Will hooking up camera as "always on" harm camera over time? I have a 3.5" Peak hooked up "always on" with acc circuit that failed after 1.5 years.
1657033
All of todays cameras use CCD devices as well as other electronic components and many are in service 24/7 for years. To have a failure after 1.5 years tells me that a component may had had a weakness since manufacture and finally failed. It is also possible that if your vehicle's electrical system received a surge such as charging your battery, etc that would cause it to fail. Otherwise I would not be afraid to leave it "always turned on".
1657034
I do not have it hooked up as "always on" so I can not answer your question. I hooked it up to the back up light power line so it only comes on when I shift into reverse so the screen is blank until I shift into reverse then it comes on. When I put it back in drive the screen goes blank and there is no longer power to the camera.
440532
This camera has an internal battery but only lasts a few seconds for me. I assume so it will continue to operate if there is a short momentary lapse in power? I see other users are getting much longer battery life.
415278
I purchased and are using 4 of these cameras without issues. I would first check to confirm that your power source is constant. It is recommended that the cameras should have a static addressed and not be assigned a new one by the router. Even if you were to get a new ip address, that should prompt the camera to reboot. My understanding is the camera only reboot by 1) power on/off 2) from the software to reboot device.
27645
Your 12V outlet in your car may be shutting off when you car is turned off. If thats the case you will need to find a way to power your camera all the time. Make sure you have Parking mode enabled in your setup vie the Lukas Ace program. Hope this helps.
1814428
I looked at the power supply for my foscam camera and it puts out 5VDC@ 2000mA or 2A. I looked at the first alert camera and it runs on 5V. I assume DC. Now, if your camera requires it at 2A it should work if the plug will fit. I am guessing that it will but that is just a guess.
69388
Yep! Both camera and monitor stay plugged in 24/7. Our son is now 2 yrs old and we still use it every night.
134725
As Kevin said it will connect like a flash drive when plugged in.While you asked I might as well add: if anyone else is wondering about OLDER software,I have used it on an older computer running Win XP that doesn't support the camera's share software and used the camera with the USB cord as a flash drive no problem.The only *issue* I had is the camera has to be turned on, (on my computer at least) it will it shut off and disconnect if it sits idle too long. Not a big deal, but just figured I would tell you.. if you connected it, then went to go do something and come back and your directory is gone.. just turn the camera back on. :) As Kevin said it will connect like a flash drive when plugged in.While you asked I might as well add: if anyone else is wondering about OLDER software,I have used it on an older computer running Win XP that doesn't support the camera's share software and used the camera with the USB cord as a flash drive no problem.The only *issue* I had is the camera has to be turned on, (on my computer at least) it will it shut off and disconnect if it sits idle too long. Not a big deal, but just figured I would tell you.. if you connected it, then went to go do something and... » Read More As Kevin said it will connect like a flash drive when plugged in.While you asked I might as well add: if anyone else is wondering about OLDER software,I have used it on an older computer running Win XP that doesn't support the camera's share software and used the camera with the USB cord as a flash drive no problem.The only *issue* I had is the camera has to be turned on, (on my computer at least) it will it shut off and disconnect if it sits idle too long. Not a big deal, but just figured I would tell you.. if you connected it, then went to go do something and come back and your directory is gone.. just turn the camera back on. :) « Show Less
1462191
I have had this unit quite a long time and have had no problem. The only advice I can give is to be sure you are using identical batteries of the same brand and be sure the cross connection cable is fully seated in the unit and camera.
2250869
Depending on where you mound the camera. I wired my camera and view screen up so I could plug it into the power outlet and have control of when I wanted to turn the system on or off.
1429943
I leave mine on 24/7 and it's done no harm whatsoever. I believe it's meant to be an "always on" kind of device.
1539284
I leave my camera plugged in 24/7 and it works perfectly. I have to periodically readjust the camera position because it gets moved when we do housecleaning.
1745152
That's what I use mine for. I have a switch in the dash that let's me turn it on any time I want. I don't leave it on constantly, just long enough to check the trailer when I'm towing. I have left it on for a few hours at a time. It worked just fine.I think the camera is pretty tough. Goes thru car washes and Michigan winters with no issues. I rate it pretty high.
1259033
The camera keeps recording five minutes intervals and when is full it automatically starts deleting the oldest ones and replacing them with new ones. So it's infinite loop. My camera is use in truck and is running weekly five days nonstop without any problem.
287928
Not true on my unit. As soon as I plug in the USB power supply, it stops recording. I've contacted Garmin for clarification but no response yet.
1893757
No idea. I finally pulled mine off the dash and trashed it. I was having power connection issues. The USB port on the camera had come loose. Guess I should have never looked at footage.
2183464
yes if the camera has power, I powered mine with the back up lights so it will not function that way.
1157631
Our camera is still working beautifully; I have not heard whether others have had issues. Good luck!