Keeping your Theo black box charged helps us receive your driving data and give you accurate feedback through the Better Driver by Carrot app. Here’s everything you need to know.
How to charge
You can check your black box’s (or telematics device’s) battery level in the Better Driver by Carrot app. ThingCo, your black box provider, will also email you when it’s time to recharge.
Charging your black box is very straightforward, all you need to do is:
- Charge the power bank until all 4 lights are showing (full charge).
- Plug the cable provided or a USB-C into the black box.
- Leave Theo charging until a green light appears. (A full charge can take up to 8 hours.)
Top tip: Charge Theo regularly rather than waiting until the battery is nearly empty. If the battery level falls below 15%, you’ll need to reset the device.
When to charge?
Theo has a built-in solar panel, but it will still need to be charged – particularly during winter.
In summer: More daylight helps the battery last longer, so you may not need to charge it as often.
In winter: Shorter, darker days mean you’re likely to need to charge it more frequently.
Where to charge your black box
Theo can stay attached to your windscreen while charging. You can power it using either:
- The supplied power bank, charged in advance until all four lights are showing; or
- Your car’s USB port and a compatible cable.
What happens if the battery runs out?
Keeping your Theo charged will ensure we receive all your driving data. We can then let you know how well you’re doing, or if there’s something you can improve on.
If Theo’s battery runs out, you’ll need to complete a reset before it can start sending your driving data again.
ThingCo will email you charging and reset instructions if you experience any issues. You’ll also have the option to book a support call if you need someone to guide you through the process.