I wanted to use either a 6Volt lantern battery or the standard (8)AA batteries.
My camera Goes thru 8AA batteries in about a week. At $5 every time I had to replace them I knew there had to be a better way. Then one day while changing out dead batteries I noticed something. After I put in the first 4 batteries the camera initialized and advanced the film. I took a closer look and realized the first 4 power the camera and the last 4 power the motion sensor. Once I realized both devices run on 6 volts I got the idea to made an external battery source. After testing my theory that a lantern battery would work with gator clips. I was ready to intall a plug for the external battery.
I started by dissembling the unit. I took out the camera and then took out the battery/circut board unit.
When I saw the tiny passive infared sensor I was impressed with how small it was.
The smaller of the two circuit board had the motion sensors sensitivity adjust on it. It is the little orange piece at the top that accepts a Phillips screw driver. I left this alone since my test with the 6volt battery showed it could pick me up from across my living room 20'+.
After looking around I found a spot I could mount the female side of the power connector. I used a speaker plug because it was the lowest profile plug I could mount easily. I mounted it near the infrared sensor but made sure it was not in the way. I also noticed a weird pattern on the inside of the infrared sensors lens. I guess it helps filter out the squirrels.
I then found the positive and negative terminals on the circuit board and soldered up the wires to the plug.
After reassimbling the unit I powered it up with the 6Volt battery and set it to test mode. It works as expected and I should have a much longer battery life.
I also am thinking I could use rechargeable batteries and rig up a solar panel to charge them during the day. I don't know if it could keep them permanently charged up but I know it would extend the battery life.
If you get the bright idea to try this don't blame me if it does not work. I'm not an electrician, I just drank way to much Mountain Dew last night.