I think someone mentioned there's constant power in the mirror as well. That's why I am asking to see if anyone has such setup. I want to get a dash cam but only for the front.
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Blackvue Dash Cam - Step by Step Installation
- Thread starter Nerdy_Engineer
- Start date
Hi dark, did you use 3m double sided tape to install? How is it holding up so far?
I am about to install to camera without opening the channel.. Just wondering if your installation method would be durable.
GOPJEW
Member
Brett - you mention in your videos that you changed from tapping the 12V to installing in the OBD port - can I ask why? Too complicated or other complications?
Thanks.
At first, I spliced directly into the wire under the carpet. However, I ended up undoing that and plugging my dashcam into the OBD2 port directly for two reasons.
First, people that know more about this stuff than I do told me that I shouldn't use those cheap snap together wire splices. I wasn't a big fan of them either because it was very hard to get them to clamp down all the way and stay closed. After a couple of weeks, I looked at the splice, and it was starting to open up.
Second, I preferred the idea of plugging into the OBD2 port instead of encouraging people to splice into wires in the car. I think it's fine for a professional installer to splice into wires because they (in theory) know what they're doing and what wires they should splice into and which ones they should leave alone.
GOPJEW
Member
Thanks for the reply. Do you have the link to the item you bought to plug into the OBD port?
I appreciate your posts.
I used these two items. The OBD2 memory saver is what plugs into the OBD2 port. Then I used a cigarette outlet plug so that I could plug the cigarette power adapter directly in. Some people cut the Blackvue cigarette power adapter cable to splice directly to the OBD2 memory saver. That's not a good idea because there's actually a fuse in the cigarette power adapter plug.
Cigarette Lighter Plug - http://amzn.to/2idU87v
OBD2 Memory Saver - http://amzn.to/2hq3iwy
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm glad to help!
Cigarette Lighter Plug - http://amzn.to/2idU87v
OBD2 Memory Saver - http://amzn.to/2hq3iwy
Let me know if you have any other questions. I'm glad to help!
GOPJEW
Member
Thanks - where did you ultimately power your WIFI hotspot from - same place? Trunk?
I never ended up installing a wifi hotspot. A lot of people use FreedomPop as a free/cheap wifi hotspot option for their dashcam, but I never ended up getting one. I'm not sure if the OBD2 port provides enough power to run the dashcam and the wifi hotspot, or if you need to tap into something more powerful. MacTechGenius uses a FreedomPop wifi hotspot in his car, but I think he had his professionally installed.
K-MTG
Sunshade Captain of TMC
OBD should be powerful enough for both...but as Brett mentioned. I had it professionally installed on my X and 3.
GOPJEW
Member
Thanks - did the installer simply tap the 12 volt continuous or did he put a splitter off of the OBD port?
K-MTG
Sunshade Captain of TMC
On the 3 it was directly to the battery with an inline fuse...on the X he used a connector behind the carpet (driver dash area)
GOPJEW
Member
Thanks - I think I will simply tap the 12V for it - I appreciate your knowledge and willingness to share!
Do you guys leave this thing in Park Mode all the time? I just got in on the MassDrop sale from the other day. Wondering if the Magic power pro thing is worth adding on to prevent battery waste?
What if you forget to turn it off and for whatever reason the car isnt moved for a week or two? What kind of impact does that have on the battery? I'm guessing pretty negliable but since people seem to have range anxiety, just wondering if this would contribute to a huge drain or just minimal?
What if you forget to turn it off and for whatever reason the car isnt moved for a week or two? What kind of impact does that have on the battery? I'm guessing pretty negliable but since people seem to have range anxiety, just wondering if this would contribute to a huge drain or just minimal?
GOPJEW
Member
MagicPro is a waste of $$$ on a Tesla since our main battery pack charges our 12V for us...
I plan on plugging my Blackvue into cigarette lighter adapter into OBD - that way if I am away and vehicle is at my home I can just easily unplug it - if it is at airport I want it on in case someone hits my car.
Yes, the main battery pack will recharge the 12v even when the car isn't plugged in or driving. Don't worry about draining the main battery pack. The dashcam will only going to use a very tiny amount of power. The car could probably power the dashcam for a couple of years.
Thanks Brett - Love you videos/chan. I wasn't going to brave this myself but after seeing your video, I just might. Though the trouble you had around the hatch wiring makes me a bit nervous.
DashCam Bros
Former Vendor
The BlackVue Dash Cam draws around 300-350 mA, so its drain is not a huge concern. The Thinkware F800 Pro is supposed to be extremely energy efficient as well, with a timelapse parking mode to save energy and SD card space. We dont have the specific draw information on it, but it should not be a concern in Teslas.
We are running a TMC Promo on the Thinkware F800 Pros - Thread here - Vendor - Group Buy - Thinkware F800 Pro Dual Channel Dash Cam - DashCam Bros
We are running a TMC Promo on the Thinkware F800 Pros - Thread here - Vendor - Group Buy - Thinkware F800 Pro Dual Channel Dash Cam - DashCam Bros
Thank you, I appreciate it! Don't stress about the issue with the rear hatch. In the video description I put some advice I was given by someone else after I uploaded the video. You can use a zip-tie to fish the cable out from under the trim instead of prying the trim off and breaking some of the clips.
