While your car is parked in the parking lot, you may be exposed to a minor accident, a scratch from a passing car, or an attempted theft. Even if you have a surveillance camera installed inside, in this case it will be of no use when the car is parked!
Here, many drivers ask an important question: Does a dash cam work when the car is off? And can it be relied upon to document what happens while the car is parked?
Most modern surveillance cameras offer a Parking Mood feature that allows you to monitor and record every movement while your vehicle is parked.
In this article from NewTech - the best dash cam store in Kuwait - we explain how a car camera works in parking mode, and what you need to automatically record events without affecting your car battery. Follow along!
Does the dash cam work when the car is off?
Yes, a car dash cam can operate even when the car is parked, thanks to its Parking Mode feature, which enables it to automatically continue monitoring and recording when motion or a collision is detected. However, this requires a suitable power source, such as direct connection to the car battery, or the use of a built-in or external battery.
But be careful, some cameras require you to manually activate parking mode each time, while others activate it automatically after adjusting the settings once, so make sure which type of activation your camera supports before purchasing.
Common parking mode types for surveillance cameras:
1- Motion Detection Mode
Motion detection sensors automatically activate the camera when any movement is detected near the vehicle, starting recording as soon as a person or vehicle enters the lens's field of view.
2- Collision detection mode (G-Sensors Mode)
This mode activates the camera when it detects a sudden vibration or shock, such as a collision or scratch while the car is stationary. It's ideal for documenting unexpected events.
3- Time Lapse Recording
This mode records still images at specified intervals, which are later collected into a video sequence, so it is used for long-term monitoring with reduced power consumption.
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Top Tips for Running a Dash Cam While the Car Is Afloat
To efficiently operate your dash cam while parked, choose a camera that supports Parking Mode and provide it with a constant power source by connecting it directly to the fuse box or using an independent external battery. Also, be sure to adjust the sensitivity of the sensors to avoid unnecessary recordings, install the camera in a location that provides a comprehensive view, and activate the car battery protection feature with an automatic low-voltage shutdown feature.
Here are the most important things you need to know to get the best performance from your car's surveillance camera while parking:
1- Connect the camera directly (Hardwiring)
Since parking mode requires a continuous power supply, it is often best to connect the camera directly to the vehicle's fuse box, so select ACC or DC fuses to ensure a constant power supply even when the vehicle is off.
2- Using an external battery
If you're worried about draining your car battery, you can use an external battery designed for your dash cam. These batteries can power the camera for extended periods without affecting the original car battery.
3- Adjust the sensitivity of the sensors.
Adjust the sensitivity of the motion or vibration sensors to avoid excessive recordings caused by wind or slight vibrations such as moving leaves.
4- Choosing the appropriate location to install the camera.
Place the camera in a strategic location that provides a clear view of important areas around your vehicle. Ideally, the camera should cover both the front and rear to provide comprehensive surveillance.
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How does a dash cam work when the car is parked?
When the dash cam is in parking mode, it remains in standby mode without continuous recording, but it monitors the vehicle's surroundings using motion and collision sensors. When any movement is detected, it is automatically activated to record and save the clip. This requires connecting the camera to a permanent power source and ensuring that parking mode is enabled in the settings.
Here's how a dash cam works when the car is off:
1- The camera remains in standby mode without constantly recording, but rather monitors the vehicle's surroundings through motion and collision sensors.
2- When the dash cam detects any nearby movement such as an approaching person or car, or a slight bump, it automatically activates and starts recording.
3- The camera records a video clip of the moment before, during, and after the event (depending on the camera settings), and automatically saves it in memory, often in a special folder that is not automatically deleted with regular recordings.
4- In some smart cameras linked to apps, an immediate notification is sent to your phone if an accident or attempted theft is recorded, and you can access all recorded videos through your phone.
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Does the dash cam affect the car battery?
Yes, a car surveillance camera affects the car's battery if it is directly connected to it and is constantly operating while the car is stationary. Therefore, it is recommended to use a cable that has low voltage cut-off protection or connect the camera to a dedicated external battery, which ensures continuous monitoring without draining the original car battery.
Here are the situations when a dash cam drains your car battery:
1- Old dash cams: Older models of car surveillance cameras consume more power.
2- The camera is faulty: If the camera is malfunctioning or broken, it may be consuming more power than necessary, which will drain the battery. In this case, we advise you to consult the manufacturer or replace it with a newer model.
3- High temperatures: Using your car in very hot or very cold conditions can affect the performance of your car battery, so low-power devices like dash cams contribute to battery drain in these conditions.
How to Maintain a Car Battery with a Dash Cam
To conserve your car battery when using a dash cam, it's recommended to connect it to a cigarette lighter or USB port so it only works when the engine is running. Also, enable parking mode and motion detection to record only necessary events without constantly draining the car's battery. It's also recommended to enable power-saving settings or use an external battery if you want continuous monitoring while the car is parked.
✅ Here are the most important steps you should take into consideration to prevent draining your car battery while operating your surveillance camera:
1- Use a dedicated external battery (Parking Mode Battery Pack)
This battery provides an alternate power source when the vehicle is stationary, allowing the dash cam to rely on it instead of the car battery. This prevents any direct battery drain while the vehicle is parked for extended periods.
2- Installing a low-voltage cutoff device
When connecting the surveillance camera directly to the vehicle system via a hardwire kit, make sure it has a voltage cut-off feature. This device automatically disconnects the camera when the battery voltage drops below a certain level, to protect it from being completely discharged.
3- Choose a dash cam that supports low-consumption parking mode.
Some cameras offer a low-power Parking Mode, which uses very little electricity while monitoring, especially when there is no movement. This mode is ideal for reducing daily power consumption.
4- Manually turn off the camera when not in use.
If you don't need continuous recording while parked, it's best to manually turn off your dash cam to save battery power.
5- Adjust the parking mode sensitivity.
Increasing the sensitivity of the motion sensor may result in unnecessary and frequent recording, which increases power consumption, so set the sensitivity to a medium level to reduce the number of recordings and conserve battery.
6- Driving regularly
Running your car daily or regularly helps keep the battery charged thanks to the alternator, reducing the chance of it running out of juice even when using your dash cam continuously.
7- Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery when stopping for a long time.
If you plan to leave your vehicle idle for several days or weeks, disconnect the negative terminal of the battery to avoid any power consumption from connected devices, including the dash cam.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1- How do I know if the dash cam is working?
You can confirm that your dash cam is working by several clear indicators. First, check for a power-on light below or on the side of the camera, or a confirmation sound upon startup. Second, monitor the camera screen or its companion app for notifications of power-on or recording. Finally, confirm that the camera has actually started recording video by reviewing the clips stored on the memory card.
2- Does the dash cam record sound?
Yes, most modern dash cams have an audio recording feature. They have a built-in microphone, and recording can be enabled or disabled through the settings, or in some models, through voice control or the camera's control buttons. This feature is useful for recording driver comments while driving, or for listening to surrounding sounds in the event of an accident.
3- Does the dash cam work 24 hours?
No, not all dash cams operate 24 hours a day. The camera must have a built-in power supply that connects to the vehicle's fuse or an external battery to provide a constant power source while parked.
4- Does the dash cam work offline?
Yes, the dash cam can work offline. Simply plug it directly into your car's cigarette lighter and it will automatically start recording video to your SD card or internal memory without an internet connection. You may only need Wi-Fi if you want to watch live streaming or download clips to your mobile phone via a hotspot, but it's not necessary to operate the camera or save recordings.
In conclusion, the answer to the question: Does a dash cam work when the car is off? Whether it supports parking mode and provides the appropriate connections or an external battery, this way you can ensure your car is monitored even when it's parked. Make sure to enable the necessary settings and follow the tips mentioned to preserve your car's battery and avoid any future problems. Don't forget to shop for the best dash cams for cars from NewTech at competitive prices in the Kuwaiti market!
