Hi all,

 

I got my car a month or so ago and it came a Road Angel Halo already fitted. I had already bought a Thinkware dashcam earlier this year and am planning to fit it at the weekend.

 

I thought i'd have a quick look at how the Halo is wired so i've just unclipped the glovebox to get to the fusebox.

 

In each fuse tap the original fuse is in the lower socket and a 2 amp fuse in the upper as it should be but are these fuse taps the wrong way round? I haven't got my voltage tester at the moment to check but all other installs I have seen on here has the fuse tap with the wire going downwards.

 

Edited 17 September, 20241 yr by Dave77

I've managed to confirm it's the wrong way round.

 

I removed original fuse from the fuse tap and re-fitted the same way as above, the Halo dashcam did not work. Fitted it the other way (wire down) and the dashcam worked. Probably a dodgy Halfords job.

 

It won't fit the correct way around with both fuses in the fuse tap in 47 as that big yellow fuse gets in the way. My 48 fuse slot is empty so should be able to use that.

Then to deal with the other upside down fuse tap above it!

Edited 17 September, 20241 yr by Dave77

I came across the topic below whilst trying to work out why my fuse slots 13/41 are empty (seat belt tensioners). As @Aperture777 points out in this when a fuse slot is not in use you will just see the 'bus bar' (power) and nothing in the other slot (to device)
 

This is my fuse box with the 2 fuse taps removed, outlined red (40/47). You can see to the right of each an empty slot (green), I have tested both of these and the upper is permanent live, the bottom is ignition live, so both could have been used to power the dashcam rather than piggybacking an existing fuse.

 

Looking at several other posts I see some people saying they can't use a 'fuse tap' in a socket as there is currently no fuse there. Correct me if I'm wrong but surely it's better to use an empty slot?

 

I think you're over thinking it...

 

It makes little difference which direction the piggy pack fuses go as they are very simple things:

 

Fitted in the 'wrong' direction, both the original and new device will pull current through the original fuse which 'could' cause it to pop. Given the current use and likely fuse rating for a dashcam, this is unlikely so either orientation is fine and both circuits are still protected

 

2 hours ago, Dave77 said:

Looking at several other posts I see some people saying they can't use a 'fuse tap' in a socket as there is currently no fuse there. Correct me if I'm wrong but surely it's better to use an empty slot?

 

I would rather have the piggy back holder held in at both ends (so an existing circuit) as it's the only mechanism to secure it in place. Cars are subjected to lots of bumps, jolts and vibrations so it feels a safer option to me.