R230 Camera Setup

Topics included in this article:

• Prerequisites
• Waterproofing
• Wiring the Camera
• Mounting Guide
• Aiming the Lens
• Registration Methods
  • Mobile App
  • Web Console
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support and Sales

Prerequisites

Before you can register a Rhombus camera, you will need:

• Rhombus Console Account
• Mobile phone with downloaded Rhombus App (Android or iOS)
• Camera connected to network and power
• Provided Waterproofing Kit (reference this article for details on installation)

Waterproofing

Use the included accessories to waterproof the cable connection, installing them as shown below. Ensure that the O-ring is in place (and not twisted) between the pigtail and the housing, and lock the housing and pigtail together with a quarter-turn. Using an Ethernet cable without a boot or strain relief is best for fitting easily within the housing. After mounting the camera, ensure that all three dome screws are firmly tightened to prevent water ingress.

For more information on drip loops and preventing water damage, please visit our Preventing Water Damage article. 

Wiring the Camera

The camera needs power and a network connection to register. The easiest method to achieve this is to connect it to a PoE-compliant network device such as a switch or firewall or use a PoE injector plus Wi-Fi.

Mounting Guide

Below are the steps for mounting the camera on a wall or ceiling:

1. Open the dome by unscrewing two housing screws with the included Torx tool.
2. Use two included round-head self-tapping screws to mount the base to the surface.
3. Use two included anchors when mounting to softer materials.
4. Replace the dome and tighten two housing screws with the included Torx tool. 

When mounting a camera, it is important to ensure that the dome does not block the Ambient Light Sensor and the IR LEDs.

• When removing the dome, do not pull on the pigtail. 
• It is critical that the dome housing does not cover the Ambient Light Sensor. This determines transitions between night and day. 
• For best nighttime performance, ensure that the four IR LEDs are not blocked. If some of them are blocked, nighttime performance may be degraded. 

Aiming the Lens

The lens can be vertically maneuvered around 180 degrees and the lens rotated around 90 degrees. Below is a video demonstrating this:

Registration Methods

Once you have powered and connected your new camera, registering is fast and simple. An R230's LED will blink blue when it is ready to register. A full explanation of all LED statuses can be found here.

You can register a camera either from a mobile app or via the web.

Mobile App

App Download: Android or iOS

1. Log in to the app and click "Register Devices" from the home screen. This will launch the registration wizard, which will guide you through the registration process step by step. 
2. Select "Register via Bluetooth."
   Note: You can register more than one R230 at once via Bluetooth. It's recommended that you register at least one Bluetooth-enabled camera before you register a sensor device like the M1, E1, or D1. 
3. Add the location you want to assign the R230 to.
   Note: If you haven't already, you'll need to add a location first either during this wizard, or you can go to the Locations tab and choose "Add Location". You can read more about Managing Locations here. 
4. Register devices. Toggle the nearby devices you want to register.
5. Select the camera connection type. [Ethernet or Wi-Fi] If you are using the R230's Wi-Fi feature, you will need to enter the Wi-Fi credentials for the camera to operate correctly.
   Note: These credentials are case sensitive! 
6. Select the IP configuration by toggling on DHCP. 
7. Wait for the app to finish the registration process. Once complete, the camera will be added to the console to the location you specified in step 3.

Step 2	Step 3	Step 4
Step 5	Step 6	Step 7

If, for some reason, it doesn't get to solid blue, then it could be a network issue. Try unplugging the camera and going through the above steps again. Or, try plugging a laptop into the same Ethernet cable to ensure it can connect to the internet.

If, for some reason, it still doesn't work and you're using Wi-Fi, ensure your wireless network supports the requirements listed here.

A full explanation of all LED statuses can be found here.

Web Console

1. To register a camera from the web console, go to the "Devices" tab and select "Register Cameras."

If this is the first camera you are registering, you'll need to add a location first, either during this wizard or by selecting the Locations tab and choosing "Add Location."

2. When the registration window pops up, the first prompt asks you to enter your mobile number to receive a link to download the mobile app. If you would prefer to register via the web console, you can ignore this first step and click "Next" at the bottom right.

3. Select the location where these cameras will be registered and click "Next."

4. Select whether these devices will be connected over Wi-Fi or Ethernet and click "Next." (For a Wi-Fi setup, you will need to enter the network name and password—these fields are case-sensitive.)

5. Select which roles will have access to these devices. You can choose between no access, view-only access, or full management permissions.

6. Select a policy to assign to these cameras and click "Next." (If you would prefer to have different policies applied to multiple cameras, leave the policy selection blank.)

7. The final screen will display the QR Registration Code. Show this QR Code to any camera that is powered and connected to the internet, and it will register accordingly.

Note: If you do not hear a click, try moving the phone toward and away from the camera, or try a different camera lens. 

Helpful Links

• Wiring New Rhombus Cameras
• Camera Bandwidth
• Managing Locations
• Device LED Statuses
• Preventing Water Damage

Contact Support and Sales

Have more questions? Contact Rhombus Support at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 2 or support@rhombus.com.

Interested in learning more? Contact Rhombus Sales at +1 (877) 746-6797 option 1 or sales@rhombus.com.