Is your dashcam draining your car’s battery?

A dashcam can be a useful security aid for motorists, not just for capturing footage when the vehicle is in motion but also for detecting damage or break-ins when it is parked.

But motorists with dashcams installed in their vehicles need to be mindful of the drain on the vehicle’s battery.

Vehicle owners may install dashcams to detect car park damage or theft, meaning the camera remains powered after the vehicle has been shut down. This constant power draw comes from your vehicle’s battery.

The power draw on the battery can be equivalent to a small interior light, especially in systems that employ front and rear cameras.

Many drivers have experienced what happens when an interior light is unintentionally left on in a vehicle. Depending on the size of the battery, after 12 hours, the battery may have been drained.

If your battery has been discharged or partially discharged, recharge it as soon as practicable with a battery charger.

Operating a battery in a partially charged condition may lead to premature failure.

If you are considering installing a dashcam system in your car, look for one that has a low draw when in standby mode and when recording.

There are also external battery packs available for those that utilise Parking Mode monitoring on their dashcam. These will take the strain off the main vehicle battery, thus not reducing its lifespan.

Once set up, adjust the motion sensitivity so it only records images of value, rather than too many false alarms.

Driving the car at least every few days can also help, especially if the cameras have been operating frequently when the vehicle has been parked.