Brand New A329S power issue

[Wolfie]

I was initially having issues with the A329S powering off using a setup that worked just fine for my A129 Duo IR. After some toying around, it works fine for me. I have hardwire kits (not yet installed) for both dashcams, and am waiting on a couple of more items to come in before going to a nearby store that will do the wiring for about $300 (including the rear cam for the A329S).

The problem for me was that I had the USB-A to USB-C cable behind a USB-A extender cable with a switch on it (so I could toggle it on/off) attached to a USB power bank, which I use since my vehicle kills the USB/lighter accessories when the engine is off. (Bank is charged via USB-C and has two USB-A outputs, and the outputs are unaffected when the input status is changed.) Once the extender/switch cable was removed from the equation, the dashcam became a lot more reliable. Got a newer USB-A to C cable (since I was using an old one) and so far I haven't had any power related issues.

When I get the hardwiring installed, there will be two switches/buttons for me to use to turn them on/off. The entire idea is that when I'm home, I can turn them off since I won't need them to do any recording. But when I go somewhere, on they go and parking mode will kick in as needed.

So, @terrorindeed, despite your unusual circumstances, there are definitely ways to make sure that your A329S is working just fine, even if you can't get it working while in the vehicle (just yet). Try a few different power banks that generate at least the minimum amount of amps needed and see how that works. If it can speed charge a phone, it should work, so long as it's not a charging power that needs to negotiate the amount of power being supplied.

 

[terrorindeed]

Well, I am missing something here. The A329S comes with a CLA charger, but Support is telling you it won't work? I understand it won't work in your car due to it not having a CLA port, but it should work in an
older model. I have a CLA with two USB ports, which powers my cameras, phones, and tablets.

Automobile manufacturers are in a transition period when it comes to the CLA. Many devices still rely on a CLA as a primary or secondary power source, especially those used by hikers, campers, and adventurers.

Support is not telling me the charger doesn't work, they are telling me the usb-c cable does not work in a usb port.
The day before I had issues with this camera, Saturday morning I installed my wfies A329S 3CH in her car. I then tried the original camera in my her car which has a 12V plugin. That camera is in fact DOA.

 

[lufa6977]

DOA...well, that is as rare as hen's teeth. 🙂

It's not often that Viofo has a DOA. Fortunately, Viofo has stellar support and warranty, so you will be taken care of. Someone had to get that unit; I guess it was your turn. 🙂

 

[viofo]

Support is not telling me the charger doesn't work, they are telling me the usb-c cable does not work in a usb port.
The day before I had issues with this camera, Saturday morning I installed her A329S 3CH in her car. I then tried the original camera in my her car which has a 12V plugin. That camera is in fact DOA.

If you use the original car of the A329S, please make sure you connect the dashcam Type-C port instead of another port which is for the mobile phone.

 

[terrorindeed]

I’ve had Thinkware dashcams since 2015. When I bought my truck in May, I moved my Q800 into my daughter’s car and started looking into Viofo. Big thanks to the Canadian support team (based here in Alberta) — Sam even helped me an hour after his shift ended. Shoutout to Sam!

Last night I got a 4M USB-A to USB-C cable from Amazon, and it powers the A329S fine from my truck’s USB-A ports. So after buying 2 × $702 CAD 3CH bundles, putting one in my wife’s car (she still has a 12V socket), following support’s advice and buying the HK6 (which is shipping from China), following the forum’s advice and buying the $20 cable, and wasting another $40 on so-called “dumb” bricks that turned out not to be dumb at all (PD ports), I finally have the A329S running.
Bottom line: this is on the manufacturer. In 2025, it’s pretty shocking that a $700+ dashcam can’t be powered up in a new vehicle without hunting for extra cables and adapters.

 

[mikey94025]

In 2025, it’s pretty shocking that a $700+ dashcam can’t be powered up in a new vehicle without hunting for extra cables and adapters.

I'm sorry you had difficulty but realize that the vast majority of dashcam purchasers today do not have 2025 cars without cigarette lighter 12V ports. You are fortunate to have a brand new vehicle, but most people do not and the vendors are considering the entirety of their target customer base. Over time things will change, but not yet.