Dash Cam & 12V Multi Adaptor Hidden Install (driver storage compartment)

[FUBAR]

In preparation to install my new Blackvue DR500 (thanks to BossFox ) I decided to do the ground work now as I wanted it hard wired into the fuse box (for min wires showing) but didn't want to cut off the plug for camera so it can be used in another car if needed and allows easy installation of an additional camera or 12V device. I decided since I had a spare Multi 12V socket adaptor lying around that was fairly compact I could mount it in the driver side storage compartment as it's right by fuse box. The idea then to install camera cable routed to here and plug in also leaving me space in compartment to charge phones etc without wire on show in car (which I hate)!

The same method could be used to help someone wanting to merely hard wire their dash cam / drive recorder directly to fuse box missing out the 12V multi socket adaptor obviously.

***Disclaimer*** The information below is how I have installed both items into my own car, should anyone wish to use the same method(s) it is at their own discretion. There are various other methods which could have been used along the way, I did not disconnect the battery as I was using a switched live ignition fuse and thought it pointless as with key removed this was isolated (if using a permanent live I still wouldn't have personally). I did used crimps rather than solder which would be arguably the better option because I couldn't be bothered. 5amp fuse used as I only have 1 device running off it at present and is sufficient. I used a fork crimp rather than a loop one as it was the best one in my 'ebay special' set I bought in true Skoda thrifty fashion.


Parts used:

1. Multi 12V female socket adaptor (similar to this) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-3-Way-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Power-Socket-Charger-Adapter-USB-Port-Chargers-/360588838749?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item53f4c5075d
2. Blade fuse piggy back tap adaptor (purchased here good quality) http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2a14ad475d
3. Fork crimp (cheapo ones in link below)
4. 3M double sided panel adhesive foam (similar to) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3M-VHB-Acrylic-Foam-Tape-4919-F-tabs-rectangles-x-10-Double-sided-adhesive-16x67-/191510154703?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c96e50dcf
5. 5amp blade fuse
6. DoD GS600 1080p HD, Full GPS Data Logging dash camera (2 years old soon to be replaced) http://www.ebay.co.u...=item2326cd8af7

7. Currently Mobius Action Cameras (front and rear) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mobius-ActionCam-Full-HD-Sports-Camera-1080P-30FPS-720P-60FPS-Pocket-Camcorder-/151071891306?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232c961f6a

8. Windscreen mounts for Mobius most compact mount is self adhesive one http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Windshield-Mini-Tape-Mount-Holder-Mobius-Action-Cam-16-Car-Key-Camera-/161054762107?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item257f9ca47b (or suction type) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Windshield-Suction-Cup-Mount-Holder-Mobius-Action-Cam-16-Car-Key-Camera-/181166005622?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a2e55dd76 

Tools used:
1. Crimping / wire stripping tool (mine is 987 miles away so cheapo ebay set) http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273pc-Electrical-Crimping-Tool-Kit-/390525716539?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5aed25883b
2. 13mm spanner (again mine are 987 miles away so stole one )
3. Scissors (on your own for that one)


Sorry for all the pics but I am posting them all anyway as I have nothing better to do this afternoon.



First here is the driver side storage compartment (before)



12V Multi female 12V socket adaptor (with brightest LED known to man)



Remove fuse box cover (slot for ignition key at bottom to release cover)



Cut cable of 12V adaptor near male plug end



Feed cable through hole in side of storage compartment



Feed wire through gap in side of inner dash towards fuse box



Pull wire through fuse box compartment



Cut off and attach a piece of double sided 3M self adhesive foam to back of 12V multi adaptor



Mount 12V adaptor to lower back of storage compartment



Split 12V adaptors cable, strip and crimp a fork crimp to negative cable



Loosen metal nut on bulkhead with 13mm spanner



Insert negative cable with fork crimp and tighten nut



Strip positive cable and insert into in line crimp on blade fuse piggyback adaptor and crimp it securely in place



Remove rear wiper 15amp fuse (ignition switched live) and insert in rear slot of blade fuse adaptor and a 5amp fuse in front (fuse info below) ***To be sure on which position for fuse in blade fuse adaptor: Remove fuse for position to be used and test in each position whichever one it works in will be the primary fuse slot and the other can be used for the new fuse being added.***



Insert blade fuse adaptor back into rear wiper socket in fuse box



Ignition off (visual check)



Ignition on (visual check)



Test performed with a sat nav (a work one just in case)



There ends the first stage of installation and now I routed the cable for my current camera (soon to be replaced)


Camera mounted on windscreen having fed plug through top of driver storage compartment, through fuse box



Cable fed into head lining at top of windscreen (only visible wire)



Cable fed behind trim on front pillar to right of windscreen emerging at top of fuse box



Slack of cable stowed in cavity and final view of fusebox before replacing cover



Camera 12V male plug inserted in 12V multi adaptor, fuse box cover back in place and ignition on



Camera recording with GPS fix with ignition on

 

Mobius later on

The End until the new camera arrives

ps. I have a blue plaster on my finger because I was attacked just before this by an Opel Astra's windscreen wash tanks lid, which was tight and when it finally came off nail caught on inner lip and split my nail down middle. Cheap GM rubbish!



***EDIT***
As the fuse box layout in my manual is utterly incorrect by sequence and allocations I have rearranged the original fuse layout card in a rather pikey fashion (MS Paint cut and past each one, took forever). Assumption is card supplied refers to LHD cars not RHD so all lines are back to front. Numbers are irrelevant as they do not correspond with the owners manual regardless of which order but symbols to locations are correct for my car now.

The following is correct for my 2011 Octavia II FL CR TDi anyway (yet I have some extra unlisted fuses in car): I am printing it out to keep in car.


Before



After (This now corresponds to my fuse box as I look at it holding card upright)

[RainbowFire]

I did similar, but with a 4-port and mounted it in the glove-box. (Used 3 ports fairly quickly: DashCam, Nokia Car-Kit, Samsung Galaxy Car-Dock)

[FUBAR]

I did similar, but with a 4-port and mounted it in the glove-box. (Used 3 ports fairly quickly: DashCam, Nokia Car-Kit, Samsung Galaxy Car-Dock)

Its just what I had lying around (there are nicer ones with USB sockets aswell on ebay), only other item that I will plug into it will be a small flush double USB adaptor for charging phone, and possibly a second camera without tapping into cars existing wiring.

My glove box has the MDI and owners books thing which more or less fills it, this little cubby hole at drivers side is something I keep forgetting is even there, but will save me having to reach over to other side etc.

[AJ7788]

ps. I have a blue plater on my finger because I was attacked just before this by an Opel Astra's windscreen wash tanks lid, which was tight and when it finally came off nail caught on inner lip and split my nail down middle. Cheap GM rubbish!

Gross lol. Good guide though mate

[FUBAR]

Gross lol. Good guide though mate

I fear the thing may fall off so blue plaster is to make sure I remember to be careful with it. What annoyed me more was I had to go back into work to get something to clean the blood off the stupid Astra, then finish topping up another 8 cars before cleaning and dressing it!

[AJ7788]

What can I say mate.. Vauxhall's

[FUBAR]

What can I say mate.. Vauxhall's

They normally open perfectly easily to be fair but this one......

same as this bottom right yellow filler lid.

[RainbowFire]

My glove box has the MDI and owners books thing which more or less fills it, this little cubby hole at drivers side is something I keep forgetting is even there, but will save me having to reach over to other side etc.

I chucked my MDI(USB) under the passenger seat.

Owners books????? What are they then??? ;)

[FUBAR]

I chucked my MDI(USB) under the passenger seat.

Owners books????? What are they then??? ;)

I just left MDI where the factory put it only have it for the one apple product I own (ipod classic 80gb 5 years old), I should really get the MDI-USB cable but waiting to find a brand new one in VAG packaging on ebay for under a fiver...... I am being patient. I have my owners book stuff (inc all car documents insurance etc) and some other bits in there but that's it full. That other wee compartment I fired 12V adaptor in today I only used to put used ferry boarding cards and parking tickets in as I don't like litter in or out of car. 2 years worth now removed

But still have more or less all the space I had before even after installed due to its location and size must get some sticky packed rubber pad thing to give it a softer floor for phones etc.

[RainbowFire]

I just left MDI where the factory put it

Ah, mine's retro-fitted

[Grizzle]

Harwired my Blackvue in last week only i didnt bother with the parking mode thing, just cut the end off stripped the wire earthed one wire and piggybacked the other job done, done the same to my pogo speed camera.

[FUBAR]

Harwired my Blackvue in last week only i didnt bother with the parking mode thing, just cut the end off stripped the wire earthed one wire and piggybacked the other job done, done the same to my pogo speed camera.

Had to google that pogo thing, any pics of it in car doing its thing? I still have a Snooper V2 somewhere, not used it since that model became illegal though :(

[mark_eire]

Really good write up, I will be doing this myself, just bought a 3 way Draper socket on ebay now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-12V-3-Way-Car-Extension-Socket-Car-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Ext-/200865933114?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item2ec48ae73a&_uhb=1

Also ordered the piggyback fuse,

Thanks for the guide!!

[Grizzle]

I havent mate sorry, i can get some for you, its a great bit of kit (for me anyway)

[FUBAR]

I havent mate sorry, i can get some for you, its a great bit of kit (for me anyway)

I can think of 272 reasons why it's specifically good for you personally.

[macr573]

Thanks for the guide - it gave me a pointy finger regarding a future installation.

Since I acquired my car a few weeks ago I've become an avid reader of this forum. There's been lots of previous queries on here regarding the fuse box and fuse allocations and although I've orientated the owners manual location diagram for a RHD car, I may not have been successful. The rear wiper fuse is listed as no.18 but from your photos it appear not to be. Have I got it incorrect (had my specs on as well!)?

I would have expected the Skoda handbook to show the correct orientation and rating values - my previous VAG car did.

[FUBAR]

Thanks for the guide - it gave me a pointy finger regarding a future installation.

Since I acquired my car a few weeks ago I've become an avid reader of this forum. There's been lots of previous queries on here regarding the fuse box and fuse allocations and although I've orientated the owners manual location diagram for a RHD car, I may not have been successful. The rear wiper fuse is listed as no.18 but from your photos it appear not to be. Have I got it incorrect (had my specs on as well!)?

I would have expected the Skoda handbook to show the correct orientation and rating values - my previous VAG car did.

Yea fuse box guide is rubbish the card on back of fuse box cover it lists the fuse as No.41 with the rear wiper symbol and upon removing fuse, turning ignition on and attempting to operate the rear wiper it didn't move. I shouldn't have had to double check like this but since the guide was so poor I thought it wise lol. I didn't list fuse No in my original post incase it caused any confusion for differing models, years etc. Fuse No 41 for me was (as you look at fuse box) 2nd row from bottom, 2nd from right.

[callaghan]

great guide! very clear and detailed! :yes:

[macr573]

Thanks Fulbar, I'll get the multimeter out! I'm awaiting a Elsawin disc so maybe the the fuse carrier layout will become clear.

Surprised nobody has posted an eye for the blind man.

[FUBAR]

Thanks Fulbar, I'll get the multimeter out! I'm awaiting a Elsawin disc so maybe the the fuse carrier layout will become clear.

Surprised nobody has posted an eye for the blind man.

The fuse box layout is utter rubbish all rows are correct if you hold card on fuse box cover up beside it but in opposite order left to right, in case there is no better option on forum I took a pic on my mobile of the card and messed with it. Post one updated to add:

***EDIT***

As the fuse box layout in my manual is utterly incorrect by sequence and allocations I have rearranged the original fuse layout card in a rather pikey fashion (MS Paint cut and past each one, took forever). Assumption is card supplied refers to LHD cars not RHD so all lines are back to front. Numbers are irrelevant as they do not correspond with the owners manual regardless of which order but symbols to locations are correct for my car now.

The following is correct for my 2011 Octavia II FL CR TDi anyway (yet I have some extra unlisted fuses in car): I am printing it out to keep in car.

Before

After (This now corresponds to my fuse box as I look at it holding card upright)

[Grizzle]

LMAO!! i also found the fuse layout totally weird too, glad someone else noticed and was me being a **** (as usual)

[shane_saintsfc]

I did similar, but with a 4-port and mounted it in the glove-box. (Used 3 ports fairly quickly: DashCam, Nokia Car-Kit, Samsung Galaxy Car-Dock)

How did you run the cables from the 4way to the fuse box? I am interested in doing this.

[RainbowFire]

How did you run the cables from the 4way to the fuse box? I am interested in doing this.

I took the glove-box out and punched a hole in the top, back, right-hand corner (behind the light).

Removed head unit

A straightened metal clothes-hanger, carefully pushed through a gap in the fusebox (on the lower left-ish there's a nice hole). Leave enough hanger to pull back on.

Mounted the 4-port and pushed the cable through the hole. With reasonable light, you should be able to see where the head-unit was. That's where you're aiming for with the hanger.

Tape the cable to the end of the hanger.

*Carefully* pull the hanger back out through the fuse-box.

Follow FUBAR's wiring instructions.

Didn't take long to do at all really.

[junctiontwo]

Brilliant post!! I'm planning to do exactly this and your pics will help no end.

Thanks!!

[macr573]

Thanks for the photos Fulbar - excellent! Skoda should give you some beer tokens!