dopacan
New Member
I also watched Vortex radar video but couldn't find Xt60 - o ring wire available in my country. Any other recommendations?
ECOFLOW and Viofo
- Thread starter mentadent
- Start date
GPak
Well-Known Member
Welcome to DCT, @dopacan
Your goals are very reasonable (I really like that approach, too), and the EcoFlow River 3 is the ideal power station for use with dashcam.
To power the River 3, you will need an ACC cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) outlet; this same outlet can be used to supply the ACC signal, which along with the HK4 cable is required for the reliable Parking Mode operation.
See the attached wiring diagram for the RIVER 3.
You may also use the HK6 cable; however, voltage readings will be of no practical use in this instance, as the River 3 provides a constant, regulated voltage.
Nevertheless, with HK6, if desired, you may utilize a hybrid parking mode based on a time interval.
First of all, ensure that the ACC outlet in your vehicle - the one you plan to use - switches off immediately when the ignition is turned off.
The best way to obtain an ACC signal for connecting the yellow wire of the HK4 is to use an XT60 Y-splitter.
You need 1-male to 2-female splitter.
Here are some example links (make sure to select the correct one):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B09L62W679
When using the RIVER 3, you have two connection options: via special USB-C to 15V cable or via Ecoflow's 12V cigarette lighter port - provided that the "Port Memory" feature is enabled in the EcoFlow settings.
Here are some example links (make sure to select the correct one):
USB-C to 15V cable
or
12V Car Cigarette Lighter Plug with wires
https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0963QJLRG
See the attached wiring diagram for the RIVER 3.
For reference, you may also check the following posts out in this thread: Post# 26, 57, 166, and 167.
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Hi,
I have Ecoflow 3 PLUS and Viofo A229 PLUS.
Quick 2 questions:
1. What USB-C -> USB-C cable should I use for power my VIOFO A229 PLUS? Asking because I need min 6 meters of this power cable. I had try many 6m-8m USB-C cables, but Viofo cycle power and not working correctly.
2. As I saw Ecoflow 3 PLUS not remeber cigarette port state even if at the app was set to remember.....
KA
GPak
Well-Known Member
@sysio2000
Are you using an HK4 or HK6 hardwire kit, or are you powering the A229 Plus directly - without using a hardwire kit?
If you are using the HK4 or HK6, all the necessary information is contained in my previous post - including a link to a USB-C to 15V cable (or buy a similar USB-C to 15V cable available in Poland).
If you wish to connect the A229 Plus directly (without the HK4 or HK6), it is best to use the included cigarette lighter adapter (CLA) and the bundled USB-C cable.
This will provide about 5.2V neccesery to power the A229 Plus.
Connect the included CLA and USB-C cable to the EcoFlow 12V cigarette lighter socket to power the dash cam.
Turn DC ON and Enable the "Port Memory" feature in the EcoFlow settings.
Your dashcam will start up and function normally.
If the included cable is too short, you may need to splice/extend it using 18 AWG wires - or even 16 AWG for a really long cable.
Alternatively, you can contact Viofo Support and request a longer cable (Viofo is typically accommodating when it comes to providing cables of non-standard lengths).
NOTE: Standard USB-C to USB-C cables do not work with Viofo dashcams and most other brand dashcams, as their USB-C port is merely a "dumb" connector incapable of negotiating the required voltage.
GPak
Well-Known Member
I own both the River3 and the River3+.
It has been quite a while since I tested them, but I recall that both models respect the "Port Memory ON" setting - with the possible exception when the Ecoflow is completely depleted; in such a situation, you might have to wait a few minutes after recharging begins, or manually enable the DC output.
However, here is an Option 2:
You can use the below linked cable (or similar available in Poland or AliExpress), with Viofo included CLA adapter and cable
Option 2 Cable
NOTE: As I mentioned earlier, the Viofo dashcam requires a stable voltage of 5–5.5V at the dashcam input.
Ok.
I had done some tests 🙂
It looks like when Ecoflow R3+ battery discharge to 0%, even if "Port Memory On" is set, the power at the cigarette output occur when battery will be charged to min 5%. I took approx 10-11 min with home charging (at the car even more).
(the same situation with USB-C output).
Unfortunatelly 10 min (or more) Viofo start recording delay time isn't acceptable to use it for dash cam 🙁
I have to figure-out how to set the Ecoflow settings to:
1. Power my VIOFO from Ecoflow at the beggining of engine start (acceptable delay - max 2-3 minutes).
2. Set max discharge Ecoflow battery to level, that after next morning engine start, Viofo start recording in max 2 minutes 🙂
Maybe you have some hint?
KA
GPak
Well-Known Member
My EcoFlow River 3 worker in my car for over a year, and during that entire time, I never once managed to drain it completely - even though the geofencing feature was not yet available at the time.
Nevertheless,
The issue of power supply delay - which occurs when the power station runs out of charge can be resolved using a "Dual Power Transfer Switch" module, or, simply put, a UPS.
In fact, this is my preferred method powering my dashcams: all of my DIY dedicated LTO batteries are equipped with built-in UPS functionality.
(You can find the corresponding thread dedicated to LTO right here on DCT).
The UPS module mentioned in the link is a ready-to-use, plug-and-play solution for "12V' systems (no adjustment is needed);
It is rated for up to 8A - which is more than sufficient to power any dashcam.
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256..._1776539436639&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt
Attached is a wiring block diagram.
And here is the video to demonstrate how it operates.
