[BimmerNugget]

Hello F3X owners.

I'm normally over at E90post with my 11' 328i. This question is pertaining to my GF's F30 328i. I plan on getting her a dash camera for Christmas which I will obviously have to install for her. I was wondering if there is a power source that I can tap into that is located behind the glove box.

On my E90, I hardwired my dash cam using one of those "add a fuse" hardwire kits. And it was super easy to use because the fuse box on the E90 is behind the glove box.

On the F30 the fuse box is in the trunk and under the hood. Those are not very convenient locations to run wires. If I were to tap into a fuse in the trunk, i'd need a very long wire.

I read somewhere that there is a place to tap into power behind the glovebox on the F30, is this true?

Thanks guys, and happy holidays.

[IAmATeaf]

There is an accessory port under the glove box that you could use.

[jh_f30]

+1

If you get into the passenger footwell and look under the glovebox, you'll see a 12v socket on the left. I have my radar detector hardwired to it.

[JDTX]

Note that the 12V socket under the glovebox is not switched and at least on my F36 seems to always be on.

[s3ri3s1]

Originally Posted by JDTX

Note that the 12V socket under the glovebox is not switched and at least on my F36 seems to always be on.

My 2015 f30 socket is switched.

[deviantspeed]

Originally Posted by JDTX

Note that the 12V socket under the glovebox is not switched and at least on my F36 seems to always be on.

I think it stays on for a few minutes after you shut the car off

[JDTX]

Originally Posted by deviantspeed

I think it stays on for a few minutes after you shut the car off

Interesting, thanks I will check. I noticed that the socket stays on after I leave the car but haven't checked to see if it turns off eventually.

Does the socket switch on when I open the door (with my fob in the pocket)? Or should it be off then until I turn the ignition on?

[Billfitz]

I can't say what the under the glove box outlet does, but the center console outlet goes on when the car is unlocked, stays on when the ignition is shut off, turns off five minutes or so after the car is locked.

[mark_tdot]

I was looking into this as well, but Canadian F30's for whatever reason never came with the 12v socket under the glove box.

Any other option to wire it to something up front?

Based on other posts that I have read some ppl wired it directly off another fuse in the fuse box in the trunk.

In my E70 X5 I wired it to the constant 12v feed for my map lights and it worked like a charm.

[jh_f30]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I can't say what the under the glove box outlet does, but the center console outlet goes on when the car is unlocked, stays on when the ignition is shut off, turns off five minutes or so after the car is locked.

Same for the one under the glovebox as well as the one behind the center armrest (below rear passenger climate vents). Fairly certain the one in the trunk as well. I've used it to keep my led work light charged. No excessive drain issues.

[BimmerNugget]

Thanks guys, I looked today and indeed there was a 12v cig port under there.

[jgoens]

I have my dashcam " hardwired" to the socket under the glovebox. Pretty easy to run the wire along the headliner and under the box for a virtually wireless setup. And yes it stays on for a few minutes after shutting the car off.

[kassey22000]

I took a slightly different approach to installing my dash cam a couple days ago and I'm pleased with:
1. no visible wires, 2. no hardwiring/soldering/permanent connections, 3. being able to use the dash cam in constant or acc power. 4. only took 15min from start to testing. 5. total cost less than $60 US.
See pics below.

Items on Amazon: 1. REARMASTER Universal OBD Power Cable for Dash Camera,24 Hours Surveillance/Acc Mode with Switch Button
2. APEMAN Dash Cam 1080P Full HD Mini Car Driving Recorder 170° Wide Angle, Motion Detection, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Night Vision.

I gently pushed the dash cam pwr cable up into the headliner along the windshield, down the A pillar and tucked it up under the driver’s foot well with a direct (removable/switched) plug into the OBDII unit (NO Visible Wires). The switch on the plug allows me to easily switch the dash cam into "always powered" for motion detection/theft mode. or "only on with ACC" for standard driving/capture mode.

By setting the dash cam's screen saver and motion detection to on, it uses very little battery power when in the "always powered" position (haven't tested it more than 48hrs so far).

It's pretty discreet from both the driver's position and outside the car. I'm happy with the video captures, features, options and the plug makes the whole installation so simple, quick, and discreet.

[BimmerNugget]

Originally Posted by kassey22000

I took a slightly different approach to installing my dash cam a couple days ago and I'm pleased with:
1. no visible wires, 2. no hardwiring/soldering/permanent connections, 3. being able to use the dash cam in constant or acc power. 4. only took 15min from start to testing. 5. total cost less than $60 US.
See pics below.

Items on Amazon: 1. REARMASTER Universal OBD Power Cable for Dash Camera,24 Hours Surveillance/Acc Mode with Switch Button
2. APEMAN Dash Cam 1080P Full HD Mini Car Driving Recorder 170° Wide Angle, Motion Detection, G-Sensor, Loop Recording, Night Vision.

I gently pushed the dash cam pwr cable up into the headliner along the windshield, down the A pillar and tucked it up under the driver’s foot well with a direct (removable/switched) plug into the OBDII unit (NO Visible Wires). The switch on the plug allows me to easily switch the dash cam into "always powered" for motion detection/theft mode. or "only on with ACC" for standard driving/capture mode.

By setting the dash cam's screen saver and motion detection to on, it uses very little battery power when in the "always powered" position (haven't tested it more than 48hrs so far).

It's pretty discreet from both the driver's position and outside the car. I'm happy with the video captures, features, options and the plug makes the whole installation so simple, quick, and discreet.

Hmm...this is the first I've seen. Powering a dash cam off the OBD2...Clever!