Hardwiring a 5v dashcam DIY

Frogman · 01-31-2015, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mightycrown

I don't have those wires to rear view mirror. Any Idea where I might be able to get power from? Really want to avoid taking trims out

You might try seeing if you can tap into the interior light / sunroof control panel in the headliner. I've never taken it out, but it's in a good location to tap.

mightycrown · 01-31-2015, 03:14 PM

Good suggestion, will look into it. Thanks for yuor info,

zzz · 02-08-2015, 07:04 AM

Hey, does this power source turn off when car is locked? I don't want my device powered all the time.

zzz · 02-08-2015, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzz

Hey, does this power source turn off when car is locked? I don't want my device powered all the time.

Works like a charm

http://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showth...1#post17364531

Frogman · 02-08-2015, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzz

Hey, does this power source turn off when car is locked? I don't want my device powered all the time.

It turns off when the engine is turned off.

If you have the compass enabled, the car cuts the power to the camera when you see the compass display turn off.

lbjgh · 02-11-2015, 10:49 AM

Great instructions. Thanks!

Hopefully the instructions would work on the F25 (X3)

zzz · 02-11-2015, 11:02 AM

They do, already tried it.

Sagitta12 · 06-03-2015, 11:31 AM

This is a nice and useful thread! Thanks a lot!

DrivenByE30 · 09-22-2015, 03:31 AM

Awesome work Frogman as usual !!

I have been thinking about adding both a dash cam and a radar detector and was planning to find a way to hide all the wiring... That's when I landed on this thread!

I could also do a back view together with interior view from the rear.

NVETHIS · 09-30-2015, 02:05 PM

Nice writeup, looks great! SOrry if it's a silly question, what is the purpose of a dash cam? Do you have to enable it to record every time you get in the car? Is is just for "if something happens"? Thanks.

-NVE

Frogman · 09-30-2015, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NVETHIS

Nice writeup, looks great! SOrry if it's a silly question, what is the purpose of a dash cam? Do you have to enable it to record every time you get in the car? Is is just for "if something happens"? Thanks.

-NVE

For me, it's mainly for evidence. I've had someone rear end me and claim that I rolled back into them. My brother in law had someone back into them and claim that he rear ended their car. Plus, I've captured some interesting driving maneuvers by people in front of me, lots of crazy drivers out there. I also got a cool video of a Buffalo almost ramming my car when I was in Yellowstone!

The mobius can be setup to start recording as soon as power is applied and will do a controlled shutdown when power is cut. It records on a 32GB micro-SD card and at 1080p and 30 fps, that's good for about 4 hours on a loop.

lemonchicken · 10-09-2015, 12:45 PM

Frogman this is by far the most elegant way I've seen to wire a dash cam. thanks so much for this contribution. really didn't want to run a wire all the way around to the extra outlet under the dash.

etinifni · 04-26-2016, 06:55 PM

Just saw this, what do you guys think?

SimpleUSB Automotive 12V to USB Adapter & Micro USB cable combo

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AYS4JZ4..._u9.hxbV6NQB10

Kabrich · 05-01-2016, 12:37 AM

Has anyone configured a dashboard can that can also "record" the HUD display in the video?

Trying to figure if it is possible without hitting your head with it (and making it cosmetically correct).

DanITman · 05-02-2016, 10:00 AM

I bet this would have worked without the the dc-dc converter. I know the camera runs on 5v but it probably has a voltage regulator in it. USB can pass 12v so I'm assuming it already has protection in place for converting the 12v down to 5v. Most 5v devices should be able to handle 12v without issue.

Frogman · 05-02-2016, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanITman

I bet this would have worked without the the dc-dc converter. I know the camera runs on 5v but it probably has a voltage regulator in it. USB can pass 12v so I'm assuming it already has protection in place for converting the 12v down to 5v. Most 5v devices should be able to handle 12v without issue.

Possibly, but I didn't want to risk it.

DanITman · 05-02-2016, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frogman

Possibly, but I didn't want to risk it.

I'm curious. How did the manual say you should power this dash cam? Did it come with a charging cord to the cigarette lighter? If you plug that in and put a volt meter on it, what does it read?

Frogman · 05-02-2016, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanITman

I'm curious. How did the manual say you should power this dash cam? Did it come with a charging cord to the cigarette lighter? If you plug that in and put a volt meter on it, what does it read?

The manual says 5VDC @ 1A is recommended.

AFAIK USB 2.0 is 5VDC only.

A note from the FAQ section of the manual says:

Q. The camera does not charge or does not automatically start recording when external power is connected and the Power On - Auto Record is set appropriately.
A. External USB power exceeds ~5.25V. Overload voltage protection was added to the V3 hardware (main board stamped with 2014-08-19 or greater) and will protect the camera against up to max. 24V. Earlier designs will be destroyed if voltage exceeds ~5.25V.

valley_nomad · 02-14-2017, 06:53 PM

Does any one know if F30 has a constant (i.e. always on) +12V wire around rear view mirror? My dashcam requires both a ACC (i.e. switched) +12V and a constant +12V.

rlaffey · 07-12-2017, 10:49 AM

I have the same query, mine needs both. Right now I have it running off switched but the date and time keep resetting.

shadowx360 · 03-19-2018, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valley_nomad

Does any one know if F30 has a constant (i.e. always on) +12V wire around rear view mirror? My dashcam requires both a ACC (i.e. switched) +12V and a constant +12V.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlaffey

I have the same query, mine needs both. Right now I have it running off switched but the date and time keep resetting.

Not close by. I bought a dashcam with capacitor for this reason, it switches on and off and has enough of a charge in between to save the date. Check out G1W-C.

As for the OP, they actually sell the ones that are pre-set to a constant 5V on EBay, nearly same exact design but now you don't have to compensate for when voltage varies between 12.6-14.2V depending on the alternator. Doubt it makes a difference in most units but less work nonetheless. Followed this guide and added plugs for both the radar detector and the dash cam, working great.

rlmesq · 08-22-2020, 01:04 PM

Thread necromancy!

I'm wonder if anyone has just tinned the ends of the power cable and shoved them into the mirror power connectors. MirrorTap just has a couple of Molex pins on the ends of the wires. Seems the wires would work the same way if tinned.

01-31-2015, 03:14 PM	#24
mightycrown Private First Class 11 Rep 111 Posts Drives: f31 320d black sport Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Good suggestion, will look into it. Thanks for yuor info,
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02-08-2015, 07:04 AM	#25
zzz Private 12 Rep 84 Posts Drives: G31 520i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	Hey, does this power source turn off when car is locked? I don't want my device powered all the time.
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02-11-2015, 10:49 AM	#28
lbjgh Lieutenant Colonel 104 Rep 1,511 Posts Drives: 2013 AW X3 M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North of Toronto iTrader: (0)	Great instructions. Thanks! Hopefully the instructions would work on the F25 (X3) __________________ 2013, AW, xDrive35i, M Sport Package, Technology Package, Dynamic Comfort Package, Premium Package, 3M Clear Bra, Euro foglight switch, a few coded fixes
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02-11-2015, 11:02 AM	#29
zzz Private 12 Rep 84 Posts Drives: G31 520i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Belgium iTrader: (0)	They do, already tried it.
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06-03-2015, 11:31 AM	#30
Sagitta12 Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: 335iX Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Stockholm iTrader: (0)	This is a nice and useful thread! Thanks a lot!
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09-22-2015, 03:31 AM	#31
DrivenByE30 Brigadier General 592 Rep 3,870 Posts Drives: '12 F30 Lux 335i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: OC - SoCal iTrader: (0)	Awesome work Frogman as usual !! I have been thinking about adding both a dash cam and a radar detector and was planning to find a way to hide all the wiring... That's when I landed on this thread! I could also do a back view together with interior view from the rear. __________________ all 3 are MT > F30 Luxury 335i 6MT- The dream driven... _..._4/12/12 ED trip MASSIVE photo thread here <<<
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09-30-2015, 02:05 PM	#32
NVETHIS Private First Class 56 Rep 171 Posts Drives: X3 M Comp Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (0) Garage List 2021 BMW X3 M Comp [0.00] 2018 BMW S1KRR [0.00]	Nice writeup, looks great! SOrry if it's a silly question, what is the purpose of a dash cam? Do you have to enable it to record every time you get in the car? Is is just for "if something happens"? Thanks. -NVE
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10-09-2015, 12:45 PM	#34
lemonchicken Lieutenant 251 Rep 439 Posts Drives: 2013 328i blue Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: los angeles iTrader: (0)	Frogman this is by far the most elegant way I've seen to wire a dash cam. thanks so much for this contribution. really didn't want to run a wire all the way around to the extra outlet under the dash.
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04-26-2016, 06:55 PM	#35
etinifni Captain 203 Rep 943 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Modern Line Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i Moder ... [0.00]	Just saw this, what do you guys think? SimpleUSB Automotive 12V to USB Adapter & Micro USB cable combo https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AYS4JZ4..._u9.hxbV6NQB10 __________________ :wave:
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05-01-2016, 12:37 AM	#36
Kabrich Banned 354 Rep 1,986 Posts Drives: '13 AH3 (335IH) 3F93 MSport Join Date: May 2013 Location: Florida iTrader: (6)	Has anyone configured a dashboard can that can also "record" the HUD display in the video? Trying to figure if it is possible without hitting your head with it (and making it cosmetically correct).
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2016, 10:00 AM	#37
DanITman Private First Class 51 Rep 129 Posts Drives: None Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	I bet this would have worked without the the dc-dc converter. I know the camera runs on 5v but it probably has a voltage regulator in it. USB can pass 12v so I'm assuming it already has protection in place for converting the 12v down to 5v. Most 5v devices should be able to handle 12v without issue.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-14-2017, 06:53 PM	#41
valley_nomad Private First Class 28 Rep 109 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 328i Join Date: May 2012 Location: Silicon Valley iTrader: (0)	Does any one know if F30 has a constant (i.e. always on) +12V wire around rear view mirror? My dashcam requires both a ACC (i.e. switched) +12V and a constant +12V.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-12-2017, 10:49 AM	#42
rlaffey Enlisted Member 3 Rep 34 Posts Drives: 2020 G20 330e mSport+ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Galway, Ireland iTrader: (0)	I have the same query, mine needs both. Right now I have it running off switched but the date and time keep resetting.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-22-2020, 01:04 PM	#44
rlmesq Lieutenant Colonel 1039 Rep 1,509 Posts Drives: 2018 440i M Sport Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Chico, CA iTrader: (0)	Thread necromancy! I'm wonder if anyone has just tinned the ends of the power cable and shoved them into the mirror power connectors. MirrorTap just has a couple of Molex pins on the ends of the wires. Seems the wires would work the same way if tinned.
	Appreciate 0 Quote