[rockblock]

Hey Folks,

Looking at getting a Thinkware in-dash camera, mostly for parking. I was looking at the U1000 but it got discontinued, so will need to get the lastest U3000.

I don't plan to use an external battery, as my understanding is this is the most efficient camera on the market for parking mode, with least current draw and battery drainage, hence no requirement for an extra battery pack (expensive)

As such, I'm just wondering if anyone installed the U3000 and their experience. Mostly interested in:

1) Wiring - ODB vs Fuse hard-wire vs Mirror hard-wire (any pics or videos for installation?)
2) Parking mode experience - radar mode, battery drainage , etc
3) Does hard-wiring impact warranty? Any complaints from dealers?

Cheers !

[Pentland]

I’ve used Blackvue cams for many years.
My experience is parking mode will ruin the car battery. However, there is a solution that works and that is to use an additional power bank. Blackvue have bespoke batteries for this.
The idea is the dash cam uses this battery when in parking mode and the that battery charges when the car is running. It works very well and protects the car battery.

[rockblock]

Hi - thanks for you response...yes agreed, but the problem is the battery pack is more expensive than the actual cameras (you can get a solar power generator for double the capacity and half the price

I was told with the U3000 I wouldn't need an additional camera, as it has the best power management of all cams to date - also, I could set the voltage limit to say 12.2V and the camera would shut off if it drains to that extent (ETA = 8-10 hrs)...now all of these are nice marketing slogans, was hoping someone would have installed the U3000 and provide some feedback (albeit, the U3000 is fairly new)

Anyway, thanks again for your feedback
Cheers!

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Hi - thanks for you response...yes agreed, but the problem is the battery pack is more expensive than the actual cameras (you can get a solar power generator for double the capacity and half the price

I was told with the U3000 I wouldn't need an additional camera, as it has the best power management of all cams to date - also, I could set the voltage limit to say 12.2V and the camera would shut off if it drains to that extent (ETA = 8-10 hrs)...now all of these are nice marketing slogans, was hoping someone would have installed the U3000 and provide some feedback (albeit, the U3000 is fairly new)

Anyway, thanks again for your feedback
Cheers!

The battery pack costs far less than a new car battery.
Unless something has changed in the last few years, that kind of battery power management by cams will ruin your car battery.

[grooveK]

i have the viofo a229 pro installed on mine and when i first installed it i was getting the battery drain warning sign every morning, even tho other cars in other forums didnt need it and despite me setting the voltage limiter to 12.4 (im probably using the wrong terms and words) and doing all the other precautions. spent the extra few hundred bucks for the blackvue battery and have had no issues since.

i figured itll save my main battery in the long run from all the cycles, and my dashcam will stay on for days at a time in parking mode, instead of shutting itself off which defeats the purpose kind of.

[rockblock]

Thanks for the quick response folks. Yea, I'm leaning towards getting a battery pack as well. May have to go with the Thinkware iVolt Xtra

Where did you guys put your battery and how did you secure? The G42 is quite a small car. If you can throw in some pics I'd appreciate it

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Thanks for the quick response folks. Yea, I'm leaning towards getting a battery pack as well. May have to go with the Thinkware iVolt Xtra

Where did you guys put your battery and how did you secure? The G42 is quite a small car. If you can throw in some pics I'd appreciate it

I use the space next to the main car battery. It’s close to the battery (obvs) for constant live and the fuse box.

[rockblock]

I looked but I don't see how it would fit- Battery is in the middle with little space left or right. Do you mind taking a pic?
Thx

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

I looked but I don't see how it would fit- Battery is in the middle with little space left or right. Do you mind taking a pic?
Thx

Battery pack has an off cut of pipe insulation around it just to cushion it.

[rockblock]

Ah, OK I like that setup... Did you use the trunk fuses or the driver side ones for hookup?

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Ah, OK I like that setup... Did you use the trunk fuses or the driver side ones for hookup?

One fuse in the boot. It’s nearest.

PS, if you quote posts you are replying to, the person you are replying to gets notified and you have more chance of, well, a reply.

Also if you appreciate a post, hit appreciate!

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by Pentland

One fuse in the boot. It’s nearest.

PS, if you quote posts you are replying to, the person you are replying to gets notified and you have more chance of, well, a reply.

Done !

Originally Posted by Pentland

Also if you appreciate a post, hit appreciate!

Of course !

BTW - is that the B-130X battery?

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Done !



Of course !

BTW - is that the B-130X battery?

Yeah. Runs for about 2 days before needing recharging.

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by Pentland

Yeah. Runs for about 2 days before needing recharging.

OK thx - one last question - which Fuse did you tap into? Your battery is pulling 9A, so I assume one of the 20A or 30A fuses?

[grooveK]

i put mine in the rear passenger footwell velcroed to where the heels would hit. no one sits back there and if someone ever does, i just tell them to watch their heels or theyll blow up. i couldnt really find a better solution. couldnt find any room under the seats.

[rockblock]

I like Pentland's spot - mine will be the iVolt Xtra which is about the same size as the B-130X...the only thing I don't know yet is which Fuse from the trunk to use - I'm trying to avoid engine, airbags, etc. The fuse box also has some open slots, I may try to see if I have any ACC power coming out of them. The BMW fuse diagram isn't that intuitive

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

I like Pentland's spot - mine will be the iVolt Xtra which is about the same size as the B-130X...the only thing I don't know yet is which Fuse from the trunk to use - I'm trying to avoid engine, airbags, etc. The fuse box also has some open slots, I may try to see if I have any ACC power coming out of them. The BMW fuse diagram isn't that intuitive

If I remember, I’ll take my side panel off tonight and let you know. It’s question asked quite often.

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

I like Pentland's spot - mine will be the iVolt Xtra which is about the same size as the B-130X...the only thing I don't know yet is which Fuse from the trunk to use - I'm trying to avoid engine, airbags, etc. The fuse box also has some open slots, I may try to see if I have any ACC power coming out of them. The BMW fuse diagram isn't that intuitive

Originally Posted by Pentland

If I remember, I’ll take my side panel off tonight and let you know. It’s question asked quite often.

F273.

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by Pentland

F273.

Thanks, greatly appreciated - based on the fusing diagram and symbol, I think F273 may be a charging port fuse?



Does it go off after like 10-15 mins after you turn off the ignition?

.

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Thanks, greatly appreciated - based on the fusing diagram and symbol, I think F273 may be a charging port fuse?

Attachment 3561797

Does it go off after like 10-15 mins after you turn off the ignition?

.

Yes. And it should.
Your constant live is from the car battery, ACC from F273.
The extra battery only charges when the car is running. The cam runs off the car battery when the car is running.
The idea is there is no draw on the car battery in parking modes and the cam runs off the auxiliary battery.

[rockblock]

Originally Posted by Pentland

Yes. And it should.
Your constant live is from the car battery, ACC from F273.
The extra battery only charges when the car is running. The cam runs off the car battery when the car is running.
The idea is there is no draw on the car battery in parking modes and the cam runs off the auxiliary battery.

Thinkware Battery runs with only one ACC connection to the car battery. There is only one input to the battery from ACC and one output harness to the camera from the battery that combines all 3 wires. It's a simpler connection, no need for both Constant Live + ACC

[Pentland]

Originally Posted by rockblock

Thinkware Battery runs with only one ACC connection to the car battery. There is only one input to the battery from ACC and one output harness to the camera from the battery that combines all 3 wires. It's a simpler connection, no need for both Constant Live + ACC

THB I can’t really remember if it ties to the battery. From my photo, it doesn’t look like it.
You seem to have made your mind up on the camera and that is translating to the rest of the kit. Thinkware do good cam. I like Blackvue as they are more discreet. The latest ones hive amazing definition in all lighting types.


Edit: I checked and it doesn’t tie into the battery, just the ACC.