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Can I leave my nextbase dashcam plugged into the 12v socket when parked?

  • 30-10-2019 10:11AM
    #1
    batman1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 615 ✭✭✭


    I have a 181 so can't hardwire in until the warranty is up. So, having bought a 322w I was wondering if I can leave it constantly plugged in or will it have an affect on the car battery or anything ?


Comments

  • #2
    Kenny Logins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭Kenny Logins


    Does the socket stay live after switching the ignition off?

    Even if it does, I don't think a dashcam would do much to run down a car battery overnight.


  • #3
    pippip
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,246 ✭✭✭pippip


    I think I've seen others on here mention having dead batteries after leaving dashcams on overnight so I'd be weary.

    On my car the manual says the 12v socket stops after 20mins of ignition being turned off but I tested once and it was still on after 40mins.

    I got one of these with a button i can press, I do it naturally now.
    https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61m2xgn3K-L._SL1500_.jpg


  • #4
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,716 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    I used this hardwire kit with my Viofo dashcam:

    https://www.amazon.co.uk/VIOFO-A129-Dash-Hardwire-Parking/dp/B07KZGM9LS/

    It can tell when ignition/accessory mode is on or off (to enable parking mode on camera), and has a selectable cutoff voltage so will not discharge your battery beyond that. How long the dashcam will actually run before cutoff seems a bit random though it can keep going overnight - maybe I need to replace my 12V battery as it's 7 years old now...

    I used two fuse taps on unpopulated sockets in the interior fuse box (looked for one with permanent and one with ACC only power), no permanent modifications to the car.

    Don't know if Nextbase have something similar - the 3-wire kits like above would need a compatible dashcam for the extra functionality.


  • #5
    CiniO
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,039 ✭✭✭✭CiniO


    I'm not sure how much power dashcam needs, but if it's only as little as 6W, then it's still constant flow of 0.5A which will drain 12Ah per 24h.

    In a small car with small battery with 30Ah capacity, 12Ah might be more than needed of a drain to prevent car from starting.


  • #6
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,400 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    batman1 wrote: »
    I have a 181 so can't hardwire in until the warranty is up. So, having bought a 322w I was wondering if I can leave it constantly plugged in or will it have an affect on the car battery or anything ?

    Easy to hard wire without affecting warranty

    One of these is all you need

    https://www.truckelectrics.com/products/add-a-circuit-standard-blade-piggy-back-fuse-holder?variant=18891796999&currency=EUR&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6eTtBRDdARIsANZWjYYXT06O0HqFLAJ2jKcrisQd4l_CVqGLvxyHntBMVmFMLunwuYAjoGUaAoUVEALw_wcB


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  • #7
    TigerTim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,266 ✭✭✭TigerTim


    I have my dashcam plugged in to the cigarette lighter for the past 2 years. No issues. Once the ignition is switched off, power no longer provided to the cigarette lighter so dashcam switches off. Did the same for previous 4 years in my last car.

    T.


  • #8
    jmreire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,041 ✭✭✭jmreire


    TigerTim wrote: »
    I have my dashcam plugged in to the cigarette lighter for the past 2 years. No issues. Once the ignition is switched off, power no longer provided to the cigarette lighter so dashcam switches off. Did the same for previous 4 years in my last car.

    T.

    That's fine once its the type of car that when the ignition is switch off, power is cut to plug socket, but this does not apply to all cars, so you need to be carefull.
    In the Skoda's this does not happen, so you have to pull out the dash cam plug to disconnect it.Another thing to watch out for is that some dash cams wont over write micro card, and every now and then, it has to be deleted manually.


  • #9
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,716 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    Any dashcam worth its salt has a loop recording mode.

    Installing a fuse tap and routing the cable properly behind trim is not hard at all if you're any way handy. Just be careful around the side curtain airbags, and obviously do not route the wire over them like some idiots on YouTube do! :eek:


  • #10
    Kenny Logins
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,061 ✭✭✭Kenny Logins


    jmreire wrote: »
    That's fine once its the type of car that when the ignition is switch off, power is cut to plug socket, but this does not apply to all cars, so you need to be carefull.
    In the Skoda's this does not happen, so you have to pull out the dash cam plug to disconnect it.Another thing to watch out for is that some dash cams wont over write micro card, and every now and then, it has to be deleted manually.


    If it's not overwriting you might need to adjust the sensitivity. It could be marking clips for small knocks or bumps.


  • #11
    Del2005
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,072 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    zilog_jones wrote: »
    Any dashcam worth its salt has a loop recording mode.

    Installing a fuse tap and routing the cable properly behind trim is not hard at all if you're any way handy. Just be careful around the side curtain airbags, and obviously do not route the wire over them like some idiots on YouTube do! :eek:

    That will loop record but when the card is full they can take a few seconds to start again, I've an old one that takes 10 seconds to record again when the card is full so I just format it every few days.

    The will void the OPs warranty. Doesn't matter how neat they are they will be leaving themselves in a bad position if any electrical faults develop.


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  • #12
    antodeco
    Registered Users, Subscribers, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,677 ✭✭✭✭antodeco


    I've an always live cigarette socket. I've left my dashcam plugged in by mistake for 5 days. Battery wasn't dead!


  • #13
    Daveq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭Daveq


    ted1 wrote: »
    Easy to hard wire without affecting warranty

    One of these is all you need

    https://www.truckelectrics.com/products/add-a-circuit-standard-blade-piggy-back-fuse-holder?variant=18891796999&currency=EUR&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6eTtBRDdARIsANZWjYYXT06O0HqFLAJ2jKcrisQd4l_CVqGLvxyHntBMVmFMLunwuYAjoGUaAoUVEALw_wcB

    This won't work on its own, the 12v plug on the dash cam steps the voltage down to 5v.

    Nextbase do a hardwire kit which includes a fuse adapter (like above) and a voltage transformer to get to 5v. Buy it and wire it to a fuse that is a switched live, something like the wipers should do.
    You can remove if needed at any stage, it doesn't require any modification of wiring or anything to the car.


  • #14
    ted1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,400 ✭✭✭✭ted1


    Daveq wrote: »
    This won't work on its own, the 12v plug on the dash cam steps the voltage down to 5v.

    Nextbase do a hardwire kit which includes a fuse adapter (like above) and a voltage transformer to get to 5v. Buy it and wire it to a fuse that is a switched live, something like the wipers should do.
    You can remove if needed at any stage, it doesn't require any modification of wiring or anything to the car.

    So wire in a 12v socket via the fuse adopter and keep it behind the trim, then run the cable up the pillar... so yes it’ll work.


  • #15
    jmreire
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,041 ✭✭✭jmreire


    Kenny Logins wrote: »
    If it's not overwriting you might need to adjust the sensitivity. It could be marking clips for small knocks or bumps.

    Its the cam itself,,,it's an old one that's due retirement. Show's " Card Full" and you have to press some buttons to delete, and off you go again. Thanks for the tip though.:)


  • #16
    H.E. Pennypacker
    Closed Accounts Posts: 828 ✭✭✭H.E. Pennypacker


    If you're feeling flush you could buy a battery pack - it'll charge through the 12v socket when the car is running although you've the option to hardwire it too:

    http://www.car-dvr.co.uk/cellink_b/powerbank/cellink_neo6.html


  • #17
    zilog_jones
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,716 ✭✭✭zilog_jones


    I'd be reluctant to keep a big Li-ion battery in the cabin of my car. A car left out in the sun (even in Ireland) can easily exceed 35 degrees inside - Li-ion batteries just do not like such operating conditions. At the very least you'll end up with fast degradation of the battery and an expensive brick, but there's also potential for things to go volatile.


  • #18
    Daveq
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 186 ✭✭Daveq


    ted1 wrote: »
    So wire in a 12v socket via the fuse adopter and keep it behind the trim, then run the cable up the pillar... so yes it’ll work.

    Correct it will, which is inline with what I said. I am merely pointing out to him that he needs more than you originally said was "all you need".


  • #19
    batman1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 615 ✭✭✭batman1


    Ok, so car doesn't keep the 12v live after stopping so no issues there.

    However, I do note that my new dashcam is VERY hot after use, as in not being able to hold it by its ends. Is that normal?


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