BUILD AN UNDERWATER CAMERA AT HOME

It is relatively simple to build your own underwater camera system and can be done for about half the price of what you can buy one for in a sporting goods store. I have built 4 underwater camera systems now and each one works just as well as the brand name models. In some instances even better.

I buy old but working outdoor security cameras from EBay sellers. They can often be purchased for 50 to 90 dollars. I also buy the video monitors off of EBay in the screen size that I want.

I am sure that there are more or better ways to build these but here I will explain how I build them with success. I wire the security cameras video outputs to RCA style cable plugs. I use about 25 feet of cable, the length of cable will determine how far into the water you can drop your camera. I attach 40 feet of cable to the power wires on the camera and tie it in directly to the power cable on my monitor. Once the RCA cables are plugged into the monitor and the monitor is turned on you should have video.

BEFORE you ever place the camera into the water you need to make it hang horizontally in the water and waterproof it. I take the power and RCA cords and fold them over the back of the camera and run them to about the half way point of the camera body. I place a plastic tie strap around the camera and cords.

If the camera hangs level and I appear in the right orientation on the monitor, not upside down or sideways, I continue, if not I adjust my wires and wire ties until the camera hangs perfectly horizontal and the image on the monitor is right.

To waterproof the camera I use outdoor silicone around where the power and RCA cords enter the camera body. I also use a very fine paintbrush and with model glue paint a very light layer around where the lens meets the body. I silicone any other holes or if the body is made of more than one piece I silicone where the parts connect as well as any screw holes.

After the silicone dries for a couple hours I dip as much of the camera as possible into liquid tool handle and let it cure. (Liquid tool handle can be found in many auto parts stores or ordered for you, it is on the handles of most pliers when you buy them, kind of a soft rubber coating.)

Follow Directions for letting the rubber coating cure.

There you have it, your own home made underwater camera system.

Get ready for a whole new perspective on fish and fishing!

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