Ring Small Solar Panel, 1.9W for Outdoor Cam Plus, Outdoor Cam (Stick Up Cam), Stick Up Cam Pro, Spotlight Cam Plus, Spotlight Cam Pro - White

Initial Setup and Experience with Ring Outdoor CameraWhen I first purchased my Ring Outdoor Camera, I was excited about the prospect of enhancing the security of my home. The camera's features, including motion detection, high-definition video, and two-way audio, made it an excellent choice for monitoring the exterior of my house. However, I opted to buy the camera without the accompanying solar panel, thinking that I could manage the battery on my own.The camera performed admirably in terms of capturing footage and alerting me to activity around my home. However, due to its placement in a high foot traffic area, the battery life was significantly shorter than I had anticipated. On average, the battery lasted about two to three months before needing a recharge. This frequent need for recharging quickly became a significant inconvenience.Challenges with Battery MaintenanceThe process of recharging the Ring Outdoor Camera's battery was cumbersome and time-consuming. Each time the battery needed to be recharged, I had to follow these steps:Removing the Camera: Since the camera was mounted high on an exterior wall for optimal coverage, I needed to use a ladder to take it down. This alone was a hassle, especially considering the frequency with which it needed to be done.Disassembling the Camera: After carefully removing the camera from its mount, I had to disassemble the unit to access the battery compartment. This required a certain level of dexterity and patience to avoid damaging the device.Charging the Battery: Once the battery was out, I had to plug it into a charger and wait several hours for it to reach full capacity. During this time, the camera was offline, leaving a gap in my home security coverage.Reassembling and Remounting: After the battery was fully charged, I had to reassemble the camera and remount it outside. This involved climbing the ladder again and ensuring the camera was securely fastened and positioned correctly.This entire process was not only inconvenient but also left my home without the added security of the camera for extended periods. Given the high traffic in the monitored area, this downtime was particularly concerning.Solution: Ring Small Solar PanelTo address these issues, I decided to invest in the Ring Small Solar Panel. The promise of a continuous power supply without the need for regular battery recharging was highly appealing. Here is a detailed review of my experience with the solar panel:Easy Installation: The installation of the Ring Small Solar Panel was straightforward. The package included all necessary mounting hardware and clear instructions. Within a short time, I had the solar panel securely mounted on the exterior wall, positioned to receive optimal sunlight throughout the day.Seamless Integration: Connecting the solar panel to the Ring Outdoor Camera was a simple process. The panel comes with a long enough cable to allow flexible placement relative to the camera. I was able to discreetly run the cable along the wall, minimizing any visual clutter.Immediate Impact: Almost immediately after installation, I noticed a difference. The solar panel began charging the camera's battery as soon as it was exposed to sunlight. Even on days with less direct sunlight, the panel provided enough power to keep the camera functioning without interruption.Consistent Power Supply: Since installing the solar panel, I have not had to manually recharge the camera’s battery. The solar panel has effectively eliminated the need for me to take the camera down, disassemble it, recharge the battery, and remount it. This has saved me a significant amount of time and effort.Performance in Various Weather Conditions: The solar panel has performed reliably in a range of weather conditions. While its efficiency is obviously higher on sunny days, it has still managed to provide sufficient power during cloudy and overcast days. This consistency is crucial for maintaining continuous security coverage.Durability and Design: The solar panel itself is robust and designed to withstand outdoor elements. It has endured rain, wind, and even some snowfall without any signs of wear or degradation. The sleek design also blends well with the exterior of my home, making it a visually unobtrusive addition.Benefits and Improved ExperienceThe Ring Small Solar Panel has transformed my experience with the Ring Outdoor Camera. Here are some of the key benefits I have observed:Elimination of Manual Recharging: The most significant benefit is the complete elimination of the manual recharging process. The camera now operates continuously, powered by the solar panel, without any intervention from me.Uninterrupted Security Coverage: With the solar panel in place, there is no longer any downtime for the camera. This continuous operation ensures that my home is always under surveillance, providing peace of mind and enhanced security.Cost-Effectiveness: While the initial investment in the solar panel is an added expense, it quickly pays for itself by reducing the need for replacement batteries and saving time and effort.Environmental Benefits: Utilizing solar power is an environmentally friendly choice, reducing reliance on traditional power sources and contributing to a smaller carbon footprint.ConclusionIn conclusion, the Ring Small Solar Panel is an excellent investment for anyone using a Ring Outdoor Camera, especially in high foot traffic areas where battery drain is a frequent issue. The solar panel provides a reliable and continuous power supply, eliminating the need for manual recharging and ensuring uninterrupted security coverage. Its easy installation, durable design, and consistent performance make it a valuable addition to any home security system. If you are looking for a hassle-free solution to power your Ring Outdoor Camera, I highly recommend the Ring Small Solar Panel.

*Updated* after I left the below review a gentleman from Ring Support reached out to me and was very helpful in helping me to resolve the issue with this solar panel. After having followed his instructions and got it reset, the solar panel has been working great. A HUGE thank you to Ring Support for not only reading my review, but also responding to it and assisting me. He was very helpful and I could not have asked for more!!!I bought two of these for my outdoor Ring Cameras. The one around back that doesn't get a whole lot of sunshine works perfectly. The one in the front doesn't charge my Ring Camera AT ALL. We have checked to make sure it is plugged in correctly and tightly, it is, it just is a huge disappointment. It did good for the first few months, long enough to pass the return window and then it stopped working.

On the prior generation the small panel worked wonderfully and kept the stick up flood cam charged to at or near 100% without issues. An animal damaged the camera Ring was kind enough to replace the camera even though it took several too many calls and “accidentally” cancelled orders before it finally got here. They said the solar panel was on back order, even though Amazon showed some in stock. Out of frustration I went ahead and ordered the panel from Amazon and paid for it instead. That camera and solar panel were so good that I ordered the next generation and replaced several other cameras as well but used adapters for the solar panels since they were working great. Because I kept one of the cameras and relocated it to a different location, it left me needing another solar panel so I ordered the smaller panel to use with it. Batteries 🪫 keep draining even though it shows as connected. Swapped the batteries to new ones, still draining. Swapped the panel to a different camera in an effort to determine if it was the camera or the solar panel and batteries are still draining. The panel is mounted directly beside (without obstructing this one) another panel that keeps a second camera’s batteries fully charged, so it’s not a “location” issue. In an effort to try and troubleshoot the issue, I discovered that the prior generation’s solar panels were 2.4 watts and the new ones are only 1.9 watts 🙄 That is not entirely the issue either though because the other new 1.9 watt panel keeps the batteries charged to near 100%. Frustrating to say the least and I’m tired of climbing up and down the ladder trying to resolve the issue. With my hectic daily schedule, I do not have time to make several calls yet again and wait another couple of months for Ring to replace the panel. It really shouldn’t be this way!And it wasn't!Amellia, a Ring representative upon seeing the above contacted me by phone and asked if she could schedule a good time for her to call me back so that we could do some additional troubleshooting of the failure to charge issues with the solar panel. We set up a time and as promised she called back and we determined that the solar panel, while being recognized as being connected, was not providing a trickle charge to the video stick up cam. She immediately ordered a replacement panel.While on the phone with her doing the various troubleshooting functions, I mentioned that one of my video stick up cams had in the prior few days started showing fogging in the "Live Views" and "Screen Captures", even though the device was located under an overhang and out of the weather elements. She asked if I was near the affected device, saying that she could troubleshoot it with me as well, while she had me on the phone. She determined that moisture had somehow worked it's way into the camera lens and said that she would set up an order for replacement for the stick up cam as well and did.The two arrived and I set them up, however realized in using the replacement cam that first night, that we had lost the night color view we were getting as a result of our landscape lighting only, that had been there using the prior cam. Only now Christmas was upon us as was roller coasting of weather and temperatures. Amellia was unbelievably patient, kind and so very helpful in ensuring that all of our devices, and not just the ones indicated were checked out and functioning as they should be. This is some seriously amazing customer support by both Amellia and Ring in replacing the malfunctioning devices. Thank you Amellia and Ring, a truly happy customer I am yet again!

I was really skeptical of any solar products, especially when it comes to running my security cameras. This new solar/battery technology is exceptional and constantly maintains above 90% battery levels. In Arizona the sun is always shining, so why pay for electricity and hard wire things that don’t need to be hardwired. Solar tech has come a long way!