Question

This is not exactly smart home related, but I think you guys would know about this too. I am building a vaccum extension to clean my gutters. I'd like to add a GoPro type camera with wifi to the end that I can view on my phone. I don't have a need for a GoPro for anything else really so I'm looking for a cheap knockoff since I'll just be using it to clean gutters. Amazon has some cheap knockoffs but I was curious if any of you guys have had success with any?  

Answer 1

Not cheap but ferret camera

Comments

@deberadeberry whoa! I just looked it up. The ferret cam is really cool. This may be worth the expense since I DIY all the time. Thanks!  

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@rosannarosanne ha ha, it’s great.  

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Or just go with a endoscope/ boroscope plugin for your phone, they're pretty cheap

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@flavor4120 this would work but my concern would be static buildup from particles of dirt flying through the plastic pipe blowing out the phone. Leaf blowers create a lot of static.  

Answer 2

You can always look on wish they have some decent knock offs.  

Answer 3

TP-Link Tapo no hub required, SD card for recording and has a good app. Amazon £20

Answer 4

For that kind of money you could always just install gutter guards. Seems like a lot of work and money to keep gutters clear.  

Comments

@gallup1 and @rosannarosanne I feel like FB has ads all the time for gutter guards and the company that installs them typically cleans them out first to guarantee their product and install. There’s nothing more “smart home/automated” than paying one time and letting Mother Nature do all the work after that. I guess if you want to spend a lot of money and still give yourself an annoying chore to do go for and build something. I know if we had mature trees dropping leaves and needles constantly I would be getting guards for sure.  

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@behold I have gutter guards. I haven’t cleaned my gutters in 10 years. And I definitely did not buy them from Facebook  

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@behold @gallup1 I'd have no problem installing gutter guards if I was confident that was a solid solution. Our home inspector advised us against them. My research online has found an equal number of people happy with them and not happy with them. Personally, I worry about the water running right over top of them and also worry about the guards getting clogged as well. What product did you get Chaz? What's your tree situation? If gutter guards truly work, I'd rather go that route than deal with this.  

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@rosannarosanne I went with a roofing company. If you have a professional install them you never have to worry about them again as long as they know what they are doing.  

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I will also add we have three trees right on top of the house which is why we got them. We have sweet gum balls, leaves and helicopters. Never have an issue.  

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@gallup1 I found just the opposite. Gutter guards are good if you don’t have a tree. The work okay enough in normal conditions, but if there are trees constantly dumping on the smaller sediment will get through. Overtime this builds up and clogs the gutters and the cost to clean them is much higher than it would be without the guards because they have to be removed, cleaned and then put back. Not worth the additional expense for some.  

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@eduction10 good points. I didn't even think of the smaller sediment, but you are right. There is constant erosion of the shingles. I find particles in my gutters every time I clean them.  

Answer 5

Wyze cam on a battery pack?  

Comments

@carrero2325 funny you should mention that. I was planning on giving that a try.  

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My only concern would be static discharge from the particles suspended in the air passing through the plastic pipe.  

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For $25 it's worth a shot.  

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@carrero2325 Agreed. In the short term, I am curious to see if this contraption will work well. If so, I'd spring for a camera I more mounting friendly. And another commenter has me wondering if I should reconsider gutter guards.  

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@rosannarosanne I have guard on my house, the only trees they're not compatible with are maple because the helicopters and the pollen strings get stuck on them and clog them. I just blow them off occasionally when the acorns and gumballs don't roll off.  

Answer 6

Here is my diy “gutter cleaner” using a GoPro I had laying around. I use it to clean out my two-story gutters. It uses a telescoping aluminum pole, 1/2” drip irrigation hose that’s attached to the pole with Velcro for easy removal. Drip line adapters connect the drip hose to a garden hose. The “head” is a swivel window squeegee that holds an adjustable nozzle and GoPro at a downward angle. The handle has a trigger valve and a phone mount so I can watch the live video and help guide the water stream.  

Comments

@flee9 We have a walk-out basement. Until we build our back deck, we'll have 2 to 3-story gutters at spots. We have maple leaves and pine needles clogging our gutters. I was initially thinking be of using water to clean ours our but I thought the weight would be too much and I wasn't sure how well it would work (eg, spray the debris back onto the roof or onto the house. How has your experience been? I like the ingenuity of your solution.  

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My experience went very well. The overall weight, even with water in the hose, is manageable. I just need to get ready for the pole to push back when I first turn on the water. The water jet wants to push the pole back at first. I mainly have dirt that collects. Not too many leaves or needles. A vacuum would be good for the leaves and needles.