Dash Cam Hardwiring Options?

Bogbrush82 · 1st October 2018, 15:35

I want to try and hardwire my dash cam into the car instead of having to use the ciggy lighter. Are there any decent options available? Would the interior roof lights be an option?

cengar · 1st October 2018, 15:39

Took feed off fuse box to a separate cig lighter rather than cut camera feed wire ran cable up w/screen pillar and under head lining comes on when starting off when finished plenty cheap cig lighters available

Jim Jamieson · 1st October 2018, 17:18

One thing to remember is that most dash cameras, Sat nav’s etc are not powered by 12 volt so you still have to use some form of voltage reduction.

The cigarette lighter adaptor as supplied would be rather bulky to fit up inside the interior light.
Why not purchase a separate cigarette lighter and wire it up from the fuse box but make sure it’s mounted securely if you go that route.

andy willi · 1st October 2018, 17:39

hi i have them in all my cars i strip down the plug and hard wire it into the ignition feed in the light above the mirror not had problems for the last two years works well .

andy

bluemalbert · 1st October 2018, 21:15

Try this for info - theres lots more info too if you put a search on.

https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=276381&page=2

Devilish · 1st October 2018, 21:20

If you have auto dimming rear view mirror, one of the pins is IGN 12v, have wired quite a few this way. As mentioned, you have to use the cig lighter plug type voltage regulator. Take it apart and use just the PCB, and add a inline fuse. Or solder wires to the cig plug spring loaded tip +, that has a fuse behind it, and the side spring clip -. There is loads of room either side of the interior light unit.

trikey · 1st October 2018, 21:22

You can buy a hardwire kit from ebay for most dash cams.

I think the one I got was about £8, it goes on and off with the ign now and looks so much neater.

fandango151 · 1st October 2018, 23:23

Look at nextbase cameras. They have a mount that is powered and the camera slides onto so no messing with cables.

Also the hardwire kit is well made and comes with take off fuses so a case of taking out a fuse that is switched, popping the take off fuse holder in its place, fuse back in and voila done.

Bogbrush82 · 2nd October 2018, 09:18

Thanks for the ideas lads, it seems them that the ciggy lighter + ignition feed above the mirror seems the easiest route.

I'm assuming I'd need a complete unit in order to access the pcb - would something like this work?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-RED-C...QAAOxyGoBTKWSv

Edit - scrub that, I found a universal hardwire kit on ebay for a tenner.

1st October 2018, 15:35	#1
Bogbrush82 I really should get out more....... BMW X3 2.0D Join Date: May 2017 Location: Tipton Posts: 2,383 Thanks: 51 Thanked 765 Times in 421 Posts	Dash Cam Hardwiring Options? I want to try and hardwire my dash cam into the car instead of having to use the ciggy lighter. Are there any decent options available? Would the interior roof lights be an option? __________________ Current car: BMW x3 2.0d (The one with the M47 engine!) Rolled off the line on December 14th, 2004.

1st October 2018, 15:39	#2
cengar Loves to post rover 75 saloon cdti Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Trelights Posts: 351 Thanks: 158 Thanked 168 Times in 123 Posts	camera Took feed off fuse box to a separate cig lighter rather than cut camera feed wire ran cable up w/screen pillar and under head lining comes on when starting off when finished plenty cheap cig lighters available

1st October 2018, 21:20	#6
Devilish Been round the block 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cannock Posts: 4,125 Thanks: 3 Thanked 189 Times in 121 Posts	If you have auto dimming rear view mirror, one of the pins is IGN 12v, have wired quite a few this way. As mentioned, you have to use the cig lighter plug type voltage regulator. Take it apart and use just the PCB, and add a inline fuse. Or solder wires to the cig plug spring loaded tip +, that has a fuse behind it, and the side spring clip -. There is loads of room either side of the interior light unit. __________________ If at first you don't succeed, hide the evidence

1st October 2018, 21:22	#7
trikey Premium Trader Rover 75 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Devon Posts: 33,766 Thanks: 8,837 Thanked 14,831 Times in 8,030 Posts	You can buy a hardwire kit from ebay for most dash cams. I think the one I got was about £8, it goes on and off with the ign now and looks so much neater. __________________ Lest we forget..

2nd October 2018, 09:18	#9
Bogbrush82 I really should get out more....... BMW X3 2.0D Join Date: May 2017 Location: Tipton Posts: 2,383 Thanks: 51 Thanked 765 Times in 421 Posts	Thanks for the ideas lads, it seems them that the ciggy lighter + ignition feed above the mirror seems the easiest route. I'm assuming I'd need a complete unit in order to access the pcb - would something like this work? https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-RED-C...QAAOxyGoBTKWSv Edit - scrub that, I found a universal hardwire kit on ebay for a tenner. __________________ Current car: BMW x3 2.0d (The one with the M47 engine!) Rolled off the line on December 14th, 2004. Last edited by Bogbrush82; 2nd October 2018 at 09:38..

1st October 2018, 17:18	#3
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	One thing to remember is that most dash cameras, Sat nav’s etc are not powered by 12 volt so you still have to use some form of voltage reduction. The cigarette lighter adaptor as supplied would be rather bulky to fit up inside the interior light. Why not purchase a separate cigarette lighter and wire it up from the fuse box but make sure it’s mounted securely if you go that route.

1st October 2018, 17:39	#4
andy willi I really should get out more....... PRE LAUNCH 75/ZT 190/XJ 550 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: carcroft doncaster Posts: 2,866 Thanks: 101 Thanked 680 Times in 342 Posts	hi i have them in all my cars i strip down the plug and hard wire it into the ignition feed in the light above the mirror not had problems for the last two years works well . andy

1st October 2018, 21:15	#5
bluemalbert Avid contributor MG ZT 190 Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Heathrow Posts: 166 Thanks: 109 Thanked 24 Times in 14 Posts	Try this for info - theres lots more info too if you put a search on. https://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/for...=276381&page=2

1st October 2018, 23:23	#8
fandango151 Loves to post Rover 75 Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Tamworth Posts: 291 Thanks: 2 Thanked 72 Times in 65 Posts	Look at nextbase cameras. They have a mount that is powered and the camera slides onto so no messing with cables. Also the hardwire kit is well made and comes with take off fuses so a case of taking out a fuse that is switched, popping the take off fuse holder in its place, fuse back in and voila done.