Shiwarrior
Active Member
because it will discharge your car battery very quickly
but in the APP, you can limit on how much you want to charge it by i think (my device isn't connected to WIFI so i cant check)
so limit it to 150W and you'll be fine
Parking Battery-Power Station, 3X capacity and 3X cheaper than dedicated options + extra functionality
- Thread starter GPak
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because it will discharge your car battery very quickly
but in the APP, you can limit on how much you want to charge it by i think (my device isn't connected to WIFI so i cant check)
so limit it to 150W and you'll be fine
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GPak
Well-Known Member
The dash cam batteries including power stations should never be charged from the car battery.
PS should be powered from ACC triggered source only, when the car engine is running and alternator provides the power, so it will never discharge the car battery.
If AC input can be adjusted in the App, (I guess you can select different input current) then you can try to charge from AC outlet.
I would start at the lowest setting, and gradually increase it. In any case, I would limit the charging to 100-120W out of outlet to have some margin.
Make sure AC outlet turns off, with engine off.
In my jeep it does, and also requires manual pressing the button to turn it on.
Shiwarrior
Active Member
sorry i didn't explain this correctly, but yes you are right, only charge when the engine is running
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GPak
Well-Known Member
All the videos I made are in this thread and two other threads for the LTO/LFP (DIY) batteries.
These are unedited, amateur videos, and also unlisted hence they are not searchable on YouTube.
stephenjones
Active Member
Thanks. And yes, the ac outlet is only powered with ignition. I think I will just start simple and go from there. Currently I can get the black vue DR970X-2CH Plus at a good price from a friend that is changing to the thinkware u3000. If I understand correctly, the dash cam would be powered by usb and not the 12v port on the river 2? Is that because that port does not auto turn on if the battery is completely depleted on ignition? Any recommended cable for this black vue? I need it mainly for the parking mode.
EricSan
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EcoFlow River2 Bluetooth range is about 40-50 feet, maybe a bit more. I can reach the battery sitting in the car in the driveway from the living room couch in my house.
I would, however, discourage you from using the EcoFlow charging cord at charge rates that will exceed 100w. EcoFlow's car charging mode allows you to choose 4, 6, or 8A charge rates. 8A*13v = 104w of draw. This is fine. As you get to 135w, you're flirting with melting the end of the charging cord that plugs into the 12v utility outlet as I did. It is unclear whether this was beyond the charge rate of the cable, or whether the plug was not 100% inserted into the 12v utility outlet, but it melted for sure. I would not encourage solar charging mode if it's going to draw more than 100w.
Similarly, AC charging mode wants to draw over 300w. I would urge some caution here as well if using a car outlet. Be sure to check it's maximum rating before using in this manner.
I would, however, discourage you from using the EcoFlow charging cord at charge rates that will exceed 100w. EcoFlow's car charging mode allows you to choose 4, 6, or 8A charge rates. 8A*13v = 104w of draw. This is fine. As you get to 135w, you're flirting with melting the end of the charging cord that plugs into the 12v utility outlet as I did. It is unclear whether this was beyond the charge rate of the cable, or whether the plug was not 100% inserted into the 12v utility outlet, but it melted for sure. I would not encourage solar charging mode if it's going to draw more than 100w.
Similarly, AC charging mode wants to draw over 300w. I would urge some caution here as well if using a car outlet. Be sure to check it's maximum rating before using in this manner.
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GPak
Well-Known Member
EcoFlows 12VDC port has a physical button and will not automatically activate with ignition, unless you press the button or turn it on in a App, which is inconvenient.
Therefore, use either USB-C or USB-A port with USB-C to 12V or USB-A to 12V cable + original BlackVue hardwire cable to power the dashcam.
I am not familiar with the BlackVue, but the wiring principle should be similar to Viofo.
Check the details on wiring diagram and USB to 12V cables in the following thread:
Shiwarrior
Active Member
I just plug the 970x straight into the cig lighter socket on my river 2
stephenjones
Active Member
Based on my research and the replies from others, that is not an issue. Its only if the river runs dry it will not automatically power up that port when a charge is applied. Not a huge deal if its in your hand reach but if its hidden in the trunk then its a tiny bit more effort. I may just have enough space under the center console for the new river 3 . Have to do some measurements to verify but the river 2 is definitely a better buy with the sale and warranty etc.
Shiwarrior
Active Member
Yeah mines in the boot out of sight
I've got the pro model
I've got the pro model
Shiwarrior
Active Member
Yeah , I've switched to car mode as the solar mode runs HOT
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GPak
Well-Known Member
That was the case when I tested Necesspow PS, but it is not the case for the River2.
According to @Vortex Radar, the River 2 actually will auto power USB ports and provide power to dashcam in a 1 min or so, from the dead battery once the ignition is ON.
See the link to post.
I think 1 min delay is OK for a completely dead Battery, which doesn't happen very often.
Shiwarrior
Active Member
That was the case when I tested Necesspow PS, but it is not the case for the River2.
According to @Vortex Radar, the River 2 actually will auto power USB ports and provide power to dashcam in a 1 min or so, from the dead battery once the ignition is ON.
See the link to post.
I think 1 min delay is OK for a completely dead Battery, which doesn't happen very often.
I think Stephen means the cig port that won't automatically restart as there's a button to turn it on
Usb ports don't have a button, so therefore automatically turns on
stephenjones
Active Member
Can you confirm if the pro model will turn on the usb port and or the 12 volt port automatically if it completely dies and you start the car to apply power to it? Or do you have to go to the boot and hit a button?
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ductt
Member
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GPak
Well-Known Member
Could you please elaborate on this setting and how it works?
Does this mean you can task/program the DC output port to always be ON when River 2 is ON?
That would be great.
Shiwarrior
Active Member
Mine has not depleted as of yet its only been on a week and It's charging when I drive, but work is only 20 mins each way but I've done a couple of longer runs to charge up my main battery and the ecoflow
I think it's around 50% at the moment
Shiwarrior
Active Member
by the way i have a blackvuew 970x and its not USB, im using the cig lighter straight into the cig output
i will find out tomorrow if the camera will turn on automatically as i thin k my ecoflow needs charging
i will find out tomorrow if the camera will turn on automatically as i thin k my ecoflow needs charging
Shiwarrior
Active Member
I can confirm the camera didn't start automatically when the power station had a flat battery
I checked my phone and just switched on DC and the camera came on
I checked my phone and just switched on DC and the camera came on
stephenjones
Active Member
Thanks. I am testing a bluetti eb3a I already had before I invest in an ecoflow. Seems to be the same deal, have to power on manually if it dies. I am curious to know if others have tested any other power stations for this purpose. I am seeing 70mai may release a dedicated one soon. Also looking at the new ecoflow river 3 plus models and anker solix c300.