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Hi
I’m wanting a dashcam when my new car arrives I know they can’t be hardwired but is plugging into the cars OBD2 port allowed. I’m getting a Hyundai Kona EV would a dashcam this way drain the battery and would motability let it be done, I’ve seen some posts on here where people have it but because it’s not just plug into 12v socket I’m confused over if it’s allowed or not.
Im not very tech savvy which is probably why I’m confused, can someone explain it. Ideally I want a front & rear dashcam that doesn’t have wires everywhere and records when parked and will be allowed by motability.
Thanks in advance
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From my understanding it is allowed to be hard wired if you order it at the time of ordering the hyundai. It will be fitted by hyundai themselves.
If you have already ordered the car or no option to have it fitted by hyundai then the only option is to have it fitted and plugged into the cigarette lighter/12v accessory socket. You can’t have it hard wired and am sure you can’t have it plugged into OBD port.
Simple rule is if it’s easily removable then it’s allowed. If it’s fixed like hard wired, tinted windows etc then you need permission from motability. This is classed as modification to the car.
It can’t be hard wired, but can be plugged into a 12v source, Motability don’t specifically say where to plug it in, only that it must be plug in type. The negative is the OBD ports 12v supply is always on, so you run the risk off draing the 12v battery, which may not be wise on an EV, unless a switch is incorporated in the lead powering the dashcam. The lead should also have a fuse incorporated into it.
Fitting a dashcam to a Motability Scheme car?
If you are a Motability Scheme customer and are considering fitting a dashcam to your Scheme car, here is what you need to know:
The dashcam must be plug-in type and not hard-wired into the vehicle
It must be attached in such a way as to not cause damage to the vehicle (e.g. fixed by suckers and not permanently attached to the dashboard)
Any associated costs must be covered by you (including the purchase of the dashcam and any fitting/removal costs)
https://news.motability.co.uk/motoring/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dashcams/
Thank you for the advice
So if I went for one with a low cut off voltage thing to prevent losing battery like a Nextbase or Halo from Halfords and had Halfords fit it – plugging it into the OBD port instead of the fuse area that would be allowed?
Kind regards
Halfords fitting it is irrelevant, but plugging it into the OBD port is not the same as hardwiring by piggy backing of a fuse, as it can easily be plugged in and out. FWIW I run an app on my phone monitoring the cars characteristics from a device plugged into the OBD.
Ah ok so it’s two different things, thank you for clearing that up
I’ll do some research into dashcam that won’t kill the battery and look at plugging it into odb port
You could just get Halfords to supply and fit. At least it should be done properly. My front cam is plugged into the 12v socket, and the rear is in usb socket. That setup has no drain issues as these are only powered when the car is switched on.
Garmin Dash Cam Quick Power Adaptor (OBD) can be set to turn off 10 minutes after the vehicle ignition has been turned off.
Cheaper elsewhere though.
Perfect thank you – woodpecker can any dashcam rear be fitted into the rear usb, I thought it had to be wired all throughout the car from the front.
Thank you kezo I hadn’t looked at Garmin but they might be one I consider, I’ll look into them. Ideally it needs to be from Halfords as they offer the fitting service and even if I could physically install myself (which I’m not confident) I have no idea how to Install so I was just going to pay for the service.
Many thanks
I very much would not use the OBD port or any other permanently powered 12V, regardless of what the manufacturer of the plug claims. All it takes is a faulty plug, and your car is out of commission for potentially weeks.
Hyundai EVs did/do have an ongoing issue with ICCU/12V failures, leaving cars stranded/bricked. I would not use the 12V supply while the car is off, period.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.Thank you Rene I wasn’t aware of the Hyundai faults but I’m glad you mentioned it, I’ll choose a front one that plugs into 12v and rear cam in usb and only have it powered when car is on. I think that will be the most reliable option and I don’t risk the car battery dying.
Thank you Rene I wasn’t aware of the Hyundai faults but I’m glad you mentioned it, I’ll choose a front one that plugs into 12v and rear cam in usb and only have it powered when car is on. I think that will be the most reliable option and I don’t risk the car battery dying.
I agree – that’s the route we chose, too. Well, minus the rear cam, since i personally can’t see the upside of having one – the front camera will catch a rear impact, too (by virtue of me swearing, i suppose, lol). It’ll certainly show insurance that the rear impact wasn’t my fault (unless, of course, it was).
Our front one (Viofo A139 Pro) plugs into USB, we used one of the 12V ports in the front for a USB socket.
One last wrench in the mix: i can’t speak for the Kona in particular, but i know that in both Ioniq 5 and 6 (6 being the one we currently have), the “main” USB port (the USB-A one in the front next to the charging pad that also is the data-port, not the USB-Cs) is indeed permanently powered. Though i just realised you said you’re using the 12V in the front anyway, so scratch that.
As mentioned, i don’t know much about the Kona, so i don’t know if it already uses ccNC (their new operating system, basically) – if not, and you intend to use a dongle for wireless carplay/android auto (in the Ioniq 6, we need to plug our phones in the old fashioned way), you may want to see if your USB port is permanently on, too. Apart from being annoying due to the phone constantly trying to connect, it’d also drain the 12V over time.
But: that may all be fear mongering due to me not knowing much about the Kona EV in particular – this USB port info is in regards to the two other EVs who guaranteed have it (I5 and 6), with the Kona maybe having that. Worth checking, though. If it does, i’d unplug the wireless dongle after leaving the car (as many I5/I6 owners do, according to reddit and forums).
I didn’t/don’t want to sound alarmist, the car is perfectly fine – but i usually err on the side of caution. The ICCU failures were cause for multiple recalls now. The majority of cars are completely fine, but.. you know. Better be safe than sorry, for me personally.
Prior: SEAT Ateca Xcellence Lux 1.5 TSI DSG MY19, VW Golf GTE PHEV DSG MY23
Current: Hyundai Ioniq 6 Ultimate
Next: we'll see what's available in 2028.Thank you for your advice, in my current car the phones are plugged in via usb, I’m not sure what they will be in the Kona the sales guy did tell me but I’ve forgotten I guess I’ll just wait and see lol. 🙂
In my mobility car my dashcam is plugged into the 12v socket, I haven’t bothered with a rear camera this time.
In my wifes car (not mobility) we just got her a new dashcam (NextBase, can’t remember which one 🤯) which allows a small camera to be plugged into the side of it facing backwards into the vehicle and out the rear window… maybe not as perfect as having one in the rear window but a lot easier to fit and should be good enough to pick up the basics… ie colour, approx speed of other vehicle, direction if they make off 🤞
To clear up any confusion for those seemingly in the unkowns over the Can Area Network!
OBD11 or EOBD port as europe like to call it, standard is defined by ISO 15031-3 “x”, which was based on the US standard SAE J1962 and sets out the standard for the OBD connector.
OBD port 16 Pin connector:
Pin 4 – Chasis ground
Pin 5 – Signal ground (Depending on the vehicle signal ground could be connected to chasis ground through a “Y” connector. Whats inportant is this pin could have a resistor or nF cap between the pin and chasis ground, so Pin 5 should not be used as a ground)!
Pin 16 – Battery Power (Type A 12v) (Type B 24v)…
5.3.9 Pin 16 (vehicle connector terminal) is designated Unswitched Vehicle Battery Positive and must be implemented in the vehicle connector. This terminal must be connected directly to the DC Positive of the vehicle’s battery. This connection does not preclude the use of a fuse or other circuit protection elements. This circuit may be grouped with other similar circuits,(i.e clock memory) and must be able to supply a minimum of 4A.
5.4 5.4 Vehicle Connector Terminal Protection — It is recommended that the vehicle manufacturer provide circuit protection in the event that the terminals of the vehicle connector are shorted together.
So unless any would like to argue the point – Pin 16 is battery positve (linked directly to the vehicles 12v battery) for the purpose of powering external equipment, primarily OBD diagnostics equipment and as since had uses from powering Gateways for EV drivers, dataloggers, tuning, powering external devices etc and emergeny vehicles carnation ECU (yes one of my many jobs). More importantly, the vehicles controllers are on CAN network, which does not intergrate with pin 16.
So except for the fact that you could drain the 12v battery, connecting a dash cam to the ODB II port should not give any problems. “However, as in my initial comment, it is recommended a switch or timed switch be used to prevent the 12v battery from draining and that a fuse is incorparated in line with the dashcam specifications.
One last wrench in the mix: i can’t speak for the Kona in particular, but i know that in both Ioniq 5 and 6 (6 being the one we currently have), the “main” USB port (the USB-A one in the front next to the charging pad that also is the data-port, not the USB-Cs) is indeed permanently powered. Though i just realised you said you’re using the 12V in the front anyway, so scratch that. As mentioned, i don’t know much about the Kona, so i don’t know if it already uses ccNC (their new operating system, basically) – if not, and you intend to use a dongle for wireless carplay/android auto (in the Ioniq 6, we need to plug our phones in the old fashioned way), you may want to see if your USB port is permanently on, too. Apart from being annoying due to the phone constantly trying to connect, it’d also drain the 12V over time.
Firstly the data port should power down after it is turned off or few minutes after you leave the car, unless the car is being charged or lights are on!
The Kona has ccNC and has 2 USB C ports on the centre console. The left one is USB C charging or Data + charging, selectable from a switch next to it. Next to it is a standard USB C port and then a 12v socket (hinged lid), which you could use a twin USB adaptor if need, bar for the daft door lid.
{Press the USB port selection button while the engine is running. Press the upper portion of the button (1) to charge an electronic device. Press the lower portion of the button (2) to charge and listen to music with a media storage device. The USB port can be used after either indicator light turns on.}
Hi Rhodgie thanks for your advice, I’ve heard of those plug in attachment ones that your wife uses, does she find it good quality?
Thank you for the pictures kezo they are very helpful 🙂
Thank you for the pictures kezo they are very helpful
My mum has the N Line S electric, so I’m pretty clued up on the car – she like it to
Some cars now come with a usb port on the rear view camera area specifically to connect a dash cam.
Yes – shame it’s not seen on all cars thee days.
Oh that’s cool, I can’t wait for mine went with the advance trim 🙂
Thank you Belfast for your advice, I know the car has passenger usb ports in the back seats and also a v2l plug socket in the back seats, would this be the usb port that can power a rear dashcam?
Hi Rhodgie thanks for your advice, I’ve heard of those plug in attachment ones that your wife uses, does she find it good quality?
@Juniper the quality on the dashcam is fine, it’ll do the job if you’re involved in anything
Oh that’s cool, I can’t wait for mine went with the advance trim
Thank you Belfast for your advice, I know the car has passenger usb ports in the back seats and also a v2l plug socket in the back seats, would this be the usb port that can power a rear dashcam?Your better using the 12v socket in the boot (closer), I’m sure there’s there one in Kona.
If the dash cam is USB powered you need a 12v cigarette socket USB adaptor.
Apologies for a silly one. In Jaguar I-Pace and I think in Skoda Enyaq as well, it is possible to remove the plastic cover under the mirror and pull a short cable (I am not sure if it is OBD though). From reading this interesting thread I am now confused if it is legal at all. Can someone advise, please?
Sent from a mobile device.
Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.Motability Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85x April 2024 (unhappy customer - Ombudsman pending)
Motability Mazda CX-60 July 2023 (unhappy customer - early termination on mechanical grounds)
Motability VW Touran Family Pack May 2019 (happy customer)Also have the Netgear with plug-in rear camera. Has worked well for the last 4 years and has decent video recording. Would suggest a high capacity memory card.
Having used it on MB Allspace and Touran using dangling lead to cig lighter socket, it is now powered through a short, unobtrusive usb3 to mini cable from the mirror housing socket mentioned above, which is part of the Kodiaq’s aptly named “simply clever” features -brilliant and absent on other VAG brands.
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