Dashcam power?

[wolfie]

I've been thinking about getting a dash-cam for a while. Should I fit one, it would probably be fixed permanently in place. Now from the few I've looked at they appear to favour being supplied with a simple USB adaptor that plugs into a spare 12V socket. I would like to keep the wiring a invisible as possible so where would be the best place to pick up a 12V supply, preferably without having to cut or splice into anything.

I quite like the look of these unless anyone can suggest anything better at about the same money.

DDPai M6+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DDPAI-M6-Plus ... 2271545179

[Maribo90]

I am also interested in this as well, I am in the same position as you. Haven't found a solution yet that doesn't require wires everywhere on my dash and down the front of my centre console.

So I am interested in other responses.

[wolfie]

Done a little digging and apparently 12V to 5V converters are pretty common and "cheap" I suppose you don't know until you start digging. Now There must be something like a Fuse-piggyback connector!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-to-5V-Dua ... 1976793008

Would one of these do the job? (Is that compatible with Vdub?)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Low-Profile-M ... 1354861803

[Maribo90]

Looks like the converter should work for the connector I'm not sure as I haven't tinkered with a vw before as the polo 6c gti I have is the first vw I've owned.

[nats148]

I took mine to a local auto electrical place and had it hardwired, cost £50 but I would have broken something if I'd tried to do it myself and all the wires are hidden away neatly.

[green_comet]

You should wire in an uninterrupted power supply, like a Blackvue power magic pro, Vicovation power plus or like me an Itronics ITV-80. There's probably a heap more available out there, but that's just off the top of my head.

You basically wire the box to accessories 12v, constant 12v (using fuse taps) and ground, then mount it out of sight. Set the voltage/time you want the power supply to cut off then plug the dash cams cigar lighter power into the uninterrupted power supply. Lastly hide the camera wire by tucking it into the head liner, running down behind the a pillar and behind the dash. This will look very tidy and allow you to use the cameras parking mode, as the power supply will give the camera power when the car is off, but will also turn it off after a selected time or when a certain battery voltage is reached. This makes sure the camera will never drain your battery to the point of the car not being able to start.

I literally wired in a uninterrupted power supply yesterday in preparation for my dash cam arriving later this week. When it arrives I'll just need to mount the camera, run the wire down to the power supply (while hiding the wire) and plug it in. I'll put up some photos of the whole setup once it's completely installed.

Here's the power supply wired in and mounted.

[green_comet]

Also, personally I would look at the new DDpai Mini 2 over the M6 Plus. The specs are almost the same (no GPS), but the Mini 2 looks nicer (imo) and has a capacitor setup over the M6 Plus' lithium battery. Capacitors are far better in dash cams compared to batteries, they handle the heat better and won't explode like some batteries do.

DDpai Mini 2

Here's a DDpai M6 that caught fire and melted after the battery exploded.

[wolfie]

Thanks for the post and images, it's just what I was hoping for.

It's not a done deal on the DDpai M6 by any means, it's simply one that caught my eye, as of yet I've not spent any real time looking at reviews/cameras, so that may change. Only real criteria is price, I want to stay sub £100 if possible. Good shout on the uninterruptable power supply, that had not crossed my mind as yet but sounds a prudent way to go.

[green_comet]

No problems, here's a few installation photos.














The power cable runs up and tucks into the headliner, then along to the a-piller and down under the plastic a-pillar cover to the power supply.

Here's some footage from the camera.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eihYctSWdw

[wolfie]

Thanks for post. From what little I've read the Blackvue range of Dashcams perform very well, personally I like that style of the camera, it's small compact and unobtrusive. A little bit more than I really want to spend though which is why I've been looking at cheaper alternatives. As yet nothing has jumped out at me that is head and shoulders above anything else, but I've only recently begun to look on anger.

Your Installation looks very tidy, tucking the the cable up under the headliner looks pretty straightforward. What did you do with the 'A' Pillars, remove them or simply tuck the cable under the trim? How long did it take you to get everything in place and set up?

Images look impressive and rock steady. I'd be pleased with that...

[green_comet]

To be honest I'm not a huge fan of the video quality of the Blackvue, it'll get you out of trouble but it's not going to blow you away. Personally I think the DDPai M6 Plus looks far sharper in the Techmoan review.

You can look at the recently released Lukas T790, which has a similar shape and features to the Blackvue and seems like a decent camera.

I ran the power wire under the headliner and using trim tools tucked it under the plastic a-pillar cover.

[Ricmondo]

Has anybody tried mounting the dashcam st the base of the screen. Potential for easier wiring and can be more central but does it give an adequate field of vision?

[6RPotentialBuyer]

viewtopic.php?f=10&t=69137

Here's a link to my dashcam install on my Polo. I mounted mine behind the rear view mirror which gives really good visibility for the camera and you hardly notice it's there because it's so well hidden. Really easy to install as well.

[Tarrantdrake]

You should wire in an uninterrupted power supply, like a Blackvue power magic pro, Vicovation power plus or like me an Itronics ITV-80. There's probably a heap more available out there, but that's just off the top of my head.

You basically wire the box to accessories 12v, constant 12v (using fuse taps) and ground, then mount it out of sight. Set the voltage/time you want the power supply to cut off then plug the dash cams cigar lighter power into the uninterrupted power supply. Lastly hide the camera wire by tucking it into the head liner, running down behind the a pillar and behind the dash. This will look very tidy and allow you to use the cameras parking mode, as the power supply will give the camera power when the car is off, but will also turn it off after a selected time or when a certain battery voltage is reached. This makes sure the camera will never drain your battery to the point of the car not being able to start.

I literally wired in a uninterrupted power supply yesterday in preparation for my dash cam arriving later this week. When it arrives I'll just need to mount the camera, run the wire down to the power supply (while hiding the wire) and plug it in. I'll put up some photos of the whole setup once it's completely installed.

Here's the power supply wired in and mounted.

Sorry to resurrect an old thread but do you remember which of the two fuse taps was permanently live as I need to do the same for my dash cam. Thanks in advance. Jason.

[iichel]

Hi Jason,

have a look here in the PDF for Polo 6C:
https://uk-polos.net/viewtopic.php?f=56&t=71052

Look up the fuse box you'd like to use and then take the one with 30 or 30a behind it, that means battery power (terminal 30 or 30a. the a means abgesichert, so it's fused somewhere).
Always fuse the dashcam, just in case it decides to go haywire.