Has anyone fitted a dash cam and if so has it been hard wired into the fuse box?

Hi Kieth,

Most dash cams power cables are fitted with mini USB plug to either a cigar lighter plug or a USB plug. If its a cigar lighter plug, its possible to cut this off, strip the wires and wire it into a live socket in the fuse box but the dash cams work on very low amperage so beware, too high an amperage will fry it!

 

i bought a nextbase from halfords, they do a hard wire kit which is simple to fit as it has a fuse fitting on the end which plugs into the fuse box , at the time they did free fitting as well!

Really good bit of kit.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-Car-Camera-Hard-Wire/dp/B00XHYSQAC

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-412GW-Digital-Driving-Recorder/dp/B01N3SP41O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479373092&sr=8-1&keywords=nextbase+412gw

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-312GW-Digital-Driving-Recorder/dp/B01ELRJW5Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1479373118&sr=8-2&keywords=nextbase+412gw

The 412gw is better than my £300 one I use in my HGV

Mine is set up so it only comes on when ignition is on and it is behind  interior mirror so doesnt distract driver. It will use its ownbattery power if it senses your car being hit while parked.  Hope this helps

 

 

 

Hi Kieth,

Most dash cams power cables are fitted with mini USB plug to either a cigar lighter plug or a USB plug. If its a cigar lighter plug, its possible to cut this off, strip the wires and wire it into a live socket in the fuse box but the dash cams work on very low amperage so beware, too high an amperage will fry it!

 

You need to strip the cigar socket and keep the board inside, and connect the 12 volt supply from the socket part to an ignition on source. The output is 5 volts to the micro USB. Make sure the board is well insulated.

Thanks gents. If I went for hard wire do you know which fuse box it ties in to?

I simply use the socket in the centre armrest for mine, if permanently wired in and the car is not used very often then you run the risk of a flat battery.  Left the one on in the ZT and it ran the battery flat.  

Unless of course you could remember to switch it off....

 

Gary M.

I just have mine plugged into the socket in the arm rest and wrap the wire round the windscreen. Then there's no messing on and I can swap it to other cars if necessary with ease.

7 hours ago, GrandadPhil said:

I just have mine plugged into the socket in the arm rest and wrap the wire round the windscreen. Then there's no messing on and I can swap it to other cars if necessary with ease.

I do exactly the same, Phil. A little bit of foam rubber keeps the wire in place.

Peter.

I put compilations of the stuff I see on there on YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCwrh2JiUJRfOC1BZNhHrTIg

 

Hi, I got Halford's to hard wire in to to the fuse box. The camera is live all the time even when parked. It senses if the car battery is running low and turns off if so. 

All in all I am very pleased with the results and quality of the video it takes. Does anyone know if it's worth notifying the insurance company to see if I can get any kind of discount?

Hi Keith,

Swiftcover gave me 15% when I fitted a Nextbase Dash Cam, but the following year their quote was too expensive and I went elsewhere.

It is always worth trying for a discount.

Peter.

Will do Peter, cheers,

Hi,

Just to let you know that a number of our insurance schemes do offer discounts for in-car cameras.

Regards,

Dan.

Halfords did the hardwire on my Nextbase dashcam.  I watched them do it, they ran the wires to the fusebox next to the battery and used piggyback sleeves to tap in to a circuit.  Letting them fit instead of Hatfield Jaguar, Hull saved me £150!  Works perfectly.  Direct Line would not give a discount, perhaps I will try on here next year instead.