How do I power a dash cam when I don't have a 12v power port

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bc320

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I have a 2026 Chevy Equinox LT. It does not have a 12v power port in the front of the vehicle. There is one in the rear that is always on. I would rather not use this port and an extension because 1) it is always on and I will forget to turn it off thus killing my battery and 2) I know I will eventually break whatever is sticking out of it.
There is a USB-C and USB-A port in the center counsel area but I am unsure exactly what they have for power output. The manual doesn't state what it is. Google AI says 5v/3amp 15w but I don't trust google ai to be accurate.
I don't know if it has an auto dimming mirror, but I think not given it has a tab on the back to tilt it. Again the manual doesn't specify what the mirror actually is.

I have some off brand dashcam but I am looking at maybe buying a new one. My current one keeps telling me it doesn't have an sd card in it when it does. No matter which sd card I try. I don't want to spend more than about $50 an a dash cam.


How can I power a camera in this situation?
 
If you already have a USB-C port in your dash, this is a good candidate power source, provided that it turns off with the ignition. This is easy to verify using your phone charging cable. USB-C will provide up to 15w (5v x 3A = 15w, google is correct), so just about any USB-C cable should be capable of providing enough power to your camera to make it work.

If your rear view mirror has a tab to flip it up and down, then there is likely not a power source that you'll be able to tap.

As for cameras and memory cards, there are two important considerations for making the SD card work: 1) it needs to be formatted in the format that the camera is expecting, and 2) it needs to be the correct size. The manual for your camera will provide both of these details. If the SD card is formatted incorrectly (FAT, FAT32, ExFAT, etc) or is too large, the camera won't recognize it. Also realize that not all SD cards are compatible with dashcams. SD cards that work well with dashcams need to be able to sustain CONSTANT writing at high speed and high temps. Not all SD cards are made with this level of robustness. Basic rule of thumb: if one card is lower priced than all of the others, it likely won't work well (or for long).
 
EricSan said:
If you already have a USB-C port in your dash, this is a good candidate power source, provided that it turns off with the ignition. This is easy to verify using your phone charging cable. USB-C will provide up to 15w (5v x 3A = 15w, google is correct), so just about any USB-C cable should be capable of providing enough power to your camera to make it work.

If your rear view mirror has a tab to flip it up and down, then there is likely not a power source that you'll be able to tap.

As for cameras and memory cards, there are two important considerations for making the SD card work: 1) it needs to be formatted in the format that the camera is expecting, and 2) it needs to be the correct size. The manual for your camera will provide both of these details. If the SD card is formatted incorrectly (FAT, FAT32, ExFAT, etc) or is too large, the camera won't recognize it. Also realize that not all SD cards are compatible with dashcams. SD cards that work well with dashcams need to be able to sustain CONSTANT writing at high speed and high temps. Not all SD cards are made with this level of robustness. Basic rule of thumb: if one card is lower priced than all of the others, it likely won't work well (or for long).
Click to expand...
I will have to look and see what the camera manual recommends.

Can I use a splitter woth the USB port so that I charge other things at same time?
 
Potentially, but it depends on what else you plan to charge at the same time. The key is that your USB-C port is likely only to be able to provide 3A/15w. A typical dashcam will consume 5-8w of power, leaving you with only 5-7w of "spare" power to use elsewhere. If you draw more than this, either you'll blow a fuse, or burn the voltage regulator that supplies power to the UBS port. Do be careful not to exceed the 3A/15w power rating.
 
EricSan said:
If you already have a USB-C port in your dash, this is a good candidate power source, provided that it turns off with the ignition. This is easy to verify using your phone charging cable. USB-C will provide up to 15w (5v x 3A = 15w, google is correct), so just about any USB-C cable should be capable of providing enough power to your camera to make it work.
Click to expand...
Many dashcams with a USB-C socket do not like being powered from a generic USB-C port.
 
bc320 said:
I have a 2026 Chevy Equinox LT. It does not have a 12v power port in the front of the vehicle.
Click to expand...
I think we will start seeing more posts like this as car companies stop providing 12V sockets.

Dashcam companies need to step up and find solutions for users with new cars, even if that's just a 3m long USB-C to USB-C cable in the box that works with a 'normal' USB-C port.
 
TonyM said:
Many dashcams with a USB-C socket do not like being powered from a generic USB-C port.
Click to expand...
I have been reading this sort of statement in various locations and have read some complaints like this about Chevy in general. These are what lead me here to ask the question. I would rather not learn at some future point the camera wasn't recording because the car is a piece of **** and couldn't power the dash cam properly.
 
TonyM said:
I think we will start seeing more posts like this as car companies stop providing 12V sockets.

Dashcam companies need to step up and find solutions for users with new cars, even if that's just a 3m long USB-C to USB-C cable in the box that works with a 'normal' USB-C port.
Click to expand...
"I think we will start seeing more posts like this as car companies stop providing 12V sockets."
This is one of the stupidest things foisted on people by car companies.
 
A friend of mine has a 2025 Equinox. She is able to charge her cell phone with the front usb-c and the rear usb-c ports. You should have no problems charging the dashcam if it will accept a 5v USB input and will operate on 5 volts.
 
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bc320 said:
"I think we will start seeing more posts like this as car companies stop providing 12V sockets."
This is one of the stupidest things foisted on people by car companies.
Click to expand...

We will likely see no 12v CLA on sedan type cars, I would say, at least in the cabin area. Might start finding them in the boot. SUV's due to how they can be used will likely have one or more 12 volt CLA available.

The CLA is bulky, but a standard design; it would be nice if manufacturers could agree on a small 12-volt adapter shape to put in the dashboard/cabin area.
 
UPDATE:
I was looking for more information about my dash cam and ran across this gem of a line (emphasis mine).
"...avoid using car USB ports for power"
 
I agree with @TonyM - all USB ports are NOT created equally and it seems that we are leaving the era of new cars coming with 12v utility ports. Many USB ports seem to provide a minimally useful voltage level (a nominal 5v that is actually less than 5.00v to begin with) or once you put a current load on it, it sinks to well below 5.00v. These are both problems for dashcams.

The disappearance of 12v utility ports is another challenge. As more cars become hybrid and battery powered, this will become a larger problem.
 
TonyM said:
Many dashcams with a USB-C socket do not like being powered from a generic USB-C port.
Click to expand...
Yes, it is something to do with newer higher power standards like USB-PD not dropping down to the traditional standard.
 
It is true build in USB ports have caused grief for many a new dashcam owner in the past 5 - 10 years.
One thing is for sure, you can always try it, but if you have any kind of irregular behavior know that it is probably due to power starvation.
IF ! you are tapping into such a port, i will also advise that you use a quality USB cable and not a cheap CCA one ( Cobber Clad Aluminum )

I have a few devises that will not charge on a PD charger or PD power pack, so my power bank on it only the one USB A outlet on it will work, the two USB C ports are PD and so will not work for some things.
This confuse me a bit, but i have probably misunderstood the PD specs.
 
lufa6977 said:
Tony ... what is a 'generic' USB port? Are you referencing non-PD USB?
Click to expand...
I was meaning any kind of non-proprietary power source. I can plug almost any USB-C cable into my phone and it will charge, whether the other end is connected to a phone charger, a wall charger, my car usb port, a power station or powerbank, my laptop, even my reclining sofa!

Dashcams however can be picky about the type of socket and/or cable. I don't know the details about why this is, but I have experienced it multiple times trying to test a dashcam indoors with a 'generic' USB-C power supply. Testing a Vantrue dashcam requires me to rig up a 12V CLA socket then use the supplied adapter, or I build a hardwire setup with a desktop power supply.
 
First of all, it should be noted that Viofo dashcams (and probably most other brands of dashcams) do not use a true USB-C port/controller.
They only use a USB-C connector.
A USB-C connector without a controller is a "dumb" connector (like a barrel connector for example), it cannot negotiate with other true USB-C ports and request a 5V voltage.

On the other hand, not all, but most USB-C (PD) ports do not output 5V by default (some do), they are in standby mode, waiting for the connected device to request the necessary voltage (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V or 28V).

So, here's the solution for dashcams:
Use an adapter that will request a 5V output voltage from the USB-C (PD) port, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0D3T2QDVJ

I tested it, and it outputs 5.15V, and there is no voltage drop when powering the Viofo A229 Plus 2ch dashcam.
The USB-A to USB-C cable from Viofo that came with the A229 Plus works perfectly with it.
I think most USB-A to USB-C cables will also work.

If you want to use the USB-C to USB-C cable that came with the dashcam, you can try using a second adapter along with the first one, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B07VCZV3R4

I think this will work, but I haven't tested it.
 
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I charge my phone mainly in the car, the power source is the 2 A USB A outlet on one of those 3 way 12 V socket splitters in my glove box.
And as it is 10 years old if not more i am sure it is very basic USB power, still charge my new Sammy 25 phone just fine.

AND ! i am in the mist of changing to something faster as i am modding the dock in the car from a suction cup mounting to dual sided tape mounting ( mounting off driver side door fixed glass )
I am so sick and tired of it letting go so often, not least now in winter, also i want to use my new 3 port ( A - C - C ) 140 W USB charger in the car even if the Sammy phone only devour 25 W at its max charge rate.

Reminding me, i need to go buy a USB cable tomorrow for this.
 
GPak said:
First of all, it should be noted that Viofo dashcams (and probably most other brands of dashcams) do not use a true USB-C port/controller.
They only use a USB-C connector.
A USB-C connector without a controller is a "dumb" connector (like a barrel connector for example), it cannot negotiate with other true USB-C ports and request a 5V voltage.

On the other hand, not all, but most USB-C (PD) ports do not output 5V by default (some do), they are in standby mode, waiting for the connected device to request the necessary voltage (5V, 9V, 12V, 15V, 20V or 28V).

So, here's the solution for dashcams:
Use an adapter that will request a 5V output voltage from the USB-C (PD) port, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B0D3T2QDVJ

I tested it, and it outputs 5.15V, and there is no voltage drop when powering the Viofo A229 Plus 2ch dashcam.
The USB-A to USB-C cable from Viofo that came with the A229 Plus works perfectly with it.
I think most USB-A to USB-C cables will also work.

If you want to use the USB-C to USB-C cable that came with the dashcam, you can try using a second adapter along with the first one, something like this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/B07VCZV3R4

I think this will work, but I haven't tested it.
Click to expand...

That is exactly where I was going with my previous question to Tony about his generic USB statement. Not picking on Tony, but I did not want to get into some long explanation about USB. 🙂


USB ports on the 2026 Equinox LT

Rear USB ports

2 type-C, located on back of center console, charge-only1

Front USB ports

2, one type A and one type-C, data/charge, located in the front area of the center console1
Click to expand...

Oddly enough, you have to buy the Equinox EV LT models to get a 12 volt adapter in the front. The non-EV models do not have one except at the rear.
 
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