Does a Dash Cam Drain Battery: How to Prevent It?

Dash cams are devices and are used to record the surroundings of your car. Some drivers worry that these cameras run all the time which can drain their car battery. While it is true that dash cams take some power from your car, they are made by keeping low power consumption in mind.  Further, many dash cams are equipped with hardwire kits that have voltage cut-off feature. This feature ensures that your battery will not be drained.

A fine dash cam will never drain the battery of your car to the point where it can no longer start.

• Low Power Consumption: 
  
  Most dash cams use a very small amount of power as compared to the capacity of your car battery. They are made to work all the time without affecting the battery of your car or draining it entirely.
  
  
• Automatic Shut-Off: 
  
  Many dash cams also have features like auto power-off or parking mode timers. These features will turn off the camera after a set period of inactivity (like 5, 10, 15 minutes). By doing this, you can make sure that they don’t use power all the time.
  
  
• Motion Detection (Optional): 
  
  Some dash cams have motion detection features. When it is enabled, your camera will only record videos when the motion is detected. By this way, your camera will not take power all the time.

While these factors can prevent a healthy battery from draining, there are sometimes where a dash cam can lead to a battery issue.

• Older Dash Cams: 
  
  Older dash cams are not as energy efficient as the newer models. If you are using an older model dash cam, you should check how much power it takes.
  
  
• Faulty Dash Cam: 
  
  If your dash cam is faulty, it can also take more power than it should. This can also lead to battery drain. If you think that your camera is faulty, you should consult the manufacturer or replace it with a newer model camera.
  
  
• Extreme Temperatures: 
  
  Using your car in very hot or cold weather can also affect the performance of your car’s battery. Even a low-power device like a dash cam can lead to a battery drain if the battery itself is nearing its lifespan in these conditions.

You should make sure that you are using the correct power cable and adapter that came with your dash cam or the ones that are made for your car model. If you use an incompatible power source, it can lead to voltage irregularities which can drain the battery of your car.

You can open the settings and adjust the auto power-off timer in your dash cam. If you park your car in a safe garage overnight, you can set a shorter auto power-off duration so it can turn off after that time.

Advanced features on your dash cams like Wi-Fi, GPS, lit screen, etc. also take additional power. If you don’t use these features actively or feel like you don’t need them for the moment, you can disable them in the settings to reduce the load on the battery.

Some dash cam manufacturers also have firmware updates that can improve your dash cam’s efficiency. It can also reduce the power consumption. You should check your dash cam's manual or the manufacturer’s website to look for available updates.

If you park your car in high temperatures, it can affect the performance of your car’s battery. You should always park your car in a shaded area during very hot or cold weather if possible. This will help to maintain optimal battery health and reduce the risk of a dash cam that can then lead to a drain.

Some dash cams like RedTiger make sure that their cameras take minimum power during their normal operation. They come with a dedicated car charger that can be plugged into 12V power outlet of your car.

• Low Power Consumption: 
  
  The main focus of these dash cams is to consume low power. This makes sure that there is minimum impact on your car battery.
  
  
• Free Hardwire Kit: 
  
  While car charger power is enough for most users, some dash cams also come with a free hardwire kit. With this optional kit you can make a direct connection to your car's fuse box. With this you can get constant power even when your car is parked (parking mode).
  
  
• Voltage Cut-Off Feature: 
  
  These hardwire kits also come with a voltage cut-off feature. This safety measure stops the power supply to the dash cam when the battery of your car reaches a critical level. This prevents the battery from being drained fully so you can always start your car.
  
  
• Parking Mode Functionality: 
  
  When hardwired, you can also use parking mode features. This means the camera can record your car even when it is parked or the engine is turned off. If the camera detects an impact or motion, it will start the recording. This can act as valuable evidence in case of incidents like hit-and-run.
  
  RedTiger dash cams come pre equipped with the 12V power outlet as well as the hardwire kit . You can use the manual to install the dash cam yourself or get them installed from a mechanic or service station. These cameras are designed for the best efficiency without draining the battery of your car.

1.Battery Age and Health

An older or weak battery is more likely to get drained even with minor power drawn from devices like dash cams. If your battery is years old, you should have it tested or replace it.

2.Short Trips

Frequent short trips don't give enough time to your car's motor to fully recharge the battery. With time, this can also lead to a lower charge level and make the battery more prone to drain from devices like dash cams.

3. Leaving Accessories On

If you leave the headlights, interior lights or any other accessories on when the car is off, it will drain the battery. You should make sure to turn off all accessories before you leave your vehicle.

4.Cold Weather

Cold temperatures can also reduce the capacity of your car’s battery. This makes it more difficult for the battery to provide power to all systems of your car and devices like dash cams.

If you think the battery of your car is critically low or is drained, you should do the following tests to verify it.

1. Ensure Everything is Off: 

Make sure all lights, accessories and the dash cam are turned off.

2. Use a Multimeter: 

Now use a multimeter to measure the voltage across your car battery terminals. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.6 volts.

3. Check for Current Draw: 

With the multimeter still connected, you should also check for any current draw when everything is off. A small draw (less than 50 milliamps) is normal but a larger draw means there is a problem.

If you find a significant current draw or the voltages are below the safe level, you should consult a mechanic to diagnose the source of the drain.

Dash cams are very important as they improve road safety and can be used as evidence in case of incidents. While they can use some power, they are designed to be energy efficient and should not cause battery drain in most cases.

Redtiger dash cams with their car charger powered design and optional hardwire kits (with voltage cut-off features) are an excellent choice for drivers who want a dash cam for their car without worrying about it draining the battery.