Hard-wire Dash Cam Install

[akra11]

May I ask why you need or have a dash cam? just curious

Everybody should have one. Actually, should come factory nowadays. Too many ideots on rh road

 

[Briencrotty]

www.thedashcamstore.com

Buy a nice camera for just a bit more than the cams on Amazon. I have used BlackVue for years and one of the highest rated cameras on the market. Just ordered my Blackvue DR750S with the Power Magic Pro interface for Parking Mode operation. I HIGHLY recommend fuse taps and not wrapping a wire around the fuse. Install should take about 45 minutes to an hour tops and easy even for a novice. I am an EE but this truly is a simple install. HIGHLY recommend parking mode as more stuff happens in a parking lot than you may think and the kit is very inexpensive.

This is the one I ordered but you can get far cheaper units as well. I installed the DR590W 2CH in my wife's Acura SUV.

https://www.thedashcamstore.com/blackvue-dr750s-1ch-single-lens-1080p-60fps-gps-wifi-dashcam/

I just picked up the Blackvue 900 2ch IR for my new Rebel. I can't wait to give that one a shot. I have a Transcend 520 in my car, and it's been spectacular so far.

B

 

[Ramit392]

Simple solution to the battery concern would be to wire up a small, rechargeable AGM with isolator. Back in the day, you could buy a drop in from Directed, but you make need to build one off a trailer breakaway battery kit. Easy to do, won't jeopardize your starting battery, and your camera can remain on.

AGM?

 

[Ramit392]

I wasn't interested in having my dashcam run 24/7. Only wanted it while driving. Have the Escort M1 dashcam, mounted on a BlendMount support. Used a MirrorTap for power, so the dashcam only operates when the power mirror does (ignition on, ACC on, etc.). Clean and efficient, with no wires hanging in my face. The Escort M1 is designed to work in conjunction with a radar detector, and I do not have a radar detector presently (usually drive conservatively) but may purchase one some time in the future. The additional wire coming out of the side of the dashcam (shown hanging loose in the second picture) is the factory supplied power source for the future detector. The power goes through the camera and into the detector. I just have the short detector power cord tied/tucked up out of the way for the time being.
View attachment 15327
View attachment 15328

What is a Mirror tap for power if I may ask?

 

[Patsy1099]

What is a Mirror tap for power if I may ask?

Taps into your rear view mirror for power so you can mount your camera or radar without having to run a wire around your a pillar to the fuse box. Honestly I personally find running a wire around the a pillar just as easy, if not easier, than messing with the rear view mirror shroud and tiny wires. Not to mention you have to make sure you get the correct wire tap (some are too big). Just my two cents.

 

[mtehonica]

I just picked up the Blackvue 900 2ch IR for my new Rebel. I can't wait to give that one a shot. I have a Transcend 520 in my car, and it's been spectacular so far.

B

Installed the DR900S-2CH last weekend Have been having overheating issues with the camera this week though... apparently it's been a known issue but I emailed BlackVue to check. I also changed from H.265 to H.264 since that apparently helps because it doesn't take as much processing and hence less heat.

 

[Patsy1099]

Installed the DR900S-2CH last weekend Have been having overheating issues with the camera this week though... apparently it's been a known issue but I emailed BlackVue to check. I also changed from H.265 to H.264 since that apparently helps because it doesn't take as much processing and hence less heat.

Yeah overheating has long plagued blackvue not sure why they can’t figure it out yet.

 

[Briencrotty]

Installed the DR900S-2CH last weekend Have been having overheating issues with the camera this week though... apparently it's been a known issue but I emailed BlackVue to check. I also changed from H.265 to H.264 since that apparently helps because it doesn't take as much processing and hence less heat.

I'll definitely keep an eye out for overheating. It does get pretty toasty here in the summers (though if it's overheating now, when it's only about 60, that'll be a real problem when it gets up to 95 or 100). Fingers crossed!

B

 

[securityguy]

I have had mine in FL heat for 2+ years and never an issue with a BlackVue overheating or having any adverse reaction to heat. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet

 

[Patsy1099]

No it’s actually legit. Tons of issues with Blackvues overheating. Blackvue even admits it. I have a different brand but I know a number of friends with the issue. It’s why I went a different route. Some theories are when you crank up he bit rate and res, run it for long periods, throw in some heat, then you get issues. But there are also people with no issues. Lots of people love them.

 

[Briencrotty]

I have had mine in FL heat for 2+ years and never an issue with a BlackVue overheating or having any adverse reaction to heat. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet

Then there's hope! I think it should be fine. I'm going to install it with the module that turns it off before it drains the battery, so that I'll at least have some coverage when the truck is parked. I'm eager to put it in, just have to get the tinting band across the top of the front window done first.

B

 

[mtehonica]

Yeah, I installed mine with the B124 battery for parking mode. Mine was overheating yesterday when it as around 80 degrees outside temp and I left it parked for 15 minutes or so. Since I changed the encoding from h265 to h264, it hasn’t overheated.

 

[securityguy]

@Patsy1099 ...I hear you and respect your input but I know a ton of folks here in FL with BlackVue cameras that have had zero issues. Maybe a certain model? I have my resolution and bit rate at the highest quality setting possible and have run it for hours on long trips (6 hours from JAX to Miami) to visit my Son in Grad school and believe me it gets very toasty here in FL. I guess all I'll say is that I am a strong believer in BlackVue and have never had an issue in any of the cars I have it installed in. Everything in life is a risk...just like buying the RAM

 

[Patsy1099]

@securityguy totally agree on all points.

Seems like they issued a firmware update that addresses some of the issues. So everyone should make sure to keep their firmware up to date.

If you head over to rdforum.org or dashcamtalk.com they are all about dashcams and radars etc and there are a lot of users who discuss the overheating. Some users have no issues. I know lots of people on rdforum who love their blackvues.

 

[cbpickering]

A129 from Viofo with hardwire kit wires to fuse panel under driver's side dash FTW!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk

 

[Tedscanoe]

Since we're talking dash cams c/w some wonderful pics, does anyone know how I can get keyed power for a back-window dash cam?
Running power from the under steering wheel fuse box sounds a bit difficult.

 

[firecadet613]

Since we're talking dash cams c/w some wonderful pics, does anyone know how I can get keyed power for a back-window dash cam?
Running power from the under steering wheel fuse box sounds a bit difficult.

I run the Viofo A129. Forward cam gets power from under the steering wheel - the rear cam gets power from the front cam. I've got the cable going in the headliner around the passenger side of the truck.

 

[Patsy1099]

Since we're talking dash cams c/w some wonderful pics, does anyone know how I can get keyed power for a back-window dash cam?
Running power from the under steering wheel fuse box sounds a bit difficult.

It really isn’t difficult to run wires from the front to back. Just pop off the door sills. Do you need to connect your rear camera to a front camera or do you just need switched power? If you only need power, I have to imagine there is a wire you can grab back there. I don’t have the wiring schematic but somebody here must.

 

[securityguy]

It is MUCH better to install a DUAL CAM set-up where one camera connects to the other and not two separate cameras. As @Patsy1099 stated, running the wires is actually very easy in these trucks.

 

[sticker500]

@securityguy totally agree on all points.

Seems like they issued a firmware update that addresses some of the issues. So everyone should make sure to keep their firmware up to date.

If you head over to rdforum.org or dashcamtalk.com they are all about dashcams and radars etc and there are a lot of users who discuss the overheating. Some users have no issues. I know lots of people on rdforum who love their blackvues.

I run the DR900s-2CH and started experiencing overheating notifications. I turned the notifications off for now. I may play with the settings as was suggested earlier.