USB Charge Only Cable

[ken0042]

I have an odd issue, and to resolve it I need to get my hands on a mini USB "charge only" cable. I know they used to make them, and I even had at least one. However most of the time you would have wanted to have the cable transfer data as well.

I did look at this option, but it isn't working the way I need it to.
http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Condom/

The issue is with the dash cam I have in one of my vehicles. We have a USB port at the top of the dash which makes it handy for powering the camera. The problem I'm facing is that my car recognizes the camera as a storage device and tries to access the data, and the camera recognizes the car as a computer and goes into webcam mode.

Basically hoping that somebody has seen these "charge only" cables, or maybe has one lying around that they are willing to give away. I have seen a few options that are well over $20; I'm just trying to come up with something reasonable to power my $30 dash cam.

[psyang]

Maybe use a USB port that plugs into the lighter?

[topfiverecords]

Some dollar stores, especially the one in Westbrook mall and North Hill mall have good cable selections. Dollaramas might have that type of cable too.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by psyang

Maybe use a USB port that plugs into the lighter?

That is what I'm trying to avoid. Rather than tie up the lighter and also to avoid a complex cable run, I wanted to use the USB port that is right where I need it.

[Nufy]

Remove some of the coating and cut the wires you don't need ?

There should only be 4.

[ericschand]

Here's a couple of options from Amazon. They seem to provide a split with one side being charging only.

https://www.amazon.ca/JBingGG-Inches-Charger-Splitter-Adapter/dp/B073JMMPJD/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1520215542&sr =1-2&keywords=jbinggg+splitter+charger

https://www.amazon.ca/Duttek-Splitte...uttek+splitter

For the second one, Duttek, look at some of their other products as well. They may suit your needs better.

ers

[Wormius]

As a test, try to cover up the D+ and D- pins on the cable and see if it works. They're the two contacts in the cetner of the USB-A connector. If it works for you, try to do something permanent.

[ken0042]

That’s the weird thing. I covered those pins with electrical tape and get some interference on the camera. There is static on the display screen- and on the recording there is static on the audio. That’s why I wanted a dedicated charge only cable to try.

[Wormius]

Hmm, which end did you cover up? The one closest to the camera, or furthest away? If furthest away then the cable might be acting as an antenna and picking up some strong noise that's affecting your image quality and sound.

[DoubleF]

Ugly, but something like this plus a USB extension cable if needed? I guess you can take a small hair elastic and bundle the extra unneeded cables together. I'm also sure there's versions out there that are a decent color that can be more easily hidden than the one I link below.

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B01...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I think the term you can try searching is called "only charging" cables. Most cables that have multiple prongs on the end usually don't do data transfers "multi charging cable" is a search term you can use as well. Worst come to worst, these cables are excellent cables to pair up with portable power banks.

[sureLoss]

Originally Posted by ken0042

That’s the weird thing. I covered those pins with electrical tape and get some interference on the camera. There is static on the display screen- and on the recording there is static on the audio. That’s why I wanted a dedicated charge only cable to try.

If I had to guess it sounds like by covering the D+/D- pins, your car's USB is not enumerating the camera correctly and only sending it the default 100mA to the camera instead of something higher.

Did you try the taped pins with another source like a computer or USB wall charger and see if you get that same problem?

[Wormius]

That would be odd as well, as I thought the camera was battery powered, so the current delivered by the USB port wouldn’t affect how the camera works - unless he battery was dead, or the camera automatically selects between battery and USB power.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

If I had to guess it sounds like by covering the D+/D- pins, your car's USB is not enumerating the camera correctly and only sending it the default 100mA to the camera instead of something higher.

Did you try the taped pins with another source like a computer or USB wall charger and see if you get that same problem?

That makes the most sense. I'll have to try that tonight.