Plugging in a dash cam to USB-A port?

[Mirak]

I got a cheapo dash cam as a corporate birthday item. It came with a 12v DC (cigarette plug) to 5v mini-USB cord that is too short.

I was going to buy a 10’ USB-A to mini-USB cable and plug that into the port below the infotainment screen.

Does that USB port supply the same power, or do I have to get a cigarette plug power cord instead?

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[kodiakng]

I got a cheapo dash cam as a corporate birthday item. It came with a 12v DC (cigarette plug) to 5v mini-USB cord that is too short.

I was going to buy a 10’ USB-A to mini-USB cable and plug that into the port below the infotainment screen.

Does that USB port supply the same power, or do I have to get a cigarette plug power cord instead?

does the dash cam power input port or documentation note what its voltage and mA draw are? if it really is 5v (standard USB spec) and nominal mA draw (< 1.5A ) you should be fine with a USB-A to mini-USB cable.

 

[Mirak]

does the dash cam power input port or documentation note what its voltage and mA draw are? if it really is 5v (standard USB spec) and nominal mA draw (< 1.5A ) you should be fine with a USB-A to mini-USB cable.

The documentation says DC 5v/300mA.

 

[kodiakng]

The documentation says DC 5v/300mA.

you're golden with just a USB cable.

 

[AliRafiee]

Keep in mind that the usb port might make the camera think it’s connected to a computer.
Check that first before you spend money on a new cable.
What I did for mine was to get a 12v to USB adapter and connected it to the wires for the rear view mirror.
Comes on when I start the car and off when I shut the car off. And no routing the cable all over the place.

 

[rhfritz]

I installed a dashcam powered by that USB-A a year ago. Works fine. Our ME must not have come with Ali's rear-view mirror, so there were no wires there. Our dashcam is the forward-facing type with a secondary rear camera. amazon.com/gp/product/B07JNHWQDC/ And it's out-rigger camera gets past the sensor cluster behind the mirror. I mounted the rear camera in the back hatch window essentially with plastic-friendly glue. But FYI, with a plastic spatula-like tool, it was five minutes to route the cables between the headliner and the moulding.

 

[jay1122]

May I recommend using Dongar dash cam adaptor. It uses the power from the mirror. I have been using it for over a year with Garmin Mini. Very clean and easy.

https://dongar.tech/products/ford5pin

 

[glenthompson]

I used a long USB-A to mini cable to power my dash camera. Works fine.

 

[rhfritz]

May I recommend using Dongar dash cam adaptor. It uses the power from the mirror. I have been using it for over a year with Garmin Mini. Very clean and easy.

https://dongar.tech/products/ford5pin

Like I said my mirror is just a mirror. Presuming the mirror you have is an option, that would mean there's an available wire above it somewhere. Can you post a picture showing your arrangement?

 

[jay1122]

Like I said my mirror is just a mirror. Presuming the mirror you have is an option, that would mean there's an available wire above it somewhere. Can you post a picture showing your arrangement?

here is a tutorial on YouTube.
The adaptor connects to the auto dimming mirror power source. I think every MME has the auto dimming mirror as a standard feature.

 

[ChasingCoral]

I got a cheapo dash cam as a corporate birthday item. It came with a 12v DC (cigarette plug) to 5v mini-USB cord that is too short.

I was going to buy a 10’ USB-A to mini-USB cable and plug that into the port below the infotainment screen.

Does that USB port supply the same power, or do I have to get a cigarette plug power cord instead?

It should be fine but the USB-C certainly should have enough power.

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