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Today at Atelier Kaz - Private NSX Enthusiast, ex-Honda R&D engineer with F1, Indy/CART background

Dashcam update - HP F520g

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So, it's just over 3 years since I started using this dashcam f520g.
http://www.nsxcb.co.uk/entry.php?155...h-cam-HP-f520g


As mentioned in the above link, under this harsh environment, if it can survive 2 years, I think it's done its duty.
Also, for any devices using standard Li-ion battery, 2 years is probably the max expectation under the current technology with reasonably priced battery.

According to the battery engineers, most of the Li-ion battery on the consumer market can expect about 500 discharge/charge cycles.
After this, the battery capacity is reduced to like less than 50%.
This is the reason why your smartphone requires charging much more frequently in the 2nd year than when it was new.


Anyway, back to f520g.

Over the last 3 years, I was very happy with this device.
No abnormal shut down or loss of files, etc.

Good enough video quality in the day and night time.

The only issue I had was the damage to the micro SD card slot as I removed the card too frequently for other reasons.

Then, just now, suddenly, it shut itself down in about 30sec after going into IGSW P2.

I already saw similar phenomenon happening with many dashcam models so touched the camera body and
despite it was parked overnight inside the garage with no power, it was already fairly warm with just about 30sec operation.

So, it's the typical of internal battery getting hot.






Opened the unit and as expected, the Li-on battery has expanded and the thermal shut down circuit was activated.
The battery body should be flat but it already expanded quite a bit so glad the protection circuit operated properly.

I could just replace the dashcam with a modern model but only expecting about 2-3 years life, don't want spending a lot.

I'll probably get new one any way as over the 3 years, by moving the camera between two cars,
I noticed that the plastic material at the holder bracket got worn out and increased the vibration.

I'll probably get the one using the super cap instead of Li-ion battery this time.

Still, don't want throwing away this nice camera so tried to find small enough super cap that may fit inside the body.

There were several options available but couldn't find something thin enough so back to Li-ion replacement.


I don't know how it can be delivered under current regulations but found many users getting the replacement battery from China
so placed the order over ebay and hope it will arrive in the future.


Hope I can find something good with super cap at about £100 or less....


Kaz

Comments

  1. solidol's Avatar
    Hi Kaz, it looks like power supply autonomy is important to you but if not I can't recommend BlackVue dashcams enough. I've been using 500/600 series in two of my cars for last four years and it's been great. I did hardwire both. It's stealthy looking design when placed on the windshield just behind rear view mirror makes it invisible for the driver. Nicely designed mount is easy to use for quick cam removal when parked in shady places or for long periods of time. Check it out if you decide to go this route.
  2. Kaz-kzukNA1's Avatar
    Hi, solidol. Thank you for the feedback.
    For over £150, probably I'll get VicoVation Opia1 with GPS in Japan as it's cheaper than in UK.
    For under £100, I'm looking at Viofo A119 Pro but not sure from where to source it.
    Safer to get it in US as it's fairly popular out there but bit extra payment for the customs, etc.
    It's available in UK and since it was only introduced this year, should be difficult to create fake one or used B-class one but there are bit of question marks (bit cheap) on the price tag considering the US market....

    Search continues....

    Kaz
  3. NSXGB's Avatar
    Do any of those units have a decent parking mode?
  4. Kaz-kzukNA1's Avatar
    Hi, NSXGB.

    I've never put high priority on the parking mode so can't comment from my own experiences.
    Opia1 seems to have timelapse feature so that will be an added benefit.
    Not sure of A119 Pro..... Cheap but good video quality. Just don't know whether I should buy it from US or UK....

    Kaz

  5. Kaz-kzukNA1's Avatar
    So, just received the new battery.
    Quite surprised that it arrived fairly fast as I was expecting it to take about 3 - 4 weeks.

    I already knew from the photo on ebay that the pinout would be different.
    Now I got the battery, looked in to the connector and terminal.

    While the terminal shape was almost identical, the connector size was just a bit larger (only less than 1mm) and won't fit.
    No problem. Looked quite easy to swap the connector but later, found out that even the terminal was bit too thick than the original one.
    The spec should be the same…..
    OK, then, tought about de-soldering and swapping in the original cables but didn't like the idea of using the soldering iron behind the SMD.

    At the end, just cut the original wires together with the original connector and connected them to the new battery.

    On the bench, it was showing 3.75V so that's a good sign.
    Discharged it and then fully charged it.
    Kept the dashcam running on battery while working inside the garage.

    As expected, it went flat and automatically shut itself down after about 30min.
    Fully charged it again, repeated the same process and now installed on the car.

    Should be good for another 2 years but probably the microSD card will die first.


    Kaz