Ensuring your dashcam is consistently powered is crucial for continuous recording, especially for features like parking mode. Many users face the dilemma of how to power their dashcams effectively without draining their car battery, or when their cigarette lighter socket is only active when the engine is running. Fortunately, solutions exist, including utilizing Obdii Usb Power.
One common issue is a cigarette lighter that remains powered even when the car is off. A practical solution for this scenario involves using a male-to-female cigarette lighter adapter equipped with a low voltage cutoff switch. Paired with a cigarette lighter to USB adapter, this setup allows you to power your dashcam while protecting your car battery. If the battery voltage drops below a safe threshold, typically around 11.6 volts, the cutoff switch will interrupt the power supply to your dashcam, preventing excessive battery drain. A readily available option is the “battery saver” from Koolatron, found on platforms like Amazon, which integrates this functionality into a convenient adapter.
Conversely, if your cigarette lighter only provides power when the engine is running, OBDII USB power adapters offer an alternative. These inexpensive adapters, also available online, can tap into your car’s OBDII port for a constant power source, often including a similar low voltage cutoff feature. While tempting to directly wire into the OBDII port, using a dedicated adapter is a safer and more recommended approach.
For parked surveillance, dashcams should ideally operate in standby mode, utilizing G-force or motion activation to conserve power. If your cigarette lighter is engine-dependent, consider running a USB cable from your dashcam to a discreet location under the dashboard. This allows you to switch between power sources: using the OBDII USB power adapter when parked and the cigarette lighter when driving.
If your cigarette lighter is always on, a heavy-duty splitter (rated at least 10 amps) can be beneficial. Connect the Koolatron battery saver to one port, and a high-quality cigarette lighter to USB adapter to the battery saver. This setup powers your dashcam and leaves the other port free for charging phones or other devices.
Using an OBDII USB power adapter doesn’t interfere with your OBDII port’s primary function. Simply unplug the adapter to use your diagnostic scanner when needed. Concerns about overloading the OBDII port are generally unfounded, as it’s designed to supply up to 4 amps, and most dashcams, even dual-camera models, draw 2 amps or less. Therefore, OBDII USB power presents a viable and safe method for powering your dashcam.
