Does Dash Cam Work When Car Is Off? Answered!
Have you ever left your car unattended in a parking lot only to come back and find it hit by another car? If you have experienced such a situation, then surely you would have felt extremely outrageous yet helpless at the moment. All you need in such circumstances is video footage of the vehicle that rammed into your car and file for insurance.
Dash Cam, short for a dashboard camera, is a video recorder that is attached to vehicles and records video while driving. Most conventional dash cams work only while the car is running and stop recording as the car stops. But did you know that now modern dash cams can work even when the car is off?
Read on to find out how dash cams work when the car is off and how are they powered.
Table of Contents
- Does Dash Cam Work When Car Is Off?
- How Does A Dash Cam Work When The Car Is Off?
- Why Should You Buy A Dash Cam That Works When The Car Is Off?
- The Bottom Line
Does Dash Cam Work When Car Is Off?
Whether a dashcam works when the car engine is turned off depends on the power source of the dashcam. Dash cams that receive power from the car batteries through the car cigarette lighter port can record only when the car engine is on. This is because it receives current from the car batteries, which stop supplying the dash cam when the engine is turned off.
However, now most modern dashcams are programmed to work in parking mode. This means that the dash cam is able to record footage even when the car is off. Dash Cams that come with this advanced feature provide security for your vehicle while you’re not around. Such dash cams receive power in ways not directly dependent on the vehicle’s batteries.
Also, remember that dash cams that offer this feature are slightly more expensive than ordinary ones.
How Does A Dash Cam Work When The Car Is Off?
As we already said that dash cam’s power source plays a main role in determining if it will work when the car is off. If the dash cam receives an uninterrupted flow of power while the car is parked, it will continue to record. But as soon as the power supply is disrupted, it will stop working.
There are various ways through which a dash cam can be powered to work even when the car is switched off. Read on to find out how each method enables the dash cam to record when the car is off.
1. Hard-wire Kit
The hard-wire kit provides a direct connection between the dash cam and the car’s electrical system. This is different from the power received through the car’s cigarette lighter port, as it continues to provide power to the dash cam when the car is off. This ensures a constant power source for the dashcam while the car is parked.
However, this feature also utilizes power from the vehicle’s battery. This means there is a risk of draining the car battery. But now dash cams with advanced features are available that automatically stop recording when the car battery starts to deplete. Others come with motion-sensing technology that starts recording only when motion is detected near the car. This ensures minimum drain of the car battery. However, it depends on the G-sensor settings of your dashcam too.
2. Built-In Battery
Most dash cams available in the market come with internal batteries. These are lithium-ion batteries that charge when the car is running and are able to work when the engine is switched off. The main disadvantage of such dash cams is the short recording time, as they quickly drain out. This means they will stop recording as soon as the battery power runs out.
However, if your dash cam comes with automatic features like motion detection and collision detection, then built-in battery-powered dash cams are a good choice. This is because such features minimize power use while recording essential incidents. So, batteries are one of the things you should consider when buying a dashcam.
3. Battery Packs
Battery packs work like power bank that helps to extend the life of built-in batteries. If you’re not happy with the short recording time offered by dash cams with internal batteries, you should look into battery packs. Battery packs provide a backup for the dashcam’s internal battery and allow it to record for longer periods while the car is off.
4. OBD2 Cable
Using an OBD2 is similar to yet simpler than the hard-wire method. It is a convenient way to allow the dash cam to record in parking mode. This can be used on all vehicles with an OBD port. The installation involves simply using the OBD cable to connect the dash cam to the OBD port. Once connected, the OBD cable supplies power to the dashcam throughout, even when the car is off.
Why Should You Buy A Dash Cam That Works When The Car Is Off?
A dash cam that records footage and videos while the car is parked is crucial for your vehicle’s security. This is because it enables you to have access to evidence of accidents that may happen to your car when you are away.
Let’s say you parked your car in a parking space and someone accidentally bumped into your car while parking. In this case, if your dash cam was recording, it would help to capture the number plate of the vehicle.
Also, most cases of vandalism and hit-and-run occur when the owner is not in the car. In such cases, the evidence gained by the dash cam operating in parking mode is vital for identifying the miscreants. The video footage of such incidents makes further proceedings like insurance claims much easier.
The Bottom Line
A dashcam is a vehicle-related device that allows recording of the vehicle while driving. Nowadays, modern dash cams are available in the market that record even when the car is off. These dash cams are powered by various means that can supply power to the dash cam when the car engine is turned off.
These dash cams work either using built-in batteries, hard-wire kit, a battery pack, or an OBD cable. It is important for a dash cam to record while parked, as this helps to record important evidence in case of accidents.
If you’re not sure if your dashcam records when the engine is off, you can read our article on how to know if dash cam is recording.
