F30 Hardwiring Dashcam

rudster · 09-20-2013, 06:06 AM

Hi all

I have just purchased a new 330d xDrive and I'm looking to fit a dash cam behind the rear view mirror.

Has anybody attempted to hard wire a camera / speed detector / nav unit? Is it easier to splice into the dimming mirror loom, or better run a wire to the fuse box?

A guide would be great.

Thanks in advance

rudster · 10-03-2013, 05:09 AM

Update ...

I have found a great workaround for hard wiring the DashCam. It turns out there is a 12v Outlet underneath the glove box. I simply plugged the cam in there and routed the cable behind the plastic trim around the passenger foot well - up behind the rubber door seal - across the windscreen post - up and across the windshield behind the roof trim.

This is not as invasive as a hard wire and the cable is not visible anywhere on the route!

It could also be used for speed detectors. I will try and post some pics / YouTube video later.

Sedan_Clan · 10-08-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Update ...

I have found a great workaround for hard wiring the DashCam. It turns out there is a 12v Outlet underneath the glove box. I simply plugged the cam in there and routed the cable behind the plastic trim around the passenger foot well - up behind the rubber door seal - across the windscreen post - up and across the windshield behind the roof trim.

This is not as invasive as a hard wire and the cable is not visible anywhere on the route!

It could also be used for speed detectors. I will try and post some pics / YouTube video later.

I'd like to see pics.

Who? · 10-10-2013, 04:32 PM

Looking forwqrd to the pics

Mines currently wired to the rear power socket... not a good look lol

rudster · 10-16-2013, 02:35 PM

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

Sedan_Clan · 10-16-2013, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

Clean install.

SimonB · 10-16-2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

Many thanks for doing this, gives me confidence to have a go myself when I get mine, thanks!

izzyM2 · 10-17-2013, 11:25 PM

It's really intuitive to do this. I'm glad BMW put a power source underneath the glove box.

tonytiger37 · 11-20-2013, 07:44 PM

Hi does anyone know what are the color of the wires for the dimming feature on the 3 series? Are they brown with a color stripe? Please let me know asap.

emfo · 07-29-2015, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

I'm going to guesstimate I need aprox 10ft cable for this install

dangson · 07-30-2015, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emfo

I'm going to guesstimate I need aprox 10ft cable for this install

Yes, that's correct. I attempted to do the same install with a 6' cable and ended up having to get an extension. The distance is a lot longer than it seems at first because you have to follow the curves of the trim.

doomsday runner · 07-31-2015, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

Be carful how you have run your cable over the top of the A pillar, if you have not routed the cable behind your air curtain you will affect deployment of your air curtain in an accident!

ahero4eternity · 07-31-2015, 09:53 AM

Ordered a Falcon last night. Installing mine this evening (love Amazon same day delivery).

ahero4eternity · 08-01-2015, 01:06 AM

Installed my Falcon tonight. No issues. Very easy to conceal the power cord!

jamoka3 · 08-03-2015, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rudster

Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!

Can you post a link on where to buy with the cable and camera combo? I'm really interested in doing this! Thanks.

emfo · 08-05-2015, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomsday runner

Be carful how you have run your cable over the top of the A pillar, if you have not routed the cable behind your air curtain you will affect deployment of your air curtain in an accident!

Please elaborate! How do you tell if you've gone over or under the air curtain?

SimonVB · 09-19-2018, 02:26 PM

... resurrecting this old thread, I have two questions.

First, has anyone tried to get power from the dome light? A CYHY dashcam at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTKKLYS suggests that that should be possible.

Second, unlike the above cam, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L6XFWT8 should fit the F30. I like how the camera is almost invisible. Does anyone have any experience with that camera?

Steve_335d · 10-15-2018, 02:27 PM

Great install. I'd seen that power socket on a different video a while ago and forgot it was there. Need to work out what camera to buy and might look to install in the top corner of the windscreen on the passenger side. Thanks for the inspiration

09-20-2013, 06:06 AM	#1
rudster New Member 6 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW 330d E90 LCI Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: GLOS iTrader: (0)	F30 Hardwiring Dashcam Hi all I have just purchased a new 330d xDrive and I'm looking to fit a dash cam behind the rear view mirror. Has anybody attempted to hard wire a camera / speed detector / nav unit? Is it easier to splice into the dimming mirror loom, or better run a wire to the fuse box? A guide would be great. Thanks in advance
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

10-03-2013, 05:09 AM	#2
rudster New Member 6 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW 330d E90 LCI Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: GLOS iTrader: (0)	F30 - great semi-hard wire route! Update ... I have found a great workaround for hard wiring the DashCam. It turns out there is a 12v Outlet underneath the glove box. I simply plugged the cam in there and routed the cable behind the plastic trim around the passenger foot well - up behind the rubber door seal - across the windscreen post - up and across the windshield behind the roof trim. This is not as invasive as a hard wire and the cable is not visible anywhere on the route! It could also be used for speed detectors. I will try and post some pics / YouTube video later.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-10-2013, 04:32 PM	#4
Who? Colonel 485 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: F87 LCI Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	Looking forwqrd to the pics Mines currently wired to the rear power socket... not a good look lol
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10-16-2013, 02:35 PM	#5
rudster New Member 6 Rep 5 Posts Drives: BMW 330d E90 LCI Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: GLOS iTrader: (0)	Here's the YouTube of the install. ENJOY!
	Appreciate 1 Quote

10-17-2013, 11:25 PM	#8
izzyM2 Major 703 Rep 1,241 Posts Drives: 24’M2/21ID.4/21’MacanGTS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4)	It's really intuitive to do this. I'm glad BMW put a power source underneath the glove box. Attached Images Last edited by izzyM2; 10-18-2013 at 05:22 AM..
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11-20-2013, 07:44 PM	#9
tonytiger37 Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2011 3 Series Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	Hi does anyone know what are the color of the wires for the dimming feature on the 3 series? Are they brown with a color stripe? Please let me know asap.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-31-2015, 09:53 AM	#13
ahero4eternity Major 452 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: usa iTrader: (4)	Ordered a Falcon last night. Installing mine this evening (love Amazon same day delivery).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-01-2015, 01:06 AM	#14
ahero4eternity Major 452 Rep 1,425 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: usa iTrader: (4)	Installed my Falcon tonight. No issues. Very easy to conceal the power cord!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-19-2018, 02:26 PM	#17
SimonVB Registered 0 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2015 F31 diesel Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Los Angeles, California iTrader: (0)	... resurrecting this old thread, I have two questions. First, has anyone tried to get power from the dome light? A CYHY dashcam at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CTKKLYS suggests that that should be possible. Second, unlike the above cam, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01L6XFWT8 should fit the F30. I like how the camera is almost invisible. Does anyone have any experience with that camera?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-15-2018, 02:27 PM	#18
Steve_335d Enlisted Member 66 Rep 37 Posts Drives: F30 335d M-Sport Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Great install. I'd seen that power socket on a different video a while ago and forgot it was there. Need to work out what camera to buy and might look to install in the top corner of the windscreen on the passenger side. Thanks for the inspiration __________________ 2016 F30 335d (370bhp 780nm)
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