[Patel151]

Hey all, I'm trying to install a dashcam in my F30. I looked through many threads on the forum and many people have been using the PowerMagic Pro kits. Although, I don't need that kit because I just want the dashcam to power on while the car is on and power off when the car is off (5-10 minutes later for the F30).

My F30 doesn't have a cigarette lighter under the glovebox and I don't want to use the USB port or cigarette lighter in the front of the car. I'm thinking to wire the dash cam directly to the fuse box with an Add-A-Fuse to switched power (one of the fuses that shuts off after 5-10 minutes upon shutting ignition off).

I found this: https://www.amazon.ca/MicroUSB-MiniU...gateway&sr=8-3, which shuts off the device when the voltage drops to 11~11.6V, but in my case I want the dashcam off after 5-10 minutes as mentioned above... so there's no need for the battery drain protection system in that kit.

With my old E46, I had an aftermarket deck and wired to the switched power, so my deck would turn off when the ignition is off, although for the F30 it's different as power is still live for 5-10 minutes.

[BEM-S4]

You don't need to mess with any of that for what you want. Mirror tap will do what you want. You can either get one specifically for your dashcam if that's all you want otherwise you can use a single mirror tap for both escort radar detector and their new M1 camera. Plug power into camera then radar detector into camera.

Either way you're looking at 5 min install and not running any wires down the A pillar past the airbag.

[Patel151]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

You don't need to mess with any of that for what you want. Mirror tap will do what you want. You can either get one specifically for your dashcam if that's all you want otherwise you can use a single mirror tap for both escort radar detector and their new M1 camera. Plug power into camera then radar detector into camera.

Either way you're looking at 5 min install and not running any wires down the A pillar past the airbag.

So, it's as simple as tapping into the power and ground of the rearview mirror?
I'm not quite sure if my mirror has some sort of power as it's the Canadian Modern Line, which has very limited features. I know for a fact mine doesn't have HomeLink, Alarm or Compass. I'll have to open up the plastic and check.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by Patel151

So, it's as simple as tapping into the power and ground of the rearview mirror?
I'm not quite sure if my mirror has some sort of power as it's the Canadian Modern Line, which has very limited features. I know for a fact mine doesn't have HomeLink, Alarm or Compass. I'll have to open up the plastic and check.

Yes there's a little harness in there you shove two blade connectors in there and all done. I have this pic I don't remember if it's from my F22, 23 or 31 but I've done all of them the same way. Your car might not look exactly like this one though depending on which car I photographed.

[Patel151]

Is it possible to use wiretaps? Invisicord is based in US it seems like and shipping + import fees doesn’t seem worthy of buying currently. I already have wire taps, but I think the dashcam uses 5V power, so would I need some sort of converter or could I tap directly to the rear view mirror? I found the harness, and it seems like the previous owner tried tapping into the power & ground. Just concerned about whether it’s 12V or 5V power, because 12V will fry the dashcam most likely.

[G80S58]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Yes there's a little harness in there you shove two blade connectors in there and all done. I have this pic I don't remember if it's from my F22, 23 or 31 but I've done all of them the same way. Your car might not look exactly like this one though depending on which car I photographed.

My apologies for thread highjacking, but I am doing a radar install later today when it arrives. I purchased the mirror tap cable from Amazon for my radar.
So I assume the black cable will be plug into the brown cable in the car and the red will be tap into the green cable and all should be good?

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by CRAMAZIN

My apologies for thread highjacking, but I am doing a radar install later today when it arrives. I purchased the mirror tap cable from Amazon for my radar.
So I assume the black cable will be plug into the brown cable in the car and the red will be tap into the green cable and all should be good?

Yes assuming your cables look like mine. On another car I had it was a black cable with a brown stripe and a black cable with a green stripe. I do not remember which car was which F23 vs F30/31 or the old E70. I have done mirror taps on all of them.

[G80S58]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

Yes assuming your cables look like mine. On another car I had it was a black cable with a brown stripe and a black cable with a green stripe. I do not remember which car was which F23 vs F30/31 or the old E70. I have done mirror taps on all of them.

Thanks again for this, it literally took me a min to install

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by CRAMAZIN

Thanks again for this, it literally took me a min to install

NP - it's definitely the best option. Aside from ease of install you're also not messing with A-pillars and airbags and wires. Also love that you can do dashcam and radar with a single power source. So easy.

[Ehodg66]

Patel151,

Are you installing the M1 camera from escort?

thank you

[mark_tdot]

Originally Posted by CRAMAZIN

Thanks again for this, it literally took me a min to install

How did you access the wires for the mirror?

Looking to use this install method for my dashcam.

[G80S58]

Originally Posted by mark_tdot

How did you access the wires for the mirror?

Looking to use this install method for my dashcam.

Get a trim removal kit from Amazon for $10
(this kit will be very useful for a lot of other DYI projects)

behind the mirror theres 2 plastic pieces that comes off, you take one of the tools from the kit and you just spilt them apart, they are attached by a clip on the inside.

Once you get that done you should see the connectors and do what you need to do for the dashcam, once you install it and confirm it works, you just put the pieces back together

[mark_tdot]

Originally Posted by CRAMAZIN

Get a trim removal kit from Amazon for $10
(this kit will be very useful for a lot of other DYI projects)

behind the mirror theres 2 plastic pieces that comes off, you take one of the tools from the kit and you just spilt them apart, they are attached by a clip on the inside.

Once you get that done you should see the connectors and do what you need to do for the dashcam, once you install it and confirm it works, you just put the pieces back together

I have a trim removal kit.

Thanks man! Will try this tonight and report back.

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by mark_tdot

I have a trim removal kit.

Thanks man! Will try this tonight and report back.

Credit card will work in a pinch too, just slide it between the halves and twist.

[Patel151]

I put an order in for the Invisicord, which seems like the easiest method to install a dashcam. I tried using wire taps, but didn't work very well as the wire is very thin.