Discreet, mirror-powered dash cam. My install & DIY guide.
#31
I believe it's this.
It's what I ended up buying anyway:
It's what I ended up buying anyway:
#32
Rookie
Thread Starter
I bought the voltage regulator and breadboard cables on ebay for about $5 total and used the instructions on this thread to connect it to the wire harness on a lexus nx. The ground cable was actually black and not purple, but the location is the same. The regulator is bigger than the one OP made but it's hidden in the headliner and works great so far.
#34
Driver School Candidate
Yeah, the mirror is the homelink one with compass, garage door opener buttons, and the electronic dimming feature.
I took a picture of the wiring from a couple nights ago when I did the installation. It was so easy that I thought I did something wrong but it worked the first time.
Thanks for the instructions!
I took a picture of the wiring from a couple nights ago when I did the installation. It was so easy that I thought I did something wrong but it worked the first time.
Thanks for the instructions!
#35
I think my BlackVue dash cam needs a 12V supply. Have you come across anything similar (small form factor) but keeps the 12V? I kind of don't want to just strip my power cable to put into my mirror.
#36
Rookie
Thread Starter
Hey Chyeea, if it runs on 12V you can tap it directly to the mirror... in fact you could make something exactly like i did, except you wouldn't need the USB converter. Are you in Norcal? I could totally help you with it. You would basically chop your existing cable that came with the cam, and add a fuse and then crimp on two pins.
Last edited by k3vn; 06-04-16 at 06:19 PM. Reason: typo! meant cable that comes with cam...
#37
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
Hey Chyeea, if it runs on 12V you can tap it directly to the mirror... in fact you could make something exactly like i did, except you wouldn't need the USB converter. Are you in Norcal? I could totally help you with it. You would basically chop your existing cable that came with the car, and add a fuse and then crimp on two pins.
#38
Rookie
Thread Starter
^ agreed, excuse the typo. What I actually mean is chopping up the charging cable that came with the camera. Cut it down to like 5-6", add a fuse and pins for tapping. Most of us probably have random 12V power cables lying around the house that could be chopped up.
#39
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: AB
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a 2011 CT200h and this is what my rear view mirror (only autoglare, no compass) harness looks like... which one is the 12V and which one is ground?? (there's only 4 wires)
#40
Just did mine too! I've actually had this on my past three cars and swap it over. It lasts long in the sun and produces nice video equivalent to a Go Pro. I hard-wired into 12V and ground in the wire harness directly above the sunroof controls. Pull panel down with fingers and used multimeter to find my wires to tap. See my pics here and my blog post for more specifics:
http://e46cooling.blogspot.com/2016/...d-bmw-e46.html (See #10)
http://e46cooling.blogspot.com/2016/...d-bmw-e46.html (See #10)
#42
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: CA
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks op for this awesome guide and others for helpful info! I installed an A119 today using that kit on amazon. It's super inconspicuous, I can't even see it from my seat.
Also bumping this thread because I think it's important to have a dash cam to protect ourselves, and everyone should know about this sleek DIY.
Also bumping this thread because I think it's important to have a dash cam to protect ourselves, and everyone should know about this sleek DIY.
#44
Rookie
Thread Starter
Thanks op for this awesome guide and others for helpful info! I installed an A119 today using that kit on amazon. It's super inconspicuous, I can't even see it from my seat.
Also bumping this thread because I think it's important to have a dash cam to protect ourselves, and everyone should know about this sleek DIY.
Also bumping this thread because I think it's important to have a dash cam to protect ourselves, and everyone should know about this sleek DIY.
Last edited by k3vn; 06-03-17 at 11:31 AM.
#45
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: CA
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2015 ES300H wire diagram - rearview mirror available?