Dash cams on EV’s.

[Milzy]

Usually my dash cams will record movements whilst parked when triggered.
Now I have an EV do I hard wire up as normal or should I have a power bank thing installed along side the dash cam?
Although my I/C battery never drained does the EV 12v not charge back up when moving the same?

 

[C R]

Usually my dash cams will record movements whilst parked when triggered.
Now I have an EV do I hard wire up as normal or should I have a power bank thing installed along side the dash cam?
Although my I/C battery never drained does the EV 12v not charge back up when moving the same?

The 12V battery should recharge the same as in an ICE vehicle.

 

[Drago]

We're on our 4th EV, and on all I've simply plugged them straight into the USB C accessory socket. On all of them the socket turns off when the car goes to sleep, which in the volvo takes about 30 seconds, ths Mini about 5 minutes, ths BYD and the MG in between.

 

[DRM]

My understanding is that an EV will charge the 12v battery from the traction battery via a DC/DC converter, that drops the typically circa 400v down to 13.8v to charge the 12v battery, it should constantly keep the 12v battery topped using clever electronic monitoring, charging as required

 

[Milzy]

My understanding is that an EV will charge the 12v battery from the traction battery via a DC/DC converter, that drops the typically circa 400v down to 13.8v to charge the 12v battery, it should constantly keep the 12v battery topped using clever electronic monitoring, charging as required

Good but they’re trying to sell these power bank add ons for £285 for when the car is recording when parked up.

 

[Drago]

As DRM advises, theyre not needed. The witchcraft happens and the traction battery is used to top up the 12v.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

Typically the 12v battery in an EV is a lot smaller than that in an ICE vehicle as it doesn’t have to do things like starting the engine. If you use the car regularly it will be topped up and should be fine. If it will sit for a while unused then you may experience the 12v battery going too low.

 

[Drago]

Because the 12v battery runs stuff like the alarm, immobiliser, temetatics, even when the car isn't in use the traction abbery should keep it topped up.

 

[Regular.Cyclist]

Because the 12v battery runs stuff like the alarm, immobiliser, temetatics, even when the car isn't in use the traction abbery should keep it topped up.

“Even when an EV is parked, the 12V battery continuously powers background systems, including door sensors, security alarms, 4G data connections, and software updates. Because the main traction battery isn't always active, the 12V battery eventually depletes”.

 

[Drago]

The BSI , CIM, BCM (different systems have different names among manufacturers) wakes up when a certain voltage threshold it reached and starts the charge process from the traction battery, and then goes off again when complete.

We've only had four EV's, so I can't speak for every single model but theyre a faily broad selection, and this has happened on every single one.

You (or I) know this is happening because Im lazy and just power the dashcams off the USB C ports, and they wake up with the traction battery and the dashcam powers up, which rather confused me when I first spotted this.

Don't believe AI. Believe owners with first hand actual experience.

 

[C R]

Because the 12v battery runs stuff like the alarm, immobiliser, temetatics, even when the car isn't in use the traction abbery should keep it topped up.

“Even when an EV is parked, the 12V battery continuously powers background systems, including door sensors, security alarms, 4G data connections, and software updates. Because the main traction battery isn't always active, the 12V battery eventually depletes”.

You are probably both correct, depending on which car you are talking about.

 

[Drago]

Make that 5 EVs. The lease company briefly gave Mrs D a Pornstar while we were waiting for the BYD to arrive, although I never dashcammed that up as it was a temporary wagon.

@C R yes, there are doubtless going to be exceptions. I believe older Teslas never did and there was a procedure for entering the car without electrons if you'd left it parked up too long.

 

[Milzy]

Maybe when parked safe I could unplug the leads to save battery.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Maybe when parked safe I could unplug the leads to save battery.

Would it not be easier to disable parking mode when setting it up?
These things should be fit and forget.

 

[Milzy]

Would it not be easier to disable parking mode when setting it up?
These things should be fit and forget.

Yeah I might do that. Just in case. Some say don’t need to.