Dashcam - Hardwiring?

[justin220]

Evening all,

I am thinking of installing a dashcam in my V8 Vantage. Has anyone installed one?
I'm not keen on wires trailing through the car, so would like to hardwire it in to an ignition triggered power source.

Any advice? Does the headlining come away easy enough? Or A pillars?

[BravoV8V]

Here's a previous thread on the topic:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

IIRC, somebody (was it Karl?) made a very elaborate (and OEM looking) camera housing from the roof light binnacle. But, unfortunately, I can't seem to find the relevant thread via the search function.

[justin220]

Thanks Bravo! I'll have a search through

[triple5]

I took a feed from the cabin fuse box using an add-a-fuse, but I can't remember which circuit I used.... sorry.

[divetheworld]

No need to drag wires everywhere, there is an appropriate power supply near there.
In the interior light pod, the positive cable supplying the auto rear dimming mirror is advised.
It's where I took mine from and Strats told me it was a good call.

[James B]

James (Paralight on here) fitted the wiring kit for my Blackvue to the Vanq.
I just got the hardwire kit for the camera and he ran the cabling. It wasn't expensive and it's totally discrete.

[divetheworld]

I should add how to get in the interior light pod.
Take a T25/T30 (can't remember which) torx and remove the rear view mirror. Remove the microphone from the pod and underneath is a posidrive screw. Pop that out, disconnect plugs and the pod will drop.
Ta daaaa!

[steveatesh]

OP, I originated the linked thread above, my camera is hard wired. Iirc a wires was taken from a circuit to the right of the drivers side, around knee height which was the "switched"circuit ie comes on with ignition.

In addition the always on and earth were ran back to the battery by tucking the wires into the windscreen surround, down the right hand wall, and under the kick plate into the battery compartment behind the driver. All wires are hidden and the cam comes on with the ignition, and there is a battery voltage protected always on connection too as my cam has a park mode to record things when the car is parked. The protector switches it off if battery voltage drops too low.

It's an easy job, the pictures I provided show how easy it is to remove the interior light module.

Don't forget to fuse your circuits just in case.

Best of luck.

[vankypanky]

for me personally, i dont think it would be the best idea to have one of those installed in anything i own.

[BravoV8V]

vankypanky said:

for me personally, i dont think it would be the best idea to have one of those installed in anything i own.

I don't think that you understand what they are for, do you?

[Impasse]

BravoV8V said:

vankypanky said:

for me personally, i dont think it would be the best idea to have one of those installed in anything i own.

I don't think that you understand what they are for, do you?

Gathering incriminating evidence, then hastily editing afterwards?

[justin220]

Apologies I'm a bit late in replying. Thanks for all the replies. I'm hoping to have a go at this tomorrow, might run with it just connected to the CIG lighter for a week or so to make sure all is OK, then go for the hardwired option

[Chevykevv]

Which fuse did you use in the end?
I've run the cable down to the passenger footwell but don't know where to connect my ad-a-fuse

[justin220]

I ended up using fuse 22 for the exhaust (in the coupe)

I'm having the same issue in my roadster now.. I can't find an easy way into the boot from the passenger compartment..

[Chevykevv]

I can't find the fuse box in the passenger footwell. It should be visible as it has a lot of fuses in it.

[AstonExige]

James from Paralight installed mine. He grabbed a feed from the passenger footwell, on the side of the transmission tunnel I believe. I used a permanent live but I believe there is a switched live down there too.

My advice, just go along to see James, he really knows his way around these cars and will have it done in no time.

[triple5]

This thread has more details on where to get power from.

[justin220]

Chevykevv said:

I can't find the fuse box in the passenger footwell. It should be visible as it has a lot of fuses in it.

It's underneath the passenger floor mat.. Then you need to remove a panel held on with hex screws

[Chevykevv]

Thanks

I'll take a look later on.