Looking for a portable (rechargeable?) dash cam that doesn't run off cigarette lighter or hard wired.

[Fishyboy]

Hi all,
I've been looking for a dash cam for my classic car, which has no cigarette lighter. Ideally I'd want one that runs of rechargeable or normal AA/AAA batteries. I want to be able to move the dash cam between two cars.

Given that someone managed to reverse into my car while waiting in a queue of traffic last week (don't ask) I've been searing the web to find something suitable but have drawn a blank.

Do you think I could run something from a portable jump pack?

Looking for ideas?

Phil

 

[MetalMonkey]

Would it not be easier to just fit an auxiliary power socket to the car. Doesn't even need to be a cigarette lighter, just a suitable 12v socket and plug, run the cable to the battery via an in-line fuse.

 

[fizzy]

You could use an old mobile phone - I think there are apps available that let you do this.
I have considered it myself because dash cams are usually crap video quality.

 

[skotl]

Pretty much all modern dashcams run off USB, and use a 12V to 5V USB power adapter.

So you could power it off a USB power bank like this (a million other variations, prices and capacities are available): https://www.amazon.co.uk/10000mAh-Portable-Charger-External-Compatible/dp/B094Y1R46V

However, as per @MetalMonkey, I don't understand why you don't just run a 12V fused connection from the battery

 

[dobbslc]

Most of the portable jump start packs have a usb port you can plug into. I've got a bigger version of this if you need an excuse to blow some money...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC/ref=asc_df_B015TKUPIC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309775958298&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3211158766413019192&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-449394730282&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

 

[8ob]

Some of the satnavs have a dashcam built into them, they last a long time on a charge.Got one in the truck and that also has a rear camera aux socket.

Bob

 

[Wozzaaah]

Just run it from a power bank.

 

[northwest]

What cordless tools do you have? You can buy adapters that allow you to connect USB power cables to them:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096K1G8CR/?coliid=I3UEFG8P7V14PI&colid=N2CMDUUUP384&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

The one above is expensive I think I paid eight pounds for mine. Other makes are available.

 

[rtcosic]

My dashcam slides into its powered mount. I fitted a second powered mount to the Alvis and just swap the dashcam from one car to the other - if I remember. It's a Nextbase 512GW, but a few years old now.

I just tapped into the ignition-controlled circuit and with an inline fuse and took a power feed to the mount. A LOT easier to remove trim to hide that than in my daily driver!

I also wired in a gadget from Lidl's Magical Middle Aisle of Mystery that has two cigarette lighter sockets and two USB ports. That's hidden behind the dashboard. I use one of the USB ports to power an ancient mobile telephone that has a GPS Speedometer app. I have the telephone on a suction mount on the dashboard behind the steering wheel so I can see it more easily than the centrally mount guessometer.
It means I also have SatNav and I can Bluetooth audiobooks to a cheap Bluetooth speaker under the driver's seat. That was another Lidl special.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Fishyboy
Do you think I could run something from a portable jump pack?

Most of the portable jump start packs have a usb port you can plug into. I've got a bigger version of this if you need an excuse to blow some money...

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOCO-GB40-UltraSafe-Lithium-Starter/dp/B015TKUPIC/ref=asc_df_B015TKUPIC/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309775958298&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3211158766413019192&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006886&hvtargid=pla-449394730282&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

I used our Noco GB40 last week to charge my phone and, despite having a full charge itself, it didn't manage to fully charge the phone; the Noco's capacity is only 24Wh - I think they're designed to dump all their stored charge quickly as per helping start a car's engine, rather than apply a much smaller charge for a longer time.

 

[Robotstar5]

You could use an old mobile phone - I think there are apps available that let you do this.
I have considered it myself because dash cams are usually crap video quality.

A lot depends on lighting conditions, they don't cope with direct sunlight very well, but I'm happy with the quality from my Nextbase 412 which is 2 generations old now.

Details not bad from a screen grab.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Some footage from my Garmin, goes up to 1440p on YouTube:

 

[Robotstar5]

Some footage from my Garmin, goes up to 1440p on YouTube:

Looks like you need to change a setting?, "This video is private" message.

 

[Tangledfeet]

Looks like you need to change a setting?, "This video is private" message.

Oops yes - sorry. I think I've been able to change it; I'm out walking in the Cairngorms! May need to be on a PC...

 

[msh10]

Could use a gopro

 

[Turbo]

Any dashcam I've seen usually has a very short battery life, usually enough to keep it running for 10 mins or so.

 

[Agrismith]

Why not just use a go pro camera?? It doesn't have to be a dash cam to film. And go pros come with plenty of mounting options

 

[pint]

a gopro will still need a power source unless you're only doing short journeys.

about an hour and if it's plugged in it'll probably overheat after a couple especially on a hot day in the window.

 

[Fishyboy]

Hi all,
Thanks for all the replies. As I guess no simple solution. I will look into adding a fused fused inline power socket. I should also have pointed out that I have both positive and negative earth cars. Would the socket also work with the positive earth car?
Phil

 

[ajlelectronics]

How about a helmet or handlebar camera for a pushbike?