[bnb187]

I’ve installed a Blackvue 590 Dashcam in our 2022 Mach E. I didn’t realize that the camera itself has battery protection built in so I also installed the battery protection box from Blackvue.

I have the cutoff voltage set to 12v on both camera and external power magic box. The switched power is to fuse 15-16 and constant to fuse 5. Camera works but parking mode only stays active for maybe 15-20 minutes with this setup. I guess I figured that it would run 6-8 hours before hitting cutoff voltage based on some research that may have been more for ICE vehicles I suppose.

Is this normal for the Mach e? Is the only answer a $300-400 battery pack to keep parking mode on longer?

 

[Say Watt]

I’ve installed a Blackvue 590 Dashcam in our 2022 Mach E. I didn’t realize that the camera itself has battery protection built in so I also installed the battery protection box from Blackvue.

I have the cutoff voltage set to 12v on both camera and external power magic box. The switched power is to fuse 15-16 and constant to fuse 5. Camera works but parking mode only stays active for maybe 15-20 minutes with this setup. I guess I figured that it would run 6-8 hours before hitting cutoff voltage based on some research that may have been more for ICE vehicles I suppose.

Is this normal for the Mach e? Is the only answer a $300-400 battery pack to keep parking mode on longer?

My answer was the Thinkware U1000 dash cam, HWK-TW01 OBD Installation Cable (actually a Ford accessory item), and the Thinkware Radar accessory for low energy parking mode.

It all just plugged in together without splicing. I know it works long-term without excessive battery drain. I was able to document my GTPE sitting in the dealer back lot UNTOUCHED for 34 days while they said they were doing my HVBJB replacement.

 

[ksroskel]

I had the Ford dealer install the Thinkware camera in my new F150 hybrid using the ODB adapter. I have been having issues where the camera goes into park mode while I am driving so I contacted Thinkware about the issue. Thinkware told me the ODB interface will not work properly with an EV or a hybrid. Instead you have to use the hardwire kit.

 

[PlugNPlay]

I had the Ford dealer install the Thinkware camera in my new F150 hybrid using the ODB adapter. I have been having issues where the camera goes into park mode while I am driving so I contacted Thinkware about the issue. Thinkware told me the ODB interface will not work properly with an EV or a hybrid. Instead you have to use the hardwire kit.

I also had the dealer install the Thinkware camera on my MME and had the exact same problem. I did some searching on the Thinkware support forums and also found that the OBD connection wasn’t supported on EVs. I told the dealer that they most likely needed the hardwired kit to resolve, but they said the talked to Ford and they recommend replacing the OBD cable first. Since they replaced it, I haven’t had any problems with parking mode, but if the car sits for a few days without being driven I get the FordPass message about battery drain, so I disconnect it when I know I won’t be driving it for a while.

 

[ksroskel]

I also had the dealer install the Thinkware camera on my MME and had the exact same problem. I did some searching on the Thinkware support forums and also found that the OBD connection wasn’t supported on EVs. I told the dealer that they most likely needed the hardwired kit to resolve, but they said the talked to Ford and they recommend replacing the OBD cable first. Since they replaced it, I haven’t had any problems with parking mode, but if the car sits for a few days without being driven I get the FordPass message about battery drain, so I disconnect it when I know I won’t be driving it for a while.

I think I would trust Thinkware more than Ford on this. I do not see how replacing the ODB cable would make a difference. I am guessing I will need to add the hardwire connection. I am hoping I can just cut the cable going to the camera from the ODB adapter and then run the wires to the fuse box. I asked Thinkware about this and they could not tell me if that would work since they have never done this.

 

[PlugNPlay]

I think I would trust Thinkware more than Ford on this. I do not see how replacing the ODB cable would make a difference. I am guessing I will need to add the hardwire connection. I am hoping I can just cut the cable going to the camera from the ODB adapter and then run the wires to the fuse box. I asked Thinkware about this and they could not tell me if that would work since they have never done this.

I don’t disagree and I certainly wasn’t expecting it to resolve the issue, but it did. If it wasn’t covered by Ford, I definitely would have switched to the hardwired kit, but I had to work with the dealer and this was the route they wanted to go. Just sharing my experience

 

[Say Watt]

I had the Ford dealer install the Thinkware camera in my new F150 hybrid using the ODB adapter. I have been having issues where the camera goes into park mode while I am driving so I contacted Thinkware about the issue. Thinkware told me the ODB interface will not work properly with an EV or a hybrid. Instead you have to use the hardwire kit.

I'm using this same system on my Mach E and my Kia EV6 GTL. Both are working fine for months.

Did you also have the Radar accessory installed? That will minimise the battery drain in park mode and better manage the activity activation.

The cable itself probably isn't the issue. It could be the PAC IGN-3 module that checks ignition status.

 

[ksroskel]

I'm using this same system on my Mach E and my Kia EV6 GTL. Both are working fine for months.

Did you also have the Radar accessory installed? That will minimise the battery drain in park mode and better manage the activity activation.

The cable itself probably isn't the issue. It could be the PAC IGN-3 module that checks ignition status.

I agree with you that it is probably the PAC IGN-3 module that is not compatible to Hybrids and EVs. I did not get the Radar accessory installed. Maybe that would be a solution instead of re-wring with the hardwire kit

 

[JIm in TX]

The MME has video cameras and radar all over it. It seems to me there should be a way to piggyback on these signals to provide a fantastic video cam of driving. Ford needs to make these signals available, in such a way so as they cannot be modified, disturbed or stopped, for use by third party apps.
Just like cup holders that you used to have to buy at the auto parts store, until manufacturers got wise and put them in themselves. Wake up.