Anyone hardwire a dash cam for parking mode? Mine keeps recording full time, which drains battery

h4yd3n · Mar 7, 2020

Anyone else here hardwire a dash cam for parking mode?

My understanding of parking mode is that the dash cam activates and starts recording upon sensing an impact to the car while the ignition is off. Yet mine keeps recording all the time, which drains the battery...

I used a fuse tap into the fog light fuse, but the dash cam is continuously active even if I choose the power seat fuse.

What fuse did you use for successful parking mode?

h4yd3n · Mar 11, 2020

Wow that’s a serious setup. I just got a $100 Chinese brand from Amazon. It’s sufficient for my cheap needs...until I get an actual hit and run that the cheap camera can’t provide a clear license plate for evidence.

I’ve been doing research into parking modes, and it seems that “parking modes” in general are constantly on cameras, thus draining battery, but not recording to the SD card unless the g sensor manages to detect a collision.

I originally thought parking modes were more advanced and would only turn on and record in the event of a collision or motion. I suppose I’ve now accepted that I either need to just let mine record 24/7 or use a standard USB battery pack while accepting the risk of a fire in hot temps.

For now, I’ve been switching the fuse from ACC when I’m parked in my driveway, to something constantly on when I go out somewhere.

Braves95 · Mar 12, 2020

h4yd3n[OP] said: ↑

Wow that’s a serious setup. I just got a $100 Chinese brand from Amazon. It’s sufficient for my cheap needs...until I get an actual hit and run that the cheap camera can’t provide a clear license plate for evidence.

I’ve been doing research into parking modes, and it seems that “parking modes” in general are constantly on cameras, thus draining battery, but not recording to the SD card unless the g sensor manages to detect a collision.

I originally thought parking modes were more advanced and would only turn on and record in the event of a collision or motion. I suppose I’ve now accepted that I either need to just let mine record 24/7 or use a standard USB battery pack while accepting the risk of a fire in hot temps.

For now, I’ve been switching the fuse from ACC when I’m parked in my driveway, to something constantly on when I go out somewhere.
Click to expand...

Do you have motion setup? Use that. I have the blackvue with a timer/ volt sensor. Once volts drop to 12.1 it shuts the camera down. Maybe that accessory will work for you. Go to the blackvue site and check that out.

h4yd3n · Mar 12, 2020

My hardwire kit does have the voltage sensor for power cutoff. But I guess I still have reservations about the car battery being drained down to that minimum level. My current cam has only the g-sensor for impacts. But either way, the parking mode is still a constant power drain for the dash cam, regardless if it records or not.

nimby · Mar 12, 2020

Snickel Fritz said: ↑

I bought a Thinkware u1000 DC setup for hardwiring, but I have held off on installing the cameras themselves until I find the right battery.

You're going to need a backup battery that will provide enough capacity to run your cameras, wifi hotspot and the radar module (if you're using either of the last two). I've been leaning towards a LiFePo4 battery with 50 AH or more capacity. They're not cheap, though most seem to be rather cheaply made. The good ones cost a pretty penny (more than the cams!) and also require a charging module.

My charging unit is a Renogy DCC50S, which can charge aux batteries (including lithium!) from the stock alternator, and/or solar panels up to 25v at 25 amps.
If no solar is detected (or is covered, switched off via added switch etc.) it can charge from the alternator at 50 amps. Eventually, I intend to add a 160w panel to my roof so I can keep my aux batteries and starter battery charged, as well as power a fridge. The charge controller also trickle charges/floats all batteries in the system, so less chance of a dead starter battery.

Once I find my battery(ies?) I can start shopping for the appropriate mounting solutions for everything, and figure out what wires/hardware I'll need. Since nothing is on sale now, I haven't completed my set. Since my set isn't complete, I haven't put the cams in for use yet... without all of the security features in place, it's more likely that someone would break in to steal them, and get away with it.

If you're interested in LiFePo4 batteries, I suggest you look into Battle Born first- they are probably the absolute best available right now, and have a great warranty. They also have a huge fanbase, so they're less likely to disappear. People have shared some pretty compelling stories about how well Battle Born has taken care of them, even when the customer made mistakes and destroyed their battery.
I am only waiting for them to go on sale, or until I see a dissection of their less-expensive competitors' products that shows them to be similarly robust. Right now, BB 50AH units are ~$600 shipped. Other brands like those marketed for boats and trolling motors offer a lot of options for considerably less money, but have less than stellar reviews and aren't as sturdy or as versatile.

For now, I'd suggest either charging your battery overnight when you can (and keep a good jumper pack charged at all times!), or finding a way to disable parking mode until you can add the necessary power source (and system). You don't need to go big and crazy, some cam companies sell battery packs for a few hundred bucks... but they aren't very good, long lasting, and some are lithium ion which is unsafe to leave in a hot car. An extra AGM, in a tray, with a small solar panel going through a charger and solar controller would also be sufficient, if you're okay with the weight and extra bulk. Even "portable" charging tech can be used, if you don't mind maybe altering some connections, charging/swapping battery packs, etc. With a little ingenuity and some electrical knowledge, you could repurpose tiny solar phone chargers, or even hook up a small wind generator... if that's your bag.
There are a lot of options out there, most of them tried and true. I suggest you look into older battery types first, and then lithium. Lithium iron phosphate is great, but you may not need more than a single AGM battery which can be had for cheap, and have many chargers etc. already made for them on the market. Lithium is relatively new, so there are fewer power system components that will play nice with it... and those can be expensive (my dc-dc/solar charger was $300, and that's considered cheap).
If you don't mind going all in on an aux power system for heavier use though, definitely consider going with LiFePo4.

Hope this helps you a little, there are loads more people on here that know a load more than me, so with any luck we'll get a visit from one of our electrically inclined members.
Click to expand...

Snickel Fritz!

Where you been, bro!

We missed you around here.

nimby · Mar 12, 2020

Snickel Fritz said: ↑

Nimby, I feel honored to be missed and I've missed being here!
I'm back for the foreseeable future, and looking forward to catching up.
Whatcha been up to, bud?
Click to expand...

Nothin' much.

Just hanging out.

Glad to have you back!

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