Reboot problem caused by SD?

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_MH_

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Hi everyone - Long time lurker, new poster here.

I recently hardwired a V2 A119S (thanks to y'all for the reviews and videos which helped my decision-making) into my car and am having an odd (to me) problem. Occasionally (maybe 60-70% of the time) I start the car up and the Viofo goes into a constant reboot cycle. Starts up, stays up for maybe 5-10 seconds, the screen fades gradually down to black, and then it restarts (logo/tinkle sound). Repeat ad infinitum.

I thought maybe it was a USB/fusebox connection problem but played with it just now - if I stop recording in the 5-10 second period when it's up it stops the reboot (and I get the regular warning beeps). Start up the recording again and it immediately reboots.

Dashcam is on latest firmware (1.7)

So does this sound like a memory card problem? I didn't think that would even be possible but everything seems to point to it. I reformatted it (several times) within the camera and it did not solve the problem. It's a new Lexmark High Endurance (supposedly designed especially for dashcams from a reputable supplier - https://www.mymemory.co.uk/lexar-64gb-high-endurance-micro-sd-card-sdxc-adapter-40mb-s.html).

Any thoughts appreciated!

MH
 
_MH_ said:
Hi everyone - Long time lurker, new poster here.

I recently hardwired a V2 A119S (thanks to y'all for the reviews and videos which helped my decision-making) into my car and am having an odd (to me) problem. Occasionally (maybe 60-70% of the time) I start the car up and the Viofo goes into a constant reboot cycle. Starts up, stays up for maybe 5-10 seconds, the screen fades gradually down to black, and then it restarts (logo/tinkle sound). Repeat ad infinitum.

I thought maybe it was a USB/fusebox connection problem but played with it just now - if I stop recording in the 5-10 second period when it's up it stops the reboot (and I get the regular warning beeps). Start up the recording again and it immediately reboots.

Dashcam is on latest firmware (1.7)

So does this sound like a memory card problem? I didn't think that would even be possible but everything seems to point to it. I reformatted it (several times) within the camera and it did not solve the problem. It's a new Lexmark High Endurance (supposedly designed especially for dashcams from a reputable supplier - https://www.mymemory.co.uk/lexar-64gb-high-endurance-micro-sd-card-sdxc-adapter-40mb-s.html).

Any thoughts appreciated!

MH
Click to expand...
Sounds like a power source issue. You said you hardwire it, but then mention a USB/fusebox connection. How exactly are you powering the camera? If you tapped into the fuse box, make sure you have a good, solid ground point.
 
Thanks for the quick reply. Yep, it's mini-USB at the camera through a Nextbase hardwire kit down to the car's fusebox. I'll check the ground connection though.

However, if it was a dodgy connection why would stopping recording prevent the reboot cycle?
 
_MH_ said:
Thanks for the quick reply. Yep, it's mini-USB at the camera through a Nextbase hardwire kit down to the car's fusebox. I'll check the ground connection though.

However, if it was a dodgy connection why would stopping recording prevent the reboot cycle?
Click to expand...
Poor ground could cause strange behavior.
You could try powering the camera without a memory card and see how it behaves.
 
Have a try to plug usb power end to camera unit,but not to its gps base.
 
_MH_ said:
Thanks for the quick reply. Yep, it's mini-USB at the camera through a Nextbase hardwire kit down to the car's fusebox. I'll check the ground connection though.

However, if it was a dodgy connection why would stopping recording prevent the reboot cycle?
Click to expand...
Concur it sounds like insufficient power is available for the A119S to sustain operation. If other suggestions don't resolve the problem, try powering the A119S using the Viofo supplied cig adapter (12 to 5 Vdc converter) and the Viofo supplied long USB cable, so as to try to eliminate your power circuit as the problem (or not). You could also try powering with the supplied long or short cable attached to a 5Vdc USB wall charger or USB battery bank.

When you stop recording, you are reducing the power consumption to roughly half of that when recording at 1080P60 resolution/fps. So if power available to the camera is marginal or less, you may be able to sustain operation while not recording and not sustain operation when recording.

My guess for what causes power cycling is following: The A119S first senses power (voltage) and turns itself on. Then as the camera power consumption increases beyond what the power supply can sustain, the input voltage drops to the point where the A119S senses power has been shut off and shuts itself down. Then the voltage in the power circuit again rises when the camera power consumption drops off and the A119S senses power has returned and turns itself on again...on and on.
 
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FWIW, my observations here on DCT have led me to conclude that moreso than most cams, the A119 series cams absolutely need a beefy, clean, and stable power supply. Given a PS these cams like, they seem to be reliable and stable enough 🙂 Even the supplied PS may be marginal, and. PS's which have worked well with other cams have sometimes given problems with these 🙁

While I don't know for certain, 5Cowbells hypothesis seems to be correct based on the actions and symptoms we've seen 👍 As to what is drawing that extra power in the cam I have no idea, but I'm quite certain that it is there.

Phil
 
I agree with 5cowbells thoughts.
Keep it simple, isolate the problem first.

1 Turn on the ignition but don’t start the engine to avoid any vibration and also watch when the interior lights go off.
Or
2 Change your Screen Saver settings, example try 3 minutes.
Or
3 Check the EVA foam pad to make sure it’s not covering any contacts between the GPS mount and Dash cam and that you removed the piece in center.
Or
4 Use the Viofo power cord from A119S to 12v cigarette socket.
Or
If you have any other GPS, cameras, etc near the unit take them off to see what effect, if any.

Otherwise I suspect the manner the hard wiring is hooked or the cords/connectors used are a problem.
It sounds similar to when you lock your car the interior lights automatically turn off after you are out of the vehicle or similarly when you enter the car.
Just some thoughts.
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. Given the demands on power are lower when not recording it certainly seems likely that might be the problem and I will investigate. Ideally it'll be the ground connection at fault because that just needs the fusebox cover removing to get at. Anything to do with the cable itself and I have to start dismantling car trim which I HATE :-(

I actually paid a premium for the hardwire kit itself, it being a so-called "premium" brand here in the UK, to try and avoid this problem so I'll be annoyed if that's an issue.

It's probably worth worth mentioning that I don't have the GPS unit so that's not an issue here.
 
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