Product SKU: DH-PFM378-B100-WB
Product Overview
For surveillance deployments where running mains power or data cabling is impractical, the Dahua PFM378-B100-WB provides a self-contained 100W solar power solution designed to keep cameras running without a fixed electrical connection. Built around a 100W monocrystalline silicon panel with a 21% cell efficiency rating, this pole-mounted system integrates a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller that extracts the maximum available charge from available sunlight. The integrated design simplifies installation, with both the solar panel and camera mount adjustable independently to optimise sun exposure and camera angle at the same time. The steel body carries an IP65 weather rating and is rated to withstand sustained winds of up to 117 km/h, making it suited to exposed outdoor locations. Compatible with optional Dahua lithium battery storage, the system supports RS485 communication and remote monitoring via mobile app. It is well suited to rural fence lines, remote gateways, construction sites, and any location where trenching for power is not viable.
Key Capabilities
100W Monocrystalline Solar Panel
The monocrystalline silicon panel achieves 21% solar cell efficiency, generating up to 100W of power from daily sunlight. This makes effective use of limited roof or pole surface area while maximising energy capture for connected surveillance devices.
MPPT Charging Controller
The built-in MPPT controller tracks solar output continuously at greater than 99% tracking efficiency, ensuring the battery receives a rated 130W charging power. It operates at 12 VDC with a 10A rated charge and discharge current, with over-discharge protection triggering at 11.1 VDC.
Storm-Rated Structural Design
The Q235 steel frame is engineered to handle a maximum mechanical load of 5400 Pa and sustained winds up to 117 km/h. This structural rating supports installation on exposed poles in open yards, paddocks, and coastal sites where wind loads are a genuine concern.
Independent Angle Adjustment
The solar panel rotates 360 degrees horizontally with 3 vertical tilt positions at 20, 40, and 60 degrees. The camera arm independently adjusts 360 degrees horizontally and 0 to 75 degrees vertically, so both components can be optimised for their respective purposes without compromising either.
IP65 Weather Protection and Electric Safety
Rated IP65, the controller and housing resist dust ingress and direct water jets. Built-in protection covers over-temperature, over-discharge, over-voltage, low-temperature battery conditions, and overload or short circuit events on the load side, reducing risk of equipment damage at unattended remote sites.
Best For
- Remote Off-Grid Sites: The 100W solar panel and MPPT controller provide power at locations where mains electricity is unavailable or prohibitively expensive to connect, such as rural properties, remote gateways, and unmanned infrastructure sites.
- Construction and Temporary Surveillance: The pole-mount design with Φ80mm to Φ150mm pole compatibility allows the system to be deployed and relocated as a site changes, without permanent electrical work.
- Exposed Outdoor Environments: The 5400 Pa mechanical load rating and 117 km/h wind resistance make it a practical choice for open paddocks, coastal areas, and elevated positions where other mounting systems may not be structurally adequate.
- Sites Requiring RS485 Integration: The RS485 communication port enables the controller to be monitored and managed as part of a larger Dahua system, which suits multi-point installations managed through a central platform.
Why Choose the PFM378-B100-WB
The PFM378-B100-WB is not a generic solar bracket, it is an engineered power system built specifically to support off-grid surveillance cameras in demanding outdoor conditions. The 21% monocrystalline cell efficiency is meaningfully higher than standard polycrystalline alternatives, generating more power from the same panel footprint. The MPPT controller’s greater than 99% tracking efficiency means the connected battery receives near-maximum available energy throughout the day rather than losing yield during varying light conditions. The Q235 steel construction, IP65 rating, and 5400 Pa mechanical load tolerance position this unit well beyond lightweight consumer solar accessories. Comprehensive battery protection logic, including over-discharge, over-temperature, and short circuit safeguards, protects expensive lithium battery investments at sites that are not visited regularly. Available at Security Wholesalers, the PFM378-B100-WB suits installers who need a proven pole-mounted power foundation for 4G solar camera deployments where running cable to the site is simply not an option.
Buyer Decision Tips
Battery Requirement: The PFM378-B100-WB is supplied without a lithium battery. The output port uses a CSA authorised M15 2-core waterproof connector designed to connect to a compatible Dahua lithium battery. Confirm the correct Dahua battery model is ordered separately before installation, as the system requires battery storage to power the connected camera through overnight hours or overcast days.
Solar Exposure Requirement: Dahua specifies this unit for areas receiving more than 3.5 hours of direct solar radiation per day. Before specifying this system, assess the installation site for seasonal shading from trees, buildings, or terrain. Sites in southern Australia during winter months with heavy shading may not generate sufficient daily charge to maintain continuous camera operation without an appropriately sized battery bank.
Key Features & Technical Specifications
| Solar Panel Type |
Monocrystalline silicon |
| Max. Solar Panel Power |
100 W |
| Solar Panel Output Voltage |
18.8 VDC |
| Solar Cell Efficiency |
21% |
| Max. Mechanical Load |
5400 Pa |
| Controller Type |
MPPT |
| Controller Operating Voltage |
12 VDC |
| Rated Charging Current |
10 A |
| Rated Discharge Current |
10 A |
| Rated Charging Power |
130 W |
| MPPT Tracking Efficiency |
≥99% |
| Over-Discharge Protection Voltage |
11.1 VDC |
| Communication Mode |
RS485 |
| Power Output Port |
Φ5.5 mm × Φ2.1 mm × 12 mm |
| Battery Output Port |
CSA authorised M15 2-core waterproof connector |
| IP Rating |
IP65 |
| Installation |
Pole mount, Φ80 mm to Φ150 mm |
| Adjustable Angle |
Solar panel: H 360°, V 20°/40°/60°; Camera: H 360°, V 0° to 75° |
| Main Body Material |
Q235 steel |
| Wind Resistance |
Sustained winds up to 117 km/h |
| Operating Temperature |
-20 °C to +60 °C |
| Operating Humidity |
<95% RH |
| Applicable Area |
Areas with daily solar radiation exposure exceeding 3.5 hours |
| Operating Altitude |
<3000 m |
| Net Weight |
20.1 kg |
| Product Dimensions |
815 mm x 846.8 mm x 893.3 mm |
| Certifications |
CE, UKCA |
Ideal Use Cases
Rural Property Boundaries
Farm gates, boundary fences, and stockyard entries are often hundreds of metres from the nearest power point. The 100W solar panel paired with MPPT charging provides reliable daily power generation in open paddock environments where sunlight exposure consistently exceeds the 3.5-hour minimum requirement.
Construction Site Monitoring
Temporary construction sites change layout frequently and rarely have permanent power infrastructure in place. The pole-mount design and Φ80 mm to Φ150 mm pole compatibility allow the PFM378-B100-WB to be repositioned as the site evolves, without electrical contractors or cable trenching.
Remote Infrastructure and Utilities
Water treatment facilities, pumping stations, and communication towers in remote locations need surveillance but often lack grid power. The RS485 communication port and mobile app remote monitoring support integration with centralised monitoring systems without requiring a technician to visit the site for status checks.
Coastal and Exposed Marine Environments
Boat ramps, marina car parks, and coastal access points face wind and humidity challenges that eliminate many mounting solutions. The IP65 rating, Q235 steel construction, and 5400 Pa load rating provide the structural durability needed for exposed coastal pole installations.
4G Solar Camera Deployments
Dahua 4G solar cameras require a matched power source designed for their voltage and current requirements. The PFM378-B100-WB is built within the Dahua ecosystem and provides the 12 VDC output, M15 waterproof battery connector, and adjustable camera arm these deployments require as a complete pole-mounted assembly.
Choosing the Right Model
- Choose this model if: You need a pole-mounted, off-grid solar power system with an integrated MPPT controller and adjustable panel and camera brackets for a Dahua 4G solar camera deployment at a site with at least 3.5 hours of daily sun exposure.
- Choose a different model if: Your deployment site is heavily shaded for most of the day or located at altitude above 3000 m, as these conditions fall outside the specified operating parameters for this unit. A mains-powered or higher-wattage solar system may be more appropriate for cameras with higher power draw or sites with limited sunlight.
- Battery planning: This unit ships without a lithium battery. If continuous 24-hour coverage is required including overnight and overcast periods, a compatible Dahua lithium battery must be ordered separately before the system can be commissioned.
FAQs
- Does the PFM378-B100-WB include a battery?
No. The PFM378-B100-WB is supplied as an integrated solar power system without a lithium battery. The controller includes a CSA authorised M15 2-core waterproof output port specifically designed to connect to a compatible Dahua lithium battery, which is available as a separate optional accessory. The system cannot provide overnight camera power without a battery in place.
- What pole diameter is required for installation?
The PFM378-B100-WB is designed for pole mounting on poles with an outer diameter between Φ80 mm and Φ150 mm. This covers a broad range of standard steel and galvanised poles commonly used in rural and commercial outdoor installations. The installer is responsible for confirming the pole is structurally rated for the 20.1 kg net weight of the unit plus wind loading at the site.
- How much daily sunlight does the site need for this system to function reliably?
Dahua specifies this unit for areas receiving more than 3.5 hours of direct solar radiation per day. Below this threshold, daily energy generation may not be sufficient to maintain a charged battery and continuous camera operation. Sites with significant seasonal shading or heavy cloud cover should be assessed carefully before specifying this system.
- Can the solar panel angle be adjusted after installation?
Yes. The solar panel supports horizontal rotation of 360 degrees and 3 fixed vertical tilt positions at 20, 40, and 60 degrees. This allows the panel to be oriented toward the sun’s path regardless of which direction the pole faces. The camera arm adjusts independently at 360 degrees horizontal and 0 to 75 degrees vertical, so camera coverage angle does not need to match the panel orientation.
- What protection does the MPPT controller provide for the connected battery?
The controller includes protection against over-temperature, over-discharge, over-voltage, and low-temperature battery conditions, as well as overload and short circuit protection on the load output. The over-discharge protection voltage is set at 11.1 VDC, which prevents the battery from discharging below a safe threshold. These safeguards are particularly relevant for remote sites where the equipment is not monitored in person day to day. The PFM378-B100-WB is part of the Security Wholesalers range of Dahua solar accessories.
- Is remote monitoring of the controller supported?
Yes. The system supports remote monitoring via a mobile app and uses RS485 communication to integrate with compatible Dahua control infrastructure. The RS485 port uses a 2-wire connection with Red for RS485-A and Black for RS485-B. This allows installers to check system status and charging conditions without physically attending the site.
Additional Information
