CCD Equine Monitor

The CCD horse-trailer project was a freelance opportunity that I accepted at 'Best Friends Animal Sanctuary' in Kanab, Utah.

 

 

The components I assembled to complete this job included:

  • A black & white compact CCD camera head
  • An adjustable compact 12v black and white viewfinder for a camcorder
  • Various fixtures, and durable plugs that were inset into bumpers of both trailer and truck
  • An arry of high-intensity LED lamps set into an enclosure.

 

This client was interested in an unobtrusive means to monitor her horses while travelling. Through use of an infrared lighting arrangement and a CCD camera sensitive to that spectrum, I accomplished this task to the clients satisfaction.

 

 
I selected the black and white model CCD camera that was most sensitive to the IR light spectrum. This camera was also very compact and affordable, while providing a high contrast and versatility. Also, because this unit required a 12vdc power supply, I found the readily availble 12v automotive source especially convenient.

The display unit I selected was a high-brightness adjustable black and white viewfinder for a sony camcorder. This unit was able to be easily mounted into the dashboard of the truck and could even be transferred between vehicles with a minimal amount of diffculty.

The IR led array was angled such that nearly the whole trailer was able to be viewed from a single camera mounted in the front. Infrared was used so as not to disturb the horses. To the naked eye, the whole trailer appears completely dark (at night).