There was a time when I was constantly frustrated by messy cables cluttering my car’s dashboard, all thanks to my dash cam plugged into the cigarette lighter socket. I needed a cleaner solution, something that would power my dash cam discreetly and reliably. Leaving the cable dangling was not only unsightly but also felt unsafe and unprofessional. Solving this problem wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about ensuring continuous power for crucial recording without occupying a vital power outlet needed for other devices.
Key Factors Before Purchasing a Dash Cam Power Kit
When considering a dash cam hardwire kit, you’re typically looking to address the inconvenience and limitations of using the standard cigarette lighter adapter. This type of product solves the issue of visible wires and frees up your car’s power outlet. An ideal customer for a dash cam hardwire kit is someone who wants a permanent, clean installation, enabling features like parking mode for 24/7 surveillance without draining the car’s battery. If you’re only concerned with powering your dash cam while the ignition is on and don’t mind a dangling wire or using the cigarette lighter socket, a hardwire kit might be overkill, and the standard adapter is sufficient. Before buying, consider your dash cam’s power connector type (like Type-C), your car’s fuse box location and fuse type compatibility, the required cable length for routing, and importantly, the hardwire kit’s battery drain protection features and voltage cut-off points.
Introducing the ssontong Type-C Hardwire Kit
The ssontong Upgraded Dash Cam Hardwire Kit is designed to provide a constant 5V power supply to your devices directly from your car’s fuse box, bypassing the cigarette lighter. It promises a clean installation and the ability to power your dash cam for 24 hours, offering low voltage protection to prevent battery drain. This particular kit is tailored for devices using a Type-C USB port. Compared to just using the standard cable, this kit offers a permanent, hidden power source. It includes the main 13ft power cord, various fuse adapters (Low-Profile Mini, Mini, ATO/Regular, and Micro2), cable clips, a plastic crowbar tool for trim removal, and a shielding magnetic ring. It’s specifically for users needing a Type-C connection and wanting the benefits of hardwiring, particularly 24/7 monitoring capabilities.
Pros:
* Wide compatibility with most cars via multiple included fuse adapter types.
* Provides a clean, permanent installation, freeing up the cigarette lighter.
* Enables 24/7 parking mode surveillance for dash cams.
* Includes useful installation tools like clips and a crowbar.
* Features a long 13ft cable for flexible routing.
* Includes a magnetic ring to help reduce RF interference.
Cons:
* Conflicting wire labeling between instructions and the physical product requires verification.
* The included low-profile mini fuse taps may not fit securely in all fuse boxes, potentially coming loose.
* The low voltage protection cut-off point may be too low according to some users, risking excessive battery drain.
Diving Deeper: What Makes This Kit Work (or Not?)
Having used the ssontong Type-C Hardwire Kit for a considerable period, I can share insights into its performance across its various features.
First and foremost is the **Type-C Compatibility and Broad Device Support**. This kit is explicitly designed for devices that use a Type-C USB port for power, which is increasingly common among modern dash cams, GPS units, and other automotive gadgets. The input voltage range of 12V-24V makes it suitable for both standard cars and larger trucks. The output is a stable 5V at 3A, which is sufficient for most dash cams, even those with higher power requirements or multiple cameras, while also being compatible with devices needing less current (like 1A). The real strength here is the inclusion of various fuse adapter types – Low-Profile Mini, Mini, ATO (Regular), and Micro2. This is a significant benefit as vehicle fuse types vary widely, and having these adapters in the box means you’re much more likely to have the correct one for your car’s fuse box without needing extra purchases. This flexibility is crucial for ensuring a proper, secure connection into the fuse panel. It simplifies the initial step of finding a suitable power source within your car’s electrical system.
Next is the touted **Low Voltage Protection Function**. The idea behind this feature is vital for any hardwire kit that offers constant power. It’s meant to monitor your car’s battery voltage and automatically cut power to the connected device when the voltage drops below a specific threshold. This is supposed to prevent your dash cam (or other device) from completely draining your car battery, leaving enough power to start the engine. The product description states cut-off points of 11.4V for a 12V system and 23.2V for a 24V system. The inclusion of an Anti-Interfere Magnetic Ring is also part of the package, aiming to reduce electrical noise that might interfere with other vehicle systems, like your car radio, a common issue with some dash cam installations. However, based on my experience and echoed by others, the actual implementation of this low voltage protection appears problematic. While the *concept* is sound and essential, the effective cut-off point, as observed in practice, seems lower than ideal, potentially ranging between 11.6V and 12V according to markings on the unit itself reported by users. This lower threshold is a significant concern because allowing a car battery to discharge to 11.6V or 12V can represent a substantial drain (potentially 25% to 50% or more of the battery’s capacity, depending on the battery type and health), increasing the risk of not being able to start your car, especially in colder weather or with an older battery. This contradicts the primary purpose of the low voltage protection feature and is a definite drawback that potential buyers need to be aware of.
The capability for **24 Hour Surveillance** is a major draw for hardwiring a dash cam. By connecting the ssontong hardwire kit to a constant power fuse in your car’s fuse box, the dash cam can remain powered even when the ignition is off. This enables parking mode features found in many dash cams, allowing them to record events like impacts or motion detection while the vehicle is parked and unattended. This provides an extra layer of security against vandalism, hit-and-runs in parking lots, or even attempted theft. The kit facilitates this constant power supply, providing peace of mind knowing your vehicle is being monitored around the clock. The included variety of add-a-circuit fuse holders is essential here, allowing you to tap into an existing fuse slot safely without cutting or splicing wires, distributing power to the kit while keeping the original fuse protected.
**Ease of Installation and Achieving a Clean Look** are significant benefits of using a dash cam hardwire kit like this one. The goal is to eliminate the need for the visible cable running from the dash cam to the cigarette lighter socket. The 13ft cable length provided is generous, offering plenty of slack to route the cable neatly along the headliner, down the A-pillar, and behind the dashboard to the fuse box. The kit includes cable clips to secure the wiring and a plastic crowbar tool designed to help gently pry open interior trim pieces and tuck the cable out of sight. This allows for a professional-looking installation where the cable is almost entirely hidden. While the process requires identifying suitable fuse slots and a grounding point (typically a bolt attached to the car’s metal chassis), the included accessories and general design make it relatively straightforward, even for someone with limited automotive electrical experience. However, one minor point, mentioned by another user and something I also encountered, is the ferrite core near the Type-C connector end. While useful for interference suppression, its bulk can make it slightly challenging to tuck completely out of sight near the dash cam or under tight headliner sections during routing. Despite this small hurdle, the ability to replace a messy, visible cable with a hidden, permanent solution is a major advantage.
Regarding included tools, the kit comes with **Useful Accessories for Installation**. Beyond the fuse adapters and magnetic ring, you get cable clips and a plastic crowbar. The clips help secure the long cable run, preventing it from dangling. The crowbar is simple but effective for carefully prying back plastic trim panels to route the wire underneath, minimizing the risk of scratching or damaging the interior. A grounding terminal connector with a reasonably sized hole is also provided for attaching the ground wire to a chassis bolt. These small additions contribute to a smoother installation process, demonstrating that the manufacturer considered the user’s needs during setup. However, it’s worth noting the criticism about the quality or fit of the low-profile mini fuse taps specifically; some users have found these to be loose, potentially popping out and causing power loss, which is a significant functional flaw if you rely on that particular fuse type.
Finally, the inclusion of the **Shielding Magnetic Ring** addresses a potential side effect of dash cam installations. Sometimes, the power delivery or the dash cam itself can generate electromagnetic interference (EMI) that affects your car’s radio reception or other electronic systems. The magnetic ring (also known as a ferrite bead or core) clips onto the cable to suppress this noise, helping to maintain clear radio signals and preventing interference with other car electronics. While not every installation will experience this issue, providing the ring offers a potential solution if interference becomes a problem after installing the hardwire kit.
In summary, the ssontong hardwire kit offers key features like Type-C compatibility, wide fuse type support, and the enabling of 24/7 recording via a clean install. However, the reported issues with the low voltage cut-off point and the potential looseness of certain fuse adapters are significant concerns that temper its overall performance and reliability, particularly for the critical battery protection function.
What Others Are Saying: Real-World Feedback
Having explored the experiences of other users online, it’s clear that while many appreciate the concept and the clean installation offered by the Type-C Hardwire Kit, there are recurring points of frustration. Several users have reported issues with the wire labels in the instructions not matching the actual product wires, leading to confusion during installation. A significant number of reviews highlight concerns about the low voltage protection setting being too low, resulting in their car batteries being drained more than expected or desired. Furthermore, some users specifically found the low-profile mini fuse adapters to be ill-fitting and prone to easily coming loose, which undermines the reliability of the power connection. Despite these notable drawbacks, others have found the installation straightforward and are satisfied with the resulting tidy setup and the ability to power their devices constantly.
Final Thoughts: Is This Hardwire Kit Right for You?
Tired of dashboard cable clutter and needing reliable, always-on power for your dash cam? The inconvenience of using the cigarette lighter socket and the lack of parking mode power are real problems this kind of kit aims to solve, preventing potential incidents from going unrecorded. The ssontong Upgraded Dash Cam Hardwire Kit offers a compelling solution with its Type-C compatibility, included installation accessories, and the promise of 24/7 surveillance capability. It provides a clean, hidden power source. However, be mindful of the potential issues with wire labeling, the reported low battery voltage cut-off threshold, and the fit of certain fuse adapters, which might require careful installation and testing. If you’re comfortable potentially troubleshooting these points for the benefit of a clean install and constant power, this kit could be a good fit. Click here to check it out if you think it meets your needs.