Arlo VMA5600 Solar Panel
The VMA5600 Solar Panel is a great add-on accessory for powering your Arlo cameras. It is especially helpful for keeping cameras charged that are not easy to access. The design of the panel is standard for a solar panel but there are two different versions of the same model currently available and they are offered at different price points. The panel is easy to use but the user has to ensure that their connected camera is charged before connecting it to the panel.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
Solar Panel is a great add-on for your security system.
A couple of years ago we installed the Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera on our shed in the backyard. We did this for two reasons. First, we wanted to have a light at the back of our yard for when we take our dog out at night and second, we wanted to have additional surveillance coverage on that area of our property. The camera has served us really well, but we struggle with keeping it charged. Fortunately, Arlo offers a solar panel charger that is compatible with this particular camera.
Details
The Arlo VMA5600 Solar Panel is designed to keep your battery charged with direct sunlight. The panel is weather-resistant and comes with an 8-foot magnetic power cable. The panel is mounted using adjustable mounts that are part of its kit. The panel works with the following cameras:
- Arlo Ultra
- Arlo Ultra 2
- Arlo Pro 4
- Arlo Pro 3
- Arlo Pro 3 Floodlight Camera
- Arlo Go 2 Camera
There are two versions of this panel – one was released in 2018 and the other was released in 2021. The older model has rounded edges and the newer model features a more squared design. The 2021 version has the model number (VMA5600-20000S) and the 2018 version’s model number is (VMA5600-10000S). According to specs found online, the 2021 model has a power output of 1.86 watts and 2018 has a power output of 2 watts. The dimension and weight of both versions are the same.
As of writing this review, the 2018 model is no longer sold through Arlo.com, but it can be found on Amazon. The 2021 version is being sold for around $60 and the 2018 version on Amazon is listed for $109.
What’s in the Box
- Solar Panel w/ Magnetic Power Cable (1)
- Wall Mount (1)
- Wall Mount Screw Kit (1)
- Quick Start Guide (1)
- Arlo Window Decal (1)
User Experience
The version of the Arlo Solar Panel that I have is the model that was released in 2018. I knew that I wanted to add the panel to our shed so that it could help power the floodlight. So, I took the panel and the wall mount outside to our shed.
The hardware that came with the panel included three wood screws. While it would have been easier to install the screws with a power drill, I was able to screw them in with a standard screwdriver.
Once the mount was attached, I adjusted the panel so that it would point toward the sky as much as possible. Fortunately, our shed has direct exposure to sunlight most of the day. Even though the panel has an 8-foot long cable I was able to attach the panel to the shed about 12 inches away from the Floodlight.
So, I wrapped the rest of the cable up with a cable tie. I could have actually run the cable all the way to the shed and attached it there, but I knew that I wanted to make sure the cable could be adjusted easily if need be.
I snapped the cable onto the camera’s magnetic charger and waited to see how long it would take for the camera to charge. It had been quite a while since the camera had been charged and it was completely drained. We found out that the 2W of output power the solar panel provides is not enough to charge the camera if it is completely dead.
We left it plugged into the solar panel for a few days and there was no change to the battery percentage. You can tell that the camera is connected to a solar panel when there is a sun icon included next to the device’s information in the Arlo app. So, we disconnected the camera and charged it indoors before reconnecting it outside with the solar panel. The panel has done a good job since then keeping the camera powered.
Even though the power output is pretty low for a charger, I did do a charging test of the panel. I unplugged the camera from the panel for a few days and let the battery drain from 100%. Once it was at 90%, I plugged the camera back in and tracked how long it took for the camera to gain any power.
After 78 minutes, the camera battery had gained 1%. That’s a charging rate of 0.01% per minute. So, while the solar panel isn’t an efficient charger, it is a good way to keep the camera powered when it’s not in an easy place to get to.
Conclusion
I think the Arlo Solar Panel is a good investment for Arlo camera users. Arlo offers a few different solar panels for their products and depending on your uses of the Arlo camera, the solar panel can be a great add-on accessory for your system.
For more information, visit www.arlo.com, Facebook, and Twitter.
