Dash cam hard wire problem

[RowntreesCabana]

I purchased a Rexing dashcam recently and wired it in with a kit from amazon. I located a spare unused wire that's live only on ignition and connected it up.

However, I've noticed that when its cold it frequently doesn't turn on or goes through a on/off cycle. When its warm its fine. I initially thought it must be the battery, so I just connected the battery conditioner/charger and it was fully charged after about an hour, possibly sooner, indicating to me that the battery is fine.

After the battery, I assumed it must be a bad earth, but why would it work fine when the weathers warmer?

Any ideas?

[SS2.]

Sounds like you might need a USB power supply which can deliver a bit more current.

What is the spec of the kit you bought from Amazon ?

[RowntreesCabana]

This is it here

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dash-Camera-Vehicle-Hard-...

"Hard Wire Kit for Dash Cameras that use Mini USB
Works with G1w/ G1w-C / G1wh / Mini-0801 / GT680w / Mobius Action Camera and more!
24 Hour Surveillance and Protects Against Battery Dying
Protects your vehicle's battery from being drained by the dash camera.
This hard wiring kit allows you to connect any mini USB dash camera to a car battery source to achieve 24 hours uninterrupted power supply allow for car parking surveillance"

I've got a usb connection on my stereo but thats always connected to my ipod so would be reluctant to use that, and a cigarette lighter usb plug in would mean wires hanging about, which I don't want.

Is it possible that the old ipod and new head unit is pulling too much power? I've just read that the subaru forester alternator doesn't come on until the engines up to temp and my commute is quite short at 8 miles.

Edited by RowntreesCabana on Saturday 11th February 17:32

[SS2.]

By way of a test, do you have a mini-USB car cable you can power from the accessory socket ?

If the camera starts when cold with that, then the problem lies with the Amazon kit.

The issue would only be associated with other devices if you were trying to power those devices from the Amazon adapter itself.

[RowntreesCabana]

SS2. said:

By way of a test, do you have a mini-USB car cable you can power from the accessory socket ?

If the camera starts when cold with that, then the problem lies with the Amazon kit.

The issue would only be associated with other devices if you were trying to power those devices from the Amazon adapter itself.

I think I have one in the drawer and will give that a go. Thanks for the advice.

[defblade]

I suspect that your car battery's voltage is on the low side. It will fall further in cold weather and may trigger the low voltage cut-off on your hardwire kit. Time to get the multimeter out and see what it's actually running at.

[RowntreesCabana]

Battery voltage is 13.3v and 14.3v when running, so that appears to be okay.

I'm now suspecting the hardwire kit as already suggested, but need to try a standard usb plugin adaptor.

[Fore Left]

I had the exact same issue with the exact same fitting kit. I binned it and bought one of these instead. A bit expensive but I've not had a problem since.

Edited to fix url.

Edited by Fore Left on Sunday 12th February 16:24

[RowntreesCabana]

Fore Left said:

I had the exact same issue with the exact same fitting kit. I binned it and bought one of these instead. A bit expensive but I've not had a problem since.

Edited to fix url.

Edited by Fore Left on Sunday 12th February 16:24

Cheers, I'll give that a go. Did you try and get a refund or did you actually just bin it?