Fitting a dashcam to a DB9

[SteveMor]

I've got a DB9, I'm thinking about fitting a Dashcam, thing is I don't want wires hanging around or exposed, so has anyone hard wired one in? I was thinking about taking a live feed from the supply for the auto dimming mirror from the top centre of the windscreen. Has anyone done this & is it possible? I'm thinking of fitting the Transcend 220.

Thanks

Steve

[8Tech]

I ran the cable along the top of the windscreen, under the roof liner, down behind the "A" pillar trim and under the carpet to the 12V socket in the centre console. You cannot see any of the wiring apart from the socket in the lighter but I will wire it into the lighter supply when I next remove the console for any reason.

Its a good place to go as the power supply to that socket is ignition switched.

[SteveMor]

Thanks 8Tech, that sounds like an option, so you managed to hide the cable behind the trim without any issues then, 'lm just a bit reluctant to pull the trim out to push the cable behind it.

I will have to give it a go.

Thanks Steve

[triple5]

Yes fairly easy to hide the wires, a plastic trim tool will help. Mine run down to the passenger footwell.

[divetheworld]

SteveMor said:

I've got a DB9, I'm thinking about fitting a Dashcam, thing is I don't want wires hanging around or exposed, so has anyone hard wired one in? I was thinking about taking a live feed from the supply for the auto dimming mirror from the top centre of the windscreen. Has anyone done this & is it possible? I'm thinking of fitting the Transcend 220.

Thanks

Steve

Thats a good power supply. I fitted mine from there and my dealer commented that it was a good call. You wont get parking recording because the power to that is cut after ignition off.

[steveatesh]

I ran my wire under the front of the roof liner like 8Tech, down the driver side A pillar then down to the door sill, under that to the battery compartment for the always on circuit. I took the "ignition on" feed from a connector beneath the driver side dash board.

No wires are visible, I fused the circuit in the battery compartment for extra safety and I can get to the main parts of the hard wire kit easily.

Didn't take long, would recommend the plastic trim tools as above.

[triple5]

I used an "add-a-fuse", has the advantage it's completely reversible. Pic is of a Vantage fuse box.

[Big Ry]

On this subject, does anyone know what the smallest dashcam (that's worth using) is ?

I like the idea but I'm a stickler for stuff that ruins lines or shouldn't be there (I even hated the tax disc)

It's a shame the front and rear cameras already built into the car can't be adapted, that would be great !

[triple5]

Big Ry said:

On this subject, does anyone know what the smallest dashcam (that's worth using) is ?

I like the idea but I'm a stickler for stuff that ruins lines or shouldn't be there (I even hated the tax disc)

It's a shame the front and rear cameras already built into the car can't be adapted, that would be great !

The Blackvue or any similar (tubular) design is probably the most discrete. Mine is one of the original versions and the image quality is rubbish compared to the latest cameras, however it does the intended job, and doesn’t stick out too much. I have a Thinkware F750 dual camera in another car which is superb, but would be totally inappropriate in an Aston.

You also need to take into consideration the reflections caused by the ski slope, some fit polarising filters to eliminate the reflection, you do however loose some light making the image darker.

I did have the idea of trying to fit camera internals inside the light pod (assuming there’s enough room), it would need ventilation though as they can get hot and overheat. I might get around to having a go one day, would need to source a spare pod though.

[triple5]

Another alternative is a camera with remote lenses K1S

[SteveMor]

Thanks for the suggestions, excellent ideas, I'm getting a bit confused as to which camera to go for now, I like it discrete but I want a good one.

Where did youngest the tool to lever out the trim? Looks very handy.

Thanks Steve

[Chebble]

I second the add-a-fuse recommendation. Just use a multimeter to find a fuse that is ignition live and then plug and play.

As for the tools, I have this set:

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/361055853543?_trksid=p2141...

Various uses, including prying light clusters out when held in by bloody stubborn pressure clips!

[triple5]

SteveMor said:

Thanks for the suggestions, excellent ideas, I'm getting a bit confused as to which camera to go for now, I like it discrete but I want a good one.

Where did youngest the tool to lever out the trim? Looks very handy.

Thanks Steve

Search for trim removal tools on the bay, although that set linked above looks much better quality.

The newer Blackvue models are very good, I have two of the older models and they have both been very reliable. They are nicely finished and have the power connections on the end, so they can be tucked up nice and close to the light pod. They may not always win for the best image quality, but I would always trade some of that for reliability. They also don't have any garish markings on them, and on mine I can turn off all the fancy lights.

[gfc580]

steveatesh said:

I ran my wire under the front of the roof liner like 8Tech, down the driver side A pillar then down to the door sill, under that to the battery compartment for the always on circuit. I took the "ignition on" feed from a connector beneath the driver side dash board.

No wires are visible, I fused the circuit in the battery compartment for extra safety and I can get to the main parts of the hard wire kit easily.

Didn't take long, would recommend the plastic trim tools as above.

I've just bought a Blackvue dash cam and had my first go of installing it this afternoon.
I used a set of trim tools to get the wires under the roof liner but i'm having issues getting the cables under the alcantara trim around the left hand A pillar.
I intend to run down the left side to the fuse box in the footwell but the issue is getting the cables there.
Is there an easy way to do this as I don't want to go like a bull in a china shop and break the damn thing, it all looks a bit of a snug fit!!
Any help will be gratefully received.

Cheers,
Geoff

[triple5]

Where it meets the dash I just pushed it into the gap, it doesn't really notice as the cable and dash are both Black.

Edited by triple5 on Saturday 2nd April 20:30

Edited by triple5 on Saturday 2nd April 20:32

[gfc580]

triple5 said:

Where it meets the dash I just pushed it into the gap, it doesn't really notice as the cable and dash are both Black.

Edited by triple5 on Saturday 2nd April 20:30

Edited by triple5 on Saturday 2nd April 20:32

Hi,

Granted but how do you then feed the cable down to the footwell?

[triple5]

Easier said with pics.



I couldn't see an obvious ground connection, so put a bolt in one of these tapped holes.

[knnorton]

Presumably you picked up the switched and permanent live from the footwell fuse box? How did you get the wire once you get it down the A pillar and door pillar under the fuse cover without trapping and squashing/damaging the wire? Great photos, really helpful,

[triple5]

Thanks.

Yes although this camera doesn’t have parking mode so only needs a switched supply. You can feed the cable around and down into the back of the fuse box cavity, you don’t need to go in from the front.

[Chainsaw Rebuild]

Is it possible to mount a camera behind the front grille? I’m thinking it might give you a virtually invisible camera that way.