Dash cam power cable alternative

That's what I did. I ran a ten foot USB to mini-USB cable down the pillar to the lighter socket, and plugged a USB power adapter in there... that way I can plug my laptop in to copy files off without having to remove the microscopic SD card.

I ended up buying one of these cup based power supplies
has 2x cigarette lighter style power options and 2x USB
It looks ghetto but it's only me in the car and I plan on keeping it 8 more years so I don't care.
I used metal banding and self-taping screws to put it in.
I run both dash cams off it. The one in the rear has a 8' cable so there is lots of room to stash it.
The 2x USB power my phone and my wifes phone if she's riding with me.

mudgts wrote: ↑I ended up buying one of these cup based power supplies
has 2x cigarette lighter style power options and 2x USB
It looks ghetto but it's only me in the car and I plan on keeping it 8 more years so I don't care.
I used metal banding and self-taping screws to put it in.
I run both dash cams off it. The one in the rear has a 8' cable so there is lots of room to stash it.
The 2x USB power my phone and my wifes phone if she's riding with me.

Metal band mount with self tapping screws.. LOL.. That probably tops the guys at Haggard Garage.

mudgts wrote: ↑ It looks ghetto but it's only me in the car and I plan on keeping it 8 more years so I don't care.
I used metal banding and self-taping screws to put it in.

At least you know and admit it looks ghetto

I should have painted it GOLD and added some crystals to it with a hot glue gun.. that would snazzle and bedazzle it up.

It's really easy to tap into the power if you have a fuse box under the driver or passenger side. The total cost for the materials should be about $10

Tabooger wrote: ↑It's really easy to tap into the power if you have a fuse box under the driver or passenger side. The total cost for the materials should be about $10

How badly does dashcam drain battery? Always wanted to hardwire and always on mode, but afraid to ruin battery.

I used the following to build a 12v cigarette lighter female socket near my A pillar/Fuse panel area and plugged in the adapter and cable that came with the camera (since I have a mini 0805 I just purchased a mount and usb cable and charger for my second car so when its on the road I just pop the camera out of the mount from one car and into the other).

1. Fuse Tap (make sure it fits your car, even within Honda/Acura vehicles it varies)
2. Cigarette lighter socket (female
3. Fuse (on my honda's I only need 7.5)
4. Zip/Wire ties
5. Ring Terminal (for ground)

Tap it into the ACC fuse or find a fuse which power on when you turn your key and tap into it.

Fuse Tap:


Female Cigarette lighter socket:


Ring Terminal:



This is the cleanest install, heck I sometimes forget I have a dash cam.

Andro wrote: ↑How badly does dashcam drain battery? Always wanted to hardwire and always on mode, but afraid to ruin battery.

I only have it on when the car is on, so no idea.

Andro wrote: ↑How badly does dashcam drain battery? Always wanted to hardwire and always on mode, but afraid to ruin battery.

I have mine always on.

It did drain the battery once but that was because I forgot to unplug it before I was out of town for 10 days. I checked the memory card afterwards and it actually still recording on the day just before I returned.

My install is "super clean", as my dash cam is powered by a 12V/[email protected] converter, that is tapped into the 12V ACC source powering the rearview mirror.
Converter tapped into the 12V source, in which a usb power cable from the coverter is plugged into the dashcam.
No cutting, or splicing of wires.