Hard-wiring a dash cam

GoldenVision

GoldenVision

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Globecar 5.4 Shine
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Since 2013
I'd like to wire our dash cam so it piggy-backs on a fuse so that I don't have to use the cigarette socket.

Has anyone done this (Fiat Ducato 2023)?

I'm assuming it would have to be a fuse in the engine compartment (so that it comes on with the engine), but then how to route the wire back into into the cab?
 
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My is 2017 buy theory is same, I wired a power supply for it to the ACC feed to the radio so it comes on with the ignition.
 
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Hard wiring dashcams is a great idea.
To save going behind the fuseboard and cutting in to wires, you can get a thing called an "add a fuse" which simply plugs into a fuse position and taps into that circuit without altering the original circuit- it has a seperate fuse of appropriate rating.
Comes in two sizes for standard blades or mini blades.
eBay item number:262247697355
I try to use non critical supplies like heater fan just in case it should come loose.
Mike
 
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Thanks to both - but I have the piggy back fuse - it's the fuse to attach it to I need and the route from the engine fuse box (if that's where the fuse I need is) to inside the cab.

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I don’t know about a 2023 model but on our 2021 model I connected to a fuse in the fuse box located inside the motorhome behind the removable panel for the OBD port. No need to go as far as the engine bay.
IMG_2099.jpeg
 
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Did mine but piggybacked into a fuse on the inside, Ducato 2016
I picked it up from a thread on here with pictures to show, I wouldn’t have a clue how to find it though🤷‍♂️🙄
 
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ontheroadagain said:
I don’t know about a 2023 model but on our 2021 model I connected to a fuse in the fuse box located inside the motorhome behind the removable panel for the OBD port. No need to go as far as the engine bay. View attachment 859533
Click to expand...

Yes, that looks promising. Does it turn on and off with the engine?
 
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GoldenVision said:
Thanks to both - but I have the piggy back fuse - it's the fuse to attach it to I need and the route from the engine fuse box (if that's where the fuse I need is) to inside the cab.
Click to expand...
Lower dashboard right hand side, have a look at the fusebox there. I piggy backed the hardwire there to an ignition switched fuse and simply fed the cable up
 
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If the dash cam is mounted at the top of the screen feed the cable under the headlining to the driver’s side A pillar, and then fish it down into the fuse board r/h side below the dash. Locate either a permanent live or ignition switched fuse using a multimeter, and then piggyback off of it.
 
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On mine I found an unused cable dangling with a plug on it right at the inside fuse box. I tested it... And it's an ignition positive 🤩😜
 
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GoldenVision .. be aware..

Dash-cams are 5v .. not 12v , so don't just chop the ciggy plug 12v adapter off and wire into the 12v.... 💥

buy a hardwire kit for your particular camera, it will have the voltage reducer and the piggyback fuse ..

this is the Nextbase hardwire kit,
nextbase.co.uk

Series 2 Dash Cam Hardwire Kit | Nextbase UK

A simple plug and play solution to power any Dash Cam directly from your car's fuse box and keep your car’s 12V outlet free. Read on to find out more.
nextbase.co.uk nextbase.co.uk

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I've got a couple of those spare, I'm away from the van and just wondered, but thanks
 
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WESTY66 said:
Did mine but piggybacked into a fuse on the inside, Ducato 2016
I picked it up from a thread on here with pictures to show, I wouldn’t have a clue how to find it though🤷‍♂️🙄
Click to expand...
Was it this one?
www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Dash Cam

Any advice from anyone appreciated for fitting a dash cam.to a Adria Twin bearing in mind the screen blind.
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk

GoldenVision said:
I'd like to wire our dash cam so it piggy-backs on a fuse so that I don't have to use the cigarette socket.

Has anyone done this (Fiat Ducato 2023)?

I'm assuming it would have to be a fuse in the engine compartment (so that it comes on with the engine), but then how to route the wire back into into the cab?
Click to expand...
Fairly certain the X290 Ducato fusebox is the same layout as the X250 so might be worth a look at attached link.
 
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When looking to see if a fuse is live or not it can be help to know that the top of a blade fuse, to either end of the where the rating is embossed, are little exposed contacts. If you use a small 12v test lamp (the other end to earth) and run down the little pits you can easily see which ccts are live or not.
Using the technique it also helps to find a blown fuse.
Mike
 
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GoldenVision said:
I'd like to wire our dash cam so it piggy-backs on a fuse so that I don't have to use the cigarette socket.

Has anyone done this (Fiat Ducato 2023)?

I'm assuming it would have to be a fuse in the engine compartment (so that it comes on with the engine), but then how to route the wire back into into the cab?
Click to expand...
Have a look at the next base
site. There's an instruction video on there
 
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GoldenVision said:
I'd like to wire our dash cam so it piggy-backs on a fuse so that I don't have to use the cigarette socket.

Has anyone done this (Fiat Ducato 2023)?

I'm assuming it would have to be a fuse in the engine compartment (so that it comes on with the engine), but then how to route the wire back into into the cab?
Click to expand...
Hi, yes I’ve had it done. very easy, albeit I did get a car electrician to do it for me but he only charged for one hour so should give you an idea of cost. Didn’t need access to engine bay, did it all under the dashboard.
 
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Couldn’t you pick up a supply from the rear view mirror camera, or interior light, ? Just a thought.

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I did ours the other day. 2014 peugeot boxer. As stated already, fuse box under the steering wheel. I found a useful video on you tube, (try searching dashcam hardwiring ducato), as only some of the fuses in the fuse box come on with the ignition. You don't want to connect to one that is permanently live, for obvious reasons...
 
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Bear in mind that there are two ways a dash cam can be connected; If it just works when the ignition is on then it would have a wiring kit with one positive wire plus earth. If it also has a parked mode so you can get images when you are in Tescos and someone shunts you then it will have two positive wires, the second goes to an always live source. If you buy a wiring kit make sure you get the right type for your machine. Most of them come with piggy back fuse adaptors; check they supply the size you need as there are several size fuses. I got this set to wire a feed for an old GoPro on ignition only; https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B085Q7ST8J/?tag=mhf04-21
 
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Fazerstorm said:
You don't want to connect to one that is permanently live, for obvious reasons...
Click to expand...
Interestingly, that's exactly what Nextbase recommend you do to take advantage of the Parking Mode in their current dashcam range. The 12v supply is permanent so that the dashcam can 'wake up' if your vehicle is struck while unattended.

The Nextbase dashcam in the MoHo is wired to the ignition circuit, so not permanently live.

When I took my car to have more recent Nextbase dashcams fitted, front and rear, the installer recommended wiring to a permanently live circuit to be able to use parking mode, so that's what he did. Well, firstly I found that the dashcam recorded video 24 hours a day and not just if the car had been bumped. No end of menu adjustments, resets and advice fron Nextbase resolved that so I turned off the Parking Mode. I tend to think I may have a faulty unit as I can't believe they all film 24 hours. Even after turning off Parking Mode I found the dashcam(s) drain the vehicle battery to the point that the car's BMS/ECU starts shutting down non-essential electrical features after two or three days of none use. That's a pain.

The only solution is to wire the dashcam's supply to a switched circuit so it is not permanently live. This should be quite straightforward using the piggy-back fuse holder - assuming there is a suitable switched fuse in the same box.
 
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Excellent idea and keeps things much neater. However, if you plan to travel to Europe remember that dashcams are illegal in Portugal with heavy fines if caught. Hard wired dashcams are not easily removeable so this may prevent travel to Portugal if this is on your Wishlist.

God bless GDPR!
 
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PhilipLh said:
Excellent idea and keeps things much neater. However, if you plan to travel to Europe remember that dashcams are illegal in Portugal with heavy fines if caught. Hard wired dashcams are not easily removeable so this may prevent travel to Portugal if this is on your Wishlist.

God bless GDPR!
Click to expand...

Good point; but hard-wired, doesn't mean they can't be unplugged in the normal way (y)
 
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