dash cam

Does anyone know if The Roof Light power supply could be used to power a windscreen mounted camera?
Thinking of getting one but don't want to see any wires.

Don't forget it needs a 5v ignition feed. I wired mine directly into the back of the fag socket on my 110 using a dash cam transformer to drop it from 12v to 5v. Soon as I start the car the dash cam turns on and records.

You can run a power supply from the dash/console area behind the plastic windscreen pilar (it pops off and back on OK) and under the headlining (unscrew sun visor and it will drop a little). You won't see the wire and it can just pop out from under the head lining near where you want the camera.

People usually take feeds from the cigarette lighter or the aux power socket in the console.

bankz5152 said:

Don't forget it needs a 5v ignition feed. I wired mine directly into the back of the fag socket on my 110 using a dash cam transformer to drop it from 12v to 5v. Soon as I start the car the dash cam turns on and records.

Click to expand...

Did the same !

bankz5152 said:

Don't forget it needs a 5v ignition feed. I wired mine directly into the back of the fag socket on my 110 using a dash cam transformer to drop it from 12v to 5v. Soon as I start the car the dash cam turns on and records.

Click to expand...

It will depend on what power leads come with the dash cam. Mine came with a cigarette lighter connector. My cigarette lighter was broke and I didn't want external wires anyway.

So I got another cigarette lighter swapped the wiring over to it, but left it tucked under/behind the console sitting on the "transmission tunnel" - plugged the dash cam into that and wrapped it all in plastic to stop any shorts.

The original cigarette lighter still sits on the dash and continues to not work - but its "looks" OK!

Edit : I did all this without removing the dash console which was a right ball ache when I removed the working lighter from my parts car. I did it by removing the gear stick gaiter which just gave me enough room to get my skinny fingers in to swap the power connectors on the lighters.

Thats true, if wiring it in directly with your own leads then it will give it straight 12v power where as they are 5v and need lower voltage.

All those lil USB sockets step 12v down to 5v to work with USB devices etc..

I used a connector that plugs into the fuse box in the cab direct, and holds the necessary fuse this replaces. I think from memory it was the lighter fuse. Then ran the wires up the pillar as mentioned above. Does the trick, wires all hidden and turns on and off on ignition.

SteJ said:

I used a connector that plugs into the fuse box in the cab direct, and holds the necessary fuse this replaces. I think from memory it was the lighter fuse. Then ran the wires up the pillar as mentioned above. Does the trick, wires all hidden and turns on and off on ignition.

Click to expand...

So that's like a small thing that plugs into a fuse socket and enables the original fuse to be plugged into it - and would work exactly like the original fuse - but also has a connector so that you can take addition supplies from it?

That sounds good - so you don't have to break in/damage any existing wiring. You would still need to find an earth though.

Do you have any links for for what you used?

GrumpyGel said:

So that's like a small thing that plugs into a fuse socket and enables the original fuse to be plugged into it - and would work exactly like the original fuse - but also has a connector so that you can take addition supplies from it?

That sounds good - so you don't have to break in/damage any existing wiring. You would still need to find an earth though.

Do you have any links for for what you used?

Click to expand...

http://www.halfords.com/technology/dash-cams/dash-cam-accessories/nextbase-dash-cam-hardwire-kit

This was not the one I used but very similar. The one had my dad had lying about. We connected the earth via one of the scres closest to the fuse box and all seems fine. No issues in the last 6months since it was installed.

Thanks for that, looks like the unit i'm going for comes with an 8 foot hard wire and cigaret lighter connection.
Most helpful info, many thanks

sai said:

Thanks for that, looks like the unit i'm going for comes with an 8 foot hard wire and cigaret lighter connection.
Most helpful info, many thanks

Click to expand...

You could take the power from the interior light circuit. However it's permanently live, which isn't normally very useful.
Taking auxiliary switched power from the cigarette lighter as suggested, is a better idea.

Thanks Nodge68 , I shall take that route

On the note of he 5v. I have run the wire down the pillar, can the wire be split and joined again to increase length?

Mulcaster1 said:

On the note of he 5v. I have run the wire down the pillar, can the wire be split and joined again to increase length?

Click to expand...

I cannot see any problem with that provided you used a good connector.

Nice little thread Various snippets of different info!

i have one front and back I keep meaning to hard wire them although the back one does come on when I power up and I would not be with out them I was the first in Staffordshire to secure a conviction through a dash cam when a bloke scratched my car and that was down to it having a good battery in and carry on filming

teddywood1 said:

i have one front and back I keep meaning to hard wire them although the back one does come on when I power up and I would not be with out them I was the first in Staffordshire to secure a conviction through a dash cam when a bloke scratched my car and that was down to it having a good battery in and carry on filming

Click to expand...

Bet that sickened the scumbag! Well done

Just a note about the piggy back fuses, used one on my nieces dash cam (used one to act as switch for a relay in the 110), the 12v to 5v power supply that came with camera uses two amps, so the most you can plug into the 12volt socket is now only 13 amps. Not a big deal really just a point to remember.

I used a piggy back fuse and added a 2 socket plug in the glove box. I ran my dash cam wiring under the windscreen trim down the A pillar to the glove box so the lighter plug that came with the dash cam just plugs into the socket. Easy and it gives you an extra socket for a satnav or whatever.

Mulcaster1 said:

Bet that sickened the scumbag! Well done

Click to expand...

all because he had a argument with his wife and he had never been in trouble with the police before they said and I said well he has probably never got caught before and left his car parked in front of mine with the number plate showing.