Considering an Auxiliary Battery Installation to Run a set of Dash Cams?

[The Weatherman]

Has anyone considered or perhaps has completed a similar project?

In order to avoid any issues that might arise from adding an additional load to the current LVB, I’m thinking about doing a separate isolated installation of a 12v system to operate my dash cam system in the Lightning.

Hoping someone might have already done something similar.

I’m planning to use a smaller sized mower or ATV type battery that I can use a trickle charger to charge periodically.

The vast majority of my driving is done within 50-60 miles of home so usage will be minimal on a trip by trip bases.

Since it won’t be linked through an in truck auxiliary fuse, I’m looking to use a motion/proximity sensor to automatically activate the system when I’m in the drivers set and turn off when I’m not.

Thoughts, comments and suggestions appreciated.

Sponsored

 

[hturnerfamily]

why not just use the built-in power that is already there: your outlets?
Adapters are also easy to find for your 12v devices

although if you are thinking of 'constant' power, such as power even when you are not in the truck, which would require the truck to remain 'ON' for the outlets to work, that's a different situation.

 

[mr.Magoo]

A dashcam is generally 0.5A or so, so I wouldn't worry about plugging a camera into the cigarette lighter outlet or even use one of the USB ports if you have a camera that can be powered that way and all you care about is recording while driving.
0.5A is nothing and I'm sure you wouldn't refrain from using any of the stock gizmos (heated steering wheel, seats, etc.) out of concern for the 12V battery.

The downside is that it won't have any power when your vehicle is off / parked.

I ended up getting a dashcam battery because I wanted to be able to record when parked.
Yes, they're very expensive for what they are, ie. "fancy battery bank", but I didn't feel like messing around too much with a DYI solution.

The alternatives would be a 12v ups (intended for in home routers etc) a normal battery bank, or a backup battery for 12v coolers.
My main concern with any of these options would be the cabin heat on a hot summer day

 

[The Weatherman]

why not just use the built-in power that is already there: your outlets?
Adapters are also easy to find for your 12v devices

although if you are thinking of 'constant' power, such as power even when you are not in the truck, which would require the truck to remain 'ON' for the outlets to work, that's a different situation.

Thanks for your input.

 

[The Weatherman]

A dashcam is generally 0.5A or so, so I wouldn't worry about plugging a camera into the cigarette lighter outlet or even use one of the USB ports if you have a camera that can be powered that way and all you care about is recording while driving.
0.5A is nothing and I'm sure you wouldn't refrain from using any of the stock gizmos (heated steering wheel, seats, etc.) out of concern for the 12V battery.

The downside is that it won't have any power when your vehicle is off / parked.

I ended up getting a dashcam battery because I wanted to be able to record when parked.
Yes, they're very expensive for what they are, ie. "fancy battery bank", but I didn't feel like messing around too much with a DYI solution.

The alternatives would be a 12v ups (intended for in home routers etc) a normal battery bank, or a backup battery for 12v coolers.
My main concern with any of these options would be the cabin heat on a hot summer day

Thanks for your reply. You’re probably right and I’m just being too sensitive to the LVB issues that have been noted here.

 

[Priccijr]

I bought this. Only comes on when truck is running. I got the front and rear option. I used an old iPhone as a monitor. I had to 3d print a mount for the rear camera so it didn't obstruct the window from opening.

Fitcamx

 

[The Weatherman]

I bought this. Only comes on when truck is running. I got the front and rear option. I used an old iPhone as a monitor. I had to 3d print a mount for the rear camera so it didn't obstruct the window from opening.

Fitcamx

Thanks for the info and link. I like the idea of using one that can be easily plugged in like that. You mentioned printing a mounting bracket. What was the issue with that? Does the mounting bracket included not fit?

 

[Priccijr]

Because of the rear window being able to open and close the rear camera would have had to have been mounted on one side of the window or the other. I made the mount so I could keep it in the middle of the window. even when the window is open

This guy has a pretty good install video

 

[Adventureboy]

I have my dashcam wired directly to the fuse box and using the LVB with no issues. The draw on a dashcam is really small and should not affect your LVB at all as long as you drive every few days. I've had it connected this way for 4 months now. Given the sensitivity of the LVB, I think when it dies, I'll replace it with a larger battery. It might need some parameter changes to do that however since the truck monitors the amperage coming out of the LVB and sets off the warnings when it gets to a certain point. A bigger battery means I can set a higher set point assuming it is an editable parameter in ForeScan. In any case, I think a bigger LVB would still be cheaper than adding a secondary battery and any additional charging gear.

 

[The Weatherman]

I have taken a look at the camera that @Priccijr mentioned earlier and ordered it directly from FitCamx.

I like the idea of being able to use the power available at the mirror and not having to mess with fuse box. Please no extra cable to run.

I’m hopeful that it works as indicated and doesn’t cause an issue with the current battery.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

 

[bot2600]

I have taken a look at the camera that @Priccijr mentioned earlier and ordered it directly from FitCamx.

I like the idea of being able to use the power available at the mirror and not having to mess with fuse box. Please no extra cable to run.

I’m hopeful that it works as indicated and doesn’t cause an issue with the current battery.

Thanks for everyone’s input.

I'd love to hear your experience once you get it set up. My wife recently had a driver hit her and try to blame her and her Tesla's sentry mode was the only thing that saved the day so I would love to get something set up on the Lightning.

The one thing I don't understand, is with all of the camera's built into the Lightning why we can't have a similar built in feature.

 

[The Weatherman]

I'd love to hear your experience once you get it set up. My wife recently had a driver hit her and try to blame her and her Tesla's sentry mode was the only thing that saved the day so I would love to get something set up on the Lightning.

The one thing I don't understand, is with all of the camera's built into the Lightning why we can't have a similar built in feature.

That is very good question.

I am going to install the FitCam model for the F150 that @Priccijr referenced earlier in the thread.

If I start getting more alerts about a (LVB) battery drain I will definitely go ahead and put the auxiliary battery in with a Bluetooth monitor on it so as to know when I need to charge it.

Sponsored