Reason: I have a dash camera that records while there is motion when the vehicle is parked.
It has a setting for a voltage regulator that kills the camera when the battery drains to a specific level.
What is a reasonable bottom voltage to ensure my car will still start and not be drained.
I have a 2013 Focus ST
Posted Oct 16, 2016, 12:21 AM UTC
This doesn't answer your question but I also have a dashcam with my Focus ST. However, it runs off of an external battery when it's parked. If you are worried that the dash camera will cut off necessary power needed to start the car, I would highly recommend you to just use an external battery.
Whenever I am parked, I unplug the dashcam from the cig lighter and then plug it into the external battery / powerbank. The only downside is that you will probably need to charge it every 2 days or so (depends on how much you use it).
I have a 10,000 mAh battery that I use to run my A118C continuously when i'm parked. It lasts around 24 hours which is around 2 - 3 days of use. Then I go charge it overnight and continue using it the next day when i'm parked.
That's quite elaborate, but I haven't had the need for that in my Honda Fit I had a dash camera in before. It ran parking mode with motion detection on a 2channel camera system. Never had a dead battery in the car with that camera mounted for over 2 years. Was just curious if the Focus ST would be any different.
I don't have answer to your question but I really doubt the dash camera is going to drain the battery that low. I will say most of the dash cameras I've ever read about aren't really "always" on, they will snap on from a "hibernation" when sensors detect any type of movement that would set them off so always on is a new thing to me.
I told you, it's on when it's parked so long as there is motion around the vehicle. Fully recording. 1080p front and rear simultaneously.
Motion doesn't necessarily translate into vibrations (the type of movement I was talking about that would make it start recording, as in a bump in the car). No need to be a dick.
My camera shoots video with motion sensing. NOT vibrations. I've said this 3x now.
Tell me a fourth I don't think I caught you the first time. Why are you being so hostile? Anonymity getting the best of you?
Typical engine needs 12.5 volts to start.
The hard wire dash cam kits I looked into shut off at 11.6. Your car will not start at that level.
I am in the process of hard wiring mine into a fuse that has power with the key. Seems to be the best option. If you're worried about parking lot damage, you could either find another wiring kit that shuts off earlier or get a battery powered dash cam that will only charge with the key on.
I can adjust the shut off voltage of my camera. That's why I was asking. Thanks!
The 12.5 (or so) is where a healthy battery will come to rest. It should charge somewhere north of 14 volts.
You're basically giving yourself a hour or two I'd guess. Without your alternator, your voltage will drop back quickly with a load on it. I'd actually be interested at how long it takes to shut off.
I'm not sure how adjustable you can make it, but I'd probably start at 12.7 or 12.8 and see what happens.
I initially set mine to 11.8V but that was a little sketchy starting (trip counter would reset as it barely had enough juice to start). I set it to 12V and haven't had a problem since. I have the Fiesta ST though.