It is a cold January morning. Too cold, in fact, that you need to scrape a thick layer of snow from your windshield. You get in, turn the ignition on, and find out the car is dead. What happened? Who’s the culprit?
It’s the battery, drained by your dash cam's parking mode . For new users of a dash cam, this is a quandary they often face: get 24/7 surveillance, but risk their battery life. Ask this to anyone who lives in frigid weather, and they will all agree. Although they need surveillance, the functionality may leave them stranded–if they’re not careful.
The combination of winter and dash-cam use could be like oil and water. The cold can cause a significant loss of 20% to 50% of their cranking capacity, especially at temperatures below zero. When using a dash cam that records when the car is off, the device uses a small but steady current. In the summer, this won’t be a big issue. But during winter, the device will reduce the battery’s capacity to start.
You need to understand how to check for voltage drops, and this article will help you choose the best internal power and optimize your settings so that your car dash cam will not drain battery while looking after your vehicle.
Winter Voltage Drops and Hardwire Kit Protection
Car batteries generate electricity through chemical reactions. When placed in cold conditions, chemical reactions slow down, reducing the “Cold Cranking Amps” (CCA) required to start the engine.
An active dash cam with parking mode uses between 0.5W and 2W. Under normal conditions, this energy is negligible. But a battery that has depleted 30% of its capacity to keep running will reach a critical level sooner than usual.
The Role of the Hardwire Kit
To keep a dash cam running while the engine is off, the best option is a hardwire kit. The camera is connected to the fuse box for a continuous power supply. Its most important feature you need to check here is the low-voltage buffer system. This mechanism enables monitoring the car battery’s health. Once the voltage drops to a set margin, the device turns itself off. The dash cam’s system ensures the car has enough juice left to crank and start.
Winter Recommendations for Voltage Settings
During summer, a cutoff of 12.0V should be the normal level. On the other hand, in temperatures below zero, you need change your settings:
- Set a Higher Cutoff: Set it for 12.2V or 12.4V during colder temperature months. This provides a sufficient power buffer for the battery.
- Test Resting Voltage: Use your dash cam’s companion app or a multimeter to monitor the battery voltage capacity if the car has been idle for several hours.
- Avoid Deep Discharge: If you keep letting your battery drop below 12V in frigid temperatures, it will cause permanent "sulfation," inadvertently shortening battery life.
Pro Tip: If you have left your car for more than 48 hours in the frigid weather. Unless you are parked in a high-risk area, you should manually turn off the dash cam.
Supercapacitors vs. Batteries for Cold Reliability
When buying a car dash cam, the first thing to check is the internal power source. You might find a rechargeable dash cam. These devices use Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. Although these are cheaper options, you might regret purchasing them when used in extreme climates.
The Problem with Lithium-Ion
Lithium batteries are unreliable and inconsistent. They are difficult to charge and are known to be temperamental when it comes to providing “last-second” voltage to save video data when the car is off. Worse, the volatility of freezing and heating temperatures can cause the battery to swell, which is known to be a notorious fire hazard.
The Supercapacitor Advantage
Vantrue’s top-of-the-line dash cam uses supercapacitors. With this technology, the battery stores energy with electrostatic, rather than chemical, reactions. An electrostatic battery has the following features.
- Temperature Resilience: They can operate reliably over a temperature range of -20°C to 70°C.
- Longevity: They don’t degrade even after millions of charge cycles.
- Safety: They do not swell and are not fire hazards. So you don’t have to worry with dash cam that records when the car is off.
Comparison Table: Winter Performance
|
Feature |
Lithium-Ion Batteries |
Supercapacitors (Vantrue) |
|
Temp Range |
-10°C to 60°C |
-20°C to 70°C |
|
Cold Weather Drain |
High; unreliable shutdowns |
Minimal; consistent |
|
Lifespan |
Shorter in extremes |
Longer, more cycles |
|
Safety |
Overheat/swelling risk |
No chemical hazards |
According to many automotive forums, lithium-based cameras frequently freeze in frigid temperatures, while supercapacitors are known to be “winter-proof”.
Optimizing Parking Mode Detection
Protecting your battery further is about choosing the right settings for your dash cam with parking mode.There are two basic options to keep the dash cam running while the engine is off: Time Lapse and Motion Detection.
Motion Detection vs. Time-Lapse
- Motion Detection: The camera in "standby" mode writes to the SD card only when its G-sensor detects an impact or nearby movement. A buffered recording occurs when the camera saves the seconds leading up to the incident. However, this requires the dash cam to be fully powered or charged and alert, requiring currents (up to 1-2A during trigger peaks).
- Time-Lapse: When this option is chosen, the camera records continuously at a very low frame rate (around 1 frame per second). This is a good option for long parking hours and power efficiency. But at a steady state, this option reduces power for around 50-70%
Vantrue’s Implementation
When you use a Vantrue camera, you can even fine-tune settings. During the winter, it's best to utilize the Time-Lapse mode, especially for overnight parking. This option gives a continuous recording of your vehicle's surroundings while drawing small voltages from the battery. If your device supports this, choose Radar Detection. This uses less energy. Essentially, this mode wakes up your camera only when an object moves nearby.
Emergency Prep and Power Supply Tips
Be advised, however, that optimal settings are not a silver bullet against all extreme temperatures. For example, if you’re living in places where the environment regularly stays below -20°C, voltage cuts off in just a few hours, which leaves your vehicle in the dark and unprotected for the rest of the night.
In such extreme cases, you will need a dedicated dash cam battery pack. These devices are external and provide an independent power supply to your dash cam. This separates the engine and dash cam power supplies. If you have this, you won’t have problems with battery drainage.
Related Reading: If you want to know more, check out our other blogs, like How to use an emergency power supply for winter survival tips.
Winter Prep Checklist:
- Upgrade to an AGM Battery: Absorbent Glass Mat (AGM) batteries can endure discharges and extreme temperatures better than standard batteries.
- Use a Block Heater: Maintaining a warm engine reduces the workload to crank the machine back to life. Without this, you may be overworking your electronics.
- Check Connections: Make sure your hardwire kit's ground wire is secured.
- Avoid Consumer Power Banks: Don’t use a standard USB power bank for your dash cam; they aren't tested or rated for performance in extreme temperature swings.
Conclusion : Secure Your Dash Cam This Winter
Protecting your vehicle shouldn't be risky. You should not have to choose between surveillance and protection versus the life of your battery. The winter season always throws things out-of-sync if you don’t understand the mechanical relationship between battery chemicals and the cold.
The safest route is to be proactive. Learn the proper voltage cutoff. Choose Time-Lapse options and opt for a dash cam with parking mode and supercapacitors so your car starts every time.
Vantrue’s supercapacitor-based models are designed to withstand the extremes of winter months, providing a proven dash cam that records when the car is off without risking your older battery tech dying on you.
Take Action Today: Test your battery’s idle voltage, switch your parking mode to Time-Lapse, and if you're looking for the ultimate peace of mind, browse our latest supercapacitor models. Don't forget to visit our blog on emergency power supplies to ensure you're fully prepared for the next cold snap! Visit Vantrue’s supercapacitors line and stay safe.
