Capacitor verses battery

[Shockwave199]

How long has your dashcam been in service with a capacitor? There's no way I'm buying another dashcam with a battery but I'm wondering if a capacitor does that much better in terms of longevity. I think the most I've gotten out of a dashcam with battery is around two years. That's way too short for me. Rethinking and rebuying a dashcam every 24 months or less is not something I do not want to do. I'm in ny so the temps soar in the summer. But ultimately it's about longevity. I don't use a parking feature either. Hoping a capacitor lasts a whole heck of a lot longer than 2 or so years.

 

[bp2008]

I got a Blueskysea B1W a couple months ago, and another for my dad. As far as I know, the capacitor was only meant to last long enough for the camera to properly finalize its mp4 file and shut down after power is lost.

 

[Jessie.slimer]

I've had my Blackvue DR600 in everyday use since 2015, and wife has a Blackvue DR750 2ch with nearly everyday use since around 2017.

No issues with either.

 

[Shockwave199]

I've had my Blackvue DR600 in everyday use since 2015, and wife has a Blackvue DR750 2ch with nearly everyday use since around 2017.

No issues with either.

Wow, that's great to hear.

I got a Blueskysea B1W a couple months ago, and another for my dad. As far as I know, the capacitor was only meant to last long enough for the camera to properly finalize its mp4 file and shut down after power is lost.

Yes, it's the power off situation with all dashcam. When batteries fail they can't keep the camera on long enough to finalize the current recording when you turn the car off. And that spells the end of an otherwise fine dashcam. I've heard that capacitors have a much longer life span than batteries. I certainly hope so. These things are too expensive to keep having to buy a new one so frequently.

 

[biggen]

Isn't 2-3 years about the average lifespan on any rechargeable LI-Ion battery? Car temperatures probably reduce their overall lifespan I'd guess.

They should make them user replaceable.

 

[sebastiantombs]

My experience with rechargeable LiPO batteries is that their life is governed by charge cycles, generally, and how much abuse they receive. Abuse being high current discharge and temperature ranges for operation. A high quality LiPO pack can last through 500 cycles, discharge/charge. Discharge being drained to about 80% of rated voltage under no load. In reality, there aren't that many "high quality" cells easily available, especially those supplied in consumer grade electronics. I've had "good" LiPO packs fail at less than 100 cycles with other, same brand and model, last well into 300 cycles. Keep in mind that cycles means discharged to recommended maximum discharge. If discharged less, say 90% of rated voltage, the charge cycles will go up significantly which is why cell phone batteries can last as long as they do.

 

[Shockwave199]

I think all dashcam batteries can be replaced. Some, almost none really that I have seen, have a simple connector. Most have to be soldered out and back in and if you suck at soldering it's pretty certain you'll ruin these tiny connections. Plus replacement batteries aren't really cheap. Capacitors were usually only found in more expensive dashcams but they have made their way into many offerings now. Most people who know better would no longer choose a dashcam with a battery and certainly opt for the capacitor. Some even tout a super capacitor which of course is likely marketing BS.

I'm faced with buying a new dashcam. I certainly will buy one with a capacitor. That's what my question focused on here ; are people seeing much better longevity with a capacitor. If it doesn't really last any longer than a battery type I have to question whether I'll just give up having a dashcam altogether. It's too expensive and annoying to replace so frequently.

 

[Arjun]

I've been using Capacitor-based dash cams since Day 1

 

[djernie]

I think all dashcam batteries can be replaced. Some, almost none really that I have seen, have a simple connector. Most have to be soldered out and back in and if you suck at soldering it's pretty certain you'll ruin these tiny connections. Plus replacement batteries aren't really cheap. Capacitors were usually only found in more expensive dashcams but they have made their way into many offerings now. Most people who know better would no longer choose a dashcam with a battery and certainly opt for the capacitor. Some even tout a super capacitor which of course is likely marketing BS.

I'm faced with buying a new dashcam. I certainly will buy one with a capacitor. That's what my question focused on here ; are people seeing much better longevity with a capacitor. If it doesn't really last any longer than a battery type I have to question whether I'll just give up having a dashcam altogether. It's too expensive and annoying to replace so frequently.

i wouldn't give them up all together. Because the day you stop will be the day that idiot driver hits you, and the insurance says you both pay as we can't determine who is at fault. I will never go without a dash cam since they have saved me now twice.

 

[CCTVCam]

My experience with rechargeable LiPO batteries is that their life is governed by charge cycles, generally, and how much abuse they receive. Abuse being high current discharge and temperature ranges for operation. A high quality LiPO pack can last through 500 cycles, discharge/charge. Discharge being drained to about 80% of rated voltage under no load. In reality, there aren't that many "high quality" cells easily available, especially those supplied in consumer grade electronics. I've had "good" LiPO packs fail at less than 100 cycles with other, same brand and model, last well into 300 cycles. Keep in mind that cycles means discharged to recommended maximum discharge. If discharged less, say 90% of rated voltage, the charge cycles will go up significantly which is why cell phone batteries can last as long as they do.

Yep. Most batteries don't like to be continually charged as it kills lifespan. A dashcam gets continually charged. From memeroy I believe for max lifespan, lithium batteries like to never fall below 20% and never get charged above 80%. A constant zero to 100% charge cycle or a constant trickle charge will kill the batteries lifespan.

As for capacitors, they'll outlast your camera. I've never heard of one failing.

 

[alastairstevenson]

Most batteries don't like to be continually charged as it kills lifespan. A dashcam gets continually charged. From memeroy I believe for max lifespan, lithium batteries like to never fall below 20% and never get charged above 80%. A constant zero to 100% charge cycle or a constant trickle charge will kill the batteries lifespan.

A dashcam may be powered on for long periods - but that doesn't necessarily mean the battery is being charged during that time.
Charging is handled by a circuit designed to optimally match the battery, either built in to the battery or external.
Lithium battery charging is carefully protected, not just for optimal charging but also with safety cutoffs by the control circuitry.
The constant current main charge period terminates with a precise voltage cutoff. There is no trickle charge.

 

[sebastiantombs]

^^^ A quality charge circuit is a key to battery life and safety with LiPO batteries. The question becomes how well designed they are. I suspect that a camera battery is a "3S" pack, meaning three cells in series. This, to be really safe, requires what is known as a balanced charger which monitors the voltage of each cell independently as well as the overall voltage of the pack. If it "sees" a cell that is too low or too high while charging it limits the charge levels as needed to equalize the voltage on each cell. Cell cutoff voltage for charging is usually 4.2 volts.

 

[Shockwave199]

This is my next dashcam. Ever since I've had a dashcam I've always wanted the rear view as well- arguably as important or more than the front view. That's true for dashcams and the opposite sex as well

VIOFO Dashcam

 

[tigerwillow1]

This is my next dashcam......

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one, and am leaning toward Viofo. I'm totally fried trying to look at all of the manufacturers and models, trying to figure out what sensor each one uses, conflicting reviews, etc. The info on the Viofo web site looks like a price reduction is coming for Nov 11 & 12.

 

[looney2ns]

This is my next dashcam. Ever since I've had a dashcam I've always wanted the rear view as well- arguably as important or more than the front view. That's true for dashcams and the opposite sex as well

VIOFO Dashcam

www.dashcamtalk.com
My Street Guardian is still going strong after almost 4 yrs. It use's a capacitor.

 

[Shockwave199]

www.dashcamtalk.com
My Street Guardian is still going strong after almost 4 yrs. It use's a capacitor.

At this point I'd only get the two camera kit and it's 325. No would do.

 

[CCTVCam]

A dashcam may be powered on for long periods - but that doesn't necessarily mean the battery is being charged during that time.
Charging is handled by a circuit designed to optimally match the battery, either built in to the battery or external.
Lithium battery charging is carefully protected, not just for optimal charging but also with safety cutoffs by the control circuitry.
The constant current main charge period terminates with a precise voltage cutoff. There is no trickle charge.

It's a well known problem with cell phone batteries if left conected to a charger: Is It Bad to Leave Your iPhone Charging Overnight in 2020?

The charger charges to 100% then switches off. However, the phone uses charge and when the battery is a few percent below 100%, the charging starts again. This happens time and time again overnight if a phone is left on charge and it damages the batttery by shortening it's lifespan. I believe dashcams are no different when connected. The dashcam charger is actually a lot less hi tech. The dashcam is drawing power. It charges to 100%, uses some power, then starts topping itself back up trickle charging, again and again.

Also, I'm not aware of any charger that keeps charge between 20-80%. Simply charging above 80% damages lifespan on lipo. All batteries are similarly affected although the exact charging band for optimum charges differs with battery type (chemistry).

 

[djernie]

This is my next dashcam. Ever since I've had a dashcam I've always wanted the rear view as well- arguably as important or more than the front view. That's true for dashcams and the opposite sex as well

VIOFO Dashcam

I have the viofo a119 v3 with the gps, and i have 4 vantop mirror dash cams. H609, h610, and h612T. The viofo is not the dual model, the vantop cams are dual and i am pleased with them. I have placed the van tops in my cars and my two kids cars, i have posted my accidents with the van top mirror dash cam h610 models. 1st accident was in my car and the second one was in my girlfriends suv. The video has saved me in both accidents. NO haggling with their insurance, as soon as i mention dash cam, claim is settled. The viofo is a great dash cam, but i put it in my sisters car because i am pleased with the van top mirror cams.

 

[tigerwillow1]

Viofo has a 20% sale today and tomorrow, Nov. 11 and 12, on their website. Vantop also has price reductions going on.

 

[Shockwave199]

The viofo website hangs for me in chrome. Question- does their camera do better with their own SD card or doesn't it matter?