Dash Cam Power: Hardwire Kit vs. Power Bank for Vantrue & More
The quest for continuous monitoring with dash cams often leads to questions about power. While a dash cam plugged into a car’s cigarette lighter works perfectly well while driving, maintaining power for parking mode – recording when the vehicle is off – requires a more thoughtful approach. The simplest solution might seem to be a portable power bank, but a deeper look reveals that hardwiring directly to the car’s fuse box, despite potential battery concerns, is often the more reliable and ultimately safer option.
The core issue is consistent power delivery. USB power, readily available through a car’s cigarette lighter, automatically shuts off when the ignition is turned off. This renders parking mode useless. Hardwire kits, like the Vantrue hardwire kit, bypass this limitation by connecting the dash cam directly to the car’s electrical system. However, this isn’t without risk. Dash cams, even in a passive parking mode, draw a small amount of power – typically between 25 and 35 milliamps, equating to roughly 3 to 4 watts. Left unchecked, this continuous draw can deplete a car’s battery, especially if the vehicle isn’t driven regularly.
Fortunately, modern hardwire kits address this concern. Vantrue’s hardwire kits, for example, incorporate low-voltage protection. This crucial feature automatically cuts power to the dash cam when the car battery voltage drops to a predetermined level, preventing deep discharge. This is a significant improvement over older hardwiring solutions and mitigates the risk of a dead battery.
An alternative gaining traction is the use of portable power banks. The appeal is understandable: avoid modifying the car’s electrical system and eliminate the risk of battery drain. A power bank, such as the $48 Anker portable bank, can provide roughly a week of continuous operation in parking mode. This is a viable solution for those who want a plug-and-play experience and don’t want to deal with wiring. However, it introduces a new set of considerations. The power bank itself needs to be recharged, adding another task to the vehicle maintenance routine. The capacity of the power bank dictates the duration of operation, and larger capacity banks can be expensive.
The choice between hardwiring and using a power bank ultimately depends on individual needs and priorities. Hardwiring offers a cleaner, more permanent installation and eliminates the need to periodically recharge an external device. However, it requires some technical skill and relies on the functionality of the low-voltage protection circuit within the hardwire kit. Power banks provide simplicity and peace of mind regarding the car’s battery, but require regular recharging and may not offer the same level of continuous protection.
It’s also important to consider the dash cam itself. The Vantrue camera discussed in recent reviews features a real-time screen, useful for verifying camera framing but less practical for reviewing footage – that’s best done via the companion smartphone app. The camera also offers a range of settings, including GPS tracking, frame rate adjustment, and high dynamic range (HDR) mode. However, it’s a single-camera system, unlike more elaborate multi-camera setups offered by Vantrue, which provide broader coverage but at the cost of image resolution.
One feature, PlatePix, aims to improve license plate capture, particularly at night. However, this comes with a trade-off: reduced contrast in the overall image. Users must weigh the importance of clear license plate identification against the desire for a well-balanced, high-contrast recording. This highlights a common theme in dash cam technology: optimization often involves compromises.
powering a dash cam for 24/7 operation and reliable parking mode requires careful consideration. While power banks offer a convenient alternative, hardwiring with a modern kit equipped with low-voltage protection remains the preferred method for those seeking a permanent, reliable, and ultimately safer solution. The key is to understand the trade-offs and choose the option that best aligns with individual needs and technical comfort levels.