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How to Hard Wire a Dash Cam?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by darkgiant, Aug 21, 2016.

  1. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    I recently picked up a new dash cam (A118C), and so far, its been pretty good! For now, I am using it by hiding the cables across the headliner and using the ciggerate lighter right underneath the gearshifter/open cabin area.

    I do want to hardwire the dash cam to preserve an extra ciggerate lighter, but was not sure how exactly to do so? I was looking for the cheapest solution to doing so, as it looks like some folks buy converters or the like. Any proper steps and tools I'd need to make this happen would be greatly appreciated.

    P.S. - I also am working on a Gen2 Prius as well, so would the steps be identical for my 2011 and 2005 (Gen2) Prius? The Gen2 would have some generic dash cam but also using the regular Micro-USB port.
     
    #1 darkgiant, Aug 21, 2016
  2. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Bump? Would love any advice/input here! :)
     
    #2 darkgiant, Aug 25, 2016
  3. apt5020

    apt5020 Senior Member

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    The fastest way is get this from Amazon. You can tap it to a HOT wire or take it to stereo place. They probably charge from $20-50. Under 30 minutes to do.

     
    #3 apt5020, Aug 27, 2016
  4. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Any idea of a DIY solution if I want to go the HOT route? I definitely can just use cup holder extension thingy, but it'd just take up more space for me, and wouldn't look the best for the Gen 2...

    I know the Power Magic Pro exists just for this, but for $30 it doesn't seem too worthwhile, since the A118C I got was literally $40 a pop.
     
    #4 darkgiant, Aug 27, 2016
  5. apt5020

    apt5020 Senior Member

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    Pop out the cigarette lighter. TAP the red cable coming out and just ground the other side.
     
    #5 apt5020, Aug 27, 2016
    Robert Holt likes this.
  6. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Wait hold on, I was originally assuming this would just all be done through the fuse box, but wasn't aware I can access the cigarette lighter as well? I am assuming popping all that stuff out may be a decent amount of work since it is really snug onto the cars upholstery?
     
    #6 darkgiant, Aug 27, 2016
    apt5020 likes this.
  7. apt5020

    apt5020 Senior Member

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    You could use the fuse box. I just use the lighter. Hide the cable.
     
    #7 apt5020, Aug 27, 2016
  8. darkgiant

    darkgiant Member

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    Ah okay. So basically, I'd strip the current mini-USB cable, use the proper sized red cable, TAP it to the HOT wire, ground the black cable to a bolt or something, and that is it?
     
    #8 darkgiant, Aug 27, 2016
  9. apt5020

    apt5020 Senior Member

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    Yes or get below

     
    #9 apt5020, Aug 27, 2016
  10. Pinoyrious

    Pinoyrious Junior Member

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    I followed this one installing a blackvue dr650gw 2 channel on our 2015 Highlander. Dashcam came with the power magic pro for free and I just wedge the wires on the fuse like the video above.

    If you don't want to buy a powermagic, get the dashcam hardwire kit somebody linked above and choose if you want the dashcam either always on or switched on by finding an appropriate fuse.
     
    #10 Pinoyrious, Aug 28, 2016
    Danny3xd and WolfpackBill like this.
  11. Danny3xd

    Danny3xd Active Member

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    Very cool. Thank you all. Some great information!
     
    #11 Danny3xd, Feb 10, 2017
  12. Fiss

    Fiss Junior Member

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    Buy


    And or this


    I tapped into the fuses under the dash. I used the add a fuse to tap into the left rear window that always has power and the dash cam runs continuously.

    You could save a few bucks and buy just 1 add a fuse but I bought a few so I can add other things like an always on plug in the center glove box. I don't like that most import cars dont have an always on plug.
     
    #12 Fiss, Feb 11, 2017
  13. tf4624

    tf4624 Active Member

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    Easy wire tap into mirror


    the bat cave
     
    #13 tf4624, Feb 11, 2017
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  14. InfrnalSky

    InfrnalSky Junior Member

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    Has this ever drained your battery completely? I want to do it so it is continuously running, but I'm afraid of it killing my battery. Thanks!

    Pixel XL ?
     
    #14 InfrnalSky, Feb 13, 2017
  15. Fiss

    Fiss Junior Member

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    Nope. Dash cams dont use much power at all. I don't drive very often so my car will sit for 2 days sometimes and never had an issue. This is the 3rd car I have used an always on dash cam with and never had an issue with it running down the battery. The product in the second link has a built in protector to stop if the battery gets really low to protect the battery from dying. You can use both products I linked together to make it really easy to wire up.
     
    #15 Fiss, Feb 13, 2017
    Red_Prii and Danny3xd like this.
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