Thinkware F800 PRO - Parking Mode Question *Resolved*

Hey TW. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction but I had my Thinkware F800 Pro 2 dashcam (front and rear) professionally installed today on my 2020 Pro. The camera works great while driving, but the Parked recording feature doesn't appear to be working.

From what I can tell, it doesn't appear to be getting continuous power even while parked and off. Even the security LED lights don't come on when everything is off which leads me to believe it was probably installed incorrectly. I did have the hardwire in the install kit but I didn't opt for the additional battery since this system has a safety feature that will automatically shut off if too much power has been drawn while parked for a lengthy period of time. They did mention they installed it with the add-a-fuse cables to the ignition itself. Wouldn't that only work if the car has been turned on and not off?

Anyway, i've played with the settings throughout the day and have confirmed that the parking mode is enabled, but i'm 90% sure the shop didn't install it correctly so the system will have continuous power even while parked and off. Just wondering if anyone here has ran into similar issues with this setup. I'm no mechanic but would gladly try to resolve this myself instead of having to bring the truck back to the shop and fight them on a faulty install.

Thanks!

 

I'd recommend going back to the shop. If they're a reputable shop, they should have no issues looking it over, especially since you can prove there is no footage in parking mode.

If they tapped into an ignition 12v source then yes, the unit would only receive power when the ignition is on. I'd assume power to the unit should have been tapped from a constant 12v source.

Just had a qa100 installed last Friday and loving the thing so far.

 

That's pretty much what i'm thinking is they didn't tap it into a constant 12v source. I would think it should be an easy fix if that's just the case. Just want to make sure i'm not forgetting anything before taking it back there. The shop had great reviews so I don't expect any pushback.

Glad you like the Q series. I would have sprung for that but I actually bought this setup over a year ago before the 2k versions launched. Never put it on my BMW since I knew I wouldn't be keeping that car for long. The truck on the otherhand will be driven until the wheels fall off XD

 

I have the F800 front and back in my 2019 TRD-OR... Works like a champ. I had it installed by Car Toys... Parking mode works great so they did something wrong when they installed it...

 

Look at the fuse panel by the driver side kick panel and see if they used an add a fuse there. If they did, note what slot it is in.
I used an add a fuse with a voltage cut off tapped into a constant power slot. The voltage cut off kit works great.

 

I have a BlackVue 2channel that uses their Power magic Pro to keep it powered in park mode until it hits 12v.
It needed to tap both a constant and switched fuse to be able to tell when the truck turned off.

 

I'll probably be taking it back to the shop tomorrow but here are a couple of pics of the fuse under the steering for those interested.

 

I have the F800 Pro too on my '18. I installed it myself. The parking mode works flawlessly. The shop should have used the add a fuse on a fuse that can have voltage even when the engine is off. I can't remember which one I used, it was probably one of the fuses for the lights though (because those can be operated without the ignition on)

They should have tested the fuses for "power" before just choosing the ignition fuse to use. I'm willing to be the ignition add a fuse is the issue.

 

Oh, since we're here...where did you guys install the rear camera? Mine's on the sliding window "hidden" (from my view) behind the middle headrest. I can still see the cable and it kind of bothers me lol. I toiled over the ideal location, but really haven't solved this issue. I also have a bedrack so I can't use the top portion of the window.

 

Here is my rear camera.

 

I cant remember which is which right now, but is it possible they just have the taps in the wrong order. Assuming both taps are for the camera, one for constant power and one for switch power, is that right? I dont have the same camera you have and mine just used one tap, but I have read others using two lines.

 

Alright, for those that are interested, I think I got everything resolved here. I did take the truck to the shop that installed the cams and they at least understood that the system needed to be plugged up into a constant power source so the parked recording feature would work. However, to my frustration, they plugged both the battery cable (yellow) and acc (red) into constant power sources in the fuse panel. So the system basically stayed in continuous recording as if it were be driven even while off.

So not wanting to deal with the shop anymore, I stopped off at Auto Zone on the way home from work, picked up a cheap fuse/circuit tester, and attempted this myself. I believe I got everything figured out after a little research and trial and error. I posted a pic of the fuse panel and circled each fuse I added into with the corresponding color. This setup seems to be working perfectly and is switching the system between continuous and parked recording as it should. I'd love to hear any suggestions if this setup should be changed. I'm no mechanic by any means and really shooting in the dark here. But at least I resolved what a mechanic shop failed to do

Yellow Constant (Battery) --------> HAZ
Red (ACC)--------------------------> IG1 NO.2

I'm hesitant plugging into the IG1 but confirming that isn't a constant power source with my circuit tester and everything seems to be working fine, I'll leave it be unless anyone has a better suggestion.

I also added a pic of where my rear camera is placed for the person asking previously in the thread.

Hope this helps anyone looking at installing a dash cam setup. The cameras work great. Just need to dial down the motion sensitivity since it seems to be picking up everything from way too far away to even matter.

 

If you don't like using the IG1 circuit, P outlet 1 is a good key on power source. It's pretty much your 12v accessory plug.

 

I also want to add, if you were not aware, that MESO Customs made a fuse cover that works with those taps in place. I have not been able to score one yet and his website shows sold out right now. I don't know if and when more will be available, he is a busy man.

 

That's great to hear. I haven't heard of MESO before but will definitely keep an eye out if the covers come back in stock.

Also, I went ahead and moved the Red ACC cable from IG1 to the P out 1 after swapping to a 15A fuse. Everything is working as it should and the system switched between parking and continuous after powering on and off the vehicle. This makes me feels so much more at ease that i'm not tapped into such a vital fuse for the truck. Thanks for all of the help!

 

You're welcome. Glad its working for you like it should.

 

Hmmm...i'll have to see what I can find to make a bracket for the F800 Pro rear camera. I really like where yours is mounted!!

 

Wut? pretty sure you want to leave it at 7.5amp - swapping in bigger fuses is not a recommended 'mod'.
Your camera won't pull anything near that - most are under 500mA.

 

The P out 1 is a 15A fuse. There was no 'modding' with this setup. I just took out the fuse in the corresponding outlet and placed it into the add-a-fuse cable that came with the kit. The only thing I meant when i said I swapped the fuses was I put the original 10amp fuse from the IG1 no 2 outlet and placed that back, then used the 15amp in the P out 1.

 

Good, good, misread..
Here are the instructions for the PMP hookup; *Use an add-a-Fuse not the sketchy wrap wire around peg method*