Hardwire your WIFI Security Cameras - No Power Outlet Needed!

Today, I'll show you a hack to hardwire your 12 volt WIFI security cameras to your existing light fixture's junction box. No more routing of wires and needing an outlet to plug it in. There will be no wires showing and is going to be a clean looking install. I’ll be showing how to setup your Tapo Color Pro and also show Eufycam E330 Professional, Reolink CX410W and the Reolink Trackmix WiFi.
Products used for this project: (Paid Links)
12 Volt Transformer - geni.us/12Vpower
12 Volt Barrel Plug - geni.us/barrelplug
Junction Box Extension (white) - geni.us/boxextension
Junction Box Extension (grey) - geni.us/boxextension2
Wago Connectors - geni.us/wago10
4 in. Round Blank Non-Metallic Weatherproof Cover - Find it at Lowes or Home Depot
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🛒🛒LH Amazon Shop - www.amazon.com/shop/lifehackster
🎥My Camera/Studio Gear - kit.co/lifehackster/video-cre...
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[@LifeHackster]

*Just to clarify especially to those that haven't worked on light fixtures and junction boxes before..."power off" means turn off at the switch and also at the breaker box, and double check with a line tester to make sure there is no current on the wiring that you will be working on.*

[@hondakorn]

Exactly what I need for my 2nd Tapo install.

[@kenavram5586]

This box extension was a great idea as I was wondering how to get this to work. I ended up having to loop the extra wire around the cam and having to use electrical tape to tape it up but it looked amateur. What I did do was bought a cheap electrical cord at HD for around $2.50 and cut off the female end and wired that directly to the box and then plugged in the camera. This way you don't have to buy those adapters which I think makes it more complex than it has to be and all will fit nicely in that box extension.

[@petesha5101]

Please do an installation video on having the reolinj video doorbell using the existing door chime instead of the reolink door chime. Thank you for all of your videos.

[@AlexRocks24-7]

Very cleaver 👌🤓👏👏👏

[@LifeHackster]

Thank you! 😊

[@ronm6585]

Thanks. 👍🏻

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@rodrobinson6111]

Thanks LifeHackster!! Awesome video!!!

[@LifeHackster]

You're welcome!

[@toyomoma.6841]

How did you know know i needed this video You ve been in my browser history haven't you

[@LifeHackster]

LOL…

[@toyomoma.6841]

Could this work for the reolink 823a or the 843a as well?

[@LifeHackster]

@@toyomoma.6841 WiFi versions only. Their PoE verisons will need an Ethernet wired connection.

[@PatLyoutubepage]

nice. I actually have thought about trying something similar to this but with my poe switch instead of a 12 volt power adapter. I wanted to get 12v dc power from a cat 6 cable and poe switch to a infrared light. I would only need 12v on 2 wires from any of the 4 pairs then re connect it with a male barrel plug adapter to fit the female end on the light instead of a rj45 connector.

[@LifeHackster]

PoE Splitter -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCVgnydidx8n9ksi=MVJ9bnSVvyRHuayu&t=449

[@PatLyoutubepage]

@@LifeHackster I didn't know I already watched your how to on that but it's exactly what I'm looking for thanks LH.

[@mattwright6622]

When will you get to do a review on the CX810 and the E1 outdoor CX?

[@LifeHackster]

Not yet.. hopefully, soon.

[@VastardokKukiao]

Hype​@@LifeHackster

[@FlatEarth59]

Suggestions, when the power goes out my monitor goes black. What type of backup battery 🔋 supply can I get to allow me to see my surveillance camera’s. The cameras are hard wired. Thx 🍻

[@QH96]

LifeHackster always putting out quality videos

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for watching!

[@lu-is-lit]

Can this be used on a Wyze V3 Pro if I was to use a usb c adapter instead of the barrel?

[@LifeHackster]

Unfortunately, No. USB powered cams needs 5 volts DC. If you can find a transformer that has 5 volts output, then it can work.

[@blackfgarage3]

Can you maybe review Hikvision or Dahua POE cams and doorbells? I am aware that they are banned from US government facilities but as far as I know, private citizens can still use them.

[@LifeHackster]

We will see.

[@andygomez0206]

I am trying to set up my trackmix but I can't power it up. What kind of screwdriver do I need? Don't want to strip the little screws

[@carlw]

DYNOMITE!! Did you experience any issues with the Eufy E330 Pro though, it claims to need 19W. Was thinking the 2amp 24W version, but if it worked fine with 15W @ 1.25 amp, excellent. Thanks.

[@MrBucko1990]

Have to ask, when is the Reolink CX810 review coming out? I should not be this interested in a camera 😂

[@LifeHackster]

lol..not yet. Hopefully soon!

[@PrayForMercyx]

Is there any way to power supply a outside wifi camera with some kind of power bank, i do live in a hill side house and need to install a outside camera but i dont have any kind of power source available at the point where i need to install that camera, i can supply the wifi connection using a mobile wifi router with a normal usb power bank

[@Rockaland2]

so for the trackmix you are using a ring Junction box?

[@LifeHackster]

No. You can use this setup. I think I mentioned Ring's because I used their machine screws to screw in the box cover with the Tapo Color PRO.

[@stevenneisser443]

Lifehackster, you should make a kit and sell it. Love your videos

[@LifeHackster]

I know right…thanks for watching!

[@sendo427]

I have those same dc plugs from Amazon

[@sendo427]

Hey there life hackster, thank u for the comment and all the videos you make because you have no idea how much it's helped me and my family to help decide what cameras would fit our daily needs and you always kill it with your reviews and updates that you do for the products you have reviewed, so thank you.

[@mattjohnson7835]

Hey Hackster. Do you have a link to the plastic switch cover show at :45? I've been looking for something like this. Thanks.

[@LifeHackster]

Here you go (affiliate link) -> amzn.to/4dYEJkz

[@carlw]

Yes that's interesting isn't it?

[@BM-dl2qz]

is it possible to remove those antennas from tapo camera?

[@LifeHackster]

Unfortunately, No.

[@MobileMinigun]

my autotracking seems to be stuck, after a while of it working during the day it just stops i have to manually reboot each camera for it to work again. anyone with the same problem?

[@LifeHackster]

With the trackmix? I haven’t had issues with them.

[@MrRobzkie]

which tapo model is that?

[@LifeHackster]

Color PRO - 325WB

[@MrRobzkie]

@@LifeHackster is it better than mi aw300

[@mrhankey2926]

Lifehacker sir🙋how can you get solocam s340 detection human detector

[@LifeHackster]

Select it in the motion detection settings.

[@mrhankey2926]

@@LifeHackster yes but how get 30 feet or more human detection from far away and why does solocam force you to preset other camera do force you and go back to default? Wtf So frustrating and charging very slow

[@handle924]

Wago 221 is not rated for damp locations, you need Gelbox for moisture protection

[@LifeHackster]

Thanks for the tip. My setup though is not in a damp location.

[@zuhairhlayel]

🌹🌷🌺

[@VastardokKukiao]

Where the cx810 review at

[@Resist4]

One thing to note is that you should always turn the power off at the breaker box, and not rely on the wall switch. Because that connection could still have power to one of the wires, depending on how it was wired in.

[@LifeHackster]

True..

[@limacs]

I’m here for the same. Thanks for pointing it out.

[@RightToFreedomGirl]

​@limacs Yep my Dad's vest friend, a Master electricia died this way. Ovr time men ignore basics. This is why divorce occurs too 😂

[@Resist4]

@@LifeHackster so then would you show that you only turned off only the wall switch and not mention to turn off the breaker? You know better, I’m a bit disappointed in you.

[@LifeHackster]

@@Resist4 Yup, be disappointed then... I'm not sure what the term " turn off power" means to you... I didn't say turn off the switch....and just because I didn't film when I flip the breaker.....anyways, it is making good engagement so... roast me... ;)

[@abc123fhdi]

If you could convert wifi cameras to ethernet, specifically ring which only makes wifi cameras then they would not be vulnerable to jamming. Does Reolink offer a monitoring service? Or maybe you can use them with something like ADT and Virtual Security Guard equivalent where the monitoring center actively monitors your cameras and takes action on your behalf, not just monitoring for when there's a break in and the alarm goes off.

[@LifeHackster]

I don't think Reolink has a monitoring service.

[@cryengine_x]

if youre so worried you think somebody is going to jam your wifi, why wouldn't they just snip your isp/fiber/etc line coming into your house? would actually be easier

[@abc123fhdi]

@@cryengine_x there are South American mafia groups that have been using wifi jammers lately, no one has cut the fiber line as they would be recorded on camera cutting the line before it went out and then the alarm switches to cellular.

[@TalOrmanda]

My issue is that my soft lift is thin metal and I have no attic access. Worst of both worlds.

[@LifeHackster]

Conduit setup if you want wired or battery powered cameras can be an option in your situation.

[@TalOrmanda]

@@LifeHackster My main issue is that I'm trying to think of how I could run ethernet (assuming POE) around my house to get to the camera. I have vinyl siding so I don't want to poke and crack a lot of holes. I was thinking maybe just run it alongside the vinyl to hide it, but trying to figure out the least damaging way to secure it in place on the vinyl. I'm not a huge fan of battery powered because I like to load all the streams up and monitor from my desk, so that wouldn't work.

[@LifeHackster]

@@TalOrmanda Conduit setup for long term and professional looking install or run outdoor rated ethernet cables behind your fascia board or you might be able to tuck it in behind your vinyl siding.

[@lewiskelly14]

Unclear title, I was expecting ethernet

[@LifeHackster]

Watch this if you want ethernet option -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJCVgnydidx8n9ksi=cJbGkdT-ztdhhIFO&t=437

[@stephenjeffery1115]

Again someone claiming a hack stating no power outlet needed ... what is coming out of your ceiling ... is that not power cables connected to a power outlet ????

[@LifeHackster]

Did you see a power outlet in the video? Power cables are hardwired to your house well to my switch…not to a power outlet…

[@vinnie9762]

Those are some ugly cameras and set up.

[@LifeHackster]

LOL... I know you have a beautiful camera setup...

[@gblargg]

That last 20% of appearance can be another 90% more work. I think this video is just to show how to wire it. Lots of ways to make it look nice. I like those extension covers used, didn't know about them. They get the job done with minimal work.