Any OBD power switch options?
 

Wondering if anyone has found some elegant way of incorporating an on/off to OBD ports. Specifically, trying to figure something out for my OFT. I know there's the new low power draw option, which is great but there are times where I won't drive the 86 monday through friday. Just want to be extra sure :)

You could put switch into wirefor pin 16 before it gets to obd conector and mount it in dash

Buy a obd extension cable and put in an inline switch

some crowd makes a obd connector with built in switch buy one and make your own cable

buying a cheap obd extension and inorporating switch probably cheapest non intrusive way

Did some searching - this looks promising : http://www.fes-auto.com/products_det...p?productid=28

Can anyone confirm if the male connector to OFT is indeed a molex 8? Visual inspection looks close...
@Shiv@Openflash

with the new software update the oft will go to sleep. so now you dont have to worry about unplugging it

As noted in OP, will be common for me to not drive my twin for 5+ days at a time, low draw might be too risky in case of unforeseen absences.

ah gotcha. i missed that part haha.

I thought you were looking for an OBD command to turn off power to the OBD connector.

I thought "Oh that will work, send OBD command to turn off power to the OBD port. Then when you want it back on just send an OBD command to....... wait.."

Why an on/off switched? why you need a "elegant" way for something that is not visible? Just unplugged it. If you can forget to unplugged then you can easily forget to turn off a "on/off switch". Unless you are thinking of an auto-power off obd cable. What if this elegant solution malfuction during ECU writing process.

OFT may offer this in future firmware anyway.

It's not a matter of forgetting. The male/female heads basically have a limited number of uses - lots of people with bent pins, would be particularly bad if you busted the female port on attached to the car. I can only assume same goes for the molex connector on the OFT side.

People are buying $8 extension or "y" splitters to prevent such particularity. In addition you have more options to mount your device.

Not criticizing. Just exploring your idea: cost/pros/cons/alterantives.

*In for results

Update - purchased this from Amazon - going to take ages to ship, likely coming from China.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Nice find! I just ordered one too. If it works as expected, we will buy a load of them and keep them in stock :)

Bought one too...lmao on the May 1-19 ship date.

Sub'd :popcorn:

Just got mine in the mail (from China)...obviously the estimated ship time was off lol. Plugged the product in and everything seems to be in order. This thing is awesome. Going to permanently mount the OFT near the left side air vent as a gauge.

As of right now, I would definitely buy again.

Mine is a couple days away, at least in the US

I think I got the wrong tracking number...did someone order from Benton Harbor, MI? I have your tracking number...unless USPS really screwed up. On the same note, does anyone have a tracking number destined for Charlotte, NC?

Ordered

I got mine today. I'll be testing it shortly.

can't wait for your feedback.

thanks.

It works! :)

Seeing how there are KVM switches for PCs, that simplify usage of single keyboard-monitor-mouse set with multiple PCs/laptops, uniting that with people reporting that for OBD Y-splitters not exactly working for multiple devices connected with it .. i wonder who will make OBD-switch Y harness between multiple sources, so that one can with simple press of button choose whichever connected device he needs at the moment .. OFT/pedal-dance switch/OBD gauges/OBD dongle/whatever .. imho there might be market for such.

^^ this . . . . OBD2 switchable Y splitter cable . . . that would be nice.

Anyone that has the cable from amazon, where does the power button end up sitting? It looks like it's right in the area where your right knee would brace against the center console in a hard left hand corner?

Really just depends on where you mount the OFT. Mines mounted on the drivers side air vent, so I routed the wiring over the steering wheel. I doubt it'll go anywhere, but there's always double sided tape if need be.

This will do until I figure out a better way.
Attachment 107159

Just purchased the $7 amazon one linked previously. I suspect the OFT was the reason for a dead battery tonight. I left it plugged in and hadn't used the car for 30 hours. I usually leave it plugged all the time but I would use the car 15-20 hours later and didn't think much of it.

Yea, when I turn on my car 10-15 hours later, you can tell the battery was drained and doesn't turn over as good. Now, I just leave it plugged in all the time with the switch turned off. Just turn it on when I want to use it.

might have to get one of these soon just flattened the battery from leaving OFT plugged in

Works great. I have it wrapped around the steering column and the switch sits flush on the left side. Not a permanent location, but it'll do for now. The flash makes it look scratched to hell, it's been cleaned up since the picture and no rub marks.

I received mine and it doesn't work at all.

The vendor is saying it only passes through 8 pins, not 16, and that's why it's not working. How many pins does OFT actually use?

Couple of guys using it no problem although I would not write with it

you wont need all 16 pins test lead for continuity if you dont get connectivity on 8 pins its stuffed

assume oft powers up just wont connect

No power

dOk pin 16 is +12v power and pins 4/5 should be earth

If oft works without extension then obd fuse not blown

probe pin 16 and see if 12v suspect inline switch is stuffed. Or test continuity of pin16 end to end its should be switched by inline switch

obd pinouts
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/On-board_diagnostics

Received replacement which works fine. Used it for a few days and flashed via the switched cable, which also worked fine.

Which pins are used for comm? Canbus + and -?

I just want to say that with our cars, the OBD2 port does support power during ignition. It's located at pin 8. It's only on when the car is on. What you can do is to buy an OBD2 extender and reroute its pin 8 (from the car) to pin 16 (connected to the OFT or any other OBD2 device).

Hope that helps.

Is this still the best cable for that price? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UR5XBMW..._LEJKzbNV67VXA

@eurominican

I was gonna buy this one, which looks like the same thing, is a buck cheaper, and also has good reviews: http://amzn.to/2vyG7Ho

Yes