BEWARE: when buying used/preowned dashcams
 

This is for Blackvue units but it may also relate to other brands as well.

I purchased a brand new Blackvue DR380G exactly 2yrs ago.. for the most part, it was pretty much used EVERY day through its connected powermagic box.

Eventually though, the internal 130ma battery will stop functioning and although the unit will still record, it will record with incorrect dates, miss some recordings and some files will be corrupted.

Battery replacement involves taking apart the unit and soldering it onto the small board.

SO..moral of the story?

If you see blackvue units for sale... and if they are around the 2yr age, be warned that the internal battery may not be at 100% any longer.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not complaining about the blackvue, its a great unit... but eventually there will be a few that pop up on craigslist.... just be cautious.

^this applies to most electronics that have internal batteries, soldered (i.e. dashcams, ipad, iphone, etc...) or not (i.e. laptops), only differences would be in how long before a unit fails.

Hold on I just noticed this with my unit. It works perfectly fine, except for the automatic detection of dates.

And there is no setting for just setting an internal clock for the stupid thing...

^^ also, if it does not say "the blackvue is shutting down" when cutting power, it is a sign that the battery is not holding charge.

I never really used to hear it say that anyway since the power magic pro would keep the camera running long after I left the car.

I'll kill the power magic pro and see if it shuts down correctly.

What if I turned off the audio that tells me its shutting down? :troll:

Mines as old as when we did the first groupbuy on RS. Still working, used daily, but not 24/7 since I don't use a PMP.

My dr380 is exactly as described in this thread. I've had it for about 2 years. Its kind of hard to look for footage when the date and time are wrong.

avoid dashcams with batteries
they are not heat resistant even in Vancouver's mild summers

I have the DR500, I thought it had a capacitor that allowed it to shut down properly when you turned off the car.

Buy Mobius, replace internal battery with capacitor, save $250 and laugh at everyone that bought a Blackvue for some reason...

i think the issue here is that with the dashcams constantly on, the internal battery doesnt get cycled thus it dies? i've had my DR400 since 2011 and i dont have any issues with the battery/corrupted files/lens fog any other common issues that plaques the blackvues. i dont use a powermagic either too

I just replaced battery on mine.

Here's the instruction that I found online,
BlackVue DR400G-HD Lens Cleaning and Battery Replacement | zhoulander

There is where I ordered my battery from
All-Battery.com: Tenergy Polymer Li-Ion Battery 3.7V 170mAh (801719)


shipping to US is $2.62, Canada is $32!!!! so you will need to pick up from us.


I hope it helped.. it's $12 fix if you know your way around electronics.

^ someone able to order an extra battery for me if they are doing the states route and ill pay you back?

I have a 10/10, A++++ user rating on RS. :)

From the time I've had my DR400 since the original group buy some 2 years ago, I don't ever recall it ever saying "Blackvue shutting down" unless I turned on, then turned off my car before the camera would begin recording.

Sure give me $64 and a Canadian address where you want yours shipped to

I did this to my DR400 II...

I ordered mine from ebay I think, and they sent me a bunch, when i only ordered one.

I have:

2 x 180 mAh, 3.7 V are both gone lol
1 x 240 mAh, 3.7 V

First come first serve, free.

FYI, I replaced mine with a 180 mAh, and it worked fine. I don't know enough about batteries so I didn't use the 240 mAh one, but I don't think it's a problem as long as the voltage is the same. It's just a slightly bigger battery.

US 3 7V 150mA LI PO Battery FOR Syma S107 Helicopter Replacement Part S107G 19 | eBay

this 'should' do the job.

and...these guys will solder the battery for $20.

Welcome! | Firefly Electronics Computer

update: Dashcam fixed 100%.

purchased the battery from ebay as per the link above this post....and got firefly electronics to solder it in...they charged $20. they showed me the old battery which was extremely bloated and ready to explode... for those experiencing similar issues, consider getting it addressed or that dead bloating battery may indeed explode and wreck your dashcam from inside!

it now holds the date and has the audible 'the blackvue is now shutting down' plus the last file is no longer corrupted.