When installing a dashcam in your vehicle, one common question arises: Is Obd2 Always Powered? Understanding how your car’s OBD2 port behaves in terms of power supply is crucial for choosing the right power source for your dashcam and avoiding potential battery drain.
Many car owners consider tapping into the OBD2 port for dashcam power because it seems like a convenient and hidden power source. While the OBD2 port can indeed provide power, it’s important to know that yes, in many vehicles, the OBD2 port remains powered even when the ignition is turned off.
This constant power supply is intended for diagnostics and vehicle monitoring, allowing mechanics and devices to access car data even when the engine isn’t running. However, this also means that if you directly connect your dashcam to the OBD2 port without proper precautions, it can continuously draw power from your car battery, potentially leading to battery drain, especially if your car sits for extended periods.
To safely utilize the OBD2 port for powering your dashcam, especially for features like parking mode or surveillance, you must use an OBD2 power adapter that incorporates a low voltage cutoff switch. These adapters are designed to monitor your car battery’s voltage and automatically cut off power to the dashcam if the voltage drops below a certain threshold (typically around 11.6 volts). This prevents excessive battery discharge and ensures your car will start. Brands like Koolatron, with their “battery saver” adapter, offer readily available solutions for this purpose.
Alternatively, if your car’s cigarette lighter socket is only powered when the engine is running, you might consider using that as a power source instead. However, for continuous dashcam operation including parking mode, the OBD2 port, when paired with a voltage cutoff adapter, becomes a more practical option.
If you find that your cigarette lighter is always on, you can still utilize it for your dashcam. In this case, employing a cigarette lighter adapter with a built-in low voltage cutoff switch offers a similar level of battery protection as the OBD2 adapter approach. You can combine this with a splitter to maintain the functionality of your cigarette lighter socket for other devices.
In conclusion, while the OBD2 port is often always powered, it’s not advisable to directly tap into it for dashcam power without a low voltage cutoff. Whether you choose to use an OBD2 adapter or a cigarette lighter adapter, ensuring a voltage cutoff is in place is paramount to safeguard your car battery while enjoying the benefits of continuous dashcam recording. Always prioritize safe and reliable power solutions for your car electronics.
