Question For Those Of You With Cellink Neo/BlackVue B-124 Installed In Trunk - Overhe

[jmciver]

For those of you with the Cellink Neo or BlackVue B-124 installed in the storage area in the trunk floor, are there any concerns with it getting too hot or possibly overheating? Specifically those of you who live in warmer climates. I just installed my B-124 in that spot now but I may try to find another spot that is more hidden, behind the trunk liner someplace. But I don't want to try another spot with less air flow if the battery will get a bit warm in its current spot.

Thanks!

[damageprone]

Someone here did mention that they used a fireproof bag to store their battery for this particular case. Not sure how effective it is.

[jmciver]

Fireproof bag? That seems a bit over the top....

[damageprone]

I guess the question is why are you asking?

Keeping batteries in hot cars is a legitimate concern and the wrong type of battery can cause a fire or explosion potentially. I too thought this bag was crazy until I looked further into it and there were hundreds of other people vouching for it. I had no idea this was a thing.

Luckily for you these batteries are LiFePO which are not likely to do so and are the more stable batteries

[jmciver]

Since I don't plan on removing the B-124 from my car on a routine basis, I would rather install it in a more permanent and out of the way location - just a personal preference. I had my eye on investigating the area under the trunk liner where the ASD module is located (the area opposite where the main car battery is located in the trunk on the driver side). However, I wanted an idea of how much air flow it needs due heat generation from normal charging/discharging.

As you already alluded to, the battery technology used in this backup battery is already conducive to the potentially "harsh" temperature environment in a car (as our car battery shares the same technology). So I am not too worried about it from a safety perspective - at least where I currently have it installed. But I was curious about any real world experience regarding how warm the battery gets during normal operation, particularly in warm climates.

I can't do any testing of my own due to the "deep freeze" we are having in the mid-Atlantic right now 🙂.

[damageprone]

I just ended up getting a Cellink Neo and a Blackvue B-124 expansion (yes they work together) and installed it in the trunk floor storage area.

It's hitting 100-105F here now and I've been monitoring the battery temperatures via the app when parked in direct sun all day. The battery has been reading in the low 50C which is within it's operable range. I believe the max temperature it can reach is 61C.

I also ended up putting them in a battery bag as I linked. For $12 it's cheap insurance.

My problem is now that my dash cam can't handle the hot temperatures.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by damageprone

I just ended up getting a Cellink Neo and a Blackvue B-124 expansion (yes they work together) and installed it in the trunk floor storage area.

It's hitting 100-105F here now and I've been monitoring the battery temperatures via the app when parked in direct sun all day. The battery has been reading in the low 50C which is within it's operable range. I believe the max temperature it can reach is 61C.

I also ended up putting them in a battery bag as I linked. For $12 it's cheap insurance.

My problem is now that my dash cam can't handle the hot temperatures.

Ah...so is your dashcam....damage prone? *puts on sunglasses* Ahhhhh *cue CSI Miami intro *

Are you guys using the extra battery so that these cameras dont put stress on the car battery? I thought these dash cams had limits on how much battery they can take up in parking mode.

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Ah...so is your dashcam....damage prone? *puts on sunglasses* Ahhhhh *cue CSI Miami intro *

Are you guys using the extra battery so that these cameras dont put stress on the car battery? I thought these dash cams had limits on how much battery they can take up in parking mode.

Yes, the idea is that the extra battery will save the expensive M LifePO4 battery from further damage. The dashcam itself doesn't have the capability of monitoring battery drain, but a MultiSafer or Power Magic Pro can do that. I used a MultiSafer and still got battery drain warnings.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by damageprone

Yes, the idea is that the extra battery will save the expensive M LifePO4 battery from further damage. The dashcam itself doesn't have the capability of monitoring battery drain, but a MultiSafer or Power Magic Pro can do that. I used a MultiSafer and still got battery drain warnings.

Ah got it. Darn. So I’m going to need a dash cam that has front and back cameras and an extra dash cam battery. This may get expensive!

[chatoyer]

It might, yes. But it depends on whether you need to use the parking feature. I don’t, so I ran the cable from my camera (Thinkware F800 front only - for now) back to the trunk and have it plugged in directly to the 12v socket. This gives me power when I am driving and then 10 minutes after I park (after which that socket goes dead). For my needs, this is sufficient.

[damageprone]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Ah got it. Darn. So I’m going to need a dash cam that has front and back cameras and an extra dash cam battery. This may get expensive!

The battery isn't necessary as chatoyer has explained. If you don't care about parking mode, then you're good.

I had my multisafer recording for 12 hours after parking, or before the battery reached a certain level. A few times I got a battery drain message, but it worked.

In reality, you really only need the dashcam when driving, that's when the money shot is (when you need to refute accident claims). Parking issues are usually not as significant.

[jpy1980]

Originally Posted by damageprone

The battery isn't necessary as chatoyer has explained. If you don't care about parking mode, then you're good.

I had my multisafer recording for 12 hours after parking, or before the battery reached a certain level. A few times I got a battery drain message, but it worked.

In reality, you really only need the dashcam when driving, that's when the money shot is (when you need to refute accident claims). Parking issues are usually not as significant.

Really? I’m always more concerned admit when I park my car. Seems like people like to look at our cars.

[louielouie]

Originally Posted by jpy1980

Really? I’m always more concerned admit when I park my car. Seems like people like to look at our cars.

Yup, I've been hit twice on 2 different cars while parked. One was so bad, the door needed to be replaced.

I opted for the Blackvue B-112. Didn't want to shell out $300 after buying a $300 dashcam and being in LA, my commute for work keeps it charged long enough between cycles. No issues so far.

[arashir]

Originally Posted by damageprone

I just ended up getting a Cellink Neo and a Blackvue B-124 expansion (yes they work together) and installed it in the trunk floor storage area.

It's hitting 100-105F here now and I've been monitoring the battery temperatures via the app when parked in direct sun all day. The battery has been reading in the low 50C which is within it's operable range. I believe the max temperature it can reach is 61C.

I also ended up putting them in a battery bag as I linked. For $12 it's cheap insurance.

My problem is now that my dash cam can't handle the hot temperatures.

I have heard that thinkware is the most heat resilient brand. I have one and it has survived two Arizona summers beautifully

[pokerface]

I’ve had my Thinkware cut out due to thermal protection before. Windows up (tinted all glass except windshield) in one of the hotter days this summer in Toronto and it wouldn’t turn on for awhile.

Battery pack is in passenger footwell no issues at all.

[tisme]

The battery for my Blackvue front and rear camera is stored in the boot on the left hand side in the little alcove where the 6 CD-changer was on the E90 330d.

The battery can be switched off or have 2 charging options. I leave it switched on all the time with the lower charging rate so when it in the home garage for a day or two the battery goes flat. It doesn't seem to get hot.