V50 Electrics : Dashcam installation

[warlord0]

I'm struggling a bit with the new fangled electrics in these modern cars Times past would be a case of simply getting out a multimeter to confirm which was an ignition live. But with this I'm a bit lost.

The electronics keep things live after the ignition is off and even when the key is out, so finding a live for feeding the dashcam is proving a bit tricky for me. Can someone give me some pointers?

I've run the wires in from the roof console down the passenger A pillar and to the centre console in readiness, but realise I may not even have to have gone that far.

I tried checking out the cabling in the roof console but couldn't conclusively find an ignition only live. Up there would be ideal.

The camera requires only 1amp (or less, as the supplied USB supply is 5v, 1amp). I'm not using the USB and have replaced it with a 12v-5v inverter so just have a live and an earth ready to connect - I just need suggestions as to where.

[jeffmasson]

I just taped into the live for the fag socket. Or you can get a fused tap that plugs in the fuse box off eBay for 99p or a little bit more if you want it quickly from the UK.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1617907082...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

[Ty201089]

Piggy back micro fuse holder as he said is the best way ^^

[paddyred]

+1 for the Tapped fuse holder! I have two. One tap on the front lighter socket and one on the rear as my dashcam provides 24h CCTV!

[warlord0]

Guess that makes a lot of sense, thanks guys.

[warlord0]

Originally Posted by paddyred

+1 for the Tapped fuse holder! I have two. One tap on the front lighter socket and one on the rear as my dashcam provides 24h CCTV!

Nice looking car you have their @paddyred

[EricMe]

Originally Posted by warlord0

I'm struggling a bit with the new fangled electrics in these modern cars Times past would be a case of simply getting out a multimeter to confirm which was an ignition live. But with this I'm a bit lost.

I've found that behind the sunroof switch there are obvious live feed & earth contacts. Of course not all V50s will have a sunroof but I suspect the wiring harness includes those wires anyway.

[warlord0]

Originally Posted by EricMe

I've found that behind the sunroof switch there are obvious live feed & earth contacts. Of course not all V50s will have a sunroof but I suspect the wiring harness includes those wires anyway.

No sunroof and don't recall seeing a spare plug or I'd have metered it out. Must have a look at the wiring diagram really.

But I have ordered a fuse connector too.

[XcOM]

I just bought a cheap dashcam on ebay for my holidays, won it on an auction for £0.01 including shipping, that's correct, one pence.

When I get back I want to build a 12v DVR and wire in some hidden camera's behind the grill ect ect so I don't have anything in the window.

[paddyred]

Originally Posted by XcOM

I just bought a cheap dashcam on ebay for my holidays, won it on an auction for £0.01 including shipping, that's correct, one pence.

When I get back I want to build a 12v DVR and wire in some hidden camera's behind the grill ect ect so I don't have anything in the window.

sounds like a good idea! they have 4 channel DVR's on ebay with a 12v input with two slots for two 128gb cards. you can even get them with gps and 3G for roughly £100 excluding cameras etc! If you do the camera set up I'd love to see a few pics of how you did it!