RaspberryPi/Timelapse4

Also see RaspberryPi/USB Camera

Overview

For timelapses 1-3, I had multiple headaches dealing with the weak-sauce ribbon-cable Pi camera. I dumped it for a more hefty, webcam-style USB camera. Photo:

This camera is 1/2 inch in diameter.

Timelapse 4 Plan

First, let's start with what we like, and what we've accomplished:

• Several things were accomplished with RaspberryPi/Timelapse3 (example: we were able to control the LED).
• Can resurrect idea bucket, continue working on the weatherproofing ideas, now that the bottleneck has been removed (better camera)

Plan for weatherproof camera mount:

• KISS
• Mount it, use the cap that came with it, put a rubber gasket around it to protect from rain further
• Don't worry about making it bomb-proof your first time. Just get the parts working in sync.

Stuff List

Hardware list:

• raspberry pi 3
• usb jump drive (for photo storage)
• usb camera

Software list:

• script to operate camera
• necessary Python bindings for taking photos
• motion server/fwcapture?

Success

Successfully modified the Pelican case. The camera lens was about 0.55 inches in diameter, and fits into the hole with very little clearance. I have more notes on the specifics of the case modification over at RaspberryPi/Weatherproof Camera Case. This is Stage 1 of the Pelican modifications. Eventually this will be full-on waterproof, but the goal for Timelapse 4 was to keep it simple, stupid.