Tapping 12v power for dash cam

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

I wish to hook up a dashcam by tapping into somewhere under the dash. Can someone suggest where this can be done?
Many thanks.

[Guest Close Guest]

Use a fuse tap wire from the underdash fuse panel.

[adrian5800 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close adrian5800]

Or back of the cig lighter/aux power supply socket - you have both accessory switched power and earth there

[gspy4u Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close gspy4u]

yeh i just used the rear of the cig lighter for my power. That way it also switch's off when the ignition is off but stays on if acc is on.

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

Thanks Guys. Yeah! I want the dashcam to go off when the ignition is off otherwise it would be easy peasy. It seems the best solution is to go for back of the cig lighter but getting the bugger out to access the leads could be a problem.

Regards

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

Best $120 I paid on this thing was getting an autoeletrician to install an additional ciggie-lighter behind the dash trim where the light switch is. My dash cam is plugged into there, so you don't see it, the plugs not taking up a spot for other - more temporary - items and if the Cam fails, or I replace it, I can pull the trim off and take it with me. And yep - wired into the accessory circuit so only come s on with the car

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Best $120 I paid on this thing was getting an autoeletrician to install an additional ciggie-lighter behind the dash trim where the light switch is. My dash cam is plugged into there, so you don't see it, the plugs not taking up a spot for other - more temporary - items and if the Cam fails, or I replace it, I can pull the trim off and take it with me. And yep - wired into the accessory circuit so only come s on with the car

Which light switch? Got a picture?

[CamJam Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CamJam]

Which light switch? Got a picture?

Sorry - was thinking of our other car where the light switch was. It's mounted directly behind the panel that holds the Stop/Start button and mirror controls. I saw him able to take that panel off without taking anything else off. Taking a photo of it will just be the same as a photo of your panel - it's behind it.

What he wired it into is anyone's guess. I am blissfully unaware of any effort or knowledge other than the fact that I have a cigarette lighter behind the panel - and I am happy with that! If I need to, I can pull that panel off, unplug it, and take the cam out. I am guessing there are a few wires there that are accessory only.

[Corigator Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Corigator]

Best $120 I paid on this thing was getting an autoeletrician to install an additional ciggie-lighter behind the dash trim where the light switch is. My dash cam is plugged into there, so you don't see it, the plugs not taking up a spot for other - more temporary - items and if the Cam fails, or I replace it, I can pull the trim off and take it with me. And yep - wired into the accessory circuit so only come s on with the car

I did a similar thing myself. I put a relay and switch feeding two sockets to run my camera and GPS. I took the power from a 100amp lead to a Narva distribution hub I ran from the second battery.

[Doug32 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Doug32]

Well I tried to remove the trim/cover around the gearstick to get at the cig lighter but it led to an epic fail as all I accomplished was broken plastic lugs and still the bugger did not come off. Has anyone done this successfully, if so I would like to know how.

[Atherton Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Atherton]

Google is your friend. To remove gearstick panel you have to remove other dash trim items first. From memory, AC controls come off first, then Silver trim pieces in both sides, then low range cluster followed by gearstick surrounds.