Dashcam doesn't start up after a short rest

[TimothyN]

I had my dashcam professionally fitted, so please don't ask any questions about which line or fuse it's attached to.

If I get into the car in a normal scenario (first thing in the morning, for example) it just starts, and it just works.

But if I switch the car off, go into a shop, do a little bit of shopping, maybe 10 minutes, then get back into the car and restart it, the dashcam doesn't wake up.

I don't really know what is the minimum period of downtime for it to wake up is, but I guess between 15 to 60 minutes.

Any idea what's going on, and what I can do about it?

 

[Ian Key]

Is there a setting on your dash-cam that needs changing? I've attached mine to the USB port by the rear-view mirror and it boots up and shuts down with the car.

 

[stevedee]

...But if I switch the car off, go into a shop, do a little bit of shopping, maybe 10 minutes, then get back into the car and restart it, the dashcam doesn't wake up...

I'm sorry, I have to ask this (don't take offence) but are you happy that the camera is not just in screen saver mode.
We had a webcam that use to run on for 5 or more minutes after power off, due to a small internal battery. But the screen was black until you woke it up.

 

[TimothyN]

It doesn't have a screen. The only way I know whether it's working is a little LED which is either solid (meaning it is working and knows its GPS position and therefore speed) or flashing (meaning that it records video, but not speed.)

If the LED doesn't light up at all, it means that it is not recording, it is effectively dead.

In my previous car it worked fine, so I rather suspect that this has to do with whether the car goes fully to sleep and then wakes up, and I was wondering if 10 minutes in Tesco Local isn't enough for it to close its eyes properly.

 

[FCat53]

It doesn't have a screen. The only way I know whether it's working is a little LED which is either solid (meaning it is working and knows its GPS position and therefore speed) or flashing (meaning that it records video, but not speed.)

If the LED doesn't light up at all, it means that it is not recording, it is effectively dead.

In my previous car it worked fine, so I rather suspect that this has to do with whether the car goes fully to sleep and then wakes up, and I was wondering if 10 minutes in Tesco Local isn't enough for it to close its eyes properly.

The activity of the car should have no effect on a correctly installed camera. Perhaps try unplugging the cameras power source and power it from the mirror USB socket, to see if it is the power installation. If it works fine on the USB then faulty installation.

 

[TimothyN]

It is 12V, not 5V, sadly.

 

[Ian Key]

It is 12v, not 5v, sadly.

Which make and model of dash-cam have you got?

 

[TimothyN]

Which make and model of dash-cam have you got?

Sorry, I missed this. Thinkware F770.

Manufactured 09/18

 

[Ian Key]

Thanks.

Sorry, I missed this. Thinkware F770.

Manufactured 09/18

I've looked up the instruction manual and yes you are correct it says 12/24V for the power source. I've also checked the requirements for my Nextbase and it says the same thing.

Mine works from the USB socket in the mirror housing with just a short USB cable because the cigarette adaptor that is supplied with the dash-cam reduces the power output to 5V as indicated by the label attached to it. I suspect yours is the same.

Why not try connecting it to that USB socket with a plain cable and see if it works?

 

[stevedee]

I use a fairly short USB cable with right-angled connectors on both ends. This keeps the wiring neat & tidy, with the cable 'restricted' within the rearview mirror area.
I don't know if the orientation of the USB A connector is standardised (i.e. left or right handed) but check before you buy, because the cable needs to 'point' the correct way!

 

[TimothyN]

Why not try connecting it to that USB socket with a plain cable and see if it works?

I guess that the truthful answer is because the hassle of making up that wire (USB-C to concentric) is greater than the hassle of it not working.

But my original question remains. The dashcam did not behave like this when installed in the Audi, so it seems to me more likely that the 12v supply is at fault. Is it possible that it is switched off when I lock the car, and then needs a refractory period before it will be switched on again.