Powering your dash cam doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re looking for a straightforward way to keep your dash cam running, especially when your car is parked, using your OBD2 port can be an excellent solution. This method avoids the hassle of direct wiring and offers a clean setup.
One common issue is a cigarette lighter that’s always powered, potentially draining your car battery. A smart workaround for this is to use a male to female cigarette lighter adapter equipped with a low voltage cutoff switch. Devices like the Koolatron “battery saver” are readily available and designed for this purpose. You simply plug this adapter into your cigarette lighter, then connect a cigarette lighter to USB adapter for your dash cam. The voltage cutoff feature is crucial, as it automatically shuts off power to your dash cam if your car battery voltage drops too low (around 11.6 volts), preventing a dead battery.
Alternatively, if your cigarette lighter only works when your engine is running, OBD2 power supplies present an efficient option. These adapters, easily found online, also often include a similar voltage cutoff switch. Using an OBD2 adapter is generally preferable to splicing wires directly into your OBD port, maintaining the integrity of your car’s electrical system.
For parking surveillance, dash cams typically operate in standby mode or use G-sensor or motion activation to conserve power. If your cigarette lighter is engine-dependent, consider running a USB cable from your dash cam to under the dash. This setup allows you to switch between OBD2 power when parked and cigarette lighter power when driving.
If your cigarette lighter is always on and you want to retain its functionality while powering your dash cam, a heavy-duty splitter (minimum 10 amps) is recommended. Connect the Koolatron battery saver to the splitter, then plug in your cigarette lighter to USB adapter into the battery saver. This setup powers your dash cam while leaving the other splitter port free for charging devices.
Using an OBD2 port for dash cam power is convenient and safe. When needed, you can easily unplug the adapter to use your OBD2 port for diagnostics. The OBD2 port is designed to handle up to 4 amps, and most dash cams, even dual models, draw 2 amps or less, so power load is generally not a concern. This method provides a reliable and user-friendly way to power your dash cam and ensure continuous recording, whether you are driving or parked.
