Hey guys,

 

I'm wiring up a couple of dash cams but rather than focusing on them running when I'm driving, am more interested in them recording when the car is off. I've bought a powerbank cigarette lighter for the boot woth the idea being that when the car is on, it charges and runs the camera but when the car turns off, it switches to parking monitor mode. Unless I'm missing something, I think the cigarette lighter is always on, is that right?

 

With the dash cam usb, has anyone tried making that usb port (only) an always on usb port? On an old car I'd do it myself but no chance am I confident doing that on this car. Just wondering if anyone's done this before I approach a professional.

 

Cheers!

On 20/05/2023 at 02:33, kreeker said:

I think the cigarette lighter is always on, is that right?

yes, that's right.
 

On 20/05/2023 at 02:33, kreeker said:

usb port (only) an always on usb port?

Why would you struggle with such a modification?
Isn't if easier/faster to connect directly into the available positions of the Fuse-box? There you'll find both permanent and ignition-only power supply. On most dash cam's (if not all) you need both connections in order for the camera to know when to switch to parking mode and when to run continuously.

Thanks for coming back to me. Kinda didn't want to run wires around both from a cleanliness point and a laziness point. Found dash cams that have a decent battery activated park mode so think that'll work. Just gotta put em in and test...