I was lucky enough to be given a DashCam for Christmas that I intent to hardwire for neatness.

I was planning on getting Halfords to do it (£30) but have now discovered that I can get the kit they use for £15 and it just plugs into the fusebox, run the wiring around the windscreen trim and hey-presto!

BUT....

Is there a downside to this method?
If I can find a spare fuse slot in the box, will it be live?

What I'm asking is "Is it as easy as it appears, can I do it or should I pay the extra for somebody with experience?"

Thanks for any advice. Current - RRV Autobiography 4.4V8 2005

Modifications - 20" Westminster Alloys with Grabber AT's. BRC LPG Conversion.

Previous- RRC 3.9V8/91. RRC 4.2V8/94 LSE Softdash. RRC 2.5tdi/94. RRC 2.5tdi/91. RR p38 2.5DHSE/01, Disco2 2.5td5/03, Disco4 2.7tdv6/10 ..... all gone.

Member of the RangeRoverRegister & Wessex4x4Response (Bristol Team)

I've done it twice

Piggy back fuses are the way to go

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic12447.html
http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic30917.html

I have done this on mine by using a piggy-back fuse into an existing fuse that is ignition live. This was behind the glove box. Then I used a 'female' cigarette socket that I had in the garage, so I did not have to chop the end off the wire that plugs into the dash cam.
the wire was run along the edge of the windscreen and down the A pillar on the passenger side, then into the side of the dash out of the way. no cable showing at all. Regards
Mark

2012 Westminster
GONE - 2007 Java Black FF Vogue, with Ivory interior

Have a look at this

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic23389....g+dash+cam

I did mine in the same sort of way. Took about 20 mins. I used a different fuse but tbh I think that depends on the MY. Just need to find a spare 12v switched supply. The fuse jumper works well and is a couple of squids and gives you a feed without stripping and splicing into the actual loom. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

This is how i did mine

http://www.fullfatrr.com/forum/topic38044.html Dave

2012 Vogue Westminster 4.4

What I did learn after I did mine is that the little AirBag badges on the pillars flip out and there is a single screw behind them to remove the entire pillar cover - at least that's the case on the L405 (I watched them replacing my windscreen)

That makes it far easier to route the wire than just pushing it from the outside & hoping it stays there

Great, thanks for such speedy help.

I might be being a bit dumb here but I understood I needed a spare fuse slot ..... in actual fact do I just use any slot (I presume it needs to be an appropriate & matching fuse strength?), remove the fuse, plug in the lead & then replace the fuse in the plug? Current - RRV Autobiography 4.4V8 2005

Modifications - 20" Westminster Alloys with Grabber AT's. BRC LPG Conversion.

Previous- RRC 3.9V8/91. RRC 4.2V8/94 LSE Softdash. RRC 2.5tdi/94. RRC 2.5tdi/91. RR p38 2.5DHSE/01, Disco2 2.5td5/03, Disco4 2.7tdv6/10 ..... all gone.

Member of the RangeRoverRegister & Wessex4x4Response (Bristol Team)

Yes - and you can decide whether to use a permanently live one or one that is switched with the ignition

The bottom fuse replaces the original & the top fuse is for the new cable - kind of obvious once you know & look at where the cable comes out -

The problem is if you used a switch fuse then itncuts out when parked up.
If you don't use a switched fuse the battery will drain if left for a very long period.


I've found with my blackvue in various cars it's fine for around 4-5days but beyond that the cars start to struggle starting if at all.
A solar trickle charger may help but they are another bag of worms entirely  FFRR MY06 facelift With TDV8 Alloys Zeros/ATR's
Mantec Sump Guard, Rigid Load liner, MY10 BT upgrade.

Yep, as alistair says, just 1 torx screw to hold the a pillar trim on. Takes a little lining up with the tangs to get it back together but it's a matter of patience. There is nothing that can't be fixed with a hammer😜😜
FFRR 4.4 SDV8 Autobiography Santorini Black.
KIA E-Niro 4+
2021 Discovery 5 D300 MHEV commercial

Along with my Blackvue I also purchased a gizmo that shuts down the dashcam should the battery voltage drop below a certain value. Have left my fatty for up to nearly 4 weeks with no starting issues. Previous cars:
S-Max 2007-2013 (only diesel I've had, good car but expensive when diesely bits go wrong, so what's the point?)
Galaxy 2001-2007
Mondeo Estate 1997-2001
Sierra Estate 1993-1997
Uno Turbo 1987 -1993
Fiesta 1984 - 1987
Fiat 127 1982 - 1984

Going for the ignition-live option, car doesn't get used for days on end so battery/starting could become an issue with a constant-live situation.
According to the blurb the camera (Nextbase 412GW) will switch on for 30secs under it's own battery power if the movement/noise sensor is activated ...... to be honest I'm not sure if I'm going to leave it in the car 24/7 yet??
Wiring kit is enroute so it'll probably be a job for next weekend, thanks for all the suggestions. Current - RRV Autobiography 4.4V8 2005

Modifications - 20" Westminster Alloys with Grabber AT's. BRC LPG Conversion.

Previous- RRC 3.9V8/91. RRC 4.2V8/94 LSE Softdash. RRC 2.5tdi/94. RRC 2.5tdi/91. RR p38 2.5DHSE/01, Disco2 2.5td5/03, Disco4 2.7tdv6/10 ..... all gone.

Member of the RangeRoverRegister & Wessex4x4Response (Bristol Team)

appj62 wrote:

Along with my Blackvue I also purchased a gizmo that shuts down the dashcam should the battery voltage drop below a certain value. Have left my fatty for up to nearly 4 weeks with no starting issues.

Hi Dave,
Would this work with a Nextbase camera? I'm no electrician but it seems that as you plug the camera into the 'cigarette' socket it would work for any electrical item? Current - RRV Autobiography 4.4V8 2005

Modifications - 20" Westminster Alloys with Grabber AT's. BRC LPG Conversion.

Previous- RRC 3.9V8/91. RRC 4.2V8/94 LSE Softdash. RRC 2.5tdi/94. RRC 2.5tdi/91. RR p38 2.5DHSE/01, Disco2 2.5td5/03, Disco4 2.7tdv6/10 ..... all gone.

Member of the RangeRoverRegister & Wessex4x4Response (Bristol Team)

It would work for anything plugged in to it.  2006 4.2 SC
2019 Renault Zoe Dynamique Nav