Dash Cam Power - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Billy10mm · 01-29-2016, 02:20 PM

Anyone here install a dash cam behind their rear-view mirror?
Obviously there is voltage going to the mirror, is it a full 12 volts?
Any instructions on how to remove the mirror housing to get at the wires without breaking anything?
And lastly, if you didn't go through the mirror, how did you get power to it? (I don't want to use the lighter socket as my GPS is in there and it would have to come down over my field of vision if I did that)

sherob · 01-29-2016, 02:29 PM

/subscribed

Killianzl1 · 01-29-2016, 04:55 PM

Ive looked into dash cams also just haven't pulled the trigger on one. There are plenty of reviews on youtube so you can see what you'd like best. If you had the knowledge you could route the wires under the headliner down the A pillar and wire it into the ignition.

shibbs · 01-29-2016, 05:06 PM

I've got a 3-port USB power adapter that I plug into the cigarette lighter. It's aluminum and really low-profile. I run one power lead back through the dash, under and around the driver's side, then I took off the a-pillar and ran the cable behind it. Tucked the cable under the headliner to the camera. Can't even see a thing. No need to cut and splice, and I still have 2 USB ports to charge the wife's and my phones or plug in a GPS or MP3 player.

http://smile.amazon.com/Powerful-Oma...dp/B00OZ5OIFE/

The color/finish matches the interior of the car pretty closely, too.

EDIT: I picked up the cheapest black 9-foot USB cable from Monoprice.

The Hunter · 01-29-2016, 07:10 PM

On my 2010 v6 I had my passport powered off the mirror and it was 12V. It is my guess that it is still 12V for the camaros but I could be wrong. On my old car I just removed one bolt and the mirror came down with the wiring.I used a multimeter to find 12V and ground and hooked everything up and it worked fine. Now I dont know what size fuse it is but it ran my passport 8500 without blowing the fuse so if it draws close to the same current then your fine.

Eleven · 01-30-2016, 01:11 PM

Your better off using fuse taps right from the dash fuse panel.

And using a power magic pro to prevent battery drain. I had mine installed this way and I ran the wires up the A-pillar.

USE CAUTION!!!! some dash cams are NATIVE 5VOLT, so the cigarette lighter plug is OUTPUTTING 5VOLT, not 12volt!!!

So if you cut the wire and direct wire it, then plug it in, presto chango it frys!

Im right over the bridge in Rockland and work for free beer if you need any help.

BTW, i have installed 5 of these in various cars and have history of car stereo/alarm installs.

Billy10mm · 01-30-2016, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleven

Your better off using fuse taps right from the dash fuse panel.

And using a power magic pro to prevent battery drain. I had mine installed this way and I ran the wires up the A-pillar.

USE CAUTION!!!! some dash cams are NATIVE 5VOLT, so the cigarette lighter plug is OUTPUTTING 5VOLT, not 12volt!!!

So if you cut the wire and direct wire it, then plug it in, presto chango it frys!

Im right over the bridge in Rockland and work for free beer if you need any help.

BTW, i have installed 5 of these in various cars and have history of car stereo/alarm installs.

Excellent call, I just read the power adapter and while it inputs 12v, it outputs 5v. For that alone, tell me what your favorite beer is. Though to be honest, I may take you up on the installation-help offer.

Billy10mm · 01-30-2016, 06:28 PM

Do you use the PMP solely for the ability to power the device while the vehicle is parked, or will I always be draining the battery if I tap into the fuse box (can't imagine that one)?

Eleven · 02-01-2016, 11:43 PM

My favorite beer is free beer!!! Coors lights are fine, and ill drink anything but Bud products.

Here is the deal. The PMP has adjustable cutoff voltage. 12V or 11.8V so what happens is it keeps the cam powered up until it hits the voltage, then whamo, it powers it down. When the car starts up, PMP senses this and re starts the camera. This way you dont kill your battery. PMP also has a settings for time, I think it is 4 hrs to infinity. It will still shut down if voltage drops below set amount. You need 2 fuse taps. 1 for constant and 1 for key power.

They just came out with new PMP with a backup battery, but it is $$$. It will keep your dash cam lit for like 10-15 hrs after car voltage drops. I wouldnt buy it, unless I needed it for a security/parking lot camera.

My cameras sense motion in the camera field, as well as G-force tampering while parked, both will activate recording. Not sure if yours does that.

You also need to figure out which fuse types you have. If its like other GM products you prob have low profile mini type fuses. BUT, some low profile blocks dont allow fuse taps to be seated correctly, so you need to use the taps with longer prongs to fit correctly.

Micro2 tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage

LP tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage

Fun fact: Since your a fan of the 10MM. Did you know that Don Johnsons gun in Miami Vice was a Bren 10? Most people thought it was a Detonics .45 or another Colt 1911 copy.

Eleven · 02-01-2016, 11:50 PM

The install is cake.

Just be careful when popping off the A-pillar trim. Whatever you do, dont fat finger it, Lest you will be purchasing a new side curtain airbag! I just wiggled mine loose, then fished the adapter up from under the dash and secured it to a wire that was there with a few zip ties. Helps if your flexible....

I dont remember what fuses I tapped.

Billy10mm · 02-02-2016, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleven

My favorite beer is free beer!!! Coors lights are fine, and ill drink anything but Bud products.

Here is the deal. The PMP has adjustable cutoff voltage. 12V or 11.8V so what happens is it keeps the cam powered up until it hits the voltage, then whamo, it powers it down. When the car starts up, PMP senses this and re starts the camera. This way you dont kill your battery. PMP also has a settings for time, I think it is 4 hrs to infinity. It will still shut down if voltage drops below set amount. You need 2 fuse taps. 1 for constant and 1 for key power.

They just came out with new PMP with a backup battery, but it is $$$. It will keep your dash cam lit for like 10-15 hrs after car voltage drops. I wouldnt buy it, unless I needed it for a security/parking lot camera.

My cameras sense motion in the camera field, as well as G-force tampering while parked, both will activate recording. Not sure if yours does that.

You also need to figure out which fuse types you have. If its like other GM products you prob have low profile mini type fuses. BUT, some low profile blocks dont allow fuse taps to be seated correctly, so you need to use the taps with longer prongs to fit correctly.

Micro2 tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage

LP tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage

Fun fact: Since your a fan of the 10MM. Did you know that Don Johnsons gun in Miami Vice was a Bren 10? Most people thought it was a Detonics .45 or another Colt 1911 copy.

I did know that about Bren 10 in MV, good catch, not many people even know what that gun is. Speaking of 10mm and Miami, the .40S&W was born after the 1986 Miami FBI shootout; in evaluating more effective rounds than the .38 specials they were using at hte time, the FBI deemed the 10mm too powerful and S&W answered by cutting down the case to 9mm size and releasing the .40S&W.

Personally though, I think the SVI Tiki that Colin Farrell used in the 2006 movie is a cooler. Not 10mm, but cool enough that I can forgive the infraction.

Eleven · 02-10-2016, 11:40 PM

Well,

how did you do?

Billy10mm · 02-11-2016, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eleven

Well,

how did you do?

Didn't do. Have a wife and two kids that make it hard to get a weekend day to myself to do these sorts of things.

I did get a 32GB class 10 memory card for it as well as that Power Magic Pro you mentioned. Still need to pick up some fuse taps, then find a few weekends that work and send you a PM to see if you want some company that brings over free beer and orders pizza.

Eleven · 02-11-2016, 02:20 PM

K cool. Keep me posted.

You might have to go to Amazon for the taps. Local autozone/Advance didnt carry low profile ones.

01-29-2016, 02:20 PM	#1
Billy10mm Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS 1LE NPP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hartsdale, NY Posts: 1,434	Dash Cam Power Anyone here install a dash cam behind their rear-view mirror? Obviously there is voltage going to the mirror, is it a full 12 volts? Any instructions on how to remove the mirror housing to get at the wires without breaking anything? And lastly, if you didn't go through the mirror, how did you get power to it? (I don't want to use the lighter socket as my GPS is in there and it would have to come down over my field of vision if I did that) __________________ My thoughts on some things: Driving Nannies: If I'm that far out of shape on the street, something has gone terribly wrong and by all means Mr. Computer man, come and get me. G2s: Rock throwing is like like a tramp stamp; although problematic, it's a sign of good things to come.

01-29-2016, 02:29 PM	#2
sherob Drives: 2015 SW 1SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Brighton, CO Posts: 2,736	/subscribed __________________ “The Eagles and the Captain and Tennille ruled the airwaves, and we were the answer to it.” - Joey Ramone

01-30-2016, 06:28 PM	#8
Billy10mm Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS 1LE NPP Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Hartsdale, NY Posts: 1,434	Do you use the PMP solely for the ability to power the device while the vehicle is parked, or will I always be draining the battery if I tap into the fuse box (can't imagine that one)? __________________ My thoughts on some things: Driving Nannies: If I'm that far out of shape on the street, something has gone terribly wrong and by all means Mr. Computer man, come and get me. G2s: Rock throwing is like like a tramp stamp; although problematic, it's a sign of good things to come.

01-29-2016, 04:55 PM	#3
Killianzl1 Drives: 2015 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 95	Ive looked into dash cams also just haven't pulled the trigger on one. There are plenty of reviews on youtube so you can see what you'd like best. If you had the knowledge you could route the wires under the headliner down the A pillar and wire it into the ignition.

01-29-2016, 07:10 PM	#5
The Hunter Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Pinellas Park Posts: 129 View My Garage	On my 2010 v6 I had my passport powered off the mirror and it was 12V. It is my guess that it is still 12V for the camaros but I could be wrong. On my old car I just removed one bolt and the mirror came down with the wiring.I used a multimeter to find 12V and ground and hooked everything up and it worked fine. Now I dont know what size fuse it is but it ran my passport 8500 without blowing the fuse so if it draws close to the same current then your fine.

01-30-2016, 01:11 PM	#6
Eleven Out-Shocker/In-Minivan! Drives: 1LE Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122	Your better off using fuse taps right from the dash fuse panel. And using a power magic pro to prevent battery drain. I had mine installed this way and I ran the wires up the A-pillar. USE CAUTION!!!! some dash cams are NATIVE 5VOLT, so the cigarette lighter plug is OUTPUTTING 5VOLT, not 12volt!!! So if you cut the wire and direct wire it, then plug it in, presto chango it frys! Im right over the bridge in Rockland and work for free beer if you need any help. BTW, i have installed 5 of these in various cars and have history of car stereo/alarm installs.

02-01-2016, 11:43 PM	#9
Eleven Out-Shocker/In-Minivan! Drives: 1LE Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122	My favorite beer is free beer!!! Coors lights are fine, and ill drink anything but Bud products. Here is the deal. The PMP has adjustable cutoff voltage. 12V or 11.8V so what happens is it keeps the cam powered up until it hits the voltage, then whamo, it powers it down. When the car starts up, PMP senses this and re starts the camera. This way you dont kill your battery. PMP also has a settings for time, I think it is 4 hrs to infinity. It will still shut down if voltage drops below set amount. You need 2 fuse taps. 1 for constant and 1 for key power. They just came out with new PMP with a backup battery, but it is $$$. It will keep your dash cam lit for like 10-15 hrs after car voltage drops. I wouldnt buy it, unless I needed it for a security/parking lot camera. My cameras sense motion in the camera field, as well as G-force tampering while parked, both will activate recording. Not sure if yours does that. You also need to figure out which fuse types you have. If its like other GM products you prob have low profile mini type fuses. BUT, some low profile blocks dont allow fuse taps to be seated correctly, so you need to use the taps with longer prongs to fit correctly. Micro2 tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage LP tap http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...rch_detailpage Fun fact: Since your a fan of the 10MM. Did you know that Don Johnsons gun in Miami Vice was a Bren 10? Most people thought it was a Detonics .45 or another Colt 1911 copy.

02-01-2016, 11:50 PM	#10
Eleven Out-Shocker/In-Minivan! Drives: 1LE Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122	The install is cake. Just be careful when popping off the A-pillar trim. Whatever you do, dont fat finger it, Lest you will be purchasing a new side curtain airbag! I just wiggled mine loose, then fished the adapter up from under the dash and secured it to a wire that was there with a few zip ties. Helps if your flexible.... I dont remember what fuses I tapped.

02-10-2016, 11:40 PM	#12
Eleven Out-Shocker/In-Minivan! Drives: 1LE Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122	Well, how did you do?

02-11-2016, 02:20 PM	#14
Eleven Out-Shocker/In-Minivan! Drives: 1LE Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NY Posts: 122	K cool. Keep me posted. You might have to go to Amazon for the taps. Local autozone/Advance didnt carry low profile ones.