How is ETC powered?

[JamesonLynn]

ETC power supply methods: 1. Solar power supply, which does not require recharging; 2. Battery power supply, the battery can normally be used for 5 years. If the device runs out of power, you can go to the processing location and have the staff handle it, as it cannot be charged by yourself. Before driving through the ETC dedicated lane, ensure that the ETC card is correctly inserted into the OBU. During driving, the ETC card may become loose due to bumps, so it needs to be checked in time. If it becomes loose, it should be promptly inserted back into the OBU. ETC adopts a binding form between the vehicle, the ETC card, and the on-board electronic tag, dedicated to a specific vehicle, meaning one vehicle, one card, and one tag.

[OFernando]

I remember when I first installed an ETC, how does it get power? I'm just a regular car owner who loves tinkering with cars. The ETC is mounted on the windshield, and that little box doesn't have a big battery of its own—it relies entirely on the car for power. Usually, it connects to the cigarette lighter socket using an adapter, just like a phone charger, plug-and-play. When the car starts, the generator powers it and the light turns on; after turning off the engine, the power consumption is extremely low, about 0.1 watts, but leaving it connected for two or three months can still drain the battery. I once forgot to unplug it during a trip and ended up with a dead battery. Later, I modified it with a hardwired connection directly to the fuse box, which was much more convenient and freed up the socket. Nowadays, some new ETCs come with solar panels for auxiliary power, making them even more energy-efficient and eco-friendly. In short, power supply is simple, but you need to be careful not to mess with the wiring to prevent short circuits.

[GavinLynn]

I've always been curious about how ETC works internally, especially its power supply. As a tech enthusiast, I've researched: it draws power from the car battery, with the cigarette lighter inputting 12V, and an internal step-down circuit converts it to a stable 5V to drive the chip, ensuring stable operation during transit. When voltage fluctuates significantly, internal protection prevents burnout. Its power consumption is extremely low, but if the car is parked for too long, like several weeks on vacation, accumulated micro-power consumption might drain the battery, so it's necessary to start the car regularly or disconnect the line. Engineers designed it to prioritize using the vehicle's power, which is reliable and avoids the hassle of battery replacement. Some high-end ETCs have backup supercapacitors for emergency power supply. If you're into DIY, use a multimeter to check if the voltage is within the normal range to avoid overload.

[ElizabethAnn]

As a new driver, I'm not familiar with the power supply details of ETC. During installation, the technician briefly mentioned just plugging it into the car's charging port, similar to installing batteries in a toy. The ETC operates on vehicle power – it automatically lights up with a green indicator and works whenever the ignition is on. When parked, it consumes minimal electricity, so it doesn't affect daily short-distance usage. Don't randomly unplug or reconnect wires yourself, as this might damage the device. It requires virtually no maintenance, and the seamless toll deduction at stations is truly worry-free. Let the car handle the power supply – we just enjoy the convenience.