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Thread: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    I contacted Mazda about the always on cigarette lighter port. They confirmed it has no voltmeter to prevent the battery from being drained. A friendly heads up.

    I did a search on voltmeter & didn't see a thread titled with this.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Fuman View Post
    I contacted Mazda about the always on cigarette lighter port. They confirmed it has no voltmeter to prevent the battery from being drained. A friendly heads up.

    I did a search on voltmeter & didn't see a thread titled with this.
    Isn't that because it's powered by the regenerative breaking feature?
    My Parents bought me more Hot Wheels than Barbies when I was little...

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by natspriceless View Post
    Isn't that because it's powered by the regenerative breaking feature?
    Not all Gen3s have that, my certainly doesn't. So that just leaves it being powered by the battery. They've forwarded my message to the product development team for future consideration.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Just realized this with my dash cam, it's on 24/7 have to unplug it when i leave the car. Does any one have any solution for putting up a dash cam without draining the hell out of my battery?

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Inflow View Post
    Just realized this with my dash cam, it's on 24/7 have to unplug it when i leave the car. Does any one have any solution for putting up a dash cam without draining the hell out of my battery?
    I brought a long USB cable then did this: http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Condom/
    Beware. Some dashcams require 2.1A, the USB port will not provide that, I believe it is only 0.5A or 1A. The Vanture X1 is fine but the Taotronics dashcam won't be okay.
    Okay (wait for it to go on sale if anyone is interested): https://www.amazon.ca/Vantrue-X1-Car.../dp/B01IHLZIU0
    Not okay (requires 2.1A): https://www.amazon.ca/TaoTronics-Vis.../dp/B01LLGAOE8

    Hope this helps.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Thanks for the advice, do you own either of these? How are they at night? I've been using a DOD I bought from canada computers a few years ago, but it's been acting up and I kind of want to get one for the back. Or maybe ill get a new one and put the old one in the back.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Fuman View Post
    I contacted Mazda about the always on cigarette lighter port. They confirmed it has no voltmeter to prevent the battery from being drained. A friendly heads up.

    I did a search on voltmeter & didn't see a thread titled with this.

    I think you are trying to say that the accessory port isn't switched with the ignition switch or does not have a battery saver. Also known as "always on" or "constant power".

    A voltmeter is a test instrument or gauge on the dash. Searching for "voltmeter" would not yield a result.

    My 2010 Mazda3 has a switched accessory port in the dash behind the shifter, and a unswitched accessory port inside the armrest.

    The switched one is great for the dashcam. The unswitched great for charging a phone, especially when away from the vehicle. I do not need the "heads up" to keep from draining my battery. I am a responsible adult. It would take a couple weeks to drain my battery by leaving my cellphone charger plugged in. I am not worried about this.
    2010 Mazda3 Graphite Mica GS Auto with Comfort Package

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Inflow View Post
    Just realized this with my dash cam, it's on 24/7 have to unplug it when i leave the car. Does any one have any solution for putting up a dash cam without draining the hell out of my battery?
    https://www.blackboxmycar.ca/collect...c-pro-blackvue

    That will work for you. If you need mini-USB out, use this one:

    https://www.blackboxmycar.ca/collect...b-hardwire-kit

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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Chester_Lampwick View Post
    I think you are trying to say that the accessory port isn't switched with the ignition switch or does not have a battery saver. Also known as "always on" or "constant power".

    A voltmeter is a test instrument or gauge on the dash. Searching for "voltmeter" would not yield a result.

    My 2010 Mazda3 has a switched accessory port in the dash behind the shifter, and a unswitched accessory port inside the armrest.

    The switched one is great for the dashcam. The unswitched great for charging a phone, especially when away from the vehicle. I do not need the "heads up" to keep from draining my battery. I am a responsible adult. It would take a couple weeks to drain my battery by leaving my cellphone charger plugged in. I am not worried about this.
    No that is not what I am stating. Even with always on outlets, you can add a voltmeter (if it's called something else, feel free to correct me) such that it'll disconnect the power if the battery gets too low. This way you can still turn on your car & it will not leave you stranded.

    An example kit (kit #2): https://www.blackboxmycar.ca/blogs/n...r-your-dashcam

    Quote Originally Posted by Inflow View Post
    Thanks for the advice, do you own either of these? How are they at night? I've been using a DOD I bought from canada computers a few years ago, but it's been acting up and I kind of want to get one for the back. Or maybe ill get a new one and put the old one in the back.
    Both of them are decent at night. I think the Vantrue is slightly better at night. While I prefer the Taotronics, you can't get this way because of the amp requirement (if you're going with the USB power that is). The Taotronic kit has more usable accessories (2 mounts & a plastic pry that will aid you in hiding the wires).

    https://youtu.be/YxtHQFPtk9o?t=9m34s ; https://youtu.be/SAOibDN__ZQ?t=14m1s
    Last edited by Fuman; 10-29-2017 at 12:40 AM.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    You wouldn't add a voltmeter to an accessory port.

    Voltmeter:

    or



    What you are looking for is a Chargeguard or similar battery saver


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    Sr Member Fuman's Avatar
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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Chargeguard appears to be timer based, so not what we are looking for. http://www.havis.com/catalog/Auto_Sh...ers-923-1.html
    https://www.amazon.ca/Koolatron-F701.../dp/B0001MQ7FO <--- battery saver ... has an embedded voltage meter.... ("Automatically stops power current to all 12v accessories when power dips below 11 volts").

    To be clear, Mazda should have an embedded voltage meter (just like the battery saver) embedded in the lighter port.

    edit: I think we're talking about the samething. I'm talking about the piece of tech that enables the battery saver to work, you're referring to the product itself.
    Last edited by Fuman; 10-29-2017 at 02:42 PM.

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    Default Re: Fyi: Always powered cigarette lighter port has no voltmeter (Gen3)

    Quote Originally Posted by Fuman View Post
    Chargeguard appears to be timer based, so not what we are looking for. http://www.havis.com/catalog/Auto_Sh...ers-923-1.html
    https://www.amazon.ca/Koolatron-F701.../dp/B0001MQ7FO <--- battery saver ... has an embedded voltage meter.... ("Automatically stops power current to all 12v accessories when power dips below 11 volts").

    To be clear, Mazda should have an embedded voltage meter (just like the battery saver) embedded in the lighter port.

    edit: I think we're talking about the samething. I'm talking about the piece of tech that enables the battery saver to work, you're referring to the product itself.

    I believe the Chargeguard has two modes, either time delay after key off, or settable voltage threshold for shutoff 11.5V, 12V, 12.5V. etc. If you spent a little time with Google, you could download the .pdf instruction manual.

    Also, please Google voltmeter and voltage meter. You are definitely using the wrong term.

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