If you’re considering investing in a dash cam, you’ve probably heard all the great things about them already. They protect your drivers, save your business money, and help track down unsafe driving behaviors. However, dash cams are still a complicated technology that can be difficult to understand. One common question is whether a dash cam drains a car battery. There are many things you may be wondering about dash cams, and we’ll answer them here! Let’s dive into some of the frequently asked questions about dash cams.
Does a dash cam drain a car battery?
Dash cams don’t actually require a lot of power! Your vehicle’s battery is massive, and the power that your dash cam needs is minimal in comparison. So don’t worry about your dash cam draining your battery.
How many hours can you record on a dash cam?
There are lots of factors that play into this. The two main factors to consider are the camera’s SD card capacity and the recording quality. For example, with a camera that records in high-quality 1080p, you can expect an 8GB SD card to hold 55 minutes and a 16GB SD card to hold about 110 minutes, or 1.8 hours. Most dash cams have “continuous loop recording,” meaning that when it runs out of space, they begin recording over old footage.
Azuga’s AI SafetyCam can store about 40-70 hours in HD. The dash cam also automatically uploads your complete trip videos to the Azuga Fleet Cloud.
Do dash cams record all the time?
Typically, dash cams begin recording when your ignition is turned on. They may allow you to turn the power on and off manually, but most power up as soon as you turn the vehicle on. Some dash cams can even record when the vehicle is off. These cameras are plugged into an always-on accessory port or hardwired for power. The only time you may lose power to your dash cam is if there is a fault somewhere in your outlets or cords or if your vehicle loses power.
How do you view dash cam footage?
Again, this will depend on your dash cam. Your dash cam will likely come with a removable SD card. You can put this card into the SD card reader on your computer and view the footage that way. However, many modern dash cams upload your footage directly to the cloud. That way, you can view your dash cam footage from a computer without touching the dash cam at all!
What are the advantages of a dash cam?
To explore the advantages of dash cams, check out our blog article: “The Benefits of Dash Cams for Fleet Trucks.” Some of the benefits you can expect when you implement dash cams in your fleet include:
- Exonerating drivers after an accident
- Discounts on insurance premiums
- Footage can be used as a training or coaching tool
- Save money and downtime
The Azuga AI SafetyCam
We’ve mentioned the Azuga AI SafetyCam in this article, and you may want to know more. This is Azuga’s state-of-the-art dash cam that records the road ahead as well as inside the cab. It uses AI technology to detect unsafe driving behaviors before they cause accidents, keeping your fleet safe and saving you money. To learn more about our SafetyCam solution, speak with one of our experts!
