THINKWARE dash cams do not have a built-in battery and need an external power source. Choose from four power options: a 12V Car Charger Cable, Hardwiring Cable, OBD-II Power Cable, or iVolt Battery Pack. The iVolt Battery Pack is available as Mini or Xtra.
Already tried some steps? Jump to:
- Which power option should you choose
- The 12V Car Charger Cable
- The Hardwiring Cable
- The OBD-II Power Cable
- The iVolt Battery Pack
- Compare iVolt Mini and iVolt Xtra
Which power option should you choose
If you only need driving recordings, the 12V Car Charger Cable is a simple starting point. For Parking Mode, choose a compatible Hardwiring Cable, OBD-II Power Cable, or iVolt Battery Pack setup. These options may require additional purchases.
- 12V Car Charger Cable: choose this for an easy driving-only setup without Parking Mode.
- Hardwiring Cable: choose this for Parking Mode through permanent fuse-box installation. Arrange professional wiring if needed.
- OBD-II Power Cable: choose this for plug-in Parking Mode without wiring directly to the fuse box.
- iVolt Battery Pack: choose this for longer parked recording or when you are concerned about drawing power from the vehicle battery.
The published installation guides give approximately 8 hours as a hardwired recording example, depending on the vehicle battery level. This is not a fixed runtime for every vehicle.
The 12V Car Charger Cable
The 12V Car Charger Cable is generally included with your dash cam, depending on the bundle. It plugs into your vehicle’s 12V outlet.
- Simple plug-in connection for driving recordings.
- No additional power cable purchase is needed if it is included in your bundle.
- Supports Continuous Mode only.
- Does not provide the ACC signal needed for Parking Mode.
Caution: An always-on outlet does not enable Parking Mode. If the outlet stays powered after the ignition is off, disconnect the cable to avoid draining the vehicle battery.
The Hardwiring Cable
The Hardwiring Cable connects to constant power, accessory power, and ground in the vehicle’s fuse box. When accessory power is lost as the ignition switches off, the dash cam automatically switches to Parking Mode when enabled.
- Provides a permanent fuse-box connection for Parking Mode.
- Installation is more involved than a plug-in cable; professional installation is recommended.
- May require a separate cable purchase, depending on your bundle.
For the installation procedure, see How to install a Hardwiring Cable.
The OBD-II Power Cable
The OBD-II Power Cable plugs into your vehicle’s OBD-II port to power the dash cam.
- Supports Continuous Mode while driving and Parking Mode when parked through a plug-in connection.
- Avoids wiring directly to fuse slots and can be easier when the fuse box is difficult to reach.
- Sold separately; match the accessory to both your vehicle and dash cam before buying.
The current installation guide describes a cable with a vehicle-type selector and a Parking Mode selector. The vehicle-type selector uses F for gasoline vehicles and EV for electric or hybrid vehicles. The Parking Mode selector uses P to enable Parking Mode and D to disable it.
Note: Cable versions and compatible dash cam connections differ. Match the cable to both your vehicle and dash cam; do not apply one cable’s switch instructions to another version.
Note: Parking Mode entry is not necessarily immediate after the ignition is switched off. Follow the waiting-time guidance for your cable and vehicle type.
For setup and the applicable waiting time, see How to install an OBD-II Power Cable.
The iVolt Battery Pack
An iVolt Battery Pack may be useful if you need longer parking coverage or drive a vehicle with a small battery. While parked, the dash cam draws power from the pack, and the pack charges while you drive.
- Supports Continuous Mode and Parking Mode, using the battery pack for power while parked.
- The iVolt Battery Pack is available as Mini or Xtra. A battery pack purchase is required, and the THINKWARE Hardwiring Cable for the dash cam is sold separately. Check which cables are included in your package.
- Professional installation is recommended for fuse-box wiring.
Note: A battery pack is optional for Parking Mode. Recording duration depends on the available power and the recording setup.
For iVolt Mini details and installation, see How to power your dash cam (iVolt Mini Battery Pack).
For iVolt Xtra details and installation, see How to power your dash cam (iVolt Xtra Battery Pack).
Compare iVolt Mini and iVolt Xtra
Choose iVolt Mini if its recording time meets your needs. Choose iVolt Xtra for longer two-channel recording, phone monitoring, and USB output. Both battery packs use a fuse-box connection.
| Feature | iVolt Mini BAB-50 | iVolt Xtra BAB-95 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,500 mAh / 57.6 Wh | 7,500 mAh / 96 Wh |
| Battery chemistry | Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) | Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) |
| Charging connection | Fuse box | Fuse box only |
| Battery monitoring app | No | THINKWARE iVolt app |
| Additional USB output | No | 5 V, up to 2 A |
| Dash cam connection | THINKWARE Hardwiring Cable required | THINKWARE Hardwiring Cable required |
Compare standby time
Compare iVolt Mini and iVolt Xtra standby times by camera configuration and recording mode below.
| Standby Time | iVolt Mini (4,500mAh) | iVolt Xtra (7,500mAh) | ||
| Motion Detection | Energy Saving Mode | Motion Detection | Energy Saving Mode | |
| 1CH | 28 hrs | 529.4 hrs (22.1 days) | 46.7 hrs | 882.4 hrs (36.8 days) |
| 2CH | 15.2 hrs | 529.4 hrs (22.1 days) | 25.1 hrs | 882.4 hrs (36.8 days) |
Based on U3000 PRO Dash Cam. Charging and run time may vary depending on the dash cam model and the environment.
Compare LOW and HIGH charging
Both battery packs offer LOW for normal charging and HIGH for faster charging. Compare the charging current and approximate full-charge time before choosing the mode.
HIGH charges either pack faster than LOW, using a higher battery charging current.
| Charging mode | iVolt Mini BAB-50 | iVolt Xtra BAB-95 |
|---|---|---|
| LOW charging current and time | Up to 5 A; approximately 60 minutes | Up to 4.5 A; approximately 100 minutes |
| HIGH charging current and time | Up to 7 A; approximately 45 minutes | Up to 8.5 A; approximately 55 minutes |
| Vehicle input current | Up to 9 A | LOW: up to 6.5 A HIGH: up to 13 A |
Note: Battery charging current and vehicle input current are different specifications. Do not use the charging-current value as a vehicle-input or fuse rating.
LOW charging mode is an option when the longer charge time fits your routine. HIGH charging mode is an option when you need faster charging, and the installation supports the specified input. The listed charging times are approximate.
Compare your usual driving time with the charging time, as well as comparing parked recording time. A pack that is not fully charged will not provide its full-charge reference runtime.
Note: The 45-minute Mini and 55-minute Xtra figures in the comparison article correspond to HIGH in the installation-guide specifications. They are not the charging times for every mode or input arrangement.
Match the installation to the power option
For Mini fuse-box charging, the installation guide specifies ACC input power. Xtra uses B+ input power and an ACC signal to control charging. Their wiring is not interchangeable.
Check that Parking Mode is enabled in the dash cam settings where supported. Connecting the power accessory alone does not replace the setup steps for your dash cam.
Use the guide for the selected accessory to check connections, charging indicators, and the transition to Parking Mode. Follow model-specific instructions for Battery Protection settings.
Need more help?
Contact the support team for your region by email or phone. We’ll respond to your email as quickly as we can.
North America (US/CA)
Email: support@thinkware.com
Phone: 1-844-865-9273
United Kingdom (UK)
Email: support.eu@thinkware.com
Phone: +44 (0) 333-121-0008
Europe (EU)
Email: support@thinkwarestore.com
Phone: +49 69 943 22200
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