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Bullet cam supply
wheezy - 24/5/07 at 06:29 PM

Having just bought the 4Kam package I am looking at connecting it to the car 12v supply to do away with the separate 12v battery pack.
My question is do you need a 12v regulator or can you fit directly into the car electrics.
Some of the bullet cam suppliers say yes some say no!!!
Any sugestions
Dave

JoelP - 24/5/07 at 06:34 PM

i would recommend you use a regulator, car voltage can vary quite a lot and im sure its best to protect delicate equiptment. I ran mine on batteries specifically to keep it seperate from my bec regulator!

jos - 24/5/07 at 06:35 PM

i was thinking exactly the same when i was in stainsburies paying out for 16AAA batteries

I'll be interested to see the responses

flak monkey - 24/5/07 at 06:36 PM

Depends what the input voltage range for the camera is, if its say 10-16V then you will be fine. But if its 11.5-12.5volts then you will need a regulator.

Voltage regs are available off the shelf, they basically look like a big transistor and cost a couple of quid.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=7939&&source=14&doy=24m5

Plonk it on a heatsink in a box with a switch on, and you have yourself a 12v regulated output.

I did something similar with a 12v and 5v ouput on for my cam and recorder, works a treat.

David

[Edited on 24/5/07 by flak monkey]

russbost - 24/5/07 at 06:43 PM

You can buy a complete unit with switchable voltages for about £7 - got mine at a local accessory shop - for the price not worth taking the risk IMO

wheezy - 24/5/07 at 06:44 PM

Having looked at the 4Kam website there 12v pick off is just 2 wires and a plug which they recommend for cars and bikes.
Link

Maybe I should er on the side of caution and fit a regulator. I dont want to fry the cam having only just got it
Dave

gingerprince - 24/5/07 at 06:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by wheezy
Maybe I should er on the side of caution and fit a regulator. I dont want to fry the cam having only just got it
Dave


They sell a wire implying you can wire it straight up to your car, which implies it has quite a wide operating voltage.

Also since they imply it's okay, then if it does go pop you've got a claim for a replacement surely.

wheezy - 24/5/07 at 07:05 PM

I will e-mail them tommorrow and find out what the implications are.

Dave

bigrich - 24/5/07 at 08:32 PM

i got the lead and a y harness to supply both my cameras when i ordered my kit

wheezy - 31/5/07 at 02:23 PM

Just got an e-mail back from 4Kam and they say that I can fit a regulator if I want but the camera can cope with an un regulated supply.
Problem solved.