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Integrating a RED and BLUE LED Strobe Light with a Hikvision DVR Alarm Port
In this tutorial, we’ll walk you through the process of connecting a RED and BLUE LED strobe light to the alarm port of a Hikvision DVR security system. This integration will significantly enhance your security setup by providing immediate visual alerts whenever specific events are detected by your DVR camera system, making it a crucial addition to your property’s defense against intruders.
Why Use a Strobe Light?
Installing a police strobe light on your property can provide tremendous benefits. These visual alerts are designed to deter intruders as they approach, enhancing your security when seamlessly integrated with your DVR system. By following the steps in this guide, you’ll learn how to connect and configure the components to ensure that your strobe light is fully integrated and ready to alert you to any security breaches.
What You’ll Need
To complete this project, you will require the following materials:
- A car police strobe light with a red and blue flasher
- An optional siren or buzzer
- A DC 12-volt power strobe light
- A DC 12-volt, 2-amp power adapter
Setting Up Your Strobe Light
1. Select Your Strobe Light
In this demonstration, we’ll be using a highly recommended DC 12-volt power strobe light. It’s important to note that this model does not include a built-in siren. If you want audible alerts, you can connect a siren in parallel with the strobe light.
2. Opening the Case
The strobe light typically features a car cigarette lighter input plug, which is convenient for automotive applications. However, to integrate it with our DVR alarm system, we’ll need to access the wiring inside the case. Carefully open the case to expose the necessary wires for direct connection to the DVR alarm port.
3. Wiring Connections
Inside the case, you’ll generally find two wires along with an on/off switch:
- Connect the positive wire from the DC power adapter directly to the positive wire of the strobe light.
- If you want flexibility with an on/off switch, ensure the wires are connected after the switch.
4. Testing the Strobe Light
Next, connect the DC power adapter directly to the strobe light. Match the red wire with the positive terminal and the black wire with the negative terminal. Turn on the power adapter to confirm that the strobe light activates. This testing step is crucial to ensure everything functions correctly before proceeding.
5. Securing Connections
Once you verify the strobe light works, you may choose to use a longer cable to position it outdoors. Ensure the case is securely closed and use insulation tape to protect all connections against short circuits. This step is essential for safety and ensures the device’s effectiveness in outdoor settings.
Important Note
In this demonstration, we used a non-weatherproof strobe light, which is suitable for testing. For outdoor applications, it’s vital to choose a weatherproof strobe light designed for external use, similar to those found in vehicles. Ensure that it operates at DC 12 volts for compatibility with your setup.
Connecting to the DVR Alarm Port
With the strobe light functional, we can now connect it to the DVR alarm port, allowing it to be triggered by the DVR system during specific events like motion detection.
1. Review the Diagram
Before making connections, take a moment to review the wiring diagram to understand how to connect the positive and negative wires from the strobe light to the corresponding alarm output terminals on the DVR.
2. Connect the Wires
- Connect the positive wire from the DC power adapter to the strobe light’s positive wire.
- The negative wire from the DC power adapter should connect to the ground pin of the DVR alarm output port.
- Finally, connect the negative wire from the strobe light to Alarm Out Port Pin 1 on the DVR.
3. Secure Connections
Ensure all connections are secure to maintain proper functionality.
Configuring the DVR
Now that the physical connections are made, it’s time to configure the DVR to trigger the strobe light:
1. Access DVR Settings
Power on the CCTV system and log into the DVR menu using your admin account. Navigate to the alarm configuration section.
2. Enable Motion Detection
To allow the strobe light to activate with motion detection:
- Go to “System Configuration,” select “Normal Event,” and choose “Motion Detection.”
- Enable this feature for the specific camera you want to monitor.
3. Set Dwell Time
In the ‘Alarm Output’ tab, specify how long the strobe light will remain active after being triggered:
- Click ‘Edit’ to adjust the Dwell Time, selecting a duration ranging from a few seconds to several minutes.
- Don’t forget to click ‘Apply’ to save your settings.
4. Configure Arming Schedule
Next, head to the ‘Arming Schedule’ tab to set specific times and days when the motion detection feature will be active. This allows you to customize your security setup based on your daily schedule or specific times when you are away from your property.
- Set Your Schedule: You can decide to have motion detection active for all days of the week or select specific days. Adjust the time slots for each day according to your needs, ensuring the system is armed during the hours when you want the strobe light to alert you.
- Save Your Settings: After configuring the arming schedule, make sure to click ‘Save’ or ‘Apply’ to ensure that the settings take effect. Proper scheduling will help prevent unwanted alerts at times when motion detection is unnecessary.
Configuring Motion Detection
Once the arming schedule is set, it’s time to fine-tune the motion detection settings for the camera you’ve chosen. Follow these steps:
- Select the Camera: In the DVR settings, select the specific camera linked to the motion detection feature.
- Enable Motion Detection: Enable the motion detection option by checking the corresponding box. This allows the camera to trigger alerts when it detects movement.
- Adjust Sensitivity: Look for options to adjust the sensitivity or threshold for motion detection. Fine-tuning this setting allows you to control how responsive the camera is to activity. Lower sensitivity can reduce false alarms caused by small movements, whereas higher sensitivity will make the camera respond to even minor actions.
- Set Detection Areas: Some systems provide a detection target filter, allowing you to focus on certain areas within the camera’s field of view.
- Click on the “Draw Area” option, then use your mouse to outline the area where you want motion detection to be active.
- This can be particularly helpful for ignoring less significant areas while monitoring crucial spots.
Finalizing Your Setup
After configuring motion detection, it’s important to finalize the settings for the alarm output:
- Linkage Action: In the “Linkage Action” section, check the box for ‘Local 1’ under ‘Alarm Output Linkage.’ This will designate which alarms and outputs will activate when motion is detected.
- Alarm Pop-up Window: Optionally enable the “Alarm Pop-up Window” feature, which enlarges the camera display on your screen for a set number of seconds when motion is detected. This provides a quick visual cue for immediate monitoring.
- Save All Settings: After making these configurations, ensure everything is saved. Regularly check that your settings remain effective, especially if schedules or configurations change.
Testing Your Setup
With all connections made and DVR settings configured, it’s essential to test the system:
- Walk in Front of the Camera: Simulate motion in the camera’s field of view to verify the strobe light activates as expected. This is a crucial step to ensure every element of the integration is functioning optimally.
- Adjust Settings as Necessary: If the strobe light does not activate or if the alerts are too sensitive, return to the settings to adjust sensitivity, detection areas, or dwell time.
Additional Features
Besides motion detection, the DVR system may offer advanced features like perimeter protection and face detection. If available, consider enabling these features to further enhance your security setup based on your specific needs.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully integrated a RED and BLUE LED strobe light with your Hikvision DVR alarm system. With this setup, you now have a more comprehensive security solution that can provide immediate visual alerts at the first sign of motion or intrusion. This integration is a significant step towards enhancing the safety and security of your property.
If you have any questions or would like to share your experiences, please feel free to leave a comment. Your feedback helps us improve our content, and we appreciate your support. Stay tuned for more valuable security tips and demonstrations as we continue to explore ways to optimize your security systems!