Dash cams are becoming essential for drivers, offering video evidence in case of accidents and even capturing events while parked. However, powering them can be tricky. While the cigarette lighter socket is a common choice, it’s not always ideal. This article explores using your car’s OBD2 port as a power source for your dash cam, focusing on the benefits and considerations of using a Dash Cam Obd2 adapter.
One of the easiest ways to power a dash cam OBD2 setup is using an adapter that plugs directly into your car’s OBD2 port. These adapters often come with a built-in low voltage cutoff switch. This is crucial because it protects your car battery from being completely drained if your dash cam is recording while the engine is off. Brands like Koolatron offer “battery saver” adapters specifically designed for this purpose and are readily available online. These adapters typically convert the OBD2 port’s power to a USB connection, suitable for most dash cams.
If your cigarette lighter socket only works when the engine is running, a dash cam OBD2 adapter becomes even more appealing. It provides a constant power source, enabling parking surveillance features on your dash cam. For a clean installation, you can route a USB cable from your dash cam, tucking it neatly under the dashboard, and connect it to the OBD2 adapter. This eliminates messy wires and keeps your cigarette lighter socket free.
For vehicles with a cigarette lighter that is always powered, you might still prefer a dash cam OBD2 connection for parking mode and battery protection. In this case, you could use a splitter in your cigarette lighter socket to maintain the functionality of charging other devices while also powering your dash cam via an OBD2 power adapter. Remember to choose a high-quality splitter if you opt for this approach.
Using the OBD2 port for your dash cam obd2 setup is generally safe and convenient. You don’t need to worry about overloading the OBD2 port, as it’s designed to handle a certain power load, and dash cams typically consume very little power. And when you need to use your OBD2 port for diagnostics, simply unplug the adapter and connect your scanner. Considering a dash cam OBD2 adapter is a smart way to ensure continuous power and parking surveillance for your dash cam.
