If you have the Yi outdoor camera, you realized that the USB power cable is only 10 feet which makes it limited in your installation options. First, you need to be within 10 feet of a power outlet which if you plan to install it around 7-8 feet above the ground then you are only able to install the camera just above the outlet area.
Adding an extension cord will give you a dilemma. The USB power adapter that comes with the camera is not weatherproof. You need to protect it from the elements plus it will be easy to unplug if it is not secured.
If you want to lengthen the power cord, you have 2 options. First one is that you can extend the length using an extension cord which you will need a cover so that the connections will be weatherproof. I purchased extension covers at Amazon and this one I bought is for a set of 2 covers for only 10 bucks. I’ll include the link to this product in the description down below.
Let’s check it out.
It is a little bigger than I thought but I’m pretty sure all the connections including the USB power adapter will fit nicely in this enclosure. You just need to flip up the tab to open it up. There is an extra piece here to have a more secure connection but we don’t have to use it in our setup.
This is the USB cable to the power adapter and the power adapter to the outdoor extension cord connections that we need to protect from the elements. All of these connections we need to fit in our enclosure.
Yi outdoor security camera – amzn.to/2BTJqOb
Yi outdoor camera review – youtu.be/KQSPI6PKTeo
Extension Covers – amzn.to/2Dhzdr8
Outdoor extension cord – amzn.to/2BFd6KO
It is pretty easy, just open up the extension cover, put in the USB and extension cord connections and close up the enclosure. The ends have a rubber seal to keep moisture and other elements out. It is not water proof but it will definitely keep our connections weather protected.
You can paint this cover to match the wires and if you secure the extension cord and USB cable with cable clips, then you don’t need to screw in the enclosure and it should be enough to secure it to the wall, siding or eaves of the house.
The second option is using an extension USB cable. You can purchase a 20 foot USB cable at Amazon for cheap and with a USB female to a micro USB adapter, we can lengthen the power cord up to 30 feet. With data transmission, a USB cable is only limited to 5 meters or about 16 feet but because we just need it as a 5 volt power supply, we can lengthen it up to 30 feet without problems.
20 ft. USB Power Cable – amzn.to/2BHTKo4
USB Female to USB Micro Female Adapter – amzn.to/2DePf51
Twist and Seal Mini Cord Protector – amzn.to/2DV91Ur
To connect the USB cable from the Yi outdoor camera to the extension, we will need a USB female to a USB micro female adapter converter. I’ll put the link in the description down below on what and where to purchase.
You just need to connect the adapter to the extension cable on the micro USB side and the end of the USB cable of the Yi outdoor camera to the female USB end of the adapter. To protect the connections especially if it is an outdoor install, I have a mini twist and seal cord protector that is usually used for christmas lights and this is the perfect size that will fit our adapter and secure our connections.
Just align and hook the cable on both ends so as prevent pulling out of our connections. Close and lock the tabs of the cord protector and you are going to have a weatherproof connection and you just need some white spray paint to color coordinate the cable if you want.
For Yi outdoor installation, you can route the power cable and the extension cable outside and you will just need some wire clips to secure the wire to the wall.
Another installation option which the one I prefer is an attic install. I have a power outlet in my attic and I just run an outdoor extension cord to where I’m going to install the camera. On this type install, you need to drill a hole in your ceiling or soffit to get the USB plug through. Then, connect the USB power adapter to the extension cord and plug in the camera. Lastly, put caulk in the hole and around the cable to make it a cleaner looking install.