So I bought this dashboard camera on amazon and it looks and works great.

The key thing i wanted in this dash-cam was to had it auto turn on and auto record when i turned my car on. (it also records in 3 minute loops and deletes old footage automatically.)

The problem is that I have a 1996 ES300....
and I am sure most if not all of you know that this car only has 1 cigarette outlet.
and that it's in the worst spot ever. the center of the dash, UNDERNEATH the cup holder! oh my that is some faulty engineering!

I would like to install a outlet behind the glovebox that turns on with the car, to ensure that i still have a hands free fully auto dashcam. and that i won't have to worry about pressing any buttons to make sure I am recording.


So.
I want to put it behind the glove box.
I want it to turn on with the car.

But.
I don't know what I can run it off of. (I am currently searching with a volt meter where i can run it off of without worrying about piggybacking off of another device and taking all of it's power.



Any suggestions?
Thanks!
- Cole

 

I've decided i will try to run a wire to piggyback off of the 15 amp Radio/Cigarette lighter fuse in my interior fuse box.

Anyone see a reason this could cause a issue to the vehicle?
maybe make my radio or anything else not work?
Please post feedback?

 

you could find a permanent power source and use the radio circuit to switch a relay, but I don't see an issue with what you propose.

 

Finished wiring it.
works and I don't think i should have any issues with it.
wires are hidden behind the dash and anywhere you look, unless you pull up the dashboard panels and take out about 4 screws you won't be able to see the wires.

 

Skip to 3:49 to see how I wired my dash cam into the glove box:

 

The other solution I've thought of (but lack of talent for) would be to tie the power to the interior lights near the driver.

 

That is actually really close to what i did.
i ran some wires from the same location (splicing into the cigarette wires), then I just soldered those wires to my cigarette plug and wrapped it in electrical tape, it worked for a while but i think it might of blown the internal fuse in the cigarette plug that came with my camera.
I will be heading to walmart and autozone to search for a new mini-usb car charger and maybe a 2-3 port cigarette outlet that i could mod like you did yours.