Dash Cam

[The Polisher]

I've just bought a little dash cam, small enough to be mounted on the windscreen behind the rear view mirror, to be permanently mounted.

I need a permanent 12v+, an ingnitioned 12v+ and a ground, any ideas?

I'm wondering if there might be some of these in the panel underneath the interior light switches/lights as that is nice and close?

Any ideas?

 

[Giantvanman]

I've just bought a little dash cam, small enough to be mounted on the windscreen behind the rear view mirror, to be permanently mounted.

I need a permanent 12v+, an ingnitioned 12v+ and a ground, any ideas?

I'm wondering if there might be some of these in the panel underneath the interior light switches/lights as that is nice and close?

Any ideas?

AFAIK, Yes, No, Yes. I think you would have to run a cable down the A-pillar to reach an ignition live…………..I believe.

 

[The Polisher]

Ok, thanks. Where would I find an ignitioned live down the A pillar?

I could pick up the permanent live and ground behind the light cluster, then run down the A post.............. to where? Is there something behind the panel by my right knee?

 

[Frankor]

Have a look on here: -
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/electronics/185590-w212-2014-e-class-power-roadangel.html
That'll give you an ignition live supply.
My camera (Blackvue 650) is wired directly to the fusebox in the boot.
I chose a permanent live through a piggyback fuse, but I'm sure there will be an ignition live somewhere on the board.
The cable is run underneath the door seals, the only dismantling was removal of the rear seat to feed into the boot space.
Hope this helps.
Good luck

 

[Dave Richardson]

My Roadhawk is hard wired with the cable going down the A pillar & across to the centre consol & then scotch locked into the 12v lighter socket supply.

 

[The Polisher]

Thank you, I think that solves my problem!

Out with the screwdrivers at the weekend then!!

 

[Teflonso]

I've been thinking about an alternative for my late 2013 E350.

I don't fancy running down an A pillar with airbags in there, plus levering off all the stuff around the 12V socket in the centre console looks a pain.

I've tried to find out if there is any ignition switched live behind the mirror I can scotchlok into, since I not only have all the usual stuff but also the speed limit assist camera there. Even though I've found a YouTube of how to get the mirror off and into the gubbins, no-one seems able or willing to provide a wiring diagram.

So..... it struck me that maybe I could use whatever supplies the lights for the vanity mirrors in the sun visors? I've just fitted my C-Max with a gem of a 1080P camera using a 12V to 5V USB converter on an in line fuse. It cost me £3 and is tiny. Does anyone have any info about the vanity mirror lights? i.e - are they old school 12V supply or powered from some fancy convenience module?

,

 

[alzieboy]

Have just purchased a blackvue , on the drivers side at the end of the dash there is a fuse box with two green 30 amp fuses in , I was hoping to piggy back one of these for the dashcam but will need to check the fuse allocation chart when I can find it !!

 

[crisc204]

Lighter socket is normally attached to a robust supply
I would go with that

The vanity mirrors on a late car.
They will very likely go through a module on a Mercedes (do they fade in/out?)
That will very likely get the hump if asked do do anything thing other than intended

& btw scotchlocks are evil...

 

[The Polisher]

In the end, I went for the fuse board in the boot. Found live and ignitioned live (nice big earth pin there too), used piggy back fuse holders and can a cable under the door seals.

Works a treat!

 

[AW8]

Resurrecting an old thread in the hope someone on this thread may see a forum alert.

I have an S212 E class estate & a dedicated, (Vantrue), hardwire kit for my dashcam with ignition off parking mode, (built in cut out gizmo to prevent full drain - battery replaced in last year).

I need to locate a suitable "permanent live" fuse.

A trusted mechanic friend said I need to be careful as using the wrong permanent live on some vehicles can cause conflict with CAN BUS . He also suggested tapping into a live wire circuit rather than using piggy back fuse ... I would like option to be able to easily remove the hardwire kit in the future but ONLY if no electrical conflict issues.

There are 2 fuse boxes (none on end of dash like some other Mercs). I cant see any easy way to run the cable to front fuse box so will likely do an overhead cable run to rear fusebox.

I have a fuse diagram & circuit test kit.......finding a permanent live isn't the issue. I am hoping for a response from someone knowledgeable or at least with a permanent live fuse tap that hasn't caused issues.


Anybody on this thread or these boards know which, f(ideally rear), fuse number is best for a safe & permanent (constant) live supply that wont cause issues. ?

Thanks in advance