Connecting dash camera

[caineroad]

Hi,

I would like to know except from the cigarette lighter wire, where else can I tap into 12V connection for a dash camera?

The reason I ask this is because I have already got another dash camera and a rear-view camera connected to the cigarette lighter wire, and the wire is filling up with tap-slice. I like this wire because even when the fuse blow, I only lose the cigarette connection power. I want to know if there is other safe and easily accessible alternative?

Thanks

[CTScott]

Here are some options:

You can tap the ignition switched power wire on the ignition switch (pink wire) an use it directly.

You can tap that wire and use it to switch a relay coil, where the relay contacts are then switching power directly from the battery (via an added fuse) or via the 60A feed on the under-dash fuse panel (see my remote start DIY for the location, and also you would use this feed via and added fuse).

[yaris2010RS]

I spliced into the 12v wire that feeds the cigarette lighter, then soldered to the original cigarette plug for my dash cam and GPS and ran the wires up behind the A Pillar and down by my center mirror. both my cam and GPS turn on when the car is on and off when the car is off and i now have my outlet open again to charge my phone.

[nookandcrannycar]

I just found one more thing to put on my 'How I would utilize an iPad list'. This may push that list to the point where I might buy the new 4th generation one. Have any of you fellow members used an iPad as a dash cam ? This is not the factor that would finally push me to buy one. If any of you have, did it/does it do an adequate job? Did you use a dash mount, a windshield mount, or a passenger visor mount?

[caineroad]

I suppose you never used a dash camera before? It is VERY troublesome to turn it on and off each time you get in the car. In this case, the iPad not only you have to switch it on and off, but also take it with you when you get out of the car.

So what's the point...

I never used a iPad as dash camera before, and I never want to do that.

I suggest buying a dedicated dash camera, connected to a 12V source instead. It automatically turns on and off itself, and you can leave it in the car.

[nookandcrannycar]

I suppose you never used a dash camera before? It is VERY troublesome to turn it on and off each time you get in the car. In this case, the iPad not only you have to switch it on and off, but also take it with you when you get out of the car.

So what's the point...

I never used a iPad as dash camera before, and I never want to do that.

I suggest buying a dedicated dash camera, connected to a 12V source instead. It automatically turns on and off itself, and you can leave it in the car.

Lots of people use iPhones as dash cams. Do a You Tube search and you will see. I don't want to buy an iPhone. If I could get flat fee per day only on the day you use it service WITH UNLIMITED DATA, I might buy an iPhone, but since I can't (and anything else re current use would be a waste of money) I don't want one. Many different types of iPhone car mounts (for different locations) are available and smaller (but still diverse) set of mounts are available for the iPad, including a passenger visor mount. Passenger visor mount = my first thought re location for an iPad as dash cam. The battery life of the iPad (especially the newest one) is another draw. I would prefer not to have a dash cam that has to be plugged in (12v) to get power at all, and don't want to have a one use (dash cam only as dash cam) item. When I exit my car (and am not taking my electronics with me for other purposes) and am at a location where thieves might be lurking (a mall ANYWHERE, or a sketchy neighborhood) I instinctively reach back, pull down my back seat (my headrests are permanently off), and put any electronics under the 'package shelf/cover' (behind the back seat). If it is a really hot day, I'll only bring my 'most disposable' laptop and leave other electronics (except cell phones/smartphone) at home. I wouldn't find incorporating an iPad into such routines burdensome. I just want to know if the quality of the result would be viewable. Thank you for taking the time to reply. If anyone has used an iPad as a dash cam (or even knows someone who has), please reply :smile:.

[caineroad]

Lots of people use iPhones as dash cams. Do a You Tube search and you will see. I don't want to buy an iPhone. If I could get flat fee per day only on the day you use it service WITH UNLIMITED DATA, I might buy an iPhone, but since I can't (and anything else re current use would be a waste of money) I don't want one. Many different types of iPhone car mounts (for different locations) are available and smaller (but still diverse) set of mounts are available for the iPad, including a passenger visor mount. Passenger visor mount = my first thought re location for an iPad as dash cam. The battery life of the iPad (especially the newest one) is another draw. I would prefer not to have a dash cam that has to be plugged in (12v) to get power at all, and don't want to have a one use (dash cam only as dash cam) item. When I exit my car (and am not taking my electronics with me for other purposes) and am at a location where thieves might be lurking (a mall ANYWHERE, or a sketchy neighborhood) I instinctively reach back, pull down my back seat (my headrests are permanently off), and put any electronics under the 'package shelf/cover' (behind the back seat). If it is a really hot day, I'll only bring my 'most disposable' laptop and leave other electronics (except cell phones/smartphone) at home. I wouldn't find incorporating an iPad into such routines burdensome. I just want to know if the quality of the result would be viewable. Thank you for taking the time to reply. If anyone has used an iPad as a dash cam (or even knows someone who has), please reply :smile:.

I see.... ok then hope you really dont find it troublesome when it comes to down actual day-day use, cuz i used to have similar setup and just thinking back is nightmare.

i'll let others comment on the quality.

[yaris2010RS]

$30 on ebay and you have a purpose-served dash cam......

[nookandcrannycar]

I see.... ok then hope you really dont find it troublesome when it comes to down actual day-day use, cuz i used to have similar setup and just thinking back is nightmare.

i'll let others comment on the quality.

I'm not trying to disregard other people's advice. It's not a matter of deciding I need a dash cam and then trying to figure of which camera would be best. I can live without a functioning dash cam. I would only be interested in using an iPhone or an iPad and, given the sum total of the other uses I would currently have for each device, an iPhone would be a waste of money and an iPad wouldn't be a waste of money.

[nookandcrannycar]

$30 on ebay and you have a purpose-served dash cam......

see post #9 and post #6

[fnkngrv]

you could always get a professional to do it if you don't feel you have the ability.

[nookandcrannycar]

you could always get a professional to do it if you don't feel you have the ability.

:bellyroll:. It cracks me up that people seem to have the mindset that this has to be a certain way and that if someone wants something different that doesn't need installation, that they are avoiding the installation. I guess that I'm going to get zero answers from someone who has tried what I mentioned and zero answers from someone who knows someone who tried it.

[yaris2010RS]

why has this gone off topic so much....... I believe the OP had receieved a great answer from CTScott.

[nookandcrannycar]

I was watching the YouTube video link (the iPhone connection part) from the OP in Gladmo 2's 'Add USB audio to factory head unit' thread and I thought 'What about using an iPod Touch as a dash cam instead of an iPad'? I like the size of the iPhone re dash cam use (as do many YouTube posters), but don't want any part of the phone. I'd originally thought about the iPad for this (as I'd be able to put it to another particular frequent use). I then did an 'ipod touch as dash cam' search on YouTube. I viewed the 2nd and 3rd ones down (both by Ed Lucas). I then viewed the 8th one down - 'iPhone Dash Cam' by DanielJagerFilms. He uses the Apple App Store app 'Witness Driving'. This app has both an onscreen compass and an onscreen digital speedometer (as well as other nice features). I pulled up the App Store and found the page for this app (App Store - Travel - Snoring Dog Limited). This app is compatible with all 3 -- iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad. I've learned that the main use I'd have for the iPad doesn't require getting a new one , and the newest iPod Touch has eliminated the ambient light feature from the camera. So, I'm considering buying a used iPod Touch and a used iPad instead of a new iPad. I'm aware that some of the 'Witness Driving' users had some overheating issues, but most still liked the overall functionality of the app.

Perhaps incorporating iPad functionality into this app was easy for the programmers. Perhaps re the nature of iOS the programmers effectively didn't have to do anything.....but it did cross someone else's mind besides mine :biggrin:.

[nookandcrannycar]

why has this gone off topic so much....... I believe the OP had receieved a great answer from CTScott.

My bad. I thought my post #4 might generate one response (thereby not derailing the thread), and that that the one response would be specific to what I asked. I didn't think my post #4 would start a 'mindset nudge' that would potentially derail this thread. I didn't see this post (your post #13) until after I finished posting my post #14.

[rytis]

Hey Team,

I'm also wiring a dash cam. I routed the power cable to the left dash wire panel, and am trying to figure out which 12v wire to tap. It has to turn on with the ignition switch (and not be the cigarette port). The pink wire (which CTScott mentioned) sounds good. But which one? Will it be fuse protected?

Also, what would be the best way to connect the 12v to 5v adapter plug to the 12v wires?

Thanks

[Astroman]

I'm in the same boat as you, hoping someone knows the answer.

[fnkngrv]

Scott is out of the country for now so unless someone else chimes in the answer will have to wait.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

[Astroman]

I looked at his remote start guide and it did reference the pink wire but it was labeled ignition 2. Guess I'll just use the 12v accessory port for now. I'm up to 3 devices I use all the time and it'll be nice to write some of that in.

[ReedH]

Can you tap it from the back of the Radio/entertainment system? I wired a radar detector into that on my old car.

I've seen Male/Female splice connectors that allow you to do it without even cutting stock wires.

[kaymm]

Hi,

I already have a dashcam facing the front powered via lighter adapter. Instead of starting another thread, I hope I can hitch on to this one :)

I want to put a dashcam mounted under the top rear brake light that will record what is behind me as well. Where can I tap power from in the back of the car that has 12v when engine is on? I'm hoping I can tap power from somewhere near the left backup light area.

[rytis]

Hey,

I had the same idea. But will be sticking to just the front camera. I saw somewhere that there's no source like that in the back. You'll have to run it from somewhere in the front.

[MoneyT8]

I use the cigarette lighter socket for my dashcam. Quick question where did you mount your front facing dashcam? Did you mount it on the black dotted lines right behind the rearview mirror? If so how did you do it as it is close to impossible to do so with the suction cup not sticking.

[kaymm]

I use the cigarette lighter socket for my dashcam. Quick question where did you mount your front facing dashcam? Did you mount it on the black dotted lines right behind the rearview mirror? If so how did you do it as it is close to impossible to do so with the suction cup not sticking.

Hi, my dashcam has a mount that sticks on the window. It sticks on the dotted area of the window even. It has some 3M tape. It's been on my car for 3 years and never fell off. If you have a suction type of mount, you can buy these discs that have 3M tape on one side and a smooth surface on the other and it'll let you suction to. My old dash cam had a suction cup mount and I used these discs. Even with it, I hate suction cup mounts, they fall off every now and then when you're driving, annoying. Double sided tape is the way to go. Google "suction cup discs"

[kaymm]

Anyone know of the closest constant 12v near the rear lights? I'm really trying to avoid pulling a long wire to the front console.

[rytis]

This is how I mount my Mini 0801 (it comes with the 3M tape)

[kaymm]

Hey,

I had the same idea. But will be sticking to just the front camera. I saw somewhere that there's no source like that in the back. You'll have to run it from somewhere in the front.

I ended up getting a very long extension and tapping into a fusebox to get a 12v source when ignition is on. It wasn't too bad, I ran it on the left side and into the trunk

[ReedH]

I try to avoid taping things with fuse taps. It's just personal preference but it makes me a bit uncomfortable. I'm running my radar detector with one of these:

http://www.autoharnesshouse.com/76297.html

It's fused and uses the power to the headunit and just leeches off of it.(clean and no wire splicing)