Cigarette Lighter Power for Dashcam

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regnak23

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #1

I've been having recent trouble powering my dashcam via the cigarette lighter. Usually a bit of fiddling would sort it out, twist it one way or another to get it to work. Now it's only intermittently connecting, like 1-2 seconds no matter what way I turn it. I can power it via the usb-c but that's is permanent power / plug it in and out myself but here are my questions:
What model of cigarette lighter have others found reliable in the MG4?
Is it likely the car adapter is at fault or just that my power adapter is although it worked for over a year?
Just wondering what to buy - a hardwire kit or just another cigarette adapter?
Thanks

 

ReintjeWA

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #2

Are you sure the USB-C is permanent? There may just be a bit of a delayed shut down on that port, the car takes a few minutes to shut everything down after you lock the door.

 

siteguru

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #3

ReintjeWA said:

Are you sure the USB-C is permanent? There may just be a bit of a delayed shut down on that port, the car takes a few minutes to shut everything down after you lock the door.

Click to expand...

^^^ is the correct answer (to my knowledge). The only permanently-on port in the car is the OBD port.

 

Anon70

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #4

Maybe try cleaning the contacts on the connectors in the car and on the plug in dongle. I use the 12V socket for my dashcam and it activates once when I sit on the drivers seat and seems to power on again when i press the brake pedal to engage the traction battery. Powers off when the car is empty and locked

 

Last edited: Apr 2, 2025

Bricktop X PWR

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #5

Me too.

Wire was long enough to tuck behind glove box, up along under door rubber, behind A pillar trim, under front of head lining to pop out next to where I have the camera mounted.

If you do it this way make sure the wire goes BEHIND any Airbag mounting point.

 

EvTek23

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #6

@regnak23 I use the lead (link below) as a permanent powering solution for my dashcam. It also gives me a couple of spare outlets too. In my experience it's been down to the quality of the accessory plug. These fit quite tightly, have a good spring loaded centre contact and are stable in the socket.
Pro Car Surface Mount, 16A Cigarette Lighter Socket

 

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #7

Bear in mind that the socket in the MG4 is rated to 120W = 10A at 12V ... that triple socket is rated to 16A, so be careful what you plug into it.

 

Flightengineer

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #8

I have "the similar problem". Went to the dealer. Thay "played" with the car two days. Sow it on my app. Nothting changed. After that dealer referred to the MG China. The explanation : "This is the design". No permanent electricity in lighter socket. If you want to use it, after car switch on, pull of the adapter from the socket and push it back. After that, it will work normally till end of the drive (mean car switch off). I am, personally, usind usb-c port for dash. Works fine. No need any attention.

 

Bricktop X PWR

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• Apr 2, 2025

• #9

EvTek23 said:

@regnak23 I use the lead (link below) as a permanent powering solution for my dashcam. It also gives me a couple of spare outlets too. In my experience it's been down to the quality of the accessory plug. These fit quite tightly, have a good spring loaded centre contact and are stable in the socket.
Pro Car Surface Mount, 16A Cigarette Lighter Socket

Click to expand...

Well it's not permanent is it.(If your referring to power)

You will need to find a permanent live off the fuse box for your camera to stay on 24hrs (parking mode)

If you dont/can't want to do it from there, then you "could" have a battery bank plugged into the cigarette lighter, this, dependent on size, will power your dashcam for days on end and be charged up itself when the car is in use.

 

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regnak23

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• Apr 3, 2025

• #10

Awesome - thanks all! That USB-C is perfect as it powers off after a few minutes. Works for me! I'll use a USB condom so I don't have any data connection and it saves having to select the boot mode for the dashcam.