12V Battery Protection - Powercell 8 Review & Installation

[@user-of9mh5ov6d]

Absolutely fantastic job you've done with this tutorial. You couldn't have presented it any better. Every step of what you did and needed doing was shown and described clearly and in the easiest way possible. Over here in England, we cant buy the Powercell so I had to purchase a Cellink Neo 8. Not quite as good, but as good as I could get. My car doesn't have a sunroof as it's got air con, but the fuse location for the absent sunroof is live and I believe is 20A rated. I'm hoping I'd be safe to use the wire tap straight into that unused fuse location with just the 20A Cellink provided fuse and just run the battery pack off this fuse location. I'm powering a Road Angel Halo Pro front & rear dash cam off the Cellink, so I think all should be good. P.s, if I go out to my car and find a smouldering pile of rubble...I'll let you know!🙄🤦👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇦

[@EV-olution]

Thank you very much, I appreciate the comment. Regarding the sunroof empty fuse location, that is a good idea, but I would use a 5A or 10A fuse as a max value. The battery does not pull that much power. As for your last comment 😂😆, I am glad I put a disclaimer in the video 😉😎

[@user-of9mh5ov6d]

​@@EV-olution- Credit where credit is due my friend😉👍. Many thanks for your quick reply and advice, I'll do as you've said and it makes good sense. Thanks once again, and keep up the great videos😉👍

[@once-over4243]

Thank you for talking about & showing the retrocarguy method. Im planning on taking this route and being that i havent used a relay as a switch this was much help thanks!!

[@young-hm8ym]

Are you already using this product, I would like to know your experience

[@EV-olution]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you, I was away on vacation. I am glad my video was helpful. I have been using this setup since making the video and it works exactly as described in the video; everything is still working very well.

[@ccarter55589]

I bought an EV because of the information on this channel. I had the same questions and anxieties I think a lot of people have and most of the information on youtube is from shitty car influencers that don't daily drive these. The information regarding winter performance was invaluable.

[@EV-olution]

Thank you very much for your comment and compliment. I have tried my best to be objective and I only tell the truth. I am glad I was able to help you buy an EV and was able to answer your questions. I have been quiet on KZbin and social media for over 1 year, but this Friday I am releasing a full Kia EV9 review to kick my channel back into gear. Stay tuned, there is more to come and thanks again, I really appreciate it.

[@marcberanger]

I saw the video about using the relay and though that is probably the best practice, I was not a fan of running the wire through the firewall. What I did was use one of the open fuse positions( an accessory one of course) and set the charging rate to low. This avoided the complexity of the relays with the multiple points of failure, especially important given my installation skills. The current draw doesn't seem to too high and i precharged the battery pack and it doesn't drop down too low that i need the faster charging.

[@musaadedibu9316]

This is a very smart appproach too 🤔🤔🤔. Since I planned charging the battery with a provided cable from BBMC from the comfort of my home too, I just need the battery to be hardwired to the car for top up but not to fully shoulder the vigorous charging. How well is the style holding up Pls? Any issue ever since? Just on the verge of getting this

[@marcberanger]

@@musaadedibu9316 So far so good. I hadn't looked at my battery for a while. I just had a quick look and all seems good.

[@musaadedibu9316]

@@marcberanger Thanks so much for your swift response. I really appreciate. Please for how long now have you had the battery 🔋 installed and what does the discharging rate looks like now compared to when new Thank you

[@marcberanger]

@@musaadedibu9316 I think I installed in July 2023

[@marcberanger]

Hard to say on the discharge rate....Current charge after being off for almost 24 hours is 98%

[@craighastings578]

Great report! I would have considered mounting it on the top of the glove box, if it fit that would still give full depth of the glovebox for "Junk". 😊

[@EV-olution]

Thank you very much. As for the placement, I just throw my junk on top of it 😎

[@stevewest4508]

If you put it on top of the glove box it will most likely not close. The top of the glove box will be a tight fit against whatever is above it.

[@bgbthabun627]

Andre, thank you for this very informative video. I want to also thank you for including Evie in this video, as it is an unwritten law that everyone must comment on a cat video!!!

[@EV-olution]

Thanks, I am glad you liked it. I guess you could tell from the part where I show the Cellink app that I love my cat. It's kind of embarrassing to mention, but she is my favorite of the three 😎

[@ipb1966]

Great video. I’ve got the Cellink version ready for Genesis GV60 so should be quite similar. Thanks.

[@EV-olution]

CRITICAL INFO - UPDATE 2023-06-18 : (A) I repeat a mistake in the Viofo T130 specs, saying it is a 4K camera, but that is an error, it is actually a 2K front camera. Sorry about the confusion. (B) The Blackboxmycar Web page for the Powercell 8 has a note hidden at the bottom of the specs and is kind of critical. I wish I had known before making the video because I would have put far more emphasis on it... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Changing Passwords If you are planning on changing the battery password, you will need to enter the default password '1234' when prompted for the old password. Note: There is no password retrieval or reset function. Password reset is a function that can only be performed by technicians at the manufacturer. The Reset function within the Battery Manager App is for resetting the default battery settings (ie. the Dual Charger setting) only and will not reset the password back to the default "1234". Because of this, we strongly recommend that you don't change the password unless you absolutely needed to, and if you do change it, make sure to keep a record of the new password. Once you have changed the password, you will be asked to re-enter it every time you access the Settings menu within the Battery Manager App. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[@calebturner5471]

hope you keep making videos! ❤

[@EV-olution]

Thank you. I have been very busy with my company, but I do have the video recorded for a review of the Kia EV9 that I spent 1 week with. I just need to find the time to edit. I do not intend to stop, I just need to figure out time management. Thanks again, I really appreciate it.

[@dretax14]

8:50 yikes, I'd never do this to my Stinger

[@EV-olution]

It's only plastic, and cannot be seen. Especially since I cleaned up the hole with my Dremel and it looks fine. This type of installation is not for everyone, but in the end, it's just a bit of plastic, and it's just a car 😎

[@boostedveedub9687]

for real lol and he didn't even use step drill bit for a correct size and clean hole. Ouch!

[@wobby1516]

Having gone to so much trouble I think it might have been a we bit more professional to drill a hole with a hole cutter and fit a rubber grommet, hole cutters are so cheap. Any electrical shop would sell you a packet of grommets and a small hole cutter for just a few bucks. Your instal would look more professional which I’m sure you are.

[@EV-olution]

I have hole cutters and that is a good idea that I wish I had thought of when I did it 😎

[@marcberanger]

Thats what I did for my install. Shaved a few minutes off the install and less possibility of wire chafing especially as the movement of the glove box might cause some problems. I was looking at installing mine under the passenger seat and when I saw this video I changed it to the glove box. Thanks

[@jeffmenard4639]

I be jammin’ …priceless 😂

[@DeathSc00p]

What 12v battery did you get to replace your Kia Niro EV? Was it any good?

[@EV-olution]

You can find everything I use for my EV6, and my previous Niro EV, on my website. Here is the Niro EV page, where you can use the menu on the right side of the screen to navigate directly to the AGM 12V battery I used, which was excellent: www.ev-olution.ca/products-i-use-niro-ev

[@juanmejia1319]

Does the fuse on the inline fuse matter.? if so if my vehicle takes micro2 fuse can a different fuse type be use for the inline fuse holder connected to the battery?

[@EV-olution]

The inline fuse can be whatever type you like. Even if your car has micro2 fuses, the inline fuse can be any type as long as the circuit is protected. I bought micro2 since it was in stock at the store, but I could have bought a standard type if the micro2 was not stock.

[@juanmejia1319]

@@EV-olution Thank You EV, You've been very informative and helpful!

[@EV-olution]

@@juanmejia1319 you are very welcome.

[@davidluong5651]

Nice video. I plan to buy this and utilize the cigarette port for charging. Dumb question, how does the dash cam know to go to parking mode when I turn off the car when the battery pack is not hard wired?

[@EV-olution]

Thank you, I am glad you liked my video. The parking mode and Powecell8 battery pack both require the hardwire kit. You cannot have parking mode without the hardwire kit. FYI, you don't have to wire it to the car's 12V like I did, you can simply connect it to the fuse box in the car, with fuse taps. You can see how the camera is installed with the hardwire kit in my video about the Viofo T130.

[@davidluong5651]

@@EV-olution Dear sir, thx for a speedy response. I was talking about the Powercell 8, not Neo. Powercell offers two methods of charging - cigarette port of hard wired. That’s the basis of my question.

[@EV-olution]

Sorry about that, I made a mistake in my response. If I recall correctly, the Powecell8 switches the output to the parking mode output when it detects there is no power coming into it, but since I don't use the 12V input for it I am not 100% sure.

[@pauldodd5115]

Cool video André

[@EV-olution]

Thank you very much Paul.

[@99Woodcutting]

Great video! Planning on doing this in the upcoming days with my U3000.. since you are running a 12 awg wire from the battery to the relay, is the relay, and the inline fuse also 12 awg?

[@EV-olution]

I did this last year, so I don't recall the exact parts I bought, but I am 99% certain that I bought the same guage relay and fuse wire size.

[@EV-olution]

I forgot to say thank you! Thanks 😎

[@99Woodcutting]

@@EV-olution appreciate the help!

[@user-ff8ju1ee9b]

Un bon vidéo Andre.

[@EV-olution]

Merci beaucoup 😎

[@jennylove4792]

Hello, what amp voltage did you use for the inline fuse?

[@EV-olution]

If I recall correctly I used a 10A fuse. The draw is very low so there is no need for a big fuse.

[@terencerodrigues6018]

Hi there, Can i use a Powercell8 battery pack with my Thinkware U3000 front and rear cameras? I prefer to use the cigaratte lighter option rather than the fuse box. So what input and output cables do I need to choose from? There is no option available for input cable. So does it mean the powercell 8 comes with cigaratte lighter input? Secondly, what output do I choose if I have a U3000 - the cigarette lighter socket output or the spliced cable output and does the spliced output wire go directly into the camera? There is no need for a separate Thinkware hardwire cable in that case right? Furthermore, will the cigaratte lighter be able to draw sufficient current from the 12v car battery to charge the Powercell 8 battery enough for it to be used when the car is switched off as the car cigaratte lighter will go off when the car is switched off. Please advise, thanks!

[@EV-olution]

I answer most of your questions in this video, in the unboxing and explanation that starts at the 2 minute mark. It includes a 12V socket power cable in the box so you can use that to charge the Powercell 8. I also explain the power settings on the battery in my video. As for your Thinkware U3000, I don't understand why you indicate there is no wiring for it; according to the BlackboxMyCar product page for the Powercell 8, there is a Thinkware power output wiring kit available.

[@stlufred]

I don't know if I missed it in the video, but any reason why you did not put that battery in your frunk? Although your glove box appear bigger than the one in my Model 3, the glove box in my cars always fill too quickly ;)

[@EV-olution]

There are a few reasons I did not put it in the Frunk: 1) There is no specification for water and dust resistance in the specs of the Powercell 8. With the EV6 Frunk not being completely sealed tight, and with other models of EVs not having a cover on the frunk like the Ioniq 6, I would not want to risk putting it there. 2) The hardwire kit wire end would need a pretty large hole to get into the cabin of the car, unlike the 12 gauge wire that only needed to poke through the rubber grommet. So there is no easy way to get it into the car without cutting the wire (wires) then having to solder them once in the car. This is way too much trouble versus the "easy" job of pushing the power lead through the grommet. 3) The hardwire kit that that goes to the dashcam is pretty long but I am not sure it would be long enough to route the wire from the frunk to the firewall, up and around the dash, then over to the camera. Maybe, but I am not 100% sure.

[@SamElly98]

In regards to the diagram at 17:20 for the modified relay version of the setup, the relays offered on amazon have a built in 30A fuse included as part of the relay. These built in fuses seem to be on terminal 30 too. So just to be clear, there needs to be a (preferably) 30A in-line fuse between the 12v car battery and the relay, AND the 30A fuse that is part of the relay as well? Or does this built-in fuse negate the need for the fuse between the battery and the relay?

[@EV-olution]

You only need one fuse. The relay I bought is not from Amazon and does not have a built-in fuse. I could have bought one, but I opted to install a separate fuse holder. As for the fuse, I am using 20A because 30A would be a bit high.

[@Aonexia]

Just stick with the original wiring method and you will be smooth mate! No need th add a relay with the Powercell 8.

[@EV-olution]

I agree, the original installation instructions should be more than good enough, but since my car was new, and is fully electric with tons of electronics, I opted to have it on a separate circuit.

[@just4therecord]

Would it be ok to use the cigarette outlet instead. Too much pain to hardwire it. I think my ciggie outlet reads 120 watts. I also don't want to risk losing the warranty for the car. They always blame something when things goes wrong

[@EV-olution]

EDIT: This reply is incorrect, I mixed up replies to different comments as I was typing 🙄. See my comment below for the correct answer... The 12V outlet is more than fine, and safe. Just be sure to select LOW for the power switch of the Powercell 8 and it will work perfectly. I hardwired it because I want my dashcam parking mode to record all the time. If you use the 12V outlet it will power off the dashcam when you power off the car.

[@just4therecord]

@@EV-olution no, I want the powercell 8 to power my dashcam in parking mode and the cigarette lighter outlet to recharge the powercell 8 when my car is running. This way it can still be recording all the time

[@EV-olution]

Sorry, I need to not multitask when I answer comments here and on Facebook 😎 The correct answer is... The 12V outlet is more than fine and safe. Just be sure to select LOW for the power switch of the Powercell 8 and it will work perfectly. I hardwired mine because I want mine to charge as fast as possible, pulling 9A, and that can only be done with hardwire of the Powercell 8. Sorry for my confusion, I think I need a nap 😆

[@just4therecord]

@@EV-olution thanks 😊

[@MrMannyhw]

Any of these batteries known to go on fire?

[@EV-olution]

No. As mentioned in the video, in the section about LFP batteries, they are the safest battery on the market right now.

[@DarianDT]

So either pay $350 for this power bank vs $20 to hardwire with a little DIY. $350 is more than most of the high-end Dash Cam out there.

[@EV-olution]

Hardwiring the dashcam does not protect your car's 12V battery, it only allows for parking mode to work, but lets the dashcam pull power until the 12V battery is dead. This battery pack is a buffer between the dashcam and your car's 12V battery. If the battery pack empties, your 12V battery is untouched since the Powercell8 battery pack only charges when the car is powered on.

[@DarianDT]

@@EV-olution Well I've been hardwired and now using an OBD connection for at least 2 years. Still on the same 12v battery. Yes, you're correct that the power bank is a better option but the price is very steep to justify that. The power bank still needs to be hardwired to your car for a faster charging option because the cigarette plug is not fast enough to charge the power bank if you're only relying on that as the charging option. Either drive long distant commute each way or hardwire.

[@my3dviews]

The more that I look into dashcams and the added requirements and the complexity of the installation, the less I want to get one. 😂

[@EV-olution]

😆 if you want parking mode and a rear dashcam, it is a pain to install, but there are some solutions that are plug-and-play. If you have an EV6 like me, then there is a front only dashcam that replaces the plastic cover where the rearview mirror is, looks factory, and plugs directly into a wire at that location; it takes 5 minutes to install.

[@young-hm8ym]

I want to make a better and cheaper solution, anyone interested in communicating?

[@EV-olution]

The issue with making your own solution at a cheaper price is the overall cost of materials, especially the LiFePO4 battery, when you don't make the product in mass production. I do agree that it would be nice if the price of the Powercell 8 was lower though.

[@MrMannyhw]

BBM C won’t make one cheaper. Got to make big profit :D

[@edwardanugent]

Too expensive

[@EV-olution]

I agree that it is pricey. The odd thing is that it is LFP, which is a less expensive battery technology as compared to lithium ion. It's a shame it isn't less expensive, to allow more people to benefit from it, because it is a great product.

[@edwardanugent]

@@EV-olution I spoke to 4 dash cam installers. I explained I had an EV and concerned about the battery when in park mode. They did not know I spoke to several installers, yet all of them told me the battery backup is a sham as a EV has a seperate battery for ancilary items like lights and A/C etc. I am just stating what they told me. They said the battery pack is a sham and you do not need them regardless if you have an ICE or EV.

[@EV-olution]

As I mention in the video, the 12V battery in an EV, which runs the 12V electronics, lights, radio, etc, is usually much smaller than in an ICE vehicle and has less capacity. This means the 12V battery will go through more cycles than the 12V in an ICE vehicle and may deplete to a lower level (both of mine did which killed them). An advantage an EV has over an ICE vehicle is that the car is supposed to maintain the 12V battery state of charge even when the car is powered off because it has a program to top off the 12V using power from the high voltage battery that powers the car, but I have had both my Niro EV 12V and my EV6 12V batteries fail after a few months of use with a 24/7 dashcam because of crappy programming of the 12V maintenance via the high voltage battery. This is also a known issue in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kona Electric (until a software update was made), and probably in the Ioniq 6 since it is essentially the same vehicle as the Ioniq 5 with regards to technology (unless Hyundai released an update since making this video). If you have an EV with updated software, then this battery pack solution may be of less use since the 12V battery maintenance software should keep the 12V battery from dropping too low, but that was not the case for me when I made this video. If you have an ICE vehicle then this battery pack is a very good solution because when the motor of an ICE vehicle is not running the 12V battery is not charged, meaning the parking mode of the dashcam will happily pull power until the 12V dies, or until you start the car. I hope this clears things up.

[@bluegoldgr]

Give up on making videos?

[@EV-olution]

No, not at all, but my company has been so busy that I have not had the time to make a video for the last year. I actually recorded an entire Kia EV9 video a couple of weeks ago, but I have to find the time to edit the many hours of video from 4 cameras. I really wish I could work on my channel at least 50% of the time, but I have to pay the bills and KZbin is nowhere near there... yet 😎