DIY: Build A Battery Box to Minimize Your Time Disturbing Cameras

Nothing is more frustrating than having to trudge into an area because your camera stopped taking pictures. A few obvious tips for minimizing impact include:

• Buy the biggest SD Card your camera can handle

• Get A Cellular Cam (I prefer the Covert Blackhawk)

• Extend your battery life by buying Lithium Ion batteries

While the battery suggestion helps, one of the best ways to minimize impact and save on batteries is to build an external battery box. Nearly all modern game cams have an external battery port (and its actually easy to add a port if one isn’t built in).

Here is a quick build that can be easily adapted to any watertight box you have lying around.

Materials Needed

• Male to Male 5.5×2.1mm Power Adapter Cable

• 12v Battery

• 22-16 AWG Butt Connectors

• 16ga Wire

• 16-14ga Spade Connectors

• Kayak Dry Box

• Nylon Cable Gland

• Spray Paint

• 15/32 Step Drill Bit

• Automotive Cargo Net

Step 1: Lay Down a Base Coat to Camouflage the Storage Box

You will need about three colors of paint to get a good camo pattern. Lay down a base coat and then add a few stripes of the other two colors. [00:28]

Step 2: Add the Camo Pattern

Drape the cargo net over the box and alternate colors to add depth to the camouflage pattern. [00:39]

Step 3: Prep the Cord

Find the midpoint of the 5.5×2.1mm cord and cut it. Carefully slice the outer covering to reveal the positive and negative wires and strip the ends. Tip: You will only need one half of the cable so use the other half to make another battery box. [[01:4