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

Question 1

For heat, safety, and convenience, use a dedicated LiFePO4 parking‑mode pack (e.g., Cellink NEO series). It charges while driving and auto‑switches to parking power [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620], [“Cellink NEO – Product Page”]. On a budget, a small SLA/gel battery with a DC‑DC regulator and fuse works, but it’s heavier and needs proper charging [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330], [“Battery University – BU‑403: Charging Lead Acid”].

Answer

For heat, safety, and convenience, use a dedicated LiFePO4 parking‑mode pack (e.g., Cellink NEO series). It charges while driving and auto‑switches to parking power [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620], [“Cellink NEO – Product Page”]. On a budget, a small SLA/gel battery with a DC‑DC regulator and fuse works, but it’s heavier and needs proper charging [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330], [“Battery University – BU‑403: Charging Lead Acid”].

Question 2

Runtime ≈ (Battery Wh × efficiency) ÷ camera W. Example: 174 Wh × 0.9 ÷ 2.3 W ≈ 68–75 h, matching reported ~75 h [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Convert mAh to Wh: Wh ≈ (mAh ÷ 1000) × nominal V (3.6–3.7 V for Li‑ion) [“Battery University – Watt‑hours explained”].

Answer

Runtime ≈ (Battery Wh × efficiency) ÷ camera W. Example: 174 Wh × 0.9 ÷ 2.3 W ≈ 68–75 h, matching reported ~75 h [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Convert mAh to Wh: Wh ≈ (mAh ÷ 1000) × nominal V (3.6–3.7 V for Li‑ion) [“Battery University – Watt‑hours explained”].

Question 3

Yes, for a ~2.3 W dashcam. 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh at 3.7 V. With 80–90% conversion, expect ~26–29 h (74×0.85/2.3) [“How to calculate a power bank’s real capacity”]. Edge case: some power banks auto‑sleep at low current or dislike 24/7 loads [“Why power banks turn off automatically”].

Answer

Yes, for a ~2.3 W dashcam. 20,000 mAh ≈ 74 Wh at 3.7 V. With 80–90% conversion, expect ~26–29 h (74×0.85/2.3) [“How to calculate a power bank’s real capacity”]. Edge case: some power banks auto‑sleep at low current or dislike 24/7 loads [“Why power banks turn off automatically”].

Question 4

It gives huge runtime (~1,200 Wh), but requires secure mounting, ventilation (if flooded), and a fuse close to the battery. A short can be hazardous, especially with crocodile clips [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18011092] Use fused wiring and a battery box if you go this route [“Battery University – Lead Acid Safety”].

Answer

It gives huge runtime (~1,200 Wh), but requires secure mounting, ventilation (if flooded), and a fuse close to the battery. A short can be hazardous, especially with crocodile clips [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18011092] Use fused wiring and a battery box if you go this route [“Battery University – Lead Acid Safety”].

Question 5

It can work. A 12 Ah SLA ≈144 Wh; for longevity use ~50% (≈72 Wh), giving ~31 h at 2.3 W (72/2.3) [“Battery University – BU‑403: Charging Lead Acid”]. Use a DC‑DC step‑down (XL4015), set current/voltage, and add a 4 A fuse near the battery [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330]

Answer

It can work. A 12 Ah SLA ≈144 Wh; for longevity use ~50% (≈72 Wh), giving ~31 h at 2.3 W (72/2.3) [“Battery University – BU‑403: Charging Lead Acid”]. Use a DC‑DC step‑down (XL4015), set current/voltage, and add a 4 A fuse near the battery [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330]

Question 6

Yes, use a hardwire kit with a low‑voltage cutoff to protect the starter battery. Typical cutoffs: 11.8–12.0 V [“BlackVue Power Magic Pro – Manual”]. This approach is simple if you drive often, as suggested in the thread [Elektroda, user64, post #18015482]

Answer

Yes, use a hardwire kit with a low‑voltage cutoff to protect the starter battery. Typical cutoffs: 11.8–12.0 V [“BlackVue Power Magic Pro – Manual”]. This approach is simple if you drive often, as suggested in the thread [Elektroda, user64, post #18015482]

Question 7

Reported data: ~75 h with a 2.3 W IROAD V9 2CH and ~90 minutes to 90% recharge [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Many dedicated packs manage charging automatically while driving and are optimized for parking mode [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Answer

Reported data: ~75 h with a 2.3 W IROAD V9 2CH and ~90 minutes to 90% recharge [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Many dedicated packs manage charging automatically while driving and are optimized for parking mode [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Question 8

Answer

Mount the battery in a box; run a fused positive lead (fuse within 10–20 cm). 2. Add a DC‑DC step‑down to match camera input, and use a proper charger profile for the battery type. 3. Optional: charge only with engine ON via an ignition‑controlled relay or DC‑DC charger [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330], [“Battery University – BU‑403: Charging Lead Acid”].

Question 9

Heat accelerates aging and increases failure risk. As noted, “Li‑ion batteries can ignite” if abused or shorted. Do not store Li‑ion in hot, sunny cars [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620] LiFePO4 chemistries offer better thermal stability for parking‑mode batteries [“Battery University – BU‑205: Types of Lithium‑ion”].

Answer

Heat accelerates aging and increases failure risk. As noted, “Li‑ion batteries can ignite” if abused or shorted. Do not store Li‑ion in hot, sunny cars [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620] LiFePO4 chemistries offer better thermal stability for parking‑mode batteries [“Battery University – BU‑205: Types of Lithium‑ion”].

Question 10

A user proposed 10×18650 (≈25,000 mAh) with separate charge circuits and a relay, but called it “only a waste of time and money” [Elektroda, seba694637, post #18016494] DIY Li‑ion packs need a proper BMS, fusing, and thermal protection to be safe [“Battery University – 18650 Safety”].

Answer

A user proposed 10×18650 (≈25,000 mAh) with separate charge circuits and a relay, but called it “only a waste of time and money” [Elektroda, seba694637, post #18016494] DIY Li‑ion packs need a proper BMS, fusing, and thermal protection to be safe [“Battery University – 18650 Safety”].

Question 11

Check your model’s draw. Example: IROAD V9 2CH ≈2.3 W in operation [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Many two‑channel dashcams draw ~2–5 W depending on features and bitrate [“DashCamTalk – Dash Cam Power Guide”].

Answer

Check your model’s draw. Example: IROAD V9 2CH ≈2.3 W in operation [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011130] Many two‑channel dashcams draw ~2–5 W depending on features and bitrate [“DashCamTalk – Dash Cam Power Guide”].

Question 12

Use a hardwire kit with low‑voltage cutoff (e.g., 11.8–12.0 V) and set a parking timer. Dedicated packs isolate the starter battery completely, which is safer for long parking [“BlackVue Power Magic Pro – Manual”], [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Answer

Use a hardwire kit with low‑voltage cutoff (e.g., 11.8–12.0 V) and set a parking timer. Dedicated packs isolate the starter battery completely, which is safer for long parking [“BlackVue Power Magic Pro – Manual”], [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Question 13

Budget SLA route: 12 Ah gel ~PLN 50–60 plus a DC‑DC module and a fuse [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330] Dedicated parking packs with ~75 h runtime were cited around ~PLN 1,000 [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011084] A DIY 18650 concept listed 10 cells at ~PLN 20 each plus chargers (~PLN 100 total) [Elektroda, seba694637, post #18016494]

Answer

Budget SLA route: 12 Ah gel ~PLN 50–60 plus a DC‑DC module and a fuse [Elektroda, tomtim123, post #18015330] Dedicated parking packs with ~75 h runtime were cited around ~PLN 1,000 [Elektroda, pandm, post #18011084] A DIY 18650 concept listed 10 cells at ~PLN 20 each plus chargers (~PLN 100 total) [Elektroda, seba694637, post #18016494]

Question 14

“There is a reason that powerbanks designed to supply parking recorders are so expensive,” citing integration, auto switching, and LiFePO4 safety and fast charging [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

Answer

“There is a reason that powerbanks designed to supply parking recorders are so expensive,” citing integration, auto switching, and LiFePO4 safety and fast charging [Elektroda, Adam3339, post #18646620]

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

Post #1

Post #2

Post #3

Post #4

Post #5

Post #6

Post #7

Post #8

Post #9

Post #10

Post #11

Post #12

Didn't find an answer? Ask Artificial Intelligence

Topic summary