Best place to get 12V under the hood?

[devondragon]

Any suggestions on getting 12V under the hood? I'd like to avoid cutting into wiring looms. I could just hook something up to the jump start poles, but that also seems a bit ghetto. So I figured I'd ask if anyone had any recommendations?

[GladiatorOwner]

What are you trying to hook up? I fuse tapped from the trunk. It was very easy to run wire to front of cabin say for hardwiring radar/laser...

I couldn't find anything under hood but I'm not an expert either.

[devondragon]

I've got a tow hook mount for a go pro (although as it turns out it's too short so I need to try to get another one) and I have a power cord with a fake go pro battery on the end, so I want to be able to mount the go pro up front on the tow hook mount, plug it in (without running the cable outside the car and into the cabin and around to the lighter in the center console), and then have all day go pro fun without worrying about the battery.

[GladiatorOwner]

Oh yeah. Got it. Someone else will need to help on this one. I looked around but had/have no clue. Thats why I went from the back. It was just easier but not for your application.

[devondragon]

I've just wired it up, and ended up running the wire along the passenger side of the engine bay, under the plastic cover, then right around the door, under the insulation, and around under the passenger mat, and plugged it into the cigarette lighter under the passenger footwell (which I didn't know was there). Seems to work well so far! When I'm not using it I pull the GoPro battery end back up inside the hood, right above the headlight area. I need a little velcro there.

All in all, it's super clean, you can't see the wire anywhere. With the tow mount for the GoPro, the iPhone GoPro app, the BMW Connected apps, and a 64 GB card, you basically get in-car controlled, all day long, 4 hours of 1080p video. Super slick!

[mcho3]

I am trying to connect my passport to the fuse tap. which fuse should be used to have the unit turn off after car is turned off. thanks for the help.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by mcho3

I am trying to connect my passport to the fuse tap. which fuse should be used to have the unit turn off after car is turned off. thanks for the help.

I used one located in the trunk which was really easy to get to. I'll check in the next day or 2 and get back to you.

[mcho3]

Thank you.

[devondragon]

Footage from the new GoPro setup driving home from work last night in the rain. Nothing special (wet roads, traffic, etc...) but I'm really pleased with the placement of the camera.

[GladiatorOwner]

Nice video!

Fuse 134 in trunk-right side is home link fuse. That's the one that shuts off with car.

[mcho3]

GladiatorOwner thank you for your help. Will order the fuse tapper to get it wired!

[GladiatorOwner]

Make sure it's the small fuse holder. You can get it at any autozone or the like.

[mcho3]

http://www.amazon.com/Escort-Direct-...tor+power+cord
i would need something like this and a fuse tapper correct?

[GladiatorOwner]

yes, but you might need more wire to get to the tap/fuses in the rear (dont think its long enough, so you should use any 14, 16 gauge wire). You can find a ground point anywhere so that doesnt need to be run all the way in the back.

[mcho3]

Do i need to add additional fuse on the fuse tap to compensate for the detector?

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by mcho3

Do i need to add additional fuse on the fuse tap to compensate for the detector?

Yes 3, 4, or 5 will do it

[mcho3]

What do you think about using 14 guage speaker wire? I am being little lazy but didn't see the difference.

[GladiatorOwner]

Originally Posted by mcho3

What do you think about using 14 guage speaker wire? I am being little lazy but didn't see the difference.

Use it

[mcho3]

Just got it all done. Works great! Hardest part was looking for a good ground. Ended up using the battery. Next project would be to add surface phone charger