1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Power draw and Add-a-Fuses

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by Weirderal, Oct 22, 2023.

  1. Weirderal

    Weirderal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2019
    42
    6
    0
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hello all,

    I have the following accessories currently in my 2012 Prius v:

    2x Viofo A119 v3 dashcams

    1x Infinity Basslink Mini compact subwoofer with built-in amp
    https://www.crutchfield.com/p_108BASSLMI/Infinity-BassLink-Mini.html

    For shits & giggles, I'm considering adding two more dashcams to the back corner windows, and also another subwoofer (one is under the passenger seat, so the other would go under the driver's seat).

    Now, another subwoofer would only possibly be a challenge based on whether you think that's too much power to ask from a hybrid for that. I do not know what would be "reasonable" here.

    For the dashcams though, I have a different issue...I really would prefer to stick with Add-a-Fuses, but here's a picture of what my fuse box already looks like: Dashcams into Fuse Box.jpg

    It was enough of taking years off the possible longevity of my spine just getting this setup installed and working for the existing two dashcams, but now I'd have to not only fit 4 more Add-a-Fuses [really don't want to splice wires anywhere], but also move these ones to different slots to make them all geometrically fit.

    The fuse diagram in the manual doesn't say which slots are always-on or not. Is there a screenshot someone has showing that? don't want to spend two hours twisted like a pretzel with my multimeter and paper, carefully mapping it out.

    From there I can hopefully figure out the rest myself. From the angle of the pic, they can't stick off the left side into that white piece sticking down further, and then I don't want any in the right column facing off to the right because then they could brush the e-brake.

    And then, of course, considering the recommendation of not using the add-a-fuses in any of the slots for "safety equipment" (airbags, sensors, etc.) per their recommendations.

    So what are your thoughts? Two much power draw if added all of these?
    (The dashcams have parking mode, but I have their hardwire kits set to shut off at the highest setting of 12.5 volts, so they don't last long. Not relevant here because I haven't found any solution that could support them for the typical 5-8 days the car sits between uses.)
     
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,361
    1,790
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I think this exact company makes essentially a subpanel for your 12 volt application It plugs up to wherever you want to plug it up and gives you another six or eight or what have you circuits might look into something like that I think they make one as small as three or four circuits too I believe it's this exact company but don't make me swear to it but I've seen and held one in my hand It was quite decently made and all that and for these relatively low draw items should not be a huge problem The subwoofers could get questionable but I kind of doubt it but let me tell you you're putting two three four subwoofers in a Prius You might have other issues what kind of SPLs are you making in that car.
     
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,427
    6,913
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    The electronic wiring diagram in the repair manual will tell you which ones are B+ hot vs IGnition hot.

    See Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It for complete details.

    In your shoes, I'd split existing taps to feed the two new dashcams. But then I'm very comfortable making neat wire splices.

    Overall load of 2x 100w subs is well within the capability of the DC-DC converter, and that's the limit you need to pay attention to.

    Good luck!
     
    Weirderal likes this.
  4. Weirderal

    Weirderal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2019
    42
    6
    0
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    "This exact company"? You mean Crutchfield, or the PriusChat store? I'm not seeing anything with a cursory search, and the PriusChat store is down right now (not to mention, the r/Prius subreddit has....less than kind things to say about order fulfillment from the store here).

    The Basslink Mini is just a 100w amp powering 6" x 8" subwoofer. So thinking of going from just one of those, to two of them. I bought a cheap decibel meter recently--my usual listening volume is in the 80-85 range, and my max "tolerable" level only pushed it to 90ish. Didn't try to test the limits of the system.
    Those weren't stationary readings, mind you--they were at highway speeds where the base was in the neighborhood of 70 dB. do not know if that affects it. I'm not going to any competitions with this stuff.

    So, just splitting the existing add-a-fuses (i.e., two dashcams for 1 add-a-fuse) should be safe? Those splices I can handle making. I just didn't know if that'd be too much draw on an individual basis or anything.
     
  5. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,427
    6,913
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Yep, I'd just split the red pigtail outputs of those aafs.

    I have not done a load measurement of that exact dashcam, but going from the dashcams I have worked with? I've never found one that drew so much power as to cause concern here.
     
    Weirderal likes this.
  6. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    8,486
    5,050
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I would get power from the 12v battery or the engine fuse box, especially for the subs. A simple test light will tell the story for your instrument panel loads. Otherwise I would dashcam off of Door (Power Windows) or Fog (Light) fuses.
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 rjparker, Oct 22, 2023
    Last edited: Oct 22, 2023
  7. Offline

    Offline Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2012
    639
    231
    0
    Location:
    Lenexa, Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    The 12V battery would be a good a power source and is especially accessible. If you need the power from the 12V battery to be active only in certain circumstances use a common relay and connect the relay's trigger wire(s) to appropriate current sources.
     
  8. Weirderal

    Weirderal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2019
    42
    6
    0
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I mean, I definitely would connect the subwoofer's power to the battery, like I did with the first one. But the dashcams need both an always and a "car on only" supply.

    Regardless, I'll be taking Leadfoot's advice and just using the existing Add-a-Fuses for 2 cams each.