Does anybody know what the voltage is, to the auto-dimming mirror in a 4th generation (2020 to current) Ford Escape?

Is it the "native" 12 (14.2) volts? Or is it reduced to the 5 volts, as required by many accessories that are normally powered by cigarette lighter type power plugs?

Rather than have cables all over the car, I would prefer to power a dash camera from the rear view mirror, using an adapter from Donglar Technologies, with a short (6 inch) USB-A to USB-C cable.



The camera vendor tech support people strongly suggest that the camera should not be connected to a 12 (14.2) volt source; they advise sticking with 5 volts.

Yes, I do have a good voltmeter and I know how to use it, but the mirror connector is not easily accessible to An Old Guy who is coming up on 87 and is really mobility limited, figured that with all the knowledge here on SIGforum, somebody might know the answer.

I found the electrical system pdf diagrams for that vehicle but it won't allow me to look at it.https://cardiagn.com/
good luck.

I used one of those for my Corolla GR and it worked well. I found the specific one on a GR forum.

quote:

Originally posted by alreadydead:

I used one of those for my Corolla GR and it worked well. I found the specific one on a GR forum.

Thanks, but that doesn't answer my question: Is the voltage supplied to the mirror on a 4th generation Ford Escape 12 (14.2) volts? Or is it stepped down to 5 volts?

quote:

Originally posted by ltz400:

I found the electrical system pdf diagrams for that vehicle but it won't allow me to look at it. https://cardiagn.com/ good luck.

Thanks for the link. I got all excited for a minute, thinking "Yeah, there's the answer!" Then I opened the website, tried to look at a wiring diagram from a "FREE" manual, and got "Access Denied," probably same as you got. We tried. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by ltz400:

I found the electrical system pdf diagrams for that vehicle but it won't allow me to look at it. https://cardiagn.com/ good luck.

Thanks for the link. I got all excited for a minute, thinking "Yeah, there's the answer!" Then I opened the website, tried to look at a wiring diagram from a "FREE" manual, and got "Access Denied," probably same as you got. We tried. LOL

I got the access denied message as well. Turned off my adblockers and reloaded the page.
All was visible.
More to the point, the connector you seem to be looking for i C911 for the interior rearview mirror.
I did not find voltage readings for it, and the manual kind of leads you to use a scanner.

I can't answer your voltage inquiry on the Escape, but I have used that companies adapter cable from my mirror to my Garmin dash camera on my 2020 F150 successfully for 3 plus years.

Call your local ford dealer.
Ask service department.

.

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:

Call your local ford dealer. Ask service department.

I had the vehicle in for service. I asked them. My answer from one guy was a blank stare. Another one started with "I think . . ."

Based on history here, I figured that SIGforum would likely come up with a correct answer, than the local dealer.

I'd ask the Donglar Tech people if the unit reduces voltage to the USB connector for the 5V you want.

So I did that, went on Donglars web page engaged Tech on the Chat and voila you are good to go, the connector reduces the volage for you, plug it in and rock n roll

Chances are its 12v.

If that is a picture of the actual product from Donglar, then you can see the step down electronics on the left there. If it was 5v natively, there would be no need for those lumpy electronics.

Also, 5v is a USB standard, and cars don't run a separate 5v circuit to supply power to usb ports. They run 12v all over and just step down to 5v at the point where its needed (e.g., inside of the usb plug).

If you wanted to be sure, you could pull the fuse that powers the mirror, and then check voltage there.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:
Thanks, HRK. Looks like it will be 12 (14.2 from alternator) volts.

Camera tech support recommends 5 volts, as supplied by the cigarette lighter thingy that they supplied, so I'll stick with that, as my concern is possible damage to the camera, running it directly on the vehicle power bus without the step-down to 5 volts, and possibly voiding the camera warranty.

I'll just deal with the cable from the camera on the upper part of the windshield, down to the power outlet in the console below the dashboard.

Check my Post, I updated it, Per Donglar the connecter converts it to 5V, using it your camera will be properly powered...

quote:

Originally posted by HRK:
Check my Post, I updated it, Per Donglar the connecter converts it to 5V, using it your camera will be properly powered...

D'oh! Why didn't I think of this? While you were posting (I had not seen your update yet), I contacted Donglar support via the "chat" window on their website, and asked the question.

quote:

DL
Dongar Live Support
5:50 PM. Dongar Live Support says:
Hi L.,

Thanks for your interest. It does step down the vehicle 12 volts to 5 volts, at a maximum of 2.4 A.

So, looks like it's good to go. I'll order one and if I have difficulty (due to mobility limitations) working behind the mirror to get it plugged in, I'll get some help with it.

just to point out.... removing the fuse to the mirror and checking the voltage there .... seems like good advise until you look at where Ford has decided to put the fuze panel. At least on our Ford Flex it will take some young 20 year old with a very flexible back to even get to the panel.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by ltz400:

I found the electrical system pdf diagrams for that vehicle but it won't allow me to look at it. https://cardiagn.com/ good luck.

Thanks for the link. I got all excited for a minute, thinking "Yeah, there's the answer!" Then I opened the website, tried to look at a wiring diagram from a "FREE" manual, and got "Access Denied," probably same as you got. We tried. LOL

Site worked for me, though I had to use one of my unconfigured browsers because the website appears to have been programmed by dweebs. I took several screen shots, below, and if my tracing is correct (bottom to top, tracing green line) it seems that they put 12 volts to it.

The good news is that from the posts above, it appears your adapter was designed to take 12V in and deliver 5V - if so, you're good to go.

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:

The good news is that from the posts above, it appears your adapter was designed to take 12V in and deliver 5V - if so, you're good to go.

I find it mind boggling that this important information is not prominently displayed on the Dongar website.

quote:

Originally posted by V-Tail:

quote:

Originally posted by joel9507:

The good news is that from the posts above, it appears your adapter was designed to take 12V in and deliver 5V - if so, you're good to go.

I find it mind boggling that this important information is not prominently displayed on the Dongar website.

Well in the past year, only two guys asked so......

Given the USB port, I'd say 5v. Is that what you've all arrived at?