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Installing USB power for a trail camera?

Jbdell100

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Has anyone ever tied into the power leading to the vanity mirror sun visor to add a USB for a trail camera? Or are there some other power wires that I can tap into easily to run a USB connector near my rear view mirror for a small camera?
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etoften

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You can use a garmin power harness if you don't have a tazer permanently installed. That's how I am powering my dash cam.
 

Terrymo

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Has anyone ever tied into the power leading to the vanity mirror sun visor to add a USB for a trail camera? Or are there some other power wires that I can tap into easily to run a USB connector near my rear view mirror for a small camera?
@wibornz i think. Check his Wolfbox camera install thread somewhere toward the end
 

Ratbert

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You can use a garmin power harness if you don't have a tazer permanently installed. That's how I am powering my dash cam.
I'm trying to understand how a Tazer would impact a power harness.
 

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etoften

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I'm trying to understand how a Tazer would impact a power harness.
The garmin power harness plugs into the obd2 port. Isn't that where the tazer goes? Excuse my ignorance if i am wrong. I obviously don't use a tazer.
 

Ratbert

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The garmin power harness plugs into the obd2 port. Isn't that where the tazer goes? Excuse my ignorance if i am wrong. I obviously don't use a tazer.
No, the Tazer doesn't plug into the OBD2 port.

There are much simpler options than plugging into that port, but they seemed to want something near the rearview mirror.
 

Pape

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Usb standard is 5v therefore anything supplying v5 will do the trick. I guess next question is on all the time or with the key :)
 

AndySpill

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Has anyone ever tied into the power leading to the vanity mirror sun visor to add a USB for a trail camera? Or are there some other power wires that I can tap into easily to run a USB connector near my rear view mirror for a small camera?
I've done this, only the appliance I powered doing this runs on the same 12 Volts as the vehicle's electrical system and doesn't use USB connections.

I think you'll need something like this to step the voltage down to that consistent with USB gear. Otherwise the vanity mirror wires can serve low amperage draw devices that don't require electrical current much after the vehicle is shut off.

https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Direct-Charger-Charging-Converter/dp/B07H6YZ9XS?th=1
 

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Wabujitsu

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Has anyone used this in a Wrangler? Doesn’t list Wrangler specifically in the comparability list. Would be a great solution for my dashcam connection.
That one is not compatible with the plug coming to my OEM mirror (2021 JLUR). Mine is a 4-pin connector. Let me know if you need a photo of the plug.
 

68jcode

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That one is not compatible with the plug coming to my OEM mirror (2021 JLUR). Mine is a 4-pin connector. Let me know if you need a photo of the plug.
I haven’t pulled mine apart yet, but saw some other threads and maybe YouTube video showing 10 Pin. I will pull mine apart tomorrow morning to see what I got. I do have the auto dimming mirror, do you?
 

Wabujitsu

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I haven’t pulled mine apart yet, but saw some other threads and maybe YouTube video showing 10 Pin. I will pull mine apart tomorrow morning to see what I got. I do have the auto dimming mirror, do you?
Yes Adam, mine is auto-dimming. Photos attached; four-pin plug (3 pins and a hole, only 3 wires in the harness).

Jeep Wrangler JL Installing USB power for a trail camera? IMG_3484


Jeep Wrangler JL Installing USB power for a trail camera? IMG_3489
 

There’sOnlyOne

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https://a.co/d/00YIDNkv

This is a whole cam system. It has a pic of the pin. I see alot of 10/14 pin for Jeep but not seeing any 3 pin. Even in eBay. Wonder if the 3 pin will work with a 10/14 pin? Some of the vendors on Amazon show a link to ask about compatibility. Guess you could reach out and see. If you do find something please post in this thread. I'd like to use one myself. There are several hardwire options but of course you have to run those up from the dash area.

I just wish I could cut my rear view mirror arm in half or by 2/3 to get the mirror higher and out of my direct eye sight. It's in the way for me, a freakin blind spot. I forget his handle but one well known member has a Wolfe rear view mirror camera mounted in his dash and did away with the factory mirror fo this reason and since his spare tire blocks his rear view anyway. I might do that at some point.
 
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Jbdell100

Jbdell100

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Thinking about seeing if I can tie into some of the lights above.
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