OBDII / OBD2 Charging

[JeffreyDJ]

Has anyone used an OBDII to Mini USB charging cable for their dashcam? If so, what's your experience with it?

For instance:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...rue&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=A7H32HUQT8E8T

Thanks so much for any insight you all may have.

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[paul123]

why would you do this, rather than just use a USB ?

 

[JeffreyDJ]

why would you do this, rather than just use a USB ?

Well, a few reasons:

Always on power (motion detection/knock detection when the car is parked)
Battery minder to prevent draining.
Cleaner (more invisible) than the cigarette lighter install.
No soldering, fuse piggybacking, or incorrect grounding.



What I want to know is if anyone has tried this and what are their experiences, good or bad.

 

[JeffreyDJ]

I assume absolutely no one has tried this. Seems like such a simple thing with no real downside (except powering down the dashcam if you want to tune).

 

[paul123]

I didn't think about the always on. How does battery minder work? I am shopping dash cams but I will want two of them.

 

[JeffreyDJ]

Apparently just detecting low voltage and then cutting power. Which, should be fine as the camera I am trying first has motion detection and "g-force" detection, which from the built-in battery they claim will last 3-4 days without charging and the car off.

I guess I'll be a guinea pig for $11.99 + free Prime shipping and no tax.

The always on + clean install are what is doing it for me. I don't know if it could power two devices however.

 

[paul123]

if the dash cam has a built in battery that last several days, why would you need the always on? I wouldn't want a dash cam pulling down my car battery, even if it has low voltage detection.

 

[JeffreyDJ]

if the dash cam has a built in battery that last several days, why would you need the always on? I wouldn't want a dash cam pulling down my car battery, even if it has low voltage detection.

Mainly because I don't trust that it actually will last long in the summer heat. Either way, it's worth the experiment.

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