Dash cam wiring woes

[MoFoHo]

Hi all. I'm considering fitting a hard wired dashcam, and looking at my options.

As many folks knowledgeable about dash cams may already know, to enable 'parked mode' on some of the more feature laden cams typically requires a tap from 2 of the fuses (one giving 'accessory power', the other supplying 'battery [always on] power'). Either that or using an OBD adaptor, which kinda scares me...

The front fuse box of my 640d kinda scares me too. It's almost impossible to get to, and I'd be so scared of dropping a fuse into the void.
That leaves the rear (trunk/boot) compartment fuse box. Not as bad, but....
How the HELL do you run any wires from the car interior into the rear luggage compartment? I cannot see any way whatsoever that a small wire loom can be passed through. It's as if the car is actually too well made, and that there's no allowance whatsoever to get a wire through to the back. Has anybody managed this feat? My back seats don't fold down (grrrrr) and I cannot find a way through.

For the dash cam I'm considering a Blackview DR750X-2CH or DR770X-2CH BTW. I believe it has a built in voltage cut-off and parking mode timer. I hardly ever park the car for more than a few hours when away from home. Other than that, it's sitting in my garage on its battery tender. Would one of the OBD power supply plugs be a simple solution? Does anybody else have a Blackview dash cam in their 6 series?

[Blaxwil]

I have dual front and rear Thinkware U1000 cams. Professionally installed with the wires running down the inside floor trim.

[FlyinLowSD]

You may enjoy this website. “Vortex” is the guru for radar detectors and gives solid, honest reviews of several dashcams. More to the point for you, he provides detailed tutorials on hardwiring to your fusebox (is for RD but dashcam follows same principles):

VortexRadar.com - HOW TO HARDWIRE a radar detector

I try to secure the void when working with small things… tape some paper horizontally below and deep to the fuse panel if heading for the glovebox option.

This 16Nov2021 post has good images by Qsilver7 of that fusebox:

Trying to locate fuse box

Good luck!

[Oris4]

I have front and rear cams I installed myself. Like you I also wanted parking cam. I mounted front cam ran wires to front fuse box, mounted rear cam and ran wires along passenger side where headliner meets trim. Very clean install and all options/features have worked for years without issue

[FlyinLowSD]

Originally Posted by Oris4

I have front and rear cams I installed myself. Like you I also wanted parking cam. I mounted front cam ran wires to front fuse box, mounted rear cam and ran wires along passenger side where headliner meets trim. Very clean install and all options/features have worked for years without issue

Where does one mount a rear cam? And as few have, two side cams?

[MoFoHo]

Originally Posted by Oris4

I have front and rear cams I installed myself. Like you I also wanted parking cam. I mounted front cam ran wires to front fuse box, mounted rear cam and ran wires along passenger side where headliner meets trim. Very clean install and all options/features have worked for years without issue

The front fuse box looks almost impossible to reach, how on earth did you manage this feat?

[Oris4]

Originally Posted by FlyinLowSD

Where does one mount a rear cam? And as few have, two side cams?

Rear cam is mounted at top of rear window in the center. No idea about side cams

[Oris4]

Originally Posted by MoFoHo

The front fuse box looks almost impossible to reach, how on earth did you manage this feat?

Take the under panel off and it will give you much more access. It’s super easy and from there you can run wires to front cam up passenger side pillar just make sure not to obstruct airbags

[MoFoHo]

Originally Posted by Oris4

Take the under panel off and it will give you much more access. It’s super easy and from there you can run wires to front cam up passenger side pillar just make sure not to obstruct airbags

Many thanks, I'll take another look. May I ask, what fuses did you use? Did you use those fuse splitter devices?

[Luftpost]

Front camera mount and rear camera mount. Rear sunshade goes up and down without hitting camera.

L

[e38740imd]

ima leave this here

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

[arucano]

Originally Posted by MoFoHo

The front fuse box looks almost impossible to reach, how on earth did you manage this feat?

My hands couldn't possibly get in there so I took out the glove box to reach the fuses. Good excuse while I was "near" there when changing the cabin filers.

[FlyinLowSD]

Originally Posted by Oris4

Take the under panel off and it will give you much more access. It’s super easy and from there you can run wires to front cam up passenger side pillar just make sure not to obstruct airbags

Same as when you’re changing the cabin filters?

[FlyinLowSD]

Originally Posted by Luftpost

Front camera mount and rear camera mount. Rear sunshade goes up and down without hitting camera.

L

Luftpost thank you for the photos. I recently picked up the A139 Pro front and rear, but haven’t installed it yet. Glad to hear it clears the rear sunscreen.

After watching not one but two significant accidents in my rearview mirror in the past 10 days (one with a >360degree spin out on a moderately busy freeway), I’m looking forward to getting this task done. Will be picking up another for the kiddo’s car. Any installation tips appreciated.

[FlyinLowSD]

@OP Took the time to google around, and these are the guides I myself will be following, though I will have to verify which specific accessory fuse to use in MY car. For this information, I will also use Google or newTIS if no answer pops up here.

BEST YT for wiring to trunk/boot: “NO FAULT CODES - How to Install and Hardwire a Dashcam in a Modern Car”

from the discussion VIDEO GUIDE Installing and Hardwiring a Dashcam NO BATTERY WARNINGS OR CUTOFF

also,
How to Hardwire a Dashcam to BMW FRONT fusebox

additional informative BIMMERPOST discussions:
Dashcam with parking feature INSTALL

Install for Valentine1 (using OBDII port, with lots of discussion)

[Oris4]

Yes, just like changing cabin air filter. Remove panel and you should be able to reach up and access the fuse panel. I used the small trap door in the glovebox ad a window to see where my hand was from down below and to access the correct fuse.

I forget which fuse I tapped into but I will reply later today with the fuse. I can tell you that another member told me which fuse and I’m very grateful because everything works including parking mode with no power draw!

[MoFoHo]

Originally Posted by Oris4

Yes, just like changing cabin air filter. Remove panel and you should be able to reach up and access the fuse panel. I used the small trap door in the glovebox ad a window to see where my hand was from down below and to access the correct fuse.

I forget which fuse I tapped into but I will reply later today with the fuse. I can tell you that another member told me which fuse and I’m very grateful because everything works including parking mode with no power draw!

Many thanks. After looking into it, I'm leaning towards the Viofo A39 pro. The reviews are really good, and the app doesn't seem to let the side down (unlike the Blackview). The Viofo can be ordered with a hardwire kit, complete with fuse taps!

[MoFoHo]

Originally Posted by Luftpost

Front camera mount and rear camera mount. Rear sunshade goes up and down without hitting camera.

L

Many thanks. I'm tempted by this particular unit. All the YouTube videos show that the Viofo cam talks as its changing settings, starting recording etc. Can all these voice notifications be turned off?

[Luftpost]

Yes, it can all be silenced through the app. I will say at times, the App can be a bit buggy, but I really don't use it unless I want to review something. Perhaps they have an update, I have not checked.

As far is install, the biggest tip that I have is to use the Sticker Shield. I have a protective film on my windshield to keep the inside of the car cooler and to protect the dash from harmful UV rays. To avoid damaging this film, I utilize a rectangular patch of the Sticker Shield. If you look closely at my photos, you can see it. It is held on by static cling, and has never failed. I also use it for my State Inspection sticker. People may also utlize it for Toll Tag devices, radar detectors, etc., anything that you would normally "stick" to the windshield with double sided tape. The item can be easily removed and re-attached with this install method.

I ran my cables along the pillars for the front camera and via the lower door sills and up the rear pillar for the rear camera. It is a very clean and professional looking installation. I did NOT tap into a fuse, but rather used the cigarette lighter outlet under the dash on the passenger side. Since it receives power in this way, I do not have the parking monitoring.

This system has been installed for several years and has had no issues. Photo below shows what comes in the box. Also a photo a milli second before I bent two left rims. State of Florida is picking up the tab. The video quality is quite impressive. This screen shot photo is not the best example of the capabilities of this camera.

More links: Post 47 on.

Here too.