Is there long term battery degradation if I leave devices in cigarette lighter?

[ExPriusOwner]

I have installed a dashcam using the front dash cigarette outlet. I keep getting reminded by my family to removed it or else the battery will drain especially during winter. It's seem that the camera stay up to an hour recording after I turn off the ignition.

Sponsored

 

[Montana]

Essentially yes, but it should shut off once it reaches too low of a voltage level. That said it was something I tested in my Maverick and sometimes would have power for an hour and other times less than 5 minutes... I ran my dashcam for about 2 weeks that way and found it to be very unreliable in terms of parking mode.

For your dashcam, you should definitely hard wire with a separate voltage cut-off and if you need the parking mode battery life, invest in a battery pack from BlackBoxMyCar.com. My Escape Hybrid would constantly cut off mid video even while driving because of the voltage switch from EV to ICE. Not sure if that's an issue on the Maverick Hybrids but apparently it's a thing for Hybrids in general. It didn't seem to matter what fuse spot I used either. That said, in the EB I've had no issues at all.

 

[Bill K]

Cigarette outlet? Wow, that brings back memories.

 

[Samcat13]

Yes it does Bill. Never new my car smelled so bad until I quit.

Sponsored