My new truck does not have a cigarette lighter in the normal location on the center console. I have 2 USB ports and 2 USB C ports.

My dash cam manual say its runs on 5V. When I plug in to the USB the camera repeatedly powers on and off. If I plug it in the cigarette lighter it runs fine.

Does the USB not supply enough power? Would the USB c supply more power?

USB-A, generally not much. Maybe 350mA. USB-C will provide a lot more, perhaps 2A. Read your manual to be sure.

A of the USB ports in cars are not intended to provide power for a device, only to provide access to storage. I would consider an add a fuse to completely bypass the USB.

Under the USB 2.0 spec, a normal USB port on a computer is supposed to supply 5V at up to either 100mA or 500mA. A USB 2.0 charging port can supply 5V at up to 2A (or any smaller maximum current limit).

USB-C is a connector and cable specification. It USUALLY is associated with the USB 3.1 protocol specification, but USB-C ports and cables can be made that only support the USB 2.0 specification. A USB-C charging port using the USB 2.0 spec could supply 5V at up to 2A (or any smaller maximum current limit).

Note that a charging port can have a maximum current supply of ANY value less than 2A. They aren't all 2A.

Under USB 3.1 with USB-PD (Power Delivery), a USB port by default offers 5V at a maximum of 2A, but if the device being charged is smart enough to ask for it, and the cable supports it, the port can supply 5V, 9V, or 15V at up to 3A and 20V at up to 5A.

USB 1.0 and 2.0 is capable up to 500mA. USB 3.0 up to 900mA. USB 3.1 (C) supports power draw of 1.5A and 3A over the 5V bus.

Your cigarette lighter slot is supplying 12V and typically the fuse is 10-20A.

See what the dash cam requires in Amps.

I’ll add...

The maker of my cam sells a “hardwire” kit so that is what i did. All wires hidden too. It included a low voltage cutoff so the camera wont run down the car battery too low to start while it records in parking mode.

quote:

Originally posted by 2012BOSS302:
USB 1.0 and 2.0 is capable up to 500mA. USB 3.0 up to 900mA. USB 3.1 (C) supports power draw of 1.5A and 3A over the 5V bus.

This is true of USB data ports. Charging ports don't necessarily adhere to these specs - witness the profusion of USB 2.0 phone chargers that supply 2A. Some of them even use third party protocols like Qualcomm QuickCharge, which increase both voltage and current supply beyond 5V, 2A.

It varies I've found. Our Flex can barely charge my Galaxy S9+
My F150 & C300 have no problem.

IIRC, the F150 was close to 2A

I dont think the USB is capable of powering the dash cam. Im going to look into the add-a-fuse. It looks like something I can handle.

Thanks for all the help

Powers of and on now and then? Or constantly?

Mine is hard wired in and it powers off now and then on it's own. I think mostly because it's crap.

quote:

Originally posted by cas:
Powers of and on now and then? Or constantly?

Mine is hard wired in and it powers off now and then on it's own. I think mostly because it's crap.

Constantly.