I'm thinking of sticking an Ojocam in my 2012 TL but I want to make the wiring as neat as possible.

I'm considering connecting it to the wire connected to the rearview mirror. Is there a way I can do this without losing the auto-dimming with the mirror? Like, getting a splitter so the wire can power both the camera and the mirror?

If not, I suppose I could stick a wire through the liner and connect the camera straight into the main console.

 

Look up threads on hardwiring radar detectors. Should be the same process.

 

^^^^ This. Also double check the volts/amps draw of the dashcam vs. radar detector but believe you should be fine.

 

You could use the power from your auto dimming mirror but keep in mind it cuts the power off to the mirror when you're in reverse.

 

There is an unused 10 or maybe 15 amp location underneath the steering wheel for an "accessory" Just get a fuse tap and tuck the wire along the ceiling liner and the A-pillar.

 

That's where I have mine tapped. Works great.

 

This is all assuming you only want the dashcam to work while the car is running. There is another thread recently started where the OP wanted to be able to record what is happening when he isn't in his car. Apparently he has paid $2500 out of pocket in repairs to his car from other drivers that have hit him and didn't leave any sort of note.

 

I didn't know that the power to the auto-dimming mirrors is cut off in reverse.. If that's the case then I don't think I'll be doing it that way.

How can I get the dashcam to run while I am away from my car if it detects any impact? Will that require the dashcam to have the feature as well as a battery or will I have to connect the camera to the main console?

 

I don't have a 4G, so I can't speak to functionality, but I'm not sure why and cant think of a functional reason the mirror would operate this way


I'm not sure how the other OP was looking for the cameras to work but am guessing he/she was looking for it to record constantly vs. on with impact. For constant on operation you would need to find a circuit not tied to the ignition. Something like power locks, power seats, dome light etc.

 

I'll look for this other thread and see how he did it. I'm now looking into how difficult it would be to remove the interior cover for the a-pillar to stick the wiring through. It looks like I'll need to replace the one-time-use clip that holds it down on one of the ends.

 

Here is the other thread I was referring to - https://acurazine.com/forums/second-.../#post15454137

And in terms of running a wire down the A pillar, i was able to wire my radar detector into the fusebox without pulling the cover. I ran the power cord along the headliner and down the A pillar and on down to the fuse box by just pushing the power cord in between windshield and the A pillar. I pushed it in with my fingers to get it started and then use a small flat head screwdriver to push it behind the cover.

 

I was able to remove the A-Piller without breaking the clips. You just have to remove the weather stripping and slide it out.

 

+1 i did the same and it is really easy and you can't tell there was a wire run.

 

Can you remove the weather-stripping and put it back without any special tools? I've never had to touch the weather stripping before. If so, then this approach looks like the one!

 

Yup, you could remove it without any special tools.

 

Tagged.

 

Careful running the wire down the A pillar. There is an airbag in there. If you go that way, remove the A pillar to be able to see where the wire ends up, make sure the wire is on the side of the airbag and not on top of it. Shit happens...

 

Youtube has tons of information on dashcam installation. When I installed my 2 channel system, it took under two hours and I took my time and did it slowly. Pulling the weather stripping is very easy and tuck in all the wiring under the headliner (to run wires from rear camera to the front). I used passenger side fuse box and used accessory fuse and dome light fuse for power sources so I can record while vehicle is parked and can record impact or motion sense triggered. Make sure you get a battery saver so dashcam doesn't drain your battery if it's parked for extended time.

Also look at this site for installation.
How to Install Dash Camera - Blackboxmycar.com

 

Agreed and a good safety tip. My wire is literally sitting just inside the A-pillar cover and can't imagine it would interfere with airbag deployment in anyway.

 

Thanks for the tips.
What's a battery saver? I was thinking about the battery since I don't often drive on weekdays anymore (I subway to work now) so this is something that I should be looking into.