Hi Manny [Emmanuel Magos],

Interesting question. I am using an Outback charge controller and Outback inverter (my Exeltech blew out a few weeks ago). My Loftek A/C adapter is plugged into a power strip that can be switched off when the solar battery bank gets low on rainy days.

The problem for us with PTZ cameras is the motor. As with any motor (fan, fridge, etc), it is going to consume a significant amount of power, where the camera itself will utilize very little power, being only a circuit board of sorts. Instead of switching it off entirely, you could just deactivate the PTZ function, locking it into one viewing position, so that the motor never kicks in.

I suspect that trying to wire the camera directly to a 12V battery (not using the A/C adapter) could risk burning out the camera and/or its motor. If you do try this, let me know the results. Semper Fi!

[ FWIW: I later copied this from the main web page message board to this one. The time of his message was actually 10:38:10. ]

Hi Van,

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, you can add my name for any search-related tools.

Turns out my Loftek D-1 went out on me - it was a good, inexpensive camera while it lasted. Will likely replace it with the Apexis model which is identical due to the Loftek D-1 no longer being available. In the meantime, I'm using a Loftek Nexus; this is another outdoor IP with night-vision but no PTZ. Somewhat concerned my battery bank may not last through the night, yet because I'm no longer running an inverter and all the associated wiring/power strip, hopeful that the power consumption of the Nexus will be offset.

The good news is that both my cellular modem and the camera operate off of dc voltage straight from the battery. I'm using a 12vdc to 5vdc step-down converter so if your equipment is not 12v, you will need the right size converter - these come in different voltages . Also, I'm using a set of bus bars with multiple terminals to help make the connections easier. Will keep you posted if you're interested.

Thanks again for sharing. Semper Fi, Manny

Hi Jenna, Thank you for that information. I am really sorry to hear that. The VA near me in Hyannis, and then again at Providence, have been exceptional with helping vets deal with that stuff. It is too bad that he didn't hook up with them. I wish I had known him; I would have dragged him in there one way or another.

What was his full name? The name Frisby is trying to ring a bell in me. Do you have a photo of him taken back then? You can scan and attach it to a Reply, or I can give you my address if you prefer to mail it.

My Radio Relay outfit was based at the El Toro 3rd Marine Air Base, though we made many field trips down to Camp Pendleton. Does that ring any bells with your husband or other family members?

I would like to gather as much info as possible, in memory of him, but also for any other Marines that might have known him and would like to know. Our contributions here are small, but they do eventually find their way into the various search engines.

Hi Van, First, thank you for responding to my post. I have been on your site before. Whenever I tell someone what my late father-in-law did I always tell them what I learned from your site. He must have been very brave, as you all were for your service. I thank you for that. Any help you can provide would be great and I'm including the info below, but Frank was from Arkansas.

Frank died before my husband and I met. My husband said his dad never talked about the war and, according to Frank's sister, he burned everything he took home with him except a duffle and two "*****-cutter" hats. Unfortunately he developed a drinking problem years later and his health went downhill. My husband moved to RI from Arkansas to finish his schooling and eventually began working here when he got the call that his dad had died in his sleep. That was 10 years ago. He's buried in the National Cemetery in Ft. Smith, Arkansas. According to my husband, Frank was going blind (he had HBP, hypertension and the drinking probably didn't help) and had an appt. to go to the VA hospital but it was a month or two away. My husband begged his dad to move with him but Frank said my husband should live his own life. My husband still feels guilty.

We were able to get replacement medals and we made a shadow box. We also got Frank's military records.
His name was Frank Martin Frisby and he was born, raised, lived and died in Ft. Smith, Arkansas.
He was sent to 1st RTBN RTR, MCRD San Diego in June 1966 for recruit training. Then assigned to Co 3rdBN 2DITR MCB at Camp Pendelton, CA.

He left El Toro on Dec 1, 1966 for service in Vietnam and left there Dec 20 1967. He served with CommCo, HqBN, 3dMarDiv, FMF during that time as a 2532 Rad Rel Oper. He served in Op. Kentucky and Op. Kingfisher. Then he spent six months in the Caribbean before asking to be sent to the reserves in 1969.
His hobby was communications and radio in HS so I guess that played a part in his service. After the war he worked for Southwestern Bell as a line worker and then on-site supervisor.

I do have a photo of Frank. It was taken in Vietnam by a friend of his who gave it to my husband after Frank's death. I'll include it in this email.

Sorry this email is so long! Thanks for reaching out. Peace, Jenna Terranova-Frisby

Hi Jenna, Do you know what platoon he was in at MCRD? You might find him in one of these pics:
http://www.yellowfootprints.com/yearbook/showgallery.php

Thank you very much Bill (Al?). I will add these names. You have a much better memory then I.
Are you saying that you and Aloysius J Schreiner are the same person?
Glad you survived Nam. Van

Thank you very much, sir. If you return to that page and hit Refresh, you will see that I have added his name.
I hope that the “is my dad” means that he is still with us.
Obviously he survived Nam since you were born about 7 years after his graduation. That is real good news.
Would really like to hear from him and know how he is doing.

Take a look at the pics on: http://www.blakeman.net/_VA/Us/Me/USMC/Grad/AlumniEtc.htm
If you or he can send me at least two of him, I will add them to that page.
Preferably one taken very shortly after he left the Marines, and one taken recently.
Thanks Jeff

Thanks for responding Van. Roger reasoner is alive and well, living in Fishersville Virginia and driving for Schneider trucking as a instructor.

Roger will be visiting me in august and we'll get some photos of him for your website. Thanks for adding his name to his picture on your site.

Thanks Jeff, Looking forward to those pics. Van

Van, Roger is interested in where you are living now? He is in Fishersville, Virginia. He got out in 1968 in Feb. and married me in 1969 and retired from the United States Postal Service in 2001 and started work for Schneider National as a Training Driver in June of 2001. Have 3 sons and 3 grandchildren. Hope to hear from you soon. Will send pictures in August when we are at our son's house. Betty

Hi Roger & Betty, I got out in 1967 (El Toro) and went on to college from there, but began my programming profession by attending a tech school at night.
Married 1971 and divorced 1987 but had two lovely daughters who recently graduated from college, but remain unmarried.

Married my wife Eileen in 2001. We do seven months at our home on Cape Cod, and five at the California land I bought in 1967 when I got out. Both are full time work loads.

I design and maintain, as an independent consultant, the web presence for a tape manufacturing firm in MA, and I do some computer tutoring.

Just about anything you might not want to know is all over the rest of my website, which you are free to explore as you wish: https://www.blakeman.net/_VA/index.htm
Take care, Van