Dashcams'

[Bunty]

Hi folks, I had a dashcam fitted front and back, I knew nothing about them so asking.  Had MOT done this week and was asked did I want the dashcam hard-wiring?  At present, it's wired to the cigar lighter, I was told it would turn off 15 mins. after the car stopped.  As the motor had a very flat battery when I last went to use it, I'm not sure it was turning off.  The RAC man said the battery is dead, so don't drive it. If you stop, you won't be able to start it again. The RAC won't come out. 🙄 Garage checked the battery, no problem with it. It looks to me as if hardwiring makes the dashcam part of the car's electrical system, as it has to be connected to a fuse.  There is also a change of voltage in the wiring from 12V to 5V when hardwiring?  Please can I have comments, suggestions, and advice on  dashcams?  Furthermore, would you advise hardwiring and what are the advantages, please?  I have a 2002 1.6 Focus. 🚘  Thank you, you're great.

[mjt]

On the Focus the cigar lighter is permanently live - it doesn't turn on and off with the ignition - so your cams will be a continuous drain on the battery unless you remember to unplug them every time. If they're hard wired they can be connected to a fuse in the ignition circuit so they will turn off with the ignition.

[Bunty]

Thanks, Mike, surprised the cigar lighter is permanently live.  This focus has so many lights, knobs and switches, far more than my Escort RS and loads more than my 1953 Prefect. 🤣  I must find my way around the car, I need a torch in the car to check where the switches are in the dark! 👍

[StephenFord]

Yes, having a 12v socket that is permanently live is the dumbest idea since Ford designed that rubbish bonnet opening catch on the Mk2! I use quite a few accessories, (SatNav, dashcam, DAB radio, TPMS etc ) so a permanently live socket was a nonsense. I had an additional socket installed that was connected to the ignition key, so that when I leave the car, the supply stopped!