Keeping your dashcam powered is crucial for continuous recording, whether you’re driving or parked. While cigarette lighter sockets are commonly used, they aren’t always the ideal solution. This is where the Obd2 Power Adapter comes in as a clever alternative, especially for modern vehicles.
Understanding OBD2 Power for Your Dashcam
Many car owners find their cigarette lighter socket is always powered, even when the ignition is off. This can lead to battery drain if your dashcam is constantly running. A simple fix for this is using a male to female cigarette lighter adapter equipped with a low voltage cutoff switch, like the Koolatron “battery saver”. Pair this with a cigarette lighter to USB adapter, and you have a setup that protects your car battery by automatically cutting power to your dashcam if the voltage drops too low (around 11.6 volts).
Alt text: Koolatron battery saver adapter plugged into a car cigarette lighter socket, illustrating a low voltage cutoff solution for dashcams.
On the other hand, if your cigarette lighter only works when the engine is running, you might consider an obd2 power adapter. These adapters draw power directly from your car’s OBD2 port, which is typically used for diagnostics. You can find inexpensive OBD power supplies on Amazon that also include a low voltage cutoff switch, offering similar battery protection.
Alt text: An OBD2 power adapter plugged into a car’s OBD2 port, demonstrating direct power access for dashcams and other devices.
Setting Up Your OBD2 Dashcam Power
For vehicles where the cigarette lighter is only engine-powered, an obd2 power adapter becomes even more convenient. Instead of complex wiring, you can simply run a USB cable from your dashcam, tuck it neatly under the dash, and connect it to the obd2 power adapter plugged into your OBD2 port. This setup is particularly useful for parking surveillance or standby modes that require power when the engine is off.
If your cigarette lighter is always live, you can still benefit from using an obd2 power adapter for your dashcam, perhaps in combination with the cigarette lighter socket. A heavy-duty splitter in your cigarette lighter can create multiple ports. You could then use the Koolatron battery saver setup for your dashcam in one port and keep the other port free for charging phones or other devices.
Key Advantages of OBD2 Power Adapters
Using an obd2 power adapter for your dashcam offers several advantages:
- Simplicity: Easy to install and remove, no complex wiring needed.
- Convenience: Provides power even when the cigarette lighter is engine-dependent.
- Battery Protection: Many adapters include low voltage cutoff to prevent battery drain.
- Free Up Cigarette Lighter: Keeps your cigarette lighter socket available for other uses.
Important Considerations
While obd2 power adapters are a great solution, keep these points in mind:
- Power Draw: Dashcams typically draw minimal power (2 amps or less), well within the OBD2 port’s capacity (up to 4 amps).
- Port Access: Remember you’ll need to unplug the adapter to use your OBD2 port for diagnostics or scanning. This is easily done when needed.
In conclusion, an obd2 power adapter is a practical and efficient way to power your dashcam, offering a clean, simple, and battery-conscious solution for continuous recording and parking surveillance.
