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Compared to the others on the market, this would look the best when hardwired. It's barely noticeable from outside the car and from the inside almost looks like OEM equipment. Power supply is permanent and if you want, you can install a toggle on/off switch on the bottom of the dash or an unused knockout plate on the left.
I wanted a system that would be always on and not distracting. This works. Fire up the engine and footage is rolling.
I put this in last summer and it's still going strong!
Here we go.
1. Power supply is a 12v to 5v USB converter.
2. Power supply will mount under dash near fuse box with velcro tape.
3. Long USB cable that will reach from under dash around up to rearview mirror area.
4. Removal of A-Pillar trim involved a mallet covered with a towel.
5. A replacable clip must be broken to remove this trim piece. You will strike the A-Pillar lined up with this little tab that's revealed by pulling back weather stripping. There is an airbag here, so know what you are doing and don't kill yourself. Detailed instructions for A-pillar acces are available HERE(link).
6. Remove trim; detach wiring as needed.
7. Run wiring. Remember the airbag? Keep it out of the way.
8. Reinstall Trim.
9. You will need this to provide a ground to the cars body to your power supply.
10. Self tapping screw does the trick.
11. Find an empty fuse location that provides power only when the car is on.
12. Mount cam with included bracket and double sided tape.
ChunkyDA - if you have done the mirror tab, can you send us some pictures? I am thinking about a dash cam. I have read lot on people using a radar detector and tapping into the mirror.
Considering an airbag is there, i'm hesitant to use that
If I recall correctly, the sensor is what sets off the bag, not the bag itself. also that's the recommended way to open the A-pillar, even in the Reference manual that's floating around this forum.
I did my install the same exact way, but you don't need to open up the A-pilliar at all. You an squeeze the wires between the cover and the metal pillar very easily, takes a second or two more this way plus you don't have to buy new clips to retain it. I did wiring for my camera and my radar detector this way. Both wires slid in the gap with no problem. Also there's no need to tap a hole into the metal of the car. Loosen up the bolt on the fuse-box and attach the ground to there.
I'm colour blind, so don't mind me asking: what's the Amperage on that fuse, it looks like a 20A? Those Inline Add-a-circuit fixtures are rated for a max of 10A, just incase you were gonna run more things off of that circuit.
For some reason I can't edit my previous post =( But here's my install for my radar. The camera followed the same way, just a secondary add-a-circuit. I've since then fixed the little bit of wire that was exposed near the top of the A-pillar and the windshield.
Haha, I thought the same thing as you when I read that in the manual too. But lo and behold, it is actually the correct way. I was super hesitant on doing it that way so I did it my way instead =P Same results!
If I recall correctly, the sensor is what sets off the bag, not the bag itself. also that's the recommended way to open the A-pillar, even in the Reference manual that's floating around this forum.
I did my install the same exact way, but you don't need to open up the A-pilliar at all. You an squeeze the wires between the cover and the metal pillar very easily, takes a second or two more this way plus you don't have to buy new clips to retain it. I did wiring for my camera and my radar detector this way. Both wires slid in the gap with no problem. Also there's no need to tap a hole into the metal of the car. Loosen up the bolt on the fuse-box and attach the ground to there.
I'm colour blind, so don't mind me asking: what's the Amperage on that fuse, it looks like a 20A? Those Inline Add-a-circuit fixtures are rated for a max of 10A, just incase you were gonna run more things off of that circuit.
Thats correct, you really dont need to remove a-pilliar. Just squeeze wires inside with some kind dull plastic tool.
I'm looking to have a similar setup to yours. A couple of questions though, that fuse that you tapped into, is that unused? And also can you confirm that specific fuse shuts off when the car is off?
Also, I should know this but we have mini fuses correct? This would work?
I'm looking to have a similar setup to yours. A couple of questions though, that fuse that you tapped into, is that unused? And also can you confirm that specific fuse shuts off when the car is off?
Also, I should know this but we have mini fuses correct? This would work?
I don't recall which fuse space I ended up using. The first one I tried was "always on", and I found one that was only on when vehicle was by trial and error.
AWesome pics and write up. I have a G1W dashcam and I'm lazy so far so it's still got the ugly 12V outlet power plug with the power wire hanging off the mirror...will be looking at more discrete/cleaner install in next couple months and this would help quite a bit. I do have a 3G though I assume the hiding power wire is similar process....
07-13-2016, 05:59 PM
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