Camera runs battery down

[jimcasada]

Soon after buying our jeep last year, I added this mirror replacement camera (see photo). I wired it in so that it always has power turned on, to hopefully deter & record anyone messing around the vehicle (thus, it's always recording both front & rear cameras). My problem started after recently retiring. Now I don't drive it as much, and it sometimes it runs the car battery down too low to start. 4 days seems to be about the limit for just letting it sit parked. So now, I'm thinking about three different possible solutions:

1) Add an extra battery to the vehicle to give the system longer life.
2) Put a timer on the power supply wire, to shut it off after so many minutes (like one of those headlight timers).
3) Get one those power reserve shutoff sensor devices (like they use on travel trailers to keep them from running the battery too low).

Any suggestions or other ideas? Thanks, JIm.

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[FLACRACKER]

Hello, I suggest if your concern is with your JT at home, purchased a home security camera system. A system such as "Night Owl" will monitor your home as well as the JT. Then just turn on your mirror camera when out and about. I have a Night Owl 8 camera system, with 2 of the cameras monitoring my JT. This system can send you notifications and has voice or alarm siren.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Since you are no longer driving it regurlarly, you should have a battery maintainer connected when it's parked.

Something like this will make it easier to connect.
POLLAK 11-896 7-Way Power Outlet Adapter https://a.co/d/eSbys6r

 

[Dp7]

Trickle charger/battery maintainer could work too if you're not driving daily. There are some (admittedly expensive) solar panels to trickle charge that mount to your hood if you're parked outside and unable to run ext cord to your charger (parked on street?).

Timer could work if you're cool with a fixed run time after parking.

The low voltage shutoff might still leave you unable to start... It really depends on the device shut off voltage and the Jeep's other parasitic loads and the time until the next start operation.

Dual battery setup could let you run down one battery while leaving the other untouched for starting....but if you only take short trips, it may never bring your spare battery back to full...so you're back to needing a battery maintainer.

 

[MSFTMatt]

I’m interested in this topic as well. Dane style mirror and it killed my battery. What kind if timer are you looking at? I did a ‘add a circuit’ to an always hot fuse. You do the same?

 

[jimcasada]

Hello, I suggest if your concern is with your JT at home, purchased a home security camera system. A system such as "Night Owl" will monitor your home as well as the JT. Then just turn on your mirror camera when out and about. I have a Night Owl 8 camera system, with 2 of the cameras monitoring my JT. This system can send you notifications and has voice or alarm siren.

When I got it, I was mostly concerned about driving daily to work into downtown DC, and sometimes having to park on the street. I worked 2nd shift, so that lit up screen at night was pretty obvious (hopefully as a deterrent). I also have a GPS security device, that is supposed to call me up on my cell phone if it senses someone messing around. Turning the camera on & off is what I've been doing lately at home, but you have to hold the button down for about 20sec to turn it completely off, otherwise it just turns the screen off. I want something that works automatically, that will stay on for at least a few hours whenever I go somewhere. Maybe the best deterrent I have is that 6 speed manual trans. Thanks.

 

[jimcasada]

I’m interested in this topic as well. Dane style mirror and it killed my battery. What kind if timer are you looking at? I did a ‘add a circuit’ to an always hot fuse. You do the same?

I added a fused lighter style receptacle under the hood and a pair of hood locks. All the aftermarket headlight timers I've found only keep the circuit turned on a few minutes. I would prefer it to stay on for a few hours. Thanks.

 

[Hootbro]

https://powerwerx.com/automotive-dc-timer-lvd-battery-guard

 

[Dp7]

https://a.co/d/5hLH8sa

Something like this could work for a timer, it says the timeout range is between seconds and days. No experience with it, but it might lead you in the right direction.

 

[sharpsicle]

I use this. Have it set to use voltage to determine when to shut down the camera.

https://sarvosys.com/product/pmp-power-magic-pro/

 

[Lost1wing]

I use an obd2 plug for my dash cam. Powered all of the time or just when the ignition is on. When I park in public, I leave it powered on. My camera has a G sensor to turn on if the Jeep is disturbed.

Four days is a long time to sit even without a dash cam powered on all of the time. After the 5th or 6th day, I'm plugging in the charger. No point trying to find out it won't start when you need it.

 

[jimcasada]

I use this. Have it set to use voltage to determine when to shut down the camera.

https://sarvosys.com/product/pmp-power-magic-pro/

I tried to order this, but I think there is something wrong with their website (it wouldn't let me past checkout to pay for it). Anyway, I also found this on eBay, which sounds like it works about the same:
Low Battery cut off Prevent Failure 12V Discharge For Dash Cam Hardwire Kit | eBay

 

[jimcasada]

https://a.co/d/5hLH8sa

Something like this could work for a timer, it says the timeout range is between seconds and days. No experience with it, but it might lead you in the right direction.

It says that it requires some kind of an external programmer unit. I think that it may be a little more complicated than what I need. Thanks.

 

[djthumper]

When I got it, I was mostly concerned about driving daily to work into downtown DC, and sometimes having to park on the street. I worked 2nd shift, so that lit up screen at night was pretty obvious (hopefully as a deterrent). I also have a GPS security device, that is supposed to call me up on my cell phone if it senses someone messing around. Turning the camera on & off is what I've been doing lately at home, but you have to hold the button down for about 20sec to turn it completely off, otherwise it just turns the screen off. I want something that works automatically, that will stay on for at least a few hours whenever I go somewhere. Maybe the best deterrent I have is that 6 speed manual trans. Thanks.

Most young people can't drive a manual.

It says that it requires some kind of an external programmer unit. I think that it may be a little more complicated than what I need. Thanks.

The external programmer is fairly simple. Did you watch the video?

 

[Lost1wing]

I tried to order this, but I think there is something wrong with their website (it wouldn't let me past checkout to pay for it). Anyway, I also found this on eBay, which sounds like it works about the same:
Low Battery cut off Prevent Failure 12V Discharge For Dash Cam Hardwire Kit | eBay

I went with the obd2 port type. No wiring of any kind. It took just a few minutes to tuck the wire away. Either of the items you and Sharpsickle list will work fine, jus a bit more work.

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