R400 Camera Setup

Topics included in this article:

• Overview
• Prerequisites
• Waterproofing
• Wiring the Camera
  • Wire Guide
•  Mounting Guide
  • Waterproof Adapter Disassembled
  • Waterproof Adapter Assembled 
  • Corner Bracket
  • Pole Bracket
  • Arm Mount
  • Extension Rod
  • Pendant Cap
  • Ceiling Mount
  • Universal Drop Ceiling Mount
• Registration Methods
  • Mobile App
  • Web Console
• Helpful Links
• Contact Support or Sales

Overview

This article covers the general requirements and setup of the Rhombus R400 camera with associated accessories.

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

Following the waterproofing guidelines is essential to ensure your product is covered under our End User License Agreement and Hardware Warranty. Failure to complete the waterproofing steps as outlined in the product manual may void your warranty and limit our liability for related damages. For more information, refer to our EULA.

Install Waterproofing Accessories

• Use the ¾” NPT cable gland and blanking plate to seal the cable entries on the base of the device.
• Both waterproofing accessories must be properly installed in the cable entries to prevent water ingress and condensation.

Mounting the Camera

• Use the screws from the accessory kit to mount the camera. The screw heads are appropriately sized to seal against the small gaskets on the base of the camera.
• Tighten screws so the camera is secure.
  • Over-tightening the mounting screws can cause the gasket to rupture/tear, which can give pooling water an ingress point depending on mounting orientation.
  • Under-tightening the mounting screws will lead to a poor seal which gives water an additional ingress point.
• Do not use power tools to tighten screws; tighten by hand until the camera is secure.

Install the Blanking Plate

• After choosing the hole for cable entry, the unused hole must be plugged with the blanking plate.
• Insert the blanking plate into the unused cable entry hole and tighten until the gasket is fully compressed against the base of the camera.

Install the Cable Gland

• Disassemble the cable gland, pass the ethernet cable through it, and insert the cable into the camera's PoE port.
• Use the included white rubber seal on the cable gland threads to ensure a tight seal with the camera base.
• Reassemble the cable gland and tighten it until the internal rubber seal contacts the cable fully.

Prevent Water Pooling

• Create a drip loop in the cable to shed water before it reaches the cable gland.

Install the Silica Packet

• Place the silica packet inside the camera dome before final assembly. Remove the silver package around the silica packet if there is one.

Wiring the Camera

Every Rhombus camera requires power and a network connection to register. The easiest method to achieve this is to use a Power over Ethernet (PoE) device.

Wire Guide

The dome must first be removed to connect an ethernet cable to the R400. To remove the dome, unscrew the two screws using the included Torx tool. After removing the dome, find the PoE port next to the conduit holes. 

Figure 1. Dome has been removed, PoE port is accessible.

Mounting Guide

The R400 has two conduit holes, a blanking plate, and a waterproof adapter that can attach to either opening.

Figure 2. Profile and bottom view of R400.

Waterproof Adapter Disassembled:

Figure 3. R400 with waterproof adapter disassembled.

Waterproof Adapter Assembled:

Figure 4. R400 with attached waterproof adapter.

The waterproof gasket can also be assembled as a back-mounted gasket. Notice the metal screw seal that prevents water from getting into the unused hole.

Figure 5. Conduit plug on side, waterproof adapter attached to the base of R400.

Corner Bracket

Figure 6. Arm mount with corner bracket.

Pole Bracket

Figure 7. Arm mount with pole bracket.

Arm Mount

The arm mount can also have an Extension Rod attached to it. 

Figure 8. Arm mount attached to pendant cap.

Extension Rod

The Extension Rod can also be used with the Arm Mount. 

Figure 9. Pendant cap attached to an extension rod and ceiling mount.

Pendant Cap

The pendant cap has an adapter inside that needs to be removed. 

Figure 10. Pendant cap.

Ceiling Mount

The Ceiling Mount can also have an Extension Rod attached to it.

Figure 11. Ceiling mount attached to pendant cap.

Universal Drop Ceiling Mount

The universal drop ceiling mount allows all Rhombus dome/fisheye cameras (except for the R360S*) to be mounted to drop ceiling T-Bar grids. The included T-Bar clip allows for easy mounting to the standard 15/16" grid as well as the 9/16" grid. This section covers how to properly install the universal drop ceiling mount.

1. Locate the 1/4"-20 nut in the center tabs.

2. While holding the nut in place, thread the T-Bar clip through the nut until tight. 

3. Open the T-Bar clip all the way. 

Note: Depending on ceiling accessiblity, the next two steps can be performed in reverse order. 

4. Mount the universal ceiling mount to the T-Bar by twisting the clip onto the T-Bar and closing the clip.

5. Remove the camera dome to access the camera mounting holes. Using the screws included with the camera, screw the mounting screws into the holes corresponding to the camera mounting pattern found in table below.

6. Optionally, an additional screw can be inserted into the recessed hole to help reduce tampering with the camera. 

Note: Some trimming may be required to ensure ceiling tiles fit flush over the T-Bar clip when using a 9/16" T-Bar.

Registration Methods

Once you have powered up your camera, it should auto-register to your account. Ensure the camera has the correct LED status that indicates it's ready to register. A full explanation of all LED statuses can be found here.

If the camera doesn't register automatically, it can be manually registered from the mobile app or via the web console.

Mobile App

App Download: Android or iOS

1. Log in to the app, tap "Menu" in the bottom right corner, then tap "Register Devices." This will launch the registration wizard, which will guide you through the registration process step by step. 

2. Tap "Register via QR Code."

3. Select the location where you'd like the camera to be registered. If you haven't created a location within your console yet, tap "Add New Location" at the bottom of this page.

Note: If you can't find the appropriate location, filter the results by tapping the "filter" button in the top right. Learn more about managing locations here. 

4. Select Ethernet for the camera connection type. 

5. The last screen will display a QR code. Once the camera has powered on, show the QR code to it (a few inches from the lens is good).

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

Web Console

1. To register a camera from the web console, navigate to the "Devices" tab, and click "Register Camera."

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 populates, 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" in the bottom right.

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

4. Select Ethernet for the camera connection type. 

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.

Helpful Links

• Connecting a Rhombus Camera
• Camera Bandwidth
• Managing Locations
• Device LED Statuses
• Preventing Water Damage

Contact Support or 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.