Wasso Posted May 20, 2014 Share Posted May 20, 2014 I'm going to be running an ipad mini in my dash and will be running my "Dash Command" on the ipad. The plan is to have my wifi OBD unit permanently plugged into the OBD port. Issue with this is the power is always live to the port. What would you suggest to allow me the option of keeping my wifi unit continually plugged in the OBD, but say for instance in turning the key the OBD comes live. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 I know its a question which isn't normal like "will decats invalidate my insurance" but any assistance or electrical tips will be helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 you would probably have to dismantle the port and splice the live wire to your ignition not sure how easy it would be but thats my initial thought 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 you would probably have to dismantle the port and splice the live wire to your ignition not sure how easy it would be but thats my initial thought Ahhh yes I that's not a bad idea to be fair. See, I knew somebody would come up with a good answer in the end Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 hopefully its that easy im sure its just basic electrics if thats the case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 I'm sure there's a wiring diagram thingy somewhere on the forum. I can always have a play and see what happens. Thanks for the idea Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Ian, I have had my OBD2 WiFi reader permanently plugged into the OBD port for 2 years without any problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 21, 2014 Author Share Posted May 21, 2014 Ian, I have had my OBD2 WiFi reader permanently plugged into the OBD port for 2 years without any problem. Ahhhhh that's interesting to hear, that would save me blowing up my ECU in trying to bodge a wire. I'd still have a bash to be honest but will give it a test running permanently plugged in. Ken which OBD wifi unit do you have? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 If you drive the car every day it'll be fine, Ian. It's if you leave it sitting for a week or two when you may have to jump start the car… …Like me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stutopia Posted May 21, 2014 Share Posted May 21, 2014 Mine's the same. Overnight, when I use it daily, no problems (it's an iOBD) but when I was away last year for a week it killed my battery. It's not until recently that I learnt it was on a permanent live Defo worth a test before you start ripping things out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 Ok well once she comes off the road she won't be a daily that's for sure. I might see about chopping up the OBD then to ignition live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvansJD2112 Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Hadn't given this a thought.have had a micro OBD plugged in for a few weeks connected to an Android tablet. Drive the car most days depending how often I work from home and so far been fine. Will defo unplug when away for 2 weeks in August Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy Posted May 22, 2014 Share Posted May 22, 2014 Hi Ian, I killed my battery in 10 days on the 350 when away as I left it plugged in You should be able to wire it into an ignition live but it may be easier to just splice a toggle switch into the permanent supply, this is what I am going to do on the 370 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 22, 2014 Author Share Posted May 22, 2014 I had a strong feeling the OBD plugged into a reader would do the nasty. I'll figure it out, I know Graham is a techno whizz I'll hook him up to the job (that's if he's willing) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ian as you know I don't use the zed as a daily drive, in fact it can be left in garage for weeks without being moved. This has never caused me a problem. The OBD2 reader i have is a ELM327 interface if that helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ian as you know I don't use the zed as a daily drive, in fact it can be left in garage for weeks without being moved. This has never caused me a problem. The OBD2 reader i have is a ELM327 interface if that helps Ken is that Bluetooth or Wi-Fi? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azure350z Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 It's Bluetooth, I have the same ELM327 as Ken. The Bluetooth ones don't appear to be live when the ignition is off, I've left mine plugged in for a few weeks without running the car and it was fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jp606 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) I wonder if you could mod/get something similar to those BlackVue Power Magic things for their dash cams, they basically deactivate it if the battery voltage runs too low to stop you draining your battery when the car is sat for a while. http://www.blackvue.co.uk/index.php/online-shop/blackvue-accessories/power-magic-detail Edited May 26, 2014 by Jp606 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 It's Bluetooth, I have the same ELM327 as Ken. The Bluetooth ones don't appear to be live when the ignition is off, I've left mine plugged in for a few weeks without running the car and it was fine. Maybe my battery was low in the first place then as I had the same one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wasso Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 Ok I'm on Wi-Fi wonder if that makes a difference. I may just tamper with the wires to be fair. See what happens. What's the worst that can happen, Car doesn't start? fire? etc..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jumping350 Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 or get this and butcher that instead http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/16-pin-OBDII-OBD2-Splitter-Extension-Cable-1-Male-to-2-Female-/400596854083?pt=UK_Computing_CablesConnectors_RL&hash=item5d456ee543 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KyleR Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 When my battery died, I bought a new one from Halfords for £110. Car sat for about 2 weeks without being used with the iOBD2 plugged in. Battery was completely dead when I next got in, not even a light on. The iOBD2 is WiFi as I'm sure you know, so maybe that has something to do with it. If it can kill a brand new powerful battery in a couple of weeks, it must be draining quite a bit of power searching for the phone all the time or something. I have a Y adaptor fitted to my OBD port so I can have the iOBD2 and throttle controller both plugged in at the same time. Is that an option for you? You could place one port somewhere thats easily accessible so you can easily plug the reader in when you get in? http://www.amazon.co.uk/OBD-II-Splitter-Extension-Female-Adapter/dp/B00F5T0VHI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1401149368&sr=8-3&keywords=obd+y Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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