USB/micro usb charge only cable

October 30, 2017, 12:36 PM

M-11

It's my understanding that using a 'regular' charging cable (looking for a 3m length)on a dash cam will confuse it into thinking there's data transfer on the way, and mess things up. True or not? IF true, then does anyone know of a source for a charging only cable that has micro B on the camera end and Male connector to plug into the power source on the other? Appreciate any guidance.

October 30, 2017, 12:40 PM

gpbst3

I had issues with my Tundra trying to use a cable and plugging it into the trucks usb slot. It worked fine when I plugged the cable into a usb cigarette lighter. So there may be some truth to this.

October 30, 2017, 12:45 PM

Mech

So, there's really no "charging only" cable and "charging + data transfer" cable. The main difference depends on what USB port you plug it into.

For example: the same micro-USB cable can be plugged into the dashcam on one end, and the other end plugged into a USB port on my monitor; this would make the dashcam behave as an external storage device for the computer and yes, prevents it from functioning properly. Or, you can plug the same USB cable into an USB port on your...iPhone charger. This would make the dashcam think it is only getting power and behave like a dashcam.

Therefore what gpbst3 said is correct: depends on what the USB port in your car is doing. If said USB port is for attaching an auxiliary audio device then the car's computer will attempt to recognize the dashcam as an external drive and may interfere with the dashcam's functions. Plugging the dashcam into a cigarette lighter USB port would eliminate that issue, as would hardwiring the dashcam into your car's fuse box.

October 30, 2017, 12:52 PM

Rightwire

I have USB cables that are charge only. The micro end will have a USB symbol, or a charging battery symbol. The Battery symbol is charging only.

October 30, 2017, 12:52 PM

spike86

Actually there are such things as charging only USB cables, they only have the power and ground wires in them. But that is beside the poing, if you just buy a USB cigarette lighter adapter and plug in you camera using the regular USB cable, it won't be getting any signals on the data wires so it shouldn't get confused.

quote:
Originally posted by Mech:
So, there's really no "charging only" cable and "charging + data transfer" cable. The main difference depends on what USB port you plug it into.

For example: the same micro-USB cable can be plugged into the dashcam on one end, and the other end plugged into a USB port on my monitor; this would make the dashcam behave as an external storage device for the computer and yes, prevents it from functioning properly. Or, you can plug the same USB cable into an USB port on your...iPhone charger. This would make the dashcam think it is only getting power and behave like a dashcam.

Therefore what gpbst3 said is correct: depends on what the USB port in your car is doing. If said USB port is for attaching an auxiliary audio device then the car's computer will attempt to recognize the dashcam as an external drive and may interfere with the dashcam's functions. Plugging the dashcam into a cigarette lighter USB port would eliminate that issue, as would hardwiring the dashcam into your car's fuse box.