OBDII Questions

[Heyspike]

Hello all,
I'm thinking about getting the Thinkware front and rear camera that Ford sells on Amazon for a bit less $$$. I see these can be installed in the OBD plug. I'm an old school guy who's installed a fair share of radios, 8-tracks, cassette players, radar detectors over the decades, is the OBD thing a new concept? Is it worth doing instead of hard wiring the stuff in? I just thought, it can't be that easy! SMH.
Thanks,
John

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[GPSMan]

It's a power supply.
An easy "cheat" to get power.
But why not use "cigarette" plug?
I guess because then you can't use the cigarette plug for other options.

Same here. You won't be able to use the data plug for more important things, like data. Like this:

 

[Johnkn]

Same here. You won't be able to use the data plug for more important things, like data. Like this:

No. OBD2 splitters are readily available and cheap...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=obd2+spl...refix=OBD2+s,aps,87&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_6

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[Johnkn]

Hello all,
I'm thinking about getting the Thinkware front and rear camera that Ford sells on Amazon for a bit less $$$. I see these can be installed in the OBD plug. I'm an old school guy who's installed a fair share of radios, 8-tracks, cassette players, radar detectors over the decades, is the OBD thing a new concept? Is it worth doing instead of hard wiring the stuff in? I just thought, it can't be that easy! SMH.
Thanks,
John

OBD2 has been the required automotive interface for almost 30 years, virtually every passenger vehicle build in that time has them.


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[Heyspike]

OBD2 has been the required automotive interface for almost 30 years, virtually every passenger vehicle build in that time has them.


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I know, I've used them to diagnose problems, but didn't realize you can plug stuff into them.

 

[Heyspike]

No. OBD2 splitters are readily available and cheap...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=obd2+splitter&crid=3W3LAVQIM8AE6&sprefix=OBD2+s,aps,87&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_6

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Does it matter which splitter you get?

 

[Cullione]

It's a power supply.
An easy "cheat" to get power.
But why not use "cigarette" plug?
I guess because then you can't use the cigarette plug for other options.

Same here. You won't be able to use the data plug for more important things, like data. Like this:

Is that the Scan Gauge III? If so, how do you like it?

 

[SLJ]

I'm already using my OBD2 port for my Scangauge for towing. Don't want any splitters or pass throughs. Running a fused 12 volt line up to the mirror from the under dash fuse box with full time and accessory 12 volts is easy. Going to use the run for a camera and a self dimming mirror also. There's even an empty 10 amp fuse location for "mirror" in the passenger compartment fuse box.

 

[GPSMan]

No. OBD2 splitters are readily available and cheap...

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=obd2+splitter&crid=3W3LAVQIM8AE6&sprefix=OBD2+s,aps,87&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_4_6

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Guess you missed the point.

Point being split the cigarette lighter port if you must. Cheap, Easy, Safe. It won't have potential to confuse your truck's data. Pretty sure only the power pins would be used, but still riskier, even if just a little bit.

 

[GPSMan]

Is that the Scan Gauge III? If so, how do you like it?

Love it.
I have it on a quick disconnect so I can take it indoors or hide it not to tempt thieves. Though when off looks just like a GPS nav unit. No one probably wants those any more. So maybe not as tempting after all.

 

[Johnkn]

Guess you missed the point.

I missed nothing.


You stated above: "You won't be able to use the data plug for more important things, like data. Like this"

Which is not true using an OBD2 splitter,...,


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[GPSMan]

Does it matter which splitter you get?

OBDII sends a lot of data at pretty high speeds. I'd expect errors with your data and perhaps, errors with your truck using cheap cables or splitters. Also, splitting 2 ways means you can draw 2 times the power. Not sure the milliamp rating of the port, but it's not large.

This is like the nervous system of your truck and you'd be tapping and splitting the spinal cord with a $10 item? Not something I would do.

 

[RichardCranium]

Also, isn’t the power at the OBD2 port always on? It is on all my OBD2 cars. Unless you were planning on the camera being powered at all time, wouldn’t running a switched power be a better choice? I don’t have a dash cam, so I don’t know what kind of power you would want. Personally, I don’t like running anything from the OBD2 port except OBD2 tools.

 

[GPSMan]

Also, isn’t the power at the OBD2 port always on? It is on all my OBD2 cars. Unless you were planning on the camera being powered at all time, wouldn’t running a switched power be a better choice? I don’t have a dash cam, so I don’t know what kind of power you would want. Personally, I don’t like running anything from the OBD2 port except OBD2 tools.

It is on every time I attach something to it, yes. So it has the ability to always be on.

My OBDII scan gauge does go to sleep about 20-30 seconds after I turn off the key. Not sure if it is literally the scan gauge going to sleep only; or if the whole port goes to sleep. But it can "wake up" with or without a key present.

Also, some cars have been STOLEN without a key, smart key, whatever, by using a smart tool attached to OBDII.

Evidence it is always "live".

 

[colinl]

Also, isn’t the power at the OBD2 port always on? It is on all my OBD2 cars. Unless you were planning on the camera being powered at all time, wouldn’t running a switched power be a better choice? I don’t have a dash cam, so I don’t know what kind of power you would want. Personally, I don’t like running anything from the OBD2 port except OBD2 tools.

it is always on, which is why if you're going to use something connected to it, I would use the Garmin dashcam plug. it has settings for 15 min, 12 hours or infinite. I have the one in my son's suv set to 12 hours for parking mode.

if the Thinkware OBD2 plug doesn't have that, don't use it unless you want to risk deep sleep and then actually killing your 12V battery. (because Deep Sleep cannot turn off the OBD2 accessory power.)

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