Working Mechanism of HD Vehicle Dash Cam after Engine Shutdown

Can the HD vehicle dash cam continue to work after the engine is turned off? In this blog post, Shenzhen HOPE, a high performance driving video recorder manufacturer, reveals the power supply mechanism and common misunderstandings.

Whether the HD vehicle dash cam can continue to work after the vehicle is turned off mainly depends on its power supply method. Most HD vehicle dash cams are connected to the vehicle power supply through the cigarette lighter or fuse box, and the power is cut off and the machine is shut down once the engine is turned off; a few models with built-in batteries can be powered for a short time after the engine is turned off, but usually only for half an hour to several hours. This is a protection mechanism designed by the manufacturer to prevent the battery from running out of power, aiming to prevent the vehicle from being unable to start due to the power consumption of the HD vehicle dash cam.

Hidden functions of high-end models: parking monitoring analysis

Some high-end models are equipped with HD vehicle dash cams with parking monitoring functions, which rely on batteries for power supply and realize short-term monitoring through normal power lines. Taking the battery capacity of 4560Ah and the power consumption of the HD vehicle dash cam of 0.51A as an example, the theoretical battery life is about 45120 hours. However, in actual use, at least 50% of the power must be retained to ensure the vehicle starts, so manufacturers usually set an automatic shutdown program for 5 minutes to several hours.

Risks of long-term monitoring: independent power supply solutions need to be cautious

For users who need 24-hour monitoring, some choose to modify the independent power supply system. Although it can meet the needs of continuous recording, there are also risks such as battery over-discharge and circuit short circuit. It is recommended that if long-term recording is required, it should be carried out through professional modification services, and the battery health status should be checked regularly to avoid the problem of vehicle failure to start.

User purchase guide: Choose the right equipment on demand

According to different usage needs, you can refer to the following three types of recorders:

・ Basic users: ordinary cigarette lighter power supply models can meet daily driving recording needs;

・ Users with security needs: It is recommended to choose mid-to-high-end models with parking monitoring functions, and understand that the recording time is limited by the battery capacity;

・ Users with special needs: If continuous monitoring is required, professional circuit modification should be considered, and higher maintenance costs should be accepted.

Scientific use to extend the life of the equipment

The final conclusion is: whether the driving recorder can operate after the engine is turned off depends on the type of equipment and the wiring method. It is recommended that users set the automatic shutdown function according to the manual and use the 24-hour monitoring function reasonably to ensure safety while taking into account vehicle battery maintenance and equipment life.