Hardwiring Dash Camera

motesound

motesound

Member
Location
Canada, Toronto
Car
2013 INFINITI FX50S
Name
Dennis
Hi everyone!
My first message on the forum and I finally got a topic to use as an ice braker :smile (2):
As dash cameras now becoming smaller and more stylish the time has come for me to let one into my FX comfort "no gadgets" zone. This is more of a necessity caused by stupidity I see on the roads.
I have invested fairly decent amount of time into market research before made up my mind on the model.
The key factor for me was the size and look as I wouldn't allow any ugly piece of plastic spoil the FX greatness (love the car)

Anyway the model that delivered all that plus hi profile functionality and options is this:
FineVu CR500HD
Please go to blackboxmycar.com as I am not allowed to post links yet.

The package I got comes with so called Power kit
The thing allows you hardwire the camera - no cables, no manual on/off. Perfect!
My questions are:
1. Possible to hardwire to rear view mirror?
With or without losing power to mirror itself
2. If running to fuse box what and how should be connected?

Could someone help?
Thanking everyone in advance!

PS: There is a handful of videos on the website mentioned above where connection procedure is described as a reference
 
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Hello and welcome to iS! I'm very curious as to hear what a more informed member says about this. I've been wanting to do the same thing for a while and haven't yet made a post about it. There is a thread by a member on here entitled "Thank god I had a dash cam" but I can't remember who. I'm on my phone or I would look for you. But search for it. :) Will be watching this thread for sure!
 
i have a dash camera. it plugs into the cigarette lighter in the center console. i routed the wires behind the roof liner, down the side pillar, under the dash etc. the dash camera costed me like 60 dollars or something like that.

It turns on when theres power the the cigarette lighter and turns off when there is no power.

Makes 2 min videos and has the loop feature which when it runs out of memory, it will over write the first video.

I installed it behind the rear view mirror. Its pretty hidden. got no pictures tho.

since your in the same city if u want we can meetup and u can check it out. im in markham.
 
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---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------
Viperi said:
i have a dash camera. it plugs into the cigarette lighter in the center console. i routed the wires behind the roof liner, down the side pillar, under the dash etc. the dash camera costed me like 60 dollars or something like that.

It turns on when theres power the the cigarette lighter and turns off when there is no power.

Makes 2 min videos and has the loop feature which when it runs out of memory, it will over write the first video.

I installed it behind the rear view mirror. Its pretty hidden. got no pictures tho.

since your in the same city if u want we can meetup and u can check it out. im in markham.
Click to expand...

Your option is good. If hardwiring is going to be painful I will just do the same. Although the camera I got has Parking mode combined with motions detector. Starts recording whenever there is someone trying to park in front of you. That function is only possible with actual hardwire with Power Kit.
Sure I might stop by when in the area. Will keep in touch.
 
NicE camera! I'm in the middle of buying one, think I'm going ITB-100HD for a budget model ($185 shipped). Yours is considered the best on the market at the moment. They all connect the same way so I can advise you (do NOT try to wire it to your mirror!!, you need to route it to the fusebox or at least a constant on wire), although I own a 2009 so my wiring is different. Its very simple to install tho, done it many many times. Here is a great how-to I stumbled across for a Scion FRS, the methodology is identical, just route it to your fusebox and tap into a non-switched power source (I assume you want constant on for parking mode - I think they used the brakelight fuse with an add a fuse in this guide). Follow this, if you have any questions let me know and I'll guide you. They go thru like 50 pictures of testing, which if this is your first install is a good way to learn, but dont let the pictures fool you, I could install this in less than 30 minutes just as professionally, 90% of your time is removing trim panels and routing wiring with zip ties. There are 2 connections with a crimp (or solder):

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16300

---------- Post added at 12:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 AM ----------
motesound said:
---------- Post added at 08:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:48 PM ----------



Your option is good. If hardwiring is going to be painful I will just do the same. Although the camera I got has Parking mode combined with motions detector. Starts recording whenever there is someone trying to park in front of you. That function is only possible with actual hardwire with Power Kit.
Sure I might stop by when in the area. Will keep in touch.
Click to expand...

Please don't use your cig lighter. Hardwiring is super simple and much cleaner. YOu can do it and I can help you, its very easy, 2 wires!!
 
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Since the camera has parking mode which means you have to power it from a 12+ power source when the car is off. The power to the mirror is off when the car is off. Many of us power our radar detector (invisicord for Passport) via the power from the mirror.
 
Justins311 said:
NicE camera! I'm in the middle of buying one, think I'm going ITB-100HD for a budget model ($185 shipped). Yours is considered the best on the market at the moment. They all connect the same way so I can advise you (do NOT try to wire it to your mirror!!, you need to route it to the fusebox or at least a constant on wire), although I own a 2009 so my wiring is different. Its very simple to install tho, done it many many times. Here is a great how-to I stumbled across for a Scion FRS, the methodology is identical, just route it to your fusebox and tap into a non-switched power source (I assume you want constant on for parking mode - I think they used the brakelight fuse with an add a fuse in this guide). Follow this, if you have any questions let me know and I'll guide you. They go thru like 50 pictures of testing, which if this is your first install is a good way to learn, but dont let the pictures fool you, I could install this in less than 30 minutes just as professionally, 90% of your time is removing trim panels and routing wiring with zip ties. There are 2 connections with a crimp (or solder):


---------- Post added at 12:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:49 AM ----------



Please don't use your cig lighter. Hardwiring is super simple and much cleaner. YOu can do it and I can help you, its very easy, 2 wires!!
Click to expand...

Wow! What a great link! Just what I need. Thanks a lot!
 
How long does it record in parking mode? And is anyone running a cam both in the front and rear? Thinking about installing some...

sent
 
la_fx35 said:
Since the camera has parking mode which means you have to power it from a 12+ power source when the car is off. The power to the mirror is off when the car is off. Many of us power our radar detector (invisicord for Passport) via the power from the mirror.
Click to expand...

Understood. Thanks!
Any thoughts which fuses can be used for this purpose?

---------- Post added at 10:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:36 AM ----------
pmanliu said:
How long does it record in parking mode? And is anyone running a cam both in the front and rear? Thinking about installing some...

sent
Click to expand...

According to manual - up to 2 minutes.
From what I read it is very common in Korea to install 2 cameras.
 
I would tab in to the battery source directly with the assumption that the wire kit that comes with the camera would have a fuse on it. The best place to get battery source in the cabin is the big fat red wire on a white 6-pin connector under the steering column once you remove the knee panel.

DSC05444s_zpse41aad55.jpg
 

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Those that labeled "BAT" should have constant 12V to them. Are you planning to use those fuse tap to get power? I prefer just to get it directly rather then tap from a fuse. Lots of time with the fuse tap adapter and with fuse back on, it too high to close the fuse panel/door nicely.
 
la_fx35 said:
Those that labeled "BAT" should have constant 12V to them. Are you planning to use those fuse tap to get power? I prefer just to get it directly rather then tap from a fuse. Lots of time with the fuse tap adapter and with fuse back on, it too high to close the fuse panel/door nicely.
Click to expand...

Well I am gonna try something that I have instructions for at first. If I am not able to make it all tidy and close the panel properly I will consider going directly as you suggest.
 
If you are not experienced in wiring I would go for a fuse tap, even if it means you need to leave the cover bulging a bit. Tying directly in is a valid solution, but you need to make sure that not only what you're tying in is fused (camera) but that big red wire is fused close by. If its not it could burn up if you make a mistake, and tracing an electrical gremblin in an FX would SUCK.
 
Justins311 said:
If you are not experienced in wiring I would go for a fuse tap, even if it means you need to leave the cover bulging a bit. Tying directly in is a valid solution, but you need to make sure that not only what you're tying in is fused (camera) but that big red wire is fused close by. If its not it could burn up if you make a mistake, and tracing an electrical gremblin in an FX would SUCK.
Click to expand...
Yeah that's kinda how I feel about it at this point.
 
I sometimes use the torque trackrecorder on my android or a suction cup gopro, but a hardwired solution seems like a better idea, since it would always be on. Are they all single camera solutions? I would like to have a full around view if possible. connecting video output to the nav screen would be sweet as well.

As far as wiring goes, If you run a clean run just make sure you have a fuse near the battery end, that way you don't have to worry about shorts burning the wire etc. There are also empty spots in the drivers side engine compartment fuse box, which would keep your engine compartment looking cleaner.

you can also tap off of the battery line in the fuse box inside to avoid having to squeeze the wire in from the engine compartment. maybe you can turn one of the spares into a real fuse to make it look clean.

-- after checking out the video
Where are you planning to mount the camera? looks like a passenger compartment mount gives a 2 window view as the camera seems to have a wide angle. or are you planning to mount right at the front windshield?
 
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tomwetherald said:
-- after checking out the video
Where are you planning to mount the camera? looks like a passenger compartment mount gives a 2 window view as the camera seems to have a wide angle. or are you planning to mount right at the front windshield?
Click to expand...


Installed the camera right in front of the rear view mirror.

---------- Post added at 09:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:02 PM ----------

Short video
 
The video quality is so good!! Now you got me hooked on getting one too :) any chance you can post a pic of it being installed in your FX? Thank You
 
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