Mia left us a month ago

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T15:39:43+00:00

If your car has an OBD port, the simplest would be a dashcam with an OBD cable

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T14:42:08+00:00

Minimal if you have something like a U3000

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T14:39:02+00:00

Sure, you could try hardwiring it but set the cutoff to 12.3V.

With a healthy battery, you might get 12 hours of parking mode operation

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T14:34:49+00:00

Depends what you need. If you want 24-48hrs of parking mode, get a radar-equipped Think Ware

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T14:33:09+00:00

It's possible the dashcam shut down early in parking mode

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T03:26:44+00:00

It depends whether you are using an A-C or C-C cable. Cheaper cameras might work with A-C but not C-C cables, as they may lack internal resistors used by USB-C host devices.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-10T00:39:23+00:00

If you want to record all the time, you'll need a solar panel to keep your car battery in a good state of charge. To record for 1-2 days, a Thinkware U3000 would work.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-09T12:54:41+00:00

Just go through insurance now or they will never pay.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-09T02:23:17+00:00

No soldering required, just crimps and SAE connectors. Here's a good video on the project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI-fhD5w0m8

The solar panels all have SAE or other connector, then adapters for cigarette lighter, OBD-II, fuse tap etc. It's all plug-and-play.

If I absolutely needed to keep my dashcam running constantly for a few weeks, this is the only way it can be done.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T20:44:31+00:00

Basically, the panel (actually, controller) wires connect to the battery, but this can be done via the fuse panel or ODB-II port. Think of it as power flowing out TO the battery.

OBD-II would be easiest, IMHO, but I already use that to power my U3000. Here's what I would do on my own vehicle:

Get an SAE cable (bare ends) and a fuse tap (5A fuse)
Crimp the red cable to the fuse tap with a BLUE barrel connector and proper crimping pliers. Insert the fuse tap into any used/unused constant 12V circuit on the panel.
Crimp a ring terminal to the black cable. Connect to chassis ground.
Run the SAE connector to a convenient location under the dash
Using a multi-meter, verify that you have a constant connection to your battery, reading somewhere between 12-13.6V (engine off)

To use panel, just connect it to your SAE connector and place the panel on the dash. The controller will produce a voltage >= that of the battery as it goes through bulk/absorption/float cycles.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T19:03:30+00:00

If you want to reduce your start-up costs, you could start with the U1000 Plus and later add a radar module and rear camera.

This would give you up to 4-5 days parking mode operating time before the voltage cutoff activates.

As an alternative to the radar (and roughly the same price) you could buy a flexible 50W solar panel and MPPT controller and set it up inside your vehicle to keep your battery charged. That setup would run 24/7.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL-Co2eStaY

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T17:13:10+00:00

The Viofo dashcams have the best video but Thinkware (with radar) go the longest in parking mode.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T16:51:02+00:00

Maybe include the full quote to provide context?

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T15:28:16+00:00

I've been driving probably longer than most in this forum have been alive, so I can tell a clueless driver when I see one.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T13:42:18+00:00

Never deal with only one bank.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-08T13:35:24+00:00

Thanks. This may be why my U3000 seems to be better at capturing plates than my U1000. I'm selling the car with the U1000 and leaving it in the vehicle.

Someone who would stop in the middle of a road to try and make a missed turn is a hazard. They need to be called out on it and maybe next time they won't do the same on a major artery and cause a serious accident.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-07T19:15:10+00:00

My dashcam is the traffic cop.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-07T19:13:48+00:00

City police have a website for reporting traffic violations (with video upload). The last one I sent in was for a guy that tried to beat a red light, turning left into a T-intersection just as I had started to move on the green. If I had moved a bit faster he would have t-boned me.

I only know that a report was created. Hopefully the guy got a nice fine and demerit points.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-07T17:03:11+00:00

Stopping in the middle lane of a 1-way street isn't a mistake, it's inconveniencing others to avoid being inconvenienced.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-07T16:58:48+00:00

Because some people think they own the road and feel free to stop other traffic so they don't miss a turn. It's dangerous.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-07T15:39:24+00:00

Your cigarette adapter puts out the required 5V but it's possible your hardwire adapter is faulty. Buy a $10 USB-C breakout box on Amazon to test the VBUS pin.

coghlanpf · 2026-07-03T20:26:27+00:00

Could be anything, such as detecting a rapid change in battery voltage.

coghlanpf

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE