The camera is the essential tool in every investigator’s arsenal. It allows us to see what is happening in a given situation and provides indisputable evidence for our clients. But sometimes, you need to go undetected by your target or suspects. This can be achieved with some simple tools and creativity!
In this post, I will show you how to hide a camera inside of an everyday ceiling fan so that it can get footage of everything below without being detected. This method requires little skill but does take some time to complete correctly. In this article, I’ll show you step-by-step instructions on how to hide a camera in a ceiling fan.
10 Steps to Follow on How to Hide a Camera in a Ceiling Fan
Step One: Turn of the Power
Turn off the electricity to your home or business. If you cannot turn off the power yourself, it is best not to proceed with this project. If you choose to continue, at your own risk, be sure to inquire about how the circuits are accessed prior.
Step Two: Drill into the Ceiling
Using a small drill bit, begin creating a hole in the ceiling. Start by making small circles around the area where you plan to make a full circle with your drill bit. The idea is to create an opening large enough for you to slide the ladder into. Once finished, use a flashlight to see if the area is hollow or solid behind the ceiling.
Step Three: Measure and Cut
Once you’ve discovered that the area is hollow using the flashlight test, take your next steps by measuring how big you want your opening to be. You can use a tape measure for this. Then, use an old credit card or something similar to mark the measurements on the ceiling and begin cutting.
If you need help determining what size hole saw bit would work best for this project, consult your local hardware store for assistance. Once the hole is cut, you will be left with a small circle of material that needs to be removed.
Step Four: Remove Material and Prepare Fan
Remove all visible pieces of the ceiling fan and take your new ceiling opening outside. Rinse out as much as possible with water or an air compressor. Do not dry You should remove all the pieces of the ceiling fan that you can see, and take the new opening outside. Rinse it out as much as possible with water or an air compressor. Don’t dry it with a cloth or anything else, because that will just make more particles go into the air, and then you’ll cough and feel uncomfortable.
Just take extra care to ensure your work area is free of debris and use your shop vac as needed. Then, when you’re finished and happy with your results, it’s time to take the fan outside and clean it off.
Step Five: Attach and Prepare Camera and Fan
Find the flat side of the ceiling fan and place it upside down. Once your camera is attached to the mount, you can begin putting the wire through the hole in the ceiling. Place two small screws on each side of your drill bit before screwing into the ceiling. This will prevent the bit from spinning when in use and breaking your new hole through the ceiling.
Reach in, remove all screws from the fan and place the fan back over your camera. Replace screws with included screws that come with most cameras of this size. Be sure to drill into a stud or secure it firmly before positioning the camera. You do not want this fan to fall over at the slightest touch.
You Can Check It Out to Install a Ceiling Fan in a Drop Ceiling
Step Six: Plugin and Hide Wire
Once your camera is placed securely, you can now plug it in. Place the wire back into the hole and follow until you are happy with how much wire is showing. Use a staple gun or tacks to secure the wire back in place. You can also use your drill to make small holes along the edge of the ceiling fan and run the wire through those before replacing all screws in place.
Use your extra wire to hide behind furniture or in an electrical box. It is best not to have this exposed for anyone using your ceiling fan; if you have an uncovered electrical box in your room, use that to the best of your ability to hide all wire.
Step Six: Test and Enjoy
Once everything has been hidden to your satisfaction, you can now plug the fan back in and turn it on. It is recommended that you test everything before putting it all away. You do not want to have this project completed only to find out something isn’t working correctly and have to start over again.
Use a strong adhesive to attach your camera mount firmly before placing the fan back in place. Put screws in the appropriate places, and you are finished. Once your fan is accessible via remote, use it to test camera functions before putting all of your tools away. This will help you to hide a camera in a ceiling fan.
How Do You Hide a Camera in Drywall Ceiling it?
Hanging a camera in average ceiling drywall is relatively easy but takes some finesse because of the nature of this material. The top part which hangs down from the ceiling doesn’t have any name, but I call it the halo. Most cameras are designed to be mounted on walls or doors; that’s why the halo doesn’t have any mounting holes.
To resolve this problem, make your halo out of plywood or MDF medium-density fiberboard and attach it to the mount under the camera or below if it’s an upside-down/rotation mount. You may need to use some anchors into the ceiling drywall. You can use normal drywall anchors or toggle bolts, but always check the provided weight load of the anchor you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Hide a Camera in A Fan?
Yes, you can hide a camera in a fan. The video below shows how it is done. There are many ways to do this, but the best way would be by using a dummy circuit board with two holes drilled into it and then place the camera on top of it so that the lens is facing down.
Do Hidden Cameras Need Wi-Fi?
Yes, Hidden Cameras need Wi-Fi as they require internet connectivity to work properly. Hidden cameras that use Wi-Fi to transmit footage do not need special hardware or software. All they require is a standard web browser and an internet connection.
However, some cameras do have additional features like built-in GSM connectivity for remote activation, location tracking capabilities, audio detection, video compression, and more.
Can a Cell Phone Detect a Hidden Camera?
Yes. A cell phone can detect a hidden camera if it is within the same room or close to the phone. It can also be easily detected with a metal detector and x-ray machines because they have unique settings that see metals, as the cameras do.
What Is the Cost of Hidden Cameras?
Hidden cameras are small devices that can be used to record a conversation or activity without the person’s knowledge. They are also known as covert cameras, spy cams, hidden video cameras, nanny cams, and security cameras.
The cost of hidden cameras varies depending on how much they cost and what features they have. Hidden camera costs vary from $25 to over $1,000, depending on the quality of equipment used.
Conclusion
With the help of some basic tools and a little know-how, you can create an undetectable surveillance system for your home. All it takes is a ceiling fan with no light kit, two small screws to attach the camera mount to the blades, one screwdriver or drill bit set, four long bolts that are large enough for your threads on either side of the blade mounting plate you’ll need two extras in case something goes wrong and finally your camera module.
Once you’ve assembled all of these pieces securely, making sure they’re tightly fastened into place with screws or bolts so there isn’t any possibility of them loosening over time due to vibrations from movement or air currents within your house. The article has been a good guide on how to hide a camera in a ceiling fan.
Check it out also – How to Make Ceiling Fan Light Brighter
