’t understand why Ring doesn’t include this in directions.

[@rubengonzalez3773]

Love it brah, also good comments on updates.

[@anointedrj]

Nice hack. But my overhang is 12 feet and not necessary. Also, I've seen others install with the light shades upside down. Not a good idea if you get any blowing snow. Nice video.

[@meekerfrailer]

I was able to pop the ball out of socket, pop back in upside down, and it would fully rotate without the need to hack the socket up.

[@mtbright06]

id like to see the results of that

[@meekerfrailer]

I posted a pic to free image host site of the install. It’s not there now so assume KZbin took it down.

[@mtbright06]

Roger Morris got mine up this afternoon and it was a piece of cake. Thanks

[@michellebroussard4782]

I read that the lights must be above the camera. I know this post is 3 years old, but I was wondering what’s the video like with the lights below the camera?

[@JeremiahjBlake]

All you have to do remove the ball from the socket and turn the camera 180°.... then pop it back in. No cutting required... lol.

[@CyclingDad]

That's exactly what I did too. Works perfect. Even some to spare. So far its been great under my eave.

[@TravisPickle]

@@CyclingDad pics?

[@CyclingDad]

@@TravisPickle Not sure how to post pics to KZbin, or if there's a function for it. But essentially you just loosen screw so you can pop the cam out. Then loosen that thread near the base. Rotate that part 180 so that the part where the screw tightens is at the top closest to the base (facing up when mounted), then tighten that collar again. Pop the camera back in and tighten screw. I was able to get it level without issue. The collars on the lights themselves can be loosened and then the light covers can protect them pretty well too. What I don't know is if there are different gens of the floodlight. I had thought about this a couple years ago but never bought one since I couldn't see how it would work in this orientation. But this time, I bought it thinking I'd just grind it a bit like in this video. After tinkering for a few mins accidentally stumbled on to what I described. It was nice not having to grind it, but again, that may be just the latest version of the cam you don't have to, not sure...

[@TravisPickle]

@@CyclingDad I found a video to demonstrate, thank you. in case others want to see, kzbin.info/www/bejne/fnPWmH2ZZ9WigJo

[@killerdeviant]

Yes! You just pop out the socket, flip it and pop back in. Works just fine. You can flip the lights over too so it looks normal.

[@elitreo55]

Great hack !! I love every time someone just improves on any given design. 👍🏽

[@unaidedflunky7565]

I just took the ball joint out and flipped it upside down as it can rotate more one way then the other. Ended up not needing to grind down the ball mount at all.

[@geirendre]

Probably not a problem at your place, but in locations with snow and wind, snow can blow into the base of the unit and fill it up on a windy day. When that snow then melts it will flow down trough the tree holes connecting the lights and the camera. That might be what Ring is thinking about.

[@tnibourg]

Thx, this is what I was searching for.

[@stevotiago]

Thanks for the tip, going to do the same with mine. Very big help.

[@barryg41]

I was lucky I was able to mounted my ring on a brick wall. It just happened to work out for me. Nice hack Mark!

[@enhydralutra]

I think what Ring is trying to say is that water can pool behind the housing if mounted to an eaves. It's not bad advice, but it's also probably not going to be a problem for most people.

[@tommisera3816]

Thank you so much for the great video. I want to install this in my car port. I will replace the ceiling light in the soffit area and point the camera to the front entrance. Thanks again. 👍🏻😁

[@markbreaux24]

Same issue I am facing! Thanks for the info and great hack!

[@pamsimonson5500]

Amazing that we think technology is the wave of the future...I see a major set back

[@MikeReprogle]

Might be a dumb question, but how did you mount this to the vinyl soffet? I am getting some of the smaller stick up cams with batteries and figured I would have to do some extra work to get it to mount up there.

[@da2ruromeo]

I'm hoping he or someone can explain how he attached it to the soffit under the eave, like what screws are holding it up, or is there something behind the soffit that gives the screw something to hold on to?

[@rjether]

That plastic piece you cut can be turned around so you don't have to cut it. And works that same way without cutting it

[@Tossle]

I guess you don't have a floodlight cam and your fishing for comments. Your advice is not possible and does not provide a solution.

[@MrRedalertcc]

I was also able to turn the camera without making any cuts or alterations to the device. It was a complete accident, and I'm not sure I could replicate it, but I was able to do it. It involved popping the ball joint out, rotating the camera 180 degrees, then popping it back in. Jroc, sorry to say that you're incorrect here.

[@jpyron1727]

jroc looks like you are the one fishing!

[@Tossle]

@@jpyron1727 I think you and the other chuckle nuts did not watch the video or did not understand the purpose. If the height of your roof allows you to see everything you don't have to cut it. If your short on space or the roof is lower to the ground this is a solution. Not fighting about right or wrong just pointing out this is a solution for some people.

[@Random_How-tos]

Had the exact same issue thanks for the video it helped a lot

[@keysbythenumbers]

Excellent work mate, love the hack innovation!

[@davidfarrell7915]

How high do you think they can be mounted and still see? Both my existing lights are under eves on the second story about 22 feet up

[@tonyb2190]

Would it effect the product warranty? I would still do the mod! Ring had enough time to change it! What model is the one in the video?

[@jamescrow4450]

Thanks so much for your video. I was wanting to buy one but coulee they find any mounting bracket.

[@dcrump]

Did you install the wiring through the under ease also ??

[@TankThomas44]

Does this camera move left & right at all? I'm afraid it won't get the view I am looking for. Thanks!

[@davidwoods7861]

Thanks a million. Going to try this. You are the man.

[@dutchless7794]

Great video, thanks for the help.

[@jpyron1727]

I was wondering and this answered it. Thanks buddy!!

[@MsDeebri]

Thank you so much I am going to try this the only issue I will have is I have to do it installed! So glad I found your video!!!!!!

[@dendemron3744]

Thanks for posting. Two thumbs up

[@daryler]

Will it let you spin the Lights around to show the overhang on the top? Looks like you could loosen that connection and spin around.

[@beyerch]

It's 2022 and this product is EXACTLY the same as in your video. Making this *modification* as we speak. Was absolutely amazed when I opened this product and realized they only want you to mount it vertically. So ridiculous given how many flood lights are already mounted under an eave like this. Come on guys.....

[@stephenhastewell]

I think to be fair, you should actually be selling Propane and Propane accessories haha

[@lancec1463]

You boys been wackin, wackin in my tool shed? (same voice, different character)...

[@stephenhastewell]

@@lancec1463 I did not think anyone on the entire internet would get that reference ever 😂 Bravo my friend 👏

[@lancec1463]

@@stephenhastewellhaha, I am a huge fan of anything created by Mike Judge.

[@crimzonr9371]

Definitely gonna have to try this .. Great video

[@pamsimonson5500]

Hey Shaq...thanks for putting your name stamped on this product.

[@carmenpiccolo]

Thanks. Well done. Great video.

[@FatTailFishing]

Did Ring ever make that change?

[@WLGunnett]

This is what happens when people don’t understand angles. DON”T use a Drexel on your brand new camera! Loosen the camera mount stem via the knurled lock ring at the base. It may require pliers to loosen. Rotate the the mounting stem 180 degrees. The locking tab (the part with the phillips screw) will be facing outboard or away from the center of the light assembly. ((and by the way, don’t take the screw all the way out, you just need to loosen it. Trying to find that little nut when it pops out could turn into a nightmare)) Pop the camera out of the ball joint, rotate it so that it oriented up when you eave mount the whole assembly and you’ll have plenty of adjustment for the motion sensor. By the way, the instructions read that the SENSOR needs to be level, not the top of the camera. If you notice, the sensor is at an angle to the camera body. This provides the proper look down assuming the camera is mounted at the proper height. DON’T DREMEL YOUR BRAND NEW CAMERA!! All of those support posts, lights and camera, are adjustable!!

[@mansurmasood3336]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@TheReginold]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

[@JR_RYAN]

I was just able to loosen the nuts and turn everything into position. The man making this video makes no attempt to turn the base nut of either the camera or lights. They are tight at first but do come loose. Try channel lock pliers. By the way I live in 1950s ranch. My garage soffit is not even 7ft high.

[@gymtanningduty]

JR RYAN Are you getting a decent angle at only 7’ high?

[@shawnpendergrass9874]

Just did one today under an eave. Remove the screw on the backside of the mounting plate. Remove the camera and arm from where it’s at from factory to the new whole rewire it. Then the led floodlight visor is in correct orientation and no need for drilling

[@fullwaverecked]

Yeah! Great video! Drag 'em kickin n screaming into the light my friend. Way to go if you ask me. :)

[@gdotmoney96]

Y didnt u just install ontop of the door frame... was curious u done it the other way

[@rlppanda]

Hello, Does someone know where I can buy or find that spare collar adjustment..... My camera is already broke for that reason please some help if some know where to find that one again