BlackVue B-130X Test & Review PP

[Panzer Platform]

I would like to say thank you to @BlackVue for sending me the all new Power Magic Ultra Battery B-130X for test & review. They even sent me a DR900X Plus to test it with. Last month I tested the BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 with an identical 96Wh capacity so I have that on hand to compare with.

- The B-130X replaces the B-124X (76.8 Wh).
- The B-130X has a new “Fuel Gauge Integrated Circuit” for more accurate estimated battery life, and charge time. “We’re going to test that!” (in Project Farm voice). Lol
- The B-130X has removed the expansion port used to daisy chain multiple battery packs together to increase parking mode run time. This was done to minimize the price increase of the B-130X because “very few people end up using it”.
- The previous 3 position switch, (Cigarette | OFF | Hardwire) has been replaced by an ON/OFF switch. The B-130X will automatically detect which charge method is being used, (5 Amp Cigarette Lighter Adapter / 9 Amp Hardwire Cable) by the use of a 3-Pin XT60 connector on the CLA, and a standard 2-Pin XT60 Connector on the hardwire cable.
- MSRP is $360 USD (this is the price for Amazon, BBMC, retailers, etc.) BlackVue Official Website will be $390 USD.
- The B-130X is to be used with the “new” BlackVue APP (Released on 12/6/22)
- The FCC ID# is U8D-F1LS3222

I’ve only had the B-130X for a few hours, and after unpacking it out of the box it comes with identical accessories, cables, and connections as the BBMC PC8. However, with one glaring difference that is like a thorn in my side with the BBMC PC8. The B-130X included hardwire charge cable is 14AWG, (compared to the 16AWG included with the BBMC PC8). This was a bone of contention with me because I discovered under the full 9 Amp charge load the PC8’s 16AWG hardwire charge cable would raise in temperature to levels that are in my opinion “too darn high”. It led me to recommend the BBMC PC8 change the 16AWG hardwire charge cable to 12AWG size wire, (the maximum size for the XT60 connector).
Well it looks like BlackVue has met me halfway by going with 14AWG, (I still want 12AWG though). lol

BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Test & Review PP

Hey guys once again I’m late to the party, but it still feels good to be invited. For the past couple months I’ve been begging Joseph from @BlackboxMyCar to send me a PowerCell 8 for test & review. I think I finally wore him down. Lol What can I say about the PC8 that’s already been reviewed...

dashcamtalk.com

I can’t wait to test the temperature difference of the two different size charge cables, (14AWG vs. 16AWG) under full steam (9 Amps). I only have a measly $20 laser temperature gun. If only I had a fancy thermal imaging camera to get a more accurate depiction of the heat generation, hint-hint @rcg530. Lol

For my first baseline run time test I charged up the B-130X to 100%.
Then I measured the power consumption of the DR900X Plus is normal recording mode, Wi-Fi Off. Using my Waptek variable power supply, and Fluke 115 Multimeter I measured;
423mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 5.3298 Watts

I connected the DR900X Plus to the B-130X using the CLA, (the DR900X 3-wire hardwire kit was missing from the box, even though the user manual says it’s included). =(
The BlackVue APP indicated the estimated run time is 18 Hours 16 Minutes.
After this run time test is complete, I’ll put the DR900X Plus in Parking Mode to see how much longer that increases run time.
-Chuck

 

[Panzer Platform]

First Baseline run test DR900X Plus 2-Channel, normal recording mode, Wi-Fi Off.
The camera ran for;
18 Hours 58 Minutes

Then powered down with the normal voice notification. I checked the battery percent life with the BlackVue APP, and it indicated 1%. See screenshot. So it looks like it ran for an extra 42 minutes longer than the original estimate of 18 Hours 16 Minutes.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Cold Temperature Charge Test

The B-130X specifications claim to have “Low Temperature Cut Off” below 32℉ (0℃), see attached screenshot. I wanted to test this, so after the battery was drained to 1% I measured the temperature of the B-130X at 71℉ (21℃). I placed the B-130X in two ziploc freezer bags, and put it in my freezer for 2.5 hours. This brought the B-130X’s temp down to 8℉ (-13℃).

I connected the B-130X to my variable power supply and set it to 14.6 Volts @ 10 Amps. I turned on the B-130X, and engage the charge procedure. The indicated amperage on my variable power supply was fixed at 12mAh, or 0.012 Amps. I checked the BlackVue App, and it indicated “Low Temperature Warning The battery’s temperature is too low, which may limit its lasting time and charging speed”. It also indicated the battery’s temperature at 6℉ (-14℃).

I can confirm the B-130X has low temp charge cut off / protection. It also appears the protection strategy is just a little bit more advanced / sophisticated than the BBMC PowerCell 8. I performed this same test, and you can see the slightly different results here;

BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Test & Review PP

In a previous life, among my responsibilities were maintaining mainframe level comms and software equipment, I also had responsibility for DC power systems that exceed 1500 amps and powered several floors of equipment. So, I know a little something about power, but not everything. I do know...

dashcamtalk.com

Why is this important?
LiFePo4 batteries must never be charged in freezing temperatures because it will cause irreparable damage. Here is an article about it;

https://www.batteriesplus.com/blog/power/lithium-batteries-cold#:~:text=You%20should%20never%20attempt%20to,short%20circuits%2C%20damaging%20it%20irreparably.

Here are videos of the tests being performed;

 

[Panzer Platform]

The B-130X has a claimed “Rapid 9 Amp Charge” time of 50 Minutes utilizing the hardwire connection. I connected my variable power supply to the B-130X using the included 14AWG Hardwire Cable, and adjusted it to 14.60 Volts / 10 Amps. I monitored the charge cycle, and took screenshots of the battery life percentage displayed in the BlackVue App at the start, every 15 minutes, and at the end of the completed charge cycle. The temperature of my garage was 56℉ (13℃) 52% Humidity.

Here are the results;
1% Start Temp of Hardwire Cable 60℉ (15℃)
22% 15 Minutes Temp of Hardwire Cable 80℉ (26℃)
47% 30 Minutes Temp of Hardwire Cable 83℉ (28℃)
71% 45 Minutes
87% 60 Minutes

At 60 minutes my power supply indicated the amperage was fluctuating between 1-2 Amps. I turned off the B-130X, and then back on. The power supply indicated 12mAh, or 0.012 Amps. I checked the BlackVue APP, and it indicated the battery life was 100%. Under these test conditions the B-130X did not meet it’s claimed 50 minute charge time, and took an additional 10 minutes. This 60 minute 9 Amp charge time is identical to the BBMC PowerCell 8 I tested last month. It appears the “Fuel Gauge Integrated Circuit” (battery life %) did not accurately report when the charge cycle was complete.

On a positive note, the USB output indicates the correct battery life % in the BlackVue APP, (the BBMC PC8 with Cellink Neo Plus does not).

I’m less than enchanted with the temperature rise of the 14AWG hardwire cable under the bulk charge load of the full 9 Amps. It rose from 60℉ (15℃) to 83℉ (28℃). Granted it was slightly cooler than the 16AWG hardwire cable included with the BBMC PC8, (it rose from 60℉ (15℃) to 94℉ (34℃). I know these temps don’t sound like much with the 60℉ (15℃) ambient temp in my garage, but I still stand by my original recommendation of using 12AWG size wire for the charge cable.

 

[Panzer Platform]

(Motion & Impact) Parking Mode Run Time Test

First I measured the power consumption of the DR900X Plus in Parking Mode (Motion & Impact), Wi-Fi Off. I measured;
387mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 4.8762 Watts

Normal Recording Mode, Wi-Fi Off was;
423mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 5.3298 Watts

This means Parking Mode (Motion & Impact) uses 8% less power, and should increase the Normal Recording Mode (18 Hours 58 Minutes) by
1 Hour 35 Minutes.

However, if the camera detects Motion, or Impact it will revert to Normal Recording Mode, and the higher corresponding power consumption. To mitigate this, I placed the camera in a spare room closet where it would not be disturbed.
The camera ran for 20 Hours 3 Minutes. An increase of 1 Hour 5 Minutes over Normal Recording Mode.
Next I will see how long the DR900X Plus runs in (Time Lapse) Parking Mode.

 

[Vortex Radar]

Nice job with your testing!

I started testing with motion & impact detection, but I missed when the dashcam shut off each time, lol, so I've switched to timelapse for now.

With a full load including the DR900X-2CH with GPS on, WiFi on, and cloud connected, I got 20h and 56min. I'm repeating the test now with a 1CH setup.

The app estimates seem to be pretty inaccurate, both in charge of remaining parking recording time as well as capacity when recharging, but this is pretty true of all of the Egen batteries. With recharging, it'll jump from somewhere around 70-85% battery straight to 100%. The B-130X starts tapering off how much power it's pulling from the power supply and once it gets down around 0A, the battery capacity jumps up to 100%. Again this behavior is different from the BBMC and Thinkware batteries which have their own inaccurate behaviors...

I'm also seeing the B-130X pull about 9.24A or so when recharging, better than the Thinkware (8.5A), but worse than the PC8 (10A from my 10A power supply).

 

[Panzer Platform]

The app estimates seem to be pretty inaccurate,

Yes, I agree. lol

I'm also seeing the B-130X pull about 9.24A or so when recharging, better than the Thinkware (8.5A), but worse than the PC8 (10A from my 10A power supply).

What Voltage do you have your power supply set at?
I chose 14.6 Volts simply because that's what the "official" BBMC AC/DC power inverter is rated at, (14.6 Volts@ 5 Amps).
My B-130X has never exceeded 8.9 Amps while charging, (I have it set at 10 Amps).

 

[Vortex Radar]

I've got mine set to 14.2A since that's what I saw on Blackvue's site.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I've got mine set to 14.2A since that's what I saw on Blackvue's site.

Wow, I totally missed that.
I'm going to test the B-130X at 14.2 Volts from now on.
Thank you for that.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I have completed all three recording mode run time tests for the DR900X Plus using the B-130X.
To recap here are the different modes with their corresponding power consumption measurements;

Normal Recording Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 423mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 5.3 Watts
Motion & Impact Parking Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 387mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 4.9 Watts
Time Lapse Parking Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 355mAh @ 12.6 Volts = 4.5 Watts

Here are the run times;

Normal Recording Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 18 Hours 58 Minutes (19Hr)
Motion & Impact Parking Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 20 Hours 3 Minutes (20Hr)
Time Lapse Parking Mode, Wi-Fi Off: 22 Hours 56 Minutes (23Hr)

At the beginning of the Time Lapse test the BlackVue App remaining time was 21 Hours 5 Minutes, (off by 1 Hour 51 Minutes).

 

[Panzer Platform]

The B-130X has a claimed “Simple Installation” 5 Amp charge time of 90 Minutes for users who wish to utilize the plug & play option with the included cigarette lighter adapter (CLA). I connected my variable power supply to the B-130X using the included 16AWG CLA, and adjusted it to 14.20 Volts / 10 Amps, (I chose 10 Amps to see if the B-130X would exceed the 5 Amp protocol). I monitored the charge cycle, and took screenshots of the battery life percentage displayed in the BlackVue App at the start, every 15 minutes, and at the end of the completed charge cycle. The ambient temperature of my office was 70℉ (21℃) 40% Humidity.

Here are the results;
1% Start - Temp of CLA 16AWG Wires 70℉ (21℃)
8% 15 Minutes
10% 30 Minutes
29% 45 Minutes
42% 60 Minutes
58% 75 Minutes
74% 90 Minutes
100% 105 Minutes

During the charge cycle I monitored the temperature of the 16AWG CLA wires, and the highest temp was 85℉ (29℃).
During the charge cycle I monitored the amperage displayed on my variable power supply, and it started at 4.6 Amps, and rose to 5.1 Amps. At 90 Minutes my power supply indicated the 5.1 Amps was starting to slowly taper off until it indicated 0 Amps at 105 Minutes.

Under these test conditions the B-130X did not meet it’s claimed 90 Minute charge time, and took an additional 15 Minutes. This 105 Minute 5 Amp charge time is almost identical to the BBMC PowerCell 8 I tested last month, (102 Minutes).

During the time period from 90 Minutes to 105 Minutes the BlackVue App indicated the battery life percentage was “stuck” at 74%. At 105 Minutes when my power supply indicates 0 Amps the APP indicated 100% fully charged. Based on my observed 15 Minute intervals of the BlackVue APP it appears the “Fuel Gauge Integrated Circuit” (battery life %) is not accurate, and may need some fine tuning.

I’m less than enchanted with the temperature rise of the 16AWG CLA wires. It rose from 70℉ (21℃) to 85℉ (29℃). In the interest of overall safety, product longevity, and customer satisfaction I recommend replacing the 16AWG CLA wires with 12AWG wires. I would also like to see a Red LED status indicator built into the CLA adapter to show when the CLA is “plugged in”.

Now that I’m familiar with how long it takes to charge the B-130X in both charge protocols, (5A / 9A) and how long all three recording parking modes of the DR900X Plus last. I plan to discuss the Pro & Cons of the Battery Monitoring features of the BlackVue App, and how it compares to the BBMC PC8’s APP, (Cellink Neo Plus).
-Chuck

 

[kamkar]

My longest drives are 2 times a week where i drive to my old mothers place, its about a 40 minites drive each way.
Pair that with my parking guard need i would have no problems keeping one of these suckers going

Speaking of parking guard, i am about to compile a time lapse of parking guard failing ( no harm done )

 

[rcg530]

This morning, I ran a hardwired charge cycle test. DC power supply set at a 14.2 volts with a max amp setting of 10 amps. The room temperature was 68F/20C. I have 12 AWG wires coming out of the power supply and use a 12-28 AWG lever connector to connect the 12 AWG wires from the DC power supply with the 14 AWG hardwire cable wires providing power to the B-130X.

I used a VIOFO A139 Pro 3CH dash camera as the "load" on the B-130X during the charging cycle. This is to replicate a dash camera in a vehicle that had depleted the charge level to its minimum level in parking mode and the vehicle is then driven to charge the B-130X and power the dash camera load attached to the B-130X.

• Charge Cycle Test Minutes / Charge Level / Estimated Full Charge Time
  • 0 mins / 1% / 49 mins
  • 7 mins / 10% / 45 mins
  • 14 mins / 20% / 40 mins
  • 21 mins / 30% / 35 mins
  • 29 mins / 40% / 30 mins
  • 36 mins / 50% / 25 mins
  • 44 mins / 60% / 20 mins
  • 49 mins / 70% / 15 mins
  • 53 mins / 75% / 13 mins
  • 59 mins / 80% / 10 mins
  • 61 mins / 81% / 10 mins
  • 67 mins / 81% / 10 mins - Stats in the BlackVue Battery app remained at 81% charge level and 10 minutes remaining for eight minutes at this point
  • 67.5 mins / 100% / Fully Charged

The PowerCell 8 required just under 60 minutes to reach a full charge level with the same load applied to it during its charge cycle. Both exceeded their 50 minute estimated charge time when using the hardwiring cable at the max amp charge level of 9.0 amps.

The load on the DC power supply (from the B-130X) ramped up to 9.2 amps fairly quickly and remained in the 9.15 to 9.20 amp range during most of the charge cycle. After reaching a full charge level, the load of the dash camera would cause the charge level to decrease (but not shown in the app) just enough to require a short charge cycle every 25 to 30 seconds (similar to the PowerCell 8) where it quickly jumped up to 8.5 to 9 amps and then it would ramp down quickly.

The 14 AWG hardwire charge power cable for the B-130X did stay a bit cooler than the PowerCell 8's 16 AWG wire, but there's only a 4F degree difference. The 16 AWG wire used with the PowerCell 8 reached a temp of 103.8F/39.8C while the B-130X's 14 AWG wire reached a temperature of 99.8F/37.6C.

 

[Panzer Platform]

I have 12 AWG wires coming out of the power supply and use a 12-28 AWG lever connector to connect the 12 AWG wires from the DC power supply with the 14 AWG hardwire cable wires providing power to the B-130X.

I’m confused.
Did you already get your XT60 connectors delivered?
This is not how I meant to perform this test.
Why are you still using the included 14AWG cable “in-line” with the 12AWG wire?
The 10ft 12AWG wire with XT60 connector is meant to “replace” the included 14AWG cable.

Like this;

BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Test & Review PP

Hey guys once again I’m late to the party, but it still feels good to be invited. For the past couple months I’ve been begging Joseph from @BlackboxMyCar to send me a PowerCell 8 for test & review. I think I finally wore him down. Lol What can I say about the PC8 that’s already been reviewed...

dashcamtalk.com

My temperature reduction was from 94℉ to 73℉.
Can we get some non-thermal photos?

 

[rcg530]

I’m confused.
Did you already get your XT60 connectors delivered?
This is not how I meant to perform this test.
Why are you still using the included 14AWG cable “in-line” with the 12AWG wire?
The 10ft 12AWG wire with XT60 connector is meant to “replace” the included 14AWG cable.

Like this;

BlackboxMyCar PowerCell 8 Test & Review PP

Hey guys once again I’m late to the party, but it still feels good to be invited. For the past couple months I’ve been begging Joseph from @BlackboxMyCar to send me a PowerCell 8 for test & review. I think I finally wore him down. Lol What can I say about the PC8 that’s already been reviewed...

dashcamtalk.com

My temperature reduction was from 94℉ to 73℉.
Can we get some non-thermal photos?

I have not received the XT60 connectors yet (maybe later today or tomorrow). This was not a test using 10ft 12 AWG wires running directly from the DC power supply to the B-130X.

This was a test using the B-130X supplied 14 AWG hardwire charging cable connected to my power supply via a lever connector which then has short 12 AWG wires going to my DC power supply. I included a thermal photo of the B-130X 14 AWG charging cable. Here's one of the B-130X.



I just put together a short (no audio) video showing the B-130X's charging cycle from 1% to 100%. It shows the jump from 81% to 100% at the end of the charging cycle. It then shows what I'm calling the floating charge after it hits 100% and the dash camera load draws the charge level just under 100% (but app does not show any reduction in the charge level). I'm not uploading it to YouTube, but here's a link to the video on my Google Drive.

b130x_20221217_charge_cycle.mp4

drive.google.com

 

[Panzer Platform]

This was a test using the B-130X supplied 14 AWG hardwire charging cable connected to my power supply via a lever connector which then has short 12 AWG wires going to my DC power supply

OK, now I’m even more confused. lol
What is the addition of the 12AWG wire supposed to test?

You know how Nigel convinced you to include “Watts” in your power consumption tests, in addition to milliamps.
Would I be able to convince you to include a “regular” photo with every thermal photo from your new TopDon camera? Lol
I still can’t figure out what’s going on in the thermal photo.

 

[rcg530]

OK, now I’m even more confused. lol
What is the addition of the 12AWG wire supposed to test?

You know how Nigel convinced you to include “Watts” in your power consumption tests, in addition to milliamps.
Would I be able to convince you to include a “regular” photo with every thermal photo from your new TopDon camera? Lol
I still can’t figure out what’s going on in the thermal photo.

Chuck, the short 12 AWG leads from the DC power supply to the grey with orange levers (quick connect) allow me to quickly/easily connect the product supplied power cable without having to install any connectors on the product supplied wiring.

Taking a picture along with the thermal photo is a bit hard to get the same viewpoint as the thermal image. The picture-in-picture feature of the TC001 app appears to be only for lining up the shot. It's not included in the thermal picture captured by the app.

The hot/cold spots are identified by default with a red or blue circle with the temp next to the dot in white text. The default mode shows the temp at the center of the field view and there will be one red circle with the max temp in the field of view and one blue circle where the lowest temp is within the field of value. You can override the auto placement by selecting up to 3 specific locations plus it includes the center of the field of view for a total of four. That's what I did for the A139 Pro thermal pics I posted.

Here's a photo of the wiring I currently have configured for the B-130X. I have 4mm banana plugs soldered onto 12 AWG wires which are 9 inches in length. I then have the lever connector joining the 12 AWG wires from the DC power supply to the product supplied cable. I have a 4 inch run of 12 AWG wire for the ground on the other side of the lever connector since the product supplied cord has a 1/4" ring connector and I join 12 AWG ground pigtail with the product supplied cable's ground using a screw/washers/nut. The product supplied cable (16 AWG for the B-130X) then connects to the product.



When I get the XT60 connectors, I'll create a 3m (9.8 ft) run of 12 AWG which will have the XT60 connector on the battery pack end and 4mm banana connectors to plug into the DC power supply. The 4mm banana connectors are rated for up to 600V/Max 32A.

 

[rcg530]

The XT60 connectors arrived. I now have a 3 m (9.84 ft) 12 AWG power cable for the EGEN produced dash camera battery packs. I'm currently running a battery drain test with the B-130X using a VIOFO A139 3CH as the dash camera power load - to drain the battery pack as fast as possible. Later tonight, I might have the time to try and charge the B-130X with the 12 AWG power cable.

 

[Panzer Platform]

Chuck, the short 12 AWG leads from the DC power supply to the grey with orange levers (quick connect) allow me to quickly/easily connect the product supplied power cable without having to install any connectors on the product supplied wiring.

Taking a picture along with the thermal photo is a bit hard to get the same viewpoint as the thermal image. The picture-in-picture feature of the TC001 app appears to be only for lining up the shot. It's not included in the thermal picture captured by the app.

The hot/cold spots are identified by default with a red or blue circle with the temp next to the dot in white text. The default mode shows the temp at the center of the field view and there will be one red circle with the max temp in the field of view and one blue circle where the lowest temp is within the field of value. You can override the auto placement by selecting up to 3 specific locations plus it includes the center of the field of view for a total of four. That's what I did for the A139 Pro thermal pics I posted.

Here's a photo of the wiring I currently have configured for the B-130X. I have 4mm banana plugs soldered onto 12 AWG wires which are 9 inches in length. I then have the lever connector joining the 12 AWG wires from the DC power supply to the product supplied cable. I have a 4 inch run of 12 AWG wire for the ground on the other side of the lever connector since the product supplied cord has a 1/4" ring connector and I join 12 AWG ground pigtail with the product supplied cable's ground using a screw/washers/nut. The product supplied cable (16 AWG for the B-130X) then connects to the product.

View attachment 63235

When I get the XT60 connectors, I'll create a 3m (9.8 ft) run of 12 AWG which will have the XT60 connector on the battery pack end and 4mm banana connectors to plug into the DC power supply. The 4mm banana connectors are rated for up to 600V/Max 32A.

OK, now I understand.
The regular photo made all the difference.
It looks like what you did is so you can use banana plugs.
I just put an O-Ring on the positive end of the included hardwire cable, and connected it directly to my power supply.
Sorry for all the extra work.

I'm so jealous of your new homemade 10ft. 12AWG charge cable.
I've been wanting to make one for a month, but I've been making due with a homemade 1ft 14AWG charge cable.

 

[rcg530]

I used my newly created 3m (9.84ft) 12 AWG charging cable to charge the B-130X from 1% to 100%. The 12 AWG cable started off at room temperature of 72.1F/22.2C. When the B-130X charge level had reached the 50% to 60% range (37 mins to 45 mins) the cable temperature had risen to a max of 84.2F/29.0C. The charge level reached 74% at the 55 minute mark and according to the app and the amp draw started to float downward at that point. The BlackVue app showed a charge level of 80% after 62 minutes. It stayed at 80% for five minutes when it jumped from 80% to 100%. The B-130X started a floating charge cycle since the VIOFO A139 Pro 3CH dash camera was a load on the B-130X. When the B-130X starts drawing power during this floating charge cycle, the app never shows any change in the B-130X charge level (always 100%).

16 AWG wire charging PowerCell 8 with amp load of 9.1 to 9.2 = Max temp 104F/40C
14 AWG wire charging BlackVue B-130X with amp load of 9.1 to 9.2 = Max temp 99.8F/37.6C
12 AWG wire charging BlackVue B-130X with amp load of 9.1 to 9.2 = Max temp 84.2F/29.0C

I'm with Chuck in suggesting that EGEN start including a 12 AWG hardwire charging cable for their dash camera battery packs.

Here's a Google Drive link to a 1 minute 44 second video (133 MB) showing the entire charging session of the B-130X using my homemade 12 AWG charging cable.

b130x_20221218_high_charge_cycle_12awg.mp4

drive.google.com