Continuously powering your dashcam is crucial for around-the-clock surveillance and protection for your vehicle. While the cigarette lighter socket is a common power source, the OBD2 port offers a convenient alternative, especially when you need continuous power even when your car is turned off. This article explores how to safely and effectively utilize battery power in your OBD2 port for your dashcam.
Understanding Your Power Options: Cigarette Lighter vs. OBD2 Port
Traditionally, dashcams are powered through the cigarette lighter socket. This is straightforward, but often, the cigarette lighter only provides power when the ignition is on. For parking mode or 24/7 recording, you need a constant power supply. This is where leveraging the battery power in the OBD2 port becomes advantageous.
For vehicles where the cigarette lighter is only powered when the engine is running, the OBD2 port presents a practical solution for continuous power. OBD2 ports are designed to provide constant power for diagnostic purposes, making them suitable for powering low-draw devices like dashcams.
Alt text: An OBD2 power adapter is plugged into the diagnostic port of a car, illustrating how to draw battery power from the OBD2 port to operate a dashcam.
Safe and Simple OBD2 Power Solutions
Connecting directly to your OBD2 port for power doesn’t have to be complicated or risky. Several user-friendly OBD power supply adapters are readily available. These adapters often come equipped with a built-in low voltage cut-off switch. This crucial feature protects your car battery from excessive drain by automatically disconnecting power to your dashcam if the battery voltage drops below a safe threshold, typically around 11.6 volts.
Products like the Koolatron “Battery Saver” (though primarily designed for cigarette lighter use, the principle is similar) exemplify this approach. For direct OBD2 port connection, specialized adapters are available on online marketplaces.
Setting Up Your Dashcam with OBD2 Power
The setup is generally straightforward:
- OBD2 Power Adapter: Obtain an OBD2 to USB power adapter with a low voltage cut-off.
- Connection: Plug the OBD2 adapter into your car’s OBD2 port (usually located under the dashboard on the driver’s side).
- Dashcam Connection: Connect your dashcam to the USB port on the OBD2 adapter.
For vehicles with a permanently powered cigarette lighter, you could utilize a cigarette lighter splitter along with a low-voltage cut-off adapter like the Koolatron, followed by a cigarette lighter to USB adapter for your dashcam. This setup allows you to retain the cigarette lighter socket for other uses while safely powering your dashcam.
Important Considerations
- Power Draw: Dashcams are low-power devices, typically drawing 2 amps or less, well within the OBD2 port’s power capacity (usually up to 4 amps).
- Voltage Cut-off: Always use an adapter with a low voltage cut-off to prevent battery drain.
- Scanner Access: When you need to use your OBD2 port for diagnostics with a scanner, simply unplug the power adapter.
Conclusion
Utilizing battery power in your OBD2 port is a convenient and safe method for powering your dashcam, especially for continuous operation when your car is parked. By using readily available OBD2 power adapters with low voltage cut-off, you can ensure your dashcam is always powered while protecting your car’s battery. This method offers a clean and effective solution for uninterrupted dashcam surveillance.
