Hey hey.

 

I'm a little confused at the wiring for a dashcam.

 

I have the mobius dashcam that uses an ignition power to start recording using a standard usb interface.

 

I am going to order a long usb cable like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-70cm-USB-2-0-Male-A-to-B-Mini-5-Pin-Cable-Lead-XC03-/271176094403?pt=UK_Computing_USB_Cables&hash=item3f235ad2c3

 

However I don't want it on show and plugged into my cigaratte lighter to charge it / activate the recording. I would much prefer to wire it into an ignition source in the fusebox etc.

 

Does anyone know if I can simply cut the USB end off and wire it into an ignition source, if so what colours do what? Little confused and google reaps no results but I'm probably searching for the wrong thing. 

 

Cheers!!!

 

 

What ive seen in alot of cars is a 12v socket hidden behind the dash with a usb socket in it with cable plugged into that,

 

Seems abit of a bodge to me though,

 

what about one of these http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-to-5V-3A-Step-down-Converter-2-Female-USB-Output-Buck-Regulator-in-Car-UK-/121238087091?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item1c3a5a65b3

 

use one for camera and hide other to use as a phone charger

AFAIK the power on USB comes trough the wires at the extreme sides of the connector. You can probably cut it and measure it to make sure. Don't know if the wires inside the cable can be wired properly as usually they are very thin..

Fubar put a brill guide together on how to do this for an octy2 and I followed his advice. It involves getting a flying cigarette lighter socket and putting it in the small cubbyhole on the right of the steering wheel. It works really well and you can get a socket that has a usb outlet which you'll need anyway (or something similar) as IIRC the usb has a 5v ouput rather than 12v.

So the output should be 5v in the end or 12v? As that usb adapter converts it from 12v to 5v, which isn't what i'd want or is it? I'm a little more confused now haha

 

I'll check out the guide, thank you

I'm seeing stuff online about it being 12v and needing to be stepped down or something?!

 

I actually have a usb cable that came with the dash cam but it's for a TV out and on the red power cable it says "warning +DC5v input" so I can't use that?! 

 

Am I going to break the camera by simply putting those red and black wires to my cars feed?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Help meeeee!! Thanks

If I were you I'd hard wire something like this or what volvomeg linked, to your car and tuck it away somewhere 

Like Harvey says above if you get one of the cigarette lighters with the usb socket its already stepped down to 5v so your black usb plug will fit straight in. Job done.

Easy enough, get yourself an adaptor as in the above post, remove the fuse cover and surround, then with a piggy back fuse find a permanent or switched live in your fuse box insert the piggy back fuse in there, you then have a spur with the correct amp fuse.

 Now use the tail to attach to your adaptor and an earth that you can connect to the car body.

 

 Once you have done the above you can simply feed your wire down the A pillar to the fuse box area and insert the plug that comes with your dash cam, secure with cable ties and tape and make sure all bare wires are correctly insulated and close up the fuse box, fit your dash cam and tidy the wires away in the front of the head lining.

 

 

 Piggy Back Fuses

Both of mine are hardwired in as per the 'Piggy Back Fuses' James mentions above.  

 

Dead easy to do and it's just a case of fit 'em and forget 'em.

 

Gaz

Dan, what you need is one of these.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/380699351818?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

I've just installed the same camera using one of these leads and a piggyback fuse holder.

That cable does reduce voltage from 12 to 5 and does the job.

Long enough for the cable to be run from the camera, up into the headlining, down behind the A pillar cover into the fuse box and still have a fair bit spare.

I used the rear wiper fuse as it's non critical and switched live.