Good afternoon everyone.

 

I have been gifted a dashcam and want to hardwire it into the electrics to avoid yards of cable hanging around from the cigarette lighter. 

 

I want to fit it behind the rear view mirror and was thinking I could wire it into the courtesy/map light circuit.

 

Is this a good idea, or even possible, or should I be looking for another power source?

 

All suggestions gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

This might give you some idea

 

Don't forget to check the voltage of the camera.

You may need one of these.. CPT voltage converter

Plus a piggy back fuse. 

All fit neatly in the fuse box area.

 

eBay item number:262247697355 And one for the rear window. 

Edited 17 August, 20241 yr by Carlodiesel

If you want it hassle free, buy a Black Vue model with the switched cable that plugs into the diagnostics port.

 

I got a factory reconditioned set off eBay with 2 cameras and a years warranty and fitted to my Audi.

No hard wiring required but acts exactly like it is. Big thumbs up.

Edited 17 August, 20241 yr by Prezafab

17 hours ago, Yetian said:

Good afternoon everyone.

 

I have been gifted a dashcam and want to hardwire it into the electrics to avoid yards of cable hanging around from the cigarette lighter. 

 

I want to fit it behind the rear view mirror and was thinking I could wire it into the courtesy/map light circuit.

 

Is this a good idea, or even possible, or should I be looking for another power source?

 

All suggestions gratefully received.

 

Thanks.

Depending on the camera, you'll need a permanent 12v supply as well as an ignition-switched 12v supply, as well as ground.

It's easy enough to do, and it's very nice to have a dash-cam you can just fit and forget about.

 

Incidentally, I have a Viofo A129 Pro which started playing up after about 18 months.

I contacted Viofo customer and between us, we traced the problem to the GPS unit, which they sent a new one out to me for the cost of postage (around £6), I plugged it in and all is now well.

I was quite impressed with their customer support, but not impressed that the unit started playing up after 18 months.

Get a 12v to 5v converter hardwire kit and piggyback into a live or switched live (whatever it needs) in the fusebox by the drivers door.
Easy then to remove drivers A pillar trim by lifting as you pull it inwards at the top so you don't damage roof trim then feed it under the headlining by the windscreen to the rear view mirror.

If it’s a Nextbase dashcam then the easiest hardwire solution is the Nextbase OBD port power cable as this includes the earth. Nextbase also do a hardwire cable that piggybacks into the fuse box but you have to work out where to get the earth connection. 

On 18/08/2024 at 20:05, Urrell said:

Easy then to remove drivers A pillar trim by lifting as you pull it inwards at the top.

I'd recommend you remove the Passenger side A Pillar Trim and run the cable that side. It's easy to feed the wire behind, through the dash to the fuses.  Reason being you can't get a wire across the mirror mounting. So by coming up the passenger side then you don't need to cross over the mirror.

On 26/08/2024 at 22:55, aubrey said:

I'd recommend you remove the Passenger side A Pillar Trim and run the cable that side. It's easy to feed the wire behind, through the dash to the fuses.  Reason being you can't get a wire across the mirror mounting. So by coming up the passenger side then you don't need to cross over the mirror.

What's the need to cross the mirror mount?
Just bring it down beside it, cannot get neater than that and much easier as no need to fish cable across under the dash, straight up from fuse box to the drivers "A" pillar and tuck under headlining.

The cable is barely visible.

Edited 30 August, 20241 yr by Urrell

Depends where you mount the dashcam I guess. Mine is more to the passenger side.

Installers choice I guess, it was just a heads up if you assumed the mirror makes no difference.

 

More to the left as I like to see the dashcams screen to confirm all's good with it, put it into WiFi file transmit mode etc.

Edited 30 August, 20241 yr by aubrey
Added why my dashcams more left