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Best Battery & Minimum Power for Always-On Car Camera with Trunk Setup & Charging Options

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Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
  • #1 18011019
    pandm
    Level 7  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    My car has been scratched yet again, so I want my car camera to be on all the time. My idea may not be perfect, but I want to put the battery in the trunk (I will charge it from time to time - connection to the charger), and pull the new cigarette lighter socket (crocodile clips for the battery) inside - connect the camera.
    My question is, what battery will be the best for this, what is the minimum power, so that I have enough power for some time without too frequent charging.
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  • #2 18011024
    tomtim123
    Level 37  
    Posts: 2429
    Help: 420
    Rate: 749
    You only need 20,000mAh MAX Power Bank.
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  • #3 18011034
    pandm
    Level 7  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    how long will this powerbank last? night ? or longer?
  • #4 18011067
    tomtim123
    Level 37  
    Posts: 2429
    Help: 420
    Rate: 749
    pandm wrote:
    how long will this powerbank last? night ? or longer?

    Take yourself how much electricity this recorder takes while you work and you will calculate for yourself how much such a Power Bank will last for you.
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  • #5 18011084
    pandm
    Level 7  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    a powerbank, if it already has a working time of about 75 hours, costs about 1 thousand. So how much can such 20,000 mAh withstand? maybe a night?
    So this solution is out of the question, as I asked, which battery is best to insert (additional)?
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  • #6 18011092
    tomtim123
    Level 37  
    Posts: 2429
    Help: 420
    Rate: 749
    pandm wrote:
    a powerbank, if it already has a working time of about 75 hours, costs about 1 thousand. So how much can such 20,000 mAh withstand? maybe a night?
    So this solution is out of the question, as I asked, which battery is best to insert (additional)?

    Although you said "working time about 75 hours", it all depends on the current consumption of the receiver and, of course, the rated voltage of the battery. 75 hours :-)

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    tomtim123 wrote:
    pandm wrote:
    a powerbank, if it already has a working time of about 75 hours, costs about 1 thousand. So how much can such 20,000 mAh withstand? maybe a night?
    So this solution is out of the question, as I asked, which battery is best to insert (additional)?

    Although you said "working time about 75 hours", it all depends on the current consumption of the receiver and, of course, the rated voltage of the battery. 75 hours :-)

    It's best to mount it with a 100Ah battery. in the trunk, attach the crocodile clips and in the event of a short circuit, you have a problem with a scratched car. :-)
  • #7 18011130
    pandm
    Level 7  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    [13,600mA / 174.08wh]
    90min 90% charged
    75hrs work
    data for the IROAD V9 2CH (2.3W) model
  • #8 18015330
    tomtim123
    Level 37  
    Posts: 2429
    Help: 420
    Rate: 749
    If you want a battery, the cheapest one will be to buy a gel battery, e.g. 12Ah on a well-known portal for about PLN 50-60, plus a "DC-DC INVERTER XL4015 5A STEP-DOWN CHARGER", there you set a separate output voltage and current limit and you are good. And do not forget to install a fuse, some 4A should be enough, because safety first of all. Regards
  • #9 18015432
    pandm
    Level 7  
    Posts: 13
    Rate: 4
    Thank you for your help
  • #10 18015482
    user64
    Level 35  
    Posts: 3521
    Help: 219
    Rate: 688
    And isn't it better to connect the recorder to, for example, interior lighting and simply draw energy from the car's battery? If it is used often, it is not a problem after all.
  • #11 18016494
    seba694637
    Level 16  
    Posts: 549
    Help: 11
    Rate: 113
    The cost of the battery and such combinations will exceed the cost of the painter. If you drive a lot, let it go because it's better to leave the car under the battery and buy a large battery.
    I can tell you this.
    Cell 18650, cost PLN 20 / piece. 10 cells = 200 PLN capacity: 25 thousand mAh
    10 2A charging circuits. PLN 10 / item = PLN 100.
    For example, SAMSUNG INR18650-25R cells. Charging current 1700mA-4000ma.


    You connect the batteries in parallel. Connect the charging systems through a 30A-40A fuse with a 10-12mm cable. Let this system charge only when you start the car (some relay controlled excitation). Three hours of driving a week and the batteries will be constantly charged.

    But be warned, this is only a waste of time and money
  • #12 18646620
    Adam3339
    Level 5  
    Posts: 12
    Rate: 1
    It's cool, except that Li-ion batteries can ignite, explode or unseal (electrolyte leakage) if they are heated to too high a temperature. They should not be stored in the car on hot and sunny days. Short circuiting the battery may cause it to ignite or explode. Also, do not open the battery. Li-ion batteries contain safety devices which, if damaged, can also cause the battery to catch fire or explode. Charging such a battery is dangerous. During charging, the cell (battery) heats up which can lead to an explosion.
    pandm wrote:
    a powerbank, if it already has a working time of about 75 hours, costs about 1 thousand. So how much can such 20,000 mAh withstand? maybe a night?
    So this solution is out of the question, as I asked, which battery is best to insert (additional)?

    Yes, yes, there is a reason that powerbanks designed to supply parking recorders are so expensive, first of all, they are fully integrated with the electrical system, i.e. they can automatically switch to parking mode, automatically take power from the battery while driving only when needed , and all this without switching any plugs, switches, thinking and remembering about the correct combinations, besides, they usually have LiFePo4 (lithium-iron-phosphate) cells, which are much more durable, safer and more efficient than popular lithium-ion cells ( Li-Ion), and at the same time provide several times shorter charging time.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    For those interested, the best choice, in my opinion, is Cellink NEO9.
    Regards.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around finding an appropriate battery solution for an always-on car camera setup, specifically with the battery placed in the trunk. Users suggest various options, including a 20,000mAh power bank, which may not provide sufficient runtime, and a 100Ah battery for extended use. The importance of calculating the camera's power consumption is emphasized to determine the battery's longevity. Recommendations include using a gel battery (12Ah) with a DC-DC inverter for charging, and considerations for safety measures like fuses. Concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries are raised, highlighting risks such as overheating and potential explosions. The conversation also touches on the practicality of connecting the camera to the car's interior lighting for power.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: A 12Ah gel battery (PLN 50–60) with an XL4015 charger and a 4A fuse is a simple trunk power solution; "safety first of all." [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330]

Why it matters: This helps drivers who want always‑on dash‑cam recording choose safe, low‑cost batteries, wiring, and charging options for trunk installs.

Quick Facts

What battery is best for a simple, safe trunk install?

Use a small sealed gel battery with a DC‑DC charger. A 12Ah gel unit is cheap and widely available. Pair it with an XL4015 step‑down charger and set voltage and current limits. Add a 4A fuse near the battery to protect wiring. "Safety first of all." [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330]

How long can a low‑power dash cam run on a known pack?

For the IROAD V9 2CH rated 2.3 W, a 174.08 Wh pack delivered about 75 hours. That pack reached 90% charge in around 90 minutes. Use this as a reference when estimating runtime for similar cameras. [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130]

Is a 20,000 mAh power bank enough for a night?

Capacity alone does not tell runtime. Measure your recorder’s current draw, then calculate hours from capacity and voltage. "Take yourself how much electricity this recorder takes... and you will calculate." How‑To: 1. Measure camera current while recording. 2. Note battery capacity and voltage. 3. Divide available Wh by camera W. [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18011067]

Can I mount a 100Ah car battery in the trunk for this?

It was suggested, but short circuits create serious hazards. The warning was clear: in a short, you face more than a scratched car. Choose safer, smaller solutions unless you fully understand high‑current risks. [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18011092]

Can I power the camera from the car battery via interior lighting?

Yes, tapping a feed like interior lighting can work. If you drive often, the main battery gets recharged, reducing risk of drain. This avoids extra batteries if your usage fits that pattern. [Elektroda, user64, post #18015482]

What fuse size should I use for the camera circuit?

Add a fuse close to the battery on the positive lead. A 4A fuse is enough for typical dash‑cam loads in this setup. This protects against shorts and aligns with the recommended parts list. [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330]

Are Li‑ion power banks safe to leave in a hot car?

Use caution with Li‑ion chemistry in vehicles. "They should not be stored in the car on hot and sunny days." Excess heat can cause venting, electrolyte leakage, or ignition during charging or shorting. Avoid opening packs or damaging built‑in safety devices. [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Why pick LiFePO4‑based dash‑cam power banks?

LiFePO4 parking power banks are safer and more durable than Li‑ion. They also charge several times faster and integrate auto parking‑mode switching. This reduces manual intervention and improves daily usability. [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Any recommended model for a ready‑made solution?

Cellink NEO9 is recommended as a top parking‑mode power source. It uses LiFePO4 cells and integrates with dash cams. Choose it if you want quick charging and clean integration. [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Can I build a custom pack from 18650 cells?

Yes, but the cost and complexity add up. One plan used ten Samsung INR18650‑25R cells for about 25,000 mAh. It added ten 2A charging modules, a 30–40A fuse, and 10–12 mm cable. The author concluded it is "only a waste of time and money." [Elektroda, seba694637, post #18016494]

How quickly do some dash‑cam packs recharge?

The pack referenced with the IROAD V9 2CH reached about 90% in 90 minutes. Use that as a benchmark when comparing charging times. [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130]

What power draw should I plan around for a dual‑channel cam?

As a reference, the IROAD V9 2CH draws about 2.3 W while running. Treat this as a low‑power example when sizing batteries. [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130]

Do dedicated power banks really manage parking mode automatically?

Yes. They integrate with the vehicle to auto‑switch to parking mode and only draw when needed. This removes plug‑swapping and manual switches. [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]
Generated by the language model.
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