Constant power for dash cam
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Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 59
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From: Houston
Vehicle: 2010 GC 3.8
Constant power for dash cam
Bought a new dash cam today and it connects to the cig lighter but I was wondering if it would be safe to snip off the connector and connect it behind the dash to a constant power when the car is on?
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From: Vegas, Baby, Vegas!!!
Vehicle: '14 Ford F-150
No. Dash cams almost all use 5V. That lighter is actually a transformer. It steps down your car's 12V to 5V. You have to get a car hardwire kit. I got one for my Mini 805 camera at Amazon. I have it hardwired to my fuse box. When I start my truck, the camera turns on. It turns off when I turn off the truck.
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Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Pflugerville, TX
Vehicle: 2000 Elantra
It's also worth considering that your camera would be a steady drain on your battery. I'd think hard about it before installing *anything* that's always on in a car.