Dash camera setups for parking mode surveillance? And will the Ecoflow River 2 work as a battery pack?

[acxxac]

Thanks for your response! So you mentioned that you use a long cord to charge your ecoflow since you don't want to take the battery out. Is taking out the battery very difficult or not possible with your setup? I hope I don't sound rude, I just want to know if there's certain battery setups that would prevent me from taking the battery out of the car to charge it.

Apologies for the late response. Not rude at all. This is a great forum & everyone here has been helpful... so I'm trying to pay it forward & contribute what little I can.

Yes, I have a 25' extension cord to charge when needed. This avoids having to pull my setup from the car.
I have the Ecoflow River 3 Max Plus strapped into a small milk crate. Used multiple velcro straps so it is stable inside the crate. And the crate is strapped with velcro into a metal hook in the trunk area so it doesn't move around. I also put thin hard foam underneath the battery for some cushion. As for the ports, they are all accessible. It's a little tight to get my hands in there, but still accessible since the milk crate has holes, lol.

If I ever do need to take the battery out, I can just disconnect all the plugs & carry the crate which has better handles than the battery.
It's not really difficult to take it out of the vehicle but I do have to unplug a few things: the car charger, usb c (hardwire kit that powers the camera), & velcro strap that holds the crate in place. The battery also weigh 30 pounds, so it's kind of pita.

Extension cord:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00NY3THHM

Milk crate:

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/16-Qt-Polypropylene-Milk-Crate-Storage-Box-in-Black-11-in-x-13-in-x-13-in-MK131311-HD/300656648

Velcro:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B09QH2NVM1

Foam:
At the dollar store, I bought little league bases that were rubber/foam & just cut to size. Maybe $5, I forget.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

I thought you'd never ask 🤣
Two biggest issues;
1.) Front camera Bitrate is cut in half when IR Interior camera is connected.
2.) Lack of modularity for both remote cameras
a.) IR Interior Camera Cable & Connectors: 3.5mm TRRS to Type-C
b.) Rear & Telephoto Camera Cable & Connectors: Type-C to Type-C

Minor Issues;
1.) Rear & Telephoto cameras have separate processor built-in that complicates firmware updates.
2.) No “clip-on” CPL Filter for Rear Camera, (semi permanent only).
Sometimes you need to remove the CPL Filter to clean the lens from dust build up.
3.) “Slow” Wi-Fi Transfer Speeds
10MB/s (430MB) 44 Seconds A229 Pro (2023)
33MB/s (472MB) 14.4 Seconds A329S (2025)
4.) No LPID (Low Power Impact Detection) Parking Mode
5.) A329S gets upgraded GPS Module for greater accuracy, and faster satellite connection.

A229 Pro Test & Review

A229 Pro Improvement Wishlist

The A329S fixed the two biggest issues by maintaining Front camera Bitrate when remote cameras are connected.
And going back to MCX Coax Cables for all remote cameras.
Now any remote camera can be used with any camera output on front / main unit.
This provides maximum user flexibility with the (4) different available remote cameras, (Rear, Waterproof Rear, IR Interior, Telephoto).
The minor issues were also fixed.
All processing is done by front / main unit.
Rear Camera gets clip on CPL Filter.

A329S Test & Review

Thank you for giving me such a detailed response. As small as it sounds, the viofo A229 pro's lack of CPL filter and inability of the rear/interior HDR to turn off make me think of getting the A329S instead.

I looked at the parking mode power consumption for the A229 pro, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

Power Consumption Test Data

3-Channel Front + Rear + Interior

View attachment 68450 View attachment 67783

2-Channel Front + Rear

View attachment 68449 View attachment 67785

2-Channel Front + Interior

View attachment 68448 View attachment 67787

1-Channel Front

View attachment 68447 View attachment 67789

Summary Of Video Bitrate Data

View attachment 67791

But the A329S isn't much different either.

During my testing of the A329S 3-Channel prototype dash camera, I performed a series of parking mode power consumption tests. Recently, I asked VIOFO is there was any parking mode that would have a significant change in its power consumption based on the firmware version or the production hardwire. VIOFO stated there should be no notable differences in the parking mode power consumption with the production firmware / hardware.

The power consumption data was gathered using a Fluke 117 multimeter measuring the amp draw with 12.6 volts being provided to the input power wires of a VIOFO HK4 hardwire kit. The Fluke 117 gathered mA values [min/max/avg] values were input into a spreadsheet with the average mA value being used to calculate the "Avg Watts" you see in these charts. Each parking mode/config option combination is run for a minimum of 5-minutes.

The time estimates are based on the simplifying assumption that the full battery pack capacity is available for use to the HK4 and the dash camera. The HK4's low voltage cutoff feature will turn off the power to the dash camera before the battery pack's full charge capacity has been consumed. In my previous tests of the VIOFO HK4 hardwire kit prototype unit with a way to turn off the low voltage cutoff feature, it would extend the parking mode run time in the 30 to 45 minute range. My parking mode time estimates are a bit overly optimistic, but are usable to get a general idea of how long a parking mode might function with each battery pack capacity listed in the chart.

No hybrid parking mode time estimates were calculated since hybrid parking mode is a combination of two parking modes that already have time estimates [AED+LPID, TLR 1FPS+LPID, LBR+LPID]. The main variable being how long you select to have the primary parking mode enabled [using the Cut-off Timer].

LPID = Low Power Impact Detection

Since LPID parking mode only writes videos to the microSD card, I only tested having a microSD card in the front camera with no SSD connected. If there's enough interest, I can run additional tests with a microSD card and a SSD drive connected.
View attachment 80827

AED = Auto Event Detection

View attachment 80828

TLR 10FPS = Time-Lapse 10FPS

View attachment 80829

TLR 1FPS - Time-Lapse 1FPS

View attachment 80830

TLR SNV 1FPS = Time-Lapse Super Night Vision 1FPS

View attachment 80831

LBR = Low Bitrate

View attachment 80832

I don't think I will use the low power impact detection because I don't think it would be able to detect a car keying. That would be too light of an impact. I will probably use one of the timelapse settings and see how that works. Hopefully it will last long enough with the River 3 or the River 3 Plus.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

As small as it sounds, the viofo A229 pro's lack of CPL filter

A229 Pro has CPL Filters for all cameras.
Rear Camera CPL Filter was added later but is not “clip-on” style, (it’s semi permanent with adhesive).

and inability of the rear/interior HDR to turn off

I think independent HDR On/Off settings were added in a later firmware update.
It's been so long I don't remember.

I don't think I will use the low power impact detection because I don't think it would be able to detect a car keying. That would be too light of an impact. I will probably use one of the timelapse settings and see how that works.

I do not recommend Time Lapse because it does not provide audio, (you will not be able to hear the damage from keying).
Low Bitrate will provide both video & audio.

Hopefully it will last long enough with the River 3 or the River 3 Plus.

How many hours of continuous Low Bitrate Parking Mode do you need / want?

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

I'm hoping for at least 36 hours of parking mode before I need to recharge the battery pack. I'm gonna use the dash camera for 9 hours a day, and I don't want to recharge the battery more than once every 4 days. But it's hard to say, I'll have to adjust according to the battery's capabilities.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

I'm hoping for at least 36 hours of parking mode before I need to recharge the battery pack. I'm gonna use the dash camera for 9 hours a day, and I don't want to recharge the battery more than once every 4 days. But it's hard to say, I'll have to adjust according to the battery's capabilities.

250Wh ÷ 5W = 50 Hours LBR Parking Mode

River 3 or the River 3 Plus

Can you connect a solar panel to these power stations during the day while it's operating in parking mode?
What kind of car do you have?

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

Most likely not, but I'm willing to look into it. I'm gonna get a 2007 Toyota Highlander.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

2007 Toyota Highlander

Check these out.
Then you'd never have to charge with an extension cord to the house.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

I'll definitely consider it, but I'd like to try my luck without the solar first. I'm afraid that it wouldn't charge as well during the colder months. And I'm a little self-conscious, I don't want it to be too obvious that I have a dash camera, even if I can't hide it. I can still take it outside of the car and into my house to charge, right? But maybe it would be hard to get the battery to last for 4 days.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

Apologies for the late response. Not rude at all. This is a great forum & everyone here has been helpful... so I'm trying to pay it forward & contribute what little I can.

Yes, I have a 25' extension cord to charge when needed. This avoids having to pull my setup from the car.
I have the Ecoflow River 3 Max Plus strapped into a small milk crate. Used multiple velcro straps so it is stable inside the crate. And the crate is strapped with velcro into a metal hook in the trunk area so it doesn't move around. I also put thin hard foam underneath the battery for some cushion. As for the ports, they are all accessible. It's a little tight to get my hands in there, but still accessible since the milk crate has holes, lol.

If I ever do need to take the battery out, I can just disconnect all the plugs & carry the crate which has better handles than the battery.
It's not really difficult to take it out of the vehicle but I do have to unplug a few things: the car charger, usb c (hardwire kit that powers the camera), & velcro strap that holds the crate in place. The battery also weigh 30 pounds, so it's kind of pita.

Extension cord:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B00NY3THHM

Milk crate:

https://www.homedepot.com/pep/16-Qt-Polypropylene-Milk-Crate-Storage-Box-in-Black-11-in-x-13-in-x-13-in-MK131311-HD/300656648

Velcro:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B09QH2NVM1

Foam:
At the dollar store, I bought little league bases that were rubber/foam & just cut to size. Maybe $5, I forget.

That sounds like a good setup. I most likely will still take it inside to charge, but it's worth it to keep the battery protected.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

I do have another question which is kinda annoying. Is it easy to adjust the time settings for when the A329S is powered on or off? I usually want the camera to work during the day and turn off at night, but when I visit family I'd like my camera to record at night as well.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Is it easy to adjust the time settings for when the A329S is powered on or off?

I usually want the camera to work during the day and turn off at night, but when I visit family I'd like my camera to record at night as well.

I'm confused.
When you start your engine it will begin recording automatically.
Are you talking about setting the timer to turn off the camera after it has been running in parking mode?
Either way, yes the settings can easily be changed with the smartphone APP when the camera is powered up, and operating in normal / driving recording mode.

 

[Karagandinez]

Either way, yes the settings can easily be changed with the smartphone APP when the camera is powered up, and operating in normal / driving recording mode.

Camera settings can also be changed in parking mode.

 

[Karagandinez]

I usually want the camera to work during the day and turn off at night, but when I visit family I'd like my camera to record at night as well.

The camera settings include a geofencing option.
If you enter the coordinates of your relatives' location, the camera will turn off when you arrive there.
You can configure up to three different locations where the camera will turn off.

 

[Chuck McCoy]

Camera settings can also be changed in parking mode.

Nuh uh, not LPID.

 

[Karagandinez]

Nuh uh, not LPID.

Where was LPID discussed?
Initially, the discussion was about the A229 Pro...

I looked at the parking mode power consumption for the A229 pro, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

Gotcha. Sounds like as long as I'm proactive about charging the battery pack, I should be alright. Thank you for the responses.

 

[Lahti202]

These batteries are safe and suitable for unattended use in vehicles.

 

[Tom-z4u7t]

Lets make your dream come true: 🙂

You can get Ecoflow River2 Max with double capasity and double charge rate for about $299 (amazon US)
Budget version

............... or Ultimately

You can get any of those very high Wh/Ah LFP Batteries with BMS and combine with the new Victron Orion XS 50A DC-DC charger (they just came up with the new generation very efficient one), like shown in attached napkin sketch.

Your $$ and your car's alternator are the limits.

Found this from an old post. How well could this work? I'm starting to feel less confident about my cameras at home, so if I could get closer to 24/7 monitoring, that would be ideal. But I understand if it's not possible.

I've been really considering that thing with the solar panel, but that would be a last resort. If I need a new car in a few years, a solar panel would do poorly on a smaller car. And I don't have many options when I need to buy a new car.

 

[GPak]

Found this from an old post. How well could this work? I'm starting to feel less confident about my cameras at home, so if I could get closer to 24/7 monitoring, that would be ideal. But I understand if it's not possible.

I've been really considering that thing with the solar panel, but that would be a last resort. If I need a new car in a few years, a solar panel would do poorly on a smaller car. And I don't have many options when I need to buy a new car.

The option with Victron charger and LFP battery with built in BMS will work just fine.

The napkin sketch is missing required fuses, so I have updated the linked post by adding:
Edit: (the fuse between the Victron charger and the alternator/starter battery, as well as the fuse between the Victron charger and the LFP battery, are not shown)