Camtraptions PIR User manual

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Camtraptions+PIR+Motion+Sensor+Manual!
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Firmware!Version!2.1!
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 2
Index!
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What!is!a!PIR!Motion!Sensor?!................................................................................!3!
Controls!.................................................................................................................!4!
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Inserting!Batteries!.................................................................................................!6!
Red!LED!Indicator!...................................................................................................!7!
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Connecting!Camera!................................................................................................!9!
Controlling!the!Field!of!View!................................................................................!10!
Mounting!the!Sensor!...........................................................................................!11!
Sensitivity!Dial!.....................................................................................................!12!
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Time!Dial!.............................................................................................................!13!
Luminosity!Threshold!Dial!....................................................................................!14!
Program!Selection!................................................................................................!15!
Program!Quick!Reference!....................................................................................!16!
Programs!1!to!12:!Interval!....................................................................................!17!
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Programs!13!to!24:!Video!.....................................................................................!18!
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Programs!25!to!28:!Bulb!.......................................................................................!22!
Programs!29!to!31:!Wake!.....................................................................................!22!
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Program!32:!Shutter!Hold!Mode!..........................................................................!24!
Wireless!Switch!....................................................................................................!25!
Quick!Start!PIR!&!Camera!Settings!.......................................................................!26!
Support!................................................................................................................!27!

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 3
For Quick Start Settings, skip to Page 18 of this manual.
What!is!a!PIR!Motion!Sensor?!
All objects emit heat energy in the form of invisible infrared radiation. A
passive infrared (PIR) motion sensor detects changes in the amount of
infrared radiation in its field of view. This allows it to sense when an animal
passes in front of it.
The term “passive” refers to the fact that the sensor does not emit radiation;
instead it just detects infrared radiation landing on it. As a result, PIR sensors
are extremely energy-efficient.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 4
Controls!
The PIR is configured via three dials and a bank of six switches on the front.
There is also an On-off switch on the bottom of the device.
Dials!
The dials control the following functions:
Sensitivity – See Page 6
Time Variable – See Page 6
Luminosity Threshold or Secondary Time Variable – See Page 7
Note that the behaviour of the Time and Luminosity Dial varies based on the
program. The behaviour of the Sensitivity Dial is the same for all programs.
Switches!
The switches control the following functions:
1-5: Program select – See Page 8
6: Wireless mode on-off – See Page 17
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 5
On-off!Switch!
The On-off switch is situated on the bottom of the device. Turn the switch to “|”
to turn the sensor on. Turn the switch to “O” to turn the sensor off.
On power-up, the LED on the front of the device will flash to indicate the
supply voltage and then there will be an 8 second delay while the sensor
calibrates. Thereafter, the LED will flash three times and the sensor will
commence normal operation. See Page 3 for further details.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 6
Inserting!Batteries!
Use a screwdriver to remove the four screws on the back of the device and
take off the back wall. Insert six AA batteries into the battery holder, taking
care to follow the polarity direction indicated on the holder. Check the sensor
turns on and then replace the back wall and the four screws. When replacing
the back wall, ensure that the seal around the edge is clean and free of
debris.
The sensor accepts either Alkaline or NiMH rechargeable batteries and will
operate while the supply voltage is greater than 3.7 volts. Please note that if
using a different type of battery or powering the sensor from an external
power source, the supply voltage should not exceed 9.6 volts.
When the sensor is first turned on, the red LED on the front indicates the
battery voltage.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 7
Red!LED!Indicator!
The red LED on the front of the PIR serves two functions:
1) Indicates the battery voltage on power-up
2) Helps sensor alignment and sensitivity testing during the first 5 minutes
Power-up!Sequence!
When the sensor is turned on, the LED will flash up to 5 times. There is then
an 8 second delay before the sensor will flash quickly 3 times and start
operating.
The number of flashes during the initial power-up phase provides a quick
indication of the remaining battery level. This battery indicator has been
calibrated to be most useful when the sensor is powered by six Alkaline
batteries.
The battery life thresholds are as follows:
Number of flashes
Alkaline battery life
remaining
5
More than 80%
4
60%-80%
3
40%-60%
2
20%-40%
1
Less than 20%

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 8
If you are using NiMH rechargeable batteries then the approximate thresholds
are as follows:
Number of flashes
NiMH battery life
remaining
4
More than 90%
3
20%-90%
2
10%-20%
1
Less than 10%
Alignment!&!Sensitivity!Indicator!
After the power-up phase, the LED will flash quickly three times and the
sensor will commence normal operation.
The LED will light up whenever motion is detected. This can be used as a
visual aid to help align the sensor so that it is only detecting motion in the
desired trigger zone. When you are using the LED to set-up your sensor, you
might want to leave your camera off to avoid taking unwanted images.
After 5 minutes the LED will be disabled in order to conserve battery power
and avoid drawing attention to the PIR sensor. If you want to reactive the LED
then you will need to turn the sensor off and then on again.
If the LED is illuminating in response to motion but the camera is not firing
then please check the following:
1) Some programs do not fire the camera (for example, several video
programs do not send full-press signals to the camera)
2) If in a “Night” program, then the camera will not fire if the ambient light
level is above the luminosity threshold set by the Luminosity Dial
3) If in a “Day” program, then the camera will not fire if the ambient light
level is below the luminosity threshold set by the Luminosity Dial
4) Some programs include long delays during which the camera will not
fire (for example, in Program 1 to 6, it is possible to set a delay of up to
60 seconds after each burst)
5) Your camera may not be set-up correctly so double-check the settings
in the “Quick Start” guide on Page 18.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 9
Connecting!Camera!
Plug the camera connecting cable in to the socket on the bottom of the
sensor. Connect the other end of the cable to your camera’s shutter release
socket. To connect the sensor to your camera wirelessly, see the “Wireless
Switch” section on Page 17.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 10
Controlling!the!Field!of!View!
The
detection zone is immediately in front of the white dome lens on the front of
the sensor.
The detection range is around 5m in front of the device but the precise
distance depends on the size of the subject, the sensitivity setting and the
relative temperature differential between the subject and the background.
The detection field of view is around 120 to 150 degrees horizontally. The
detector is most sensitive towards the centre of the detection zone.
It may be necessary to limit the detection area in order to have more control
over the position of the subject relative to the camera. To do this, open out the
flaps on either side of the sensor to limit the sensor’s field of view. Tighten the
knurled thumbscrews on the bottom of the device to secure the flaps in
position.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 11
Mounting!the!Sensor!
There is a standard tripod socket on the bottom of the sensor that allows it to
be mounted on a tripod or similar mounting accessory.
The device also has attachment points for a strap on either side so that it can
be strapped to a post or tree trunk.
The sensor is sealed so that the electronics and batteries are protected from
precipitation. However, it is possible for water to trickle inside via the camera
connecting cable socket if the sensor is not mounted with this socket facing
downwards. Therefore, it is important to mount the sensor the correct way up.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 12
Sensitivity!Dial!
Turn the dial clockwise to increase sensitivity.
Turn the dial anticlockwise to decrease sensitivity.
Higher sensitivity results in faster response time and increased range. You will
also need to increase the sensitivity when photographing small creatures or in
hot conditions when the temperature differential between the subject and the
background is lower.
Minimizing!False!Triggers!
You can reduce the sensitivity by turning the dial anticlockwise if you are
getting an unacceptable level of false triggers.
However, before reducing the sensitivity, you should try to manage the scene
to avoid potential sources of unwanted motion. For example, position the
sensor so that it has a minimal amount of vegetation in the foreground that
could move in the wind.
In general, you should try to position the sensor so that the subject will be
much closer than anything that could cause false detections.

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 13
Time!Dial!
Turn the dial clockwise to increase time duration.
Turn the dial anticlockwise to decrease time duration.
The Time Dial changes different durations depending on the program
selected. For example, it is used to set the frequency of consecutive images in
Programs 1 to 12, the video length in Programs 13 to 24 and the long
exposure time or the wake time in Programs 25 to 31. Refer to the Program
documentation below for further details.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 14
Luminosity!Threshold!Dial!
Turn the dial clockwise to increase the luminosity threshold.
Turn the dial anticlockwise to decrease the luminosity threshold.
The PIR sensor can vary its behaviour depending on the ambient light level.
For example, the PIR can be configured to work only during daylight (Day
Programs), only during darkness (Night Programs) or all of the time.
Some programs do not have a luminosity cut-off and will work all of the time.
When one of these Programs is selected, the Luminosity Threshold Dial is
used to set the Secondary Time Variable. Refer to the Program
documentation below for further details.
For Day and Night Programs, turn the dial to set the threshold between day
and night operation. For example, with the dial set somewhere in the middle,
and a Night Program selected, the camera will only be triggered in gloomy
and dark conditions. As the dial is turned anticlockwise the threshold is
lowered so the camera would only get triggered in darkness. If the dial were
turned fully clockwise, the camera would fire in all light conditions.
This behaviour is reversed in a Day Program; with the dial in the middle, the
camera would only fire in gloomy light and full daylight, with the dial turned
clockwise, it would only fire in bright sunlight and with the dial turned fully
anticlockwise, the camera would fire in all light conditions.
Please note that if you want the camera to fire in all conditions then it is
advisable to select a program without a luminosity cut-off to avoid the risk of
accidentally setting the luminosity threshold incorrectly and the camera not
operating for part of the day.

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 15
Program!Selection!
The PIR features 32 different operating programs. Programs are set via
switches 1 to 5 on the front of the device. These switches are located under
the watertight bung, behind the flap, to the left of the sensor dome.
There are 32 unique switch combinations that can be used to select
programs. Use the diagram below as a reference for the switch positions. For
example, if all of the switches were to be in the OFF position, the PIR would
run Program 1. If only switches 2 and 3 were in the ON position, the PIR
would run Program 13.

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 16
Program!Quick!Reference!
The tables below provide a quick reference for each program. Refer to in-
depth program documentation for further details.

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 17
Programs!1!to!12:!Interval!
These Programs are primarily for still photography. When motion is detected,
the camera will take a burst of photos.
Program!1!to!6:!Interval!with!No!Luminosity!Cut-off!
Program 1 will take 1 photo per detection
Program 2 will take 2 photos per detection
Program 3 will take 3 photos per detection
Program 4 will take 4 photos per detection
Program 5 will take 5 photos per detection
Program 6 will take 6 photos per detection
There is no luminosity cut-off in these programs so they will operate at
all times, regardless of the ambient light conditions.
Use the Time Dial to adjust the frequency of the shots from one shot
every 0.5s (fully anticlockwise) to one shot every 8s (fully clockwise).
Use the Luminosity dial to select the minimum gap between bursts
from 1s (fully anticlockwise) up to 60s (fully clockwise).
Program!7!to!9:!Interval,!Night!
Program 7 will take 1 photo per detection
Program 8 will take 2 photos per detection
Program 9 will take 3 photos per detection
These are Night Programs so it is possible to limit operation based on
the ambient light levels. The minimum gap between bursts is 5
seconds.
Use the Time dial to adjust the frequency of the shots from one shot
every 0.5s (fully anticlockwise) to one shot every 8s (fully clockwise).
Use the Luminosity dial to select the light cut-off threshold; when fully
clockwise the camera will fire all of the time, otherwise the PIR will only
operate when the luminosity is lower than the threshold set. If the dial
were to be turned fully anticlockwise, the camera would only work in
complete darkness.
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Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 18
Program!10!to!12:!Interval,!Day!
Program 10 will take 1 photo per detection
Program 11 will take 3 photos per detection
Program 12 will take 5 photos per detection
These are Day Programs so it is possible to limit operation based on
the ambient light levels. The minimum gap between bursts is 5
seconds.
Use the Time dial to adjust the frequency of the shots from one shot
every 0.5s (fully anticlockwise) to one shot every 8s (fully clockwise).
Use the Luminosity dial to select the light cut-off threshold; when fully
anticlockwise the camera will fire all of the time, otherwise the PIR will
only operate when the luminosity is greater than the threshold set. If
the dial were to be turned fully clockwise, the camera would only work
in very bright light.
Programs!13!to!24:!Video!
These programs can be used to record video on compatible cameras. When
motion is detected, the sensor will start video recording and it will then end
recording after a configurable period of time.
There are two variations of every program. The first uses half-press shutter
commands to start and stop video recording. These programs are for use with
Canon cameras that have the Magic Lantern firmware installed. They require
the Magic Lantern function enabled that starts/stops video recording with a
half-press of the shutter button. Please note that this function is not available
in all versions of Magic Lantern.
The second variation of each program uses full-press shutter commands to
start and stop video recording. These programs are for use with cameras that
allow the shutter press command to be used to start and stop video recording.
“Fixed Duration” Programs allow the user to explicitly set a video recoding
duration via the Time Dial.
“Minimum Duration” Programs allow the user to set a minimum video length
via the Time Dial. If motion is detected during a recording, the video length is
extended by the minimum duration time. For example, if the minimum duration
time is 10 seconds and motion is detected 8 seconds into a recording, the
recording length will be extend to 8s + 10s = 18s in total. This ensures that
camera continues to record for as long as a subject is in front of the sensor.

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 19
Program!13!&!14:!Fixed!Duration!with!No!Luminosity!Cut-off!
Program 13 uses half-press commands
Program 14 uses full-press commands
There is no luminosity cut-off in these programs so they will operate at
all times, regardless of the ambient light conditions.
Use the Time dial to set the video length. Video length can be varied
from a few seconds (fully anticlockwise) to just over 3 minutes (fully
clockwise).
Use the Luminosity dial to select the minimum gap between video
recordings from 1s (fully anticlockwise) up to 60s (fully clockwise).
Program!15!&!16:!Minimum!Duration!with!No!Luminosity!Cut-
off!
Program 15 uses half-press commands
Program 16 uses full-press commands
There is no luminosity cut-off in these programs so they will operate at
all times, regardless of the ambient light conditions.
Use the Time dial to set the minimum video duration. The minimum
duration can be varied from a few seconds (fully anticlockwise) to just
over 3 minutes (fully clockwise). If motion is detected during a
recording, the video length is extended.
Use the Luminosity dial to select the length of the press that is used to
start recording. Set a short press duration for fast cameras that wake
up quickly. Set a long press duration for cameras that take longer to
wake and register commands. In general, the shortest possible press
length should be used as some cameras only commence recording
when the press is released. The other video programs all use an initial
press length of 3.5 seconds.
!

Camtraptions PIR Motion Sensor Manual Page 20
Program!17!&!18:!Fixed!Duration,!Night!
Program 17 uses half-press commands
Program 18 uses full-press commands
These are Night Programs so it is possible to limit operation based on
the ambient light levels.
Use the Time dial to set the video length. Video length can be varied
from a few seconds (fully anticlockwise) to just over 3 minutes (fully
clockwise).
Use the Luminosity dial to select the light cut-off threshold; when fully
clockwise the camera will fire all of the time, otherwise the PIR will only
operate when the luminosity is lower than the threshold set. If the dial
were to be turned fully anticlockwise, the camera would only work in
complete darkness.
Program!19!&!20:!Minimum!Duration,!Night!
Program 19 uses half-press commands
Program 20 uses full-press commands
These are Night Programs so it is possible to limit operation based on
the ambient light levels.
Use the Time dial to set the minimum video duration. The minimum
duration can be varied from a few seconds (fully anticlockwise) to just
over 3 minutes (fully clockwise). If motion is detected during a
recording, the video length is extended.
Use the Luminosity dial to select the light cut-off threshold; when fully
clockwise the camera will fire all of the time, otherwise the PIR will only
operate when the luminosity is lower than the threshold set. If the dial
were to be turned fully anticlockwise, the camera would only work in
complete darkness.
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