Wiring a dashcam?

[Yzfguy]

This is what I did for the Dash cam power:

Amazon.com: Hard Wire Charger Cord Cable Mini USB Left Angle Shape 3.5 Meters DC 12V to 5V Power Inverter Converter Regulator Kit for Car GPS Tablet Android DVR Camcorder Recorder by HitCar : Electronics

In my case I took the power from the connector that illuminates the "Passenger Aig Bag" light on the rearview mirror assembly... it works for me because I always drive with the headlights on.. which forces the "Passenger Aig Bag" light to be "On" all the time... but as suggested.. you can use that adapter that piggybacks from the cigarette lighter and run it to the dash cam.. easy.. clean...

I am good with electronics.. I can provide you with more details if required..

Ok, so this is going to sound super ghetto, I think, but here goes... I aready have all the wiring hidden up the a pillar, and I just ran wires thru the firewall for fog lights. I think I am going to follow those wires and run this wire under the hood, where I will still use the Rove power adapter. I can tap off a fuse to a new power/cigarette lighter like this one, and plug the current adapter I to it. It will all be hidden under the hood anyway, just won't have to look at the plug inside the Jeep. It will be run off the same fuse, so same difference. Am I sounding like an idiot? I can take the truth

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[Yzfguy]

Also.. I discussed this topic on another thread... here

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/invest-in-a-dash-camera.102150/post-2200701

That's great write up, thank you. I did my wiring down the driver's side a pillar and out thru the clutch plug in the firewall right by the brake pedal, since I have a auto trans.

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

Ok, so this is going to sound super ghetto, I think, but here goes... I aready have all the wiring hidden up the a pillar, and I just ran wires thru the firewall for fog lights. I think I am going to follow those wires and run this wire under the hood, where I will still use the Rove power adapter. I can tap off a fuse to a new power/cigarette lighter like this one, and plug the current adapter I to it. It will all be hidden under the hood anyway, just won't have to look at the plug inside the Jeep. It will be run off the same fuse, so same difference. Am I sounding like an idiot? I can take the truth

Does your super ghetto system turn off when you turn off the JL? otherwise, the dash cam will stay on all the time... I am not familiar with the Rove power adapter system... what is it?

 

[dpike]

Ok, so this is going to sound super ghetto, I think, but here goes... I aready have all the wiring hidden up the a pillar, and I just ran wires thru the firewall for fog lights. I think I am going to follow those wires and run this wire under the hood, where I will still use the Rove power adapter. I can tap off a fuse to a new power/cigarette lighter like this one, and plug the current adapter I to it. It will all be hidden under the hood anyway, just won't have to look at the plug inside the Jeep. It will be run off the same fuse, so same difference. Am I sounding like an idiot? I can take the truth

there were so many good options offered in this thread.
this is the worst of them.

 

[Yzfguy]

there were so many good options offered in this thread.
this is the worst of them.

LOL, I can see how you would say that. But how is the wire harness an option, when it isn't converting to 5 v?

 

[Yzfguy]

Does your super ghetto system turn off when you turn off the JL? otherwise, the dash cam will stay on all the time... I am not familiar with the Rove power adapter system... what is it?

If I tap it off the fuse that goes to the interior power outlet, it would. The rove converter doesn't do anything special, it's just plugged into the lighter adapter inside that goes on and off with the ignition.

They sell a setup that powers it full-time because it has a parked setting so that if someone hits your Jeep while it is parked it records it but I'm not interested in having it run all the time the way you hear about battery problems in these things.

 

[Heimkehr]

I didn't realize that power adapter was converting anything. I guess I would have fried the whole thing!

There's this converter to consider, also. It uses a plain two-wire connection.

 

[Mx5red]

Ok, so this is going to sound super ghetto, I think, but here goes... I aready have all the wiring hidden up the a pillar, and I just ran wires thru the firewall for fog lights. I think I am going to follow those wires and run this wire under the hood, where I will still use the Rove power adapter. I can tap off a fuse to a new power/cigarette lighter like this one, and plug the current adapter I to it. It will all be hidden under the hood anyway, just won't have to look at the plug inside the Jeep. It will be run off the same fuse, so same difference. Am I sounding like an idiot? I can take the truth

The adapter you linked connects to the battery, not to a fuse tap. So they’re right it will constantly be on, instead of a switched ignition source. You are better off either getting the harness, which is super easy to put in and gives you a power terminal to screw into. Or, tap into a 12 V ignition source like they showed from the mirror or something. From either of those 12v switched power sources, convert to 5V.
If you had a true fuse tap to an ignition source (not constant on), then yes you could run a 12v outlet to that under your hood and then plug in your existing cord into that under the hood.
Buuuut there’s a reason nobody has done that, there are easier/better options?

 

[CaJLMetalHead]

LOL, I can see how you would say that. But how is the wire harness an option, when it isn't converting to 5 v?

If I tap it off the fuse that goes to the interior power outlet, it would. The rove converter doesn't do anything special, it's just plugged into the lighter adapter inside that goes on and off with the ignition.

They sell a setup that powers it full-time because it has a parked setting so that if someone hits your Jeep while it is parked it records it but I'm not interested in having it run all the time the way you hear about battery problems in these things.

when you say "tap it off" are you referring to those thingies that bite into a cable without the need to splice it?.. like this?

If so... then.. well.. I am not a fan of such idea... especially in a vehicle.. that gets hot, humid... cold.. vibrates.. etc....

In my opinion the cleanest and easiest way to power the dash cam is first... use the cable adapter that piggybacks the cigarrete lighter.. no need to cut.. splice, solder, tap.. none of that..

This one..

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt

Then connect a 12v to 5V adapter and run the 5 volts cabling to the dash cam... something like this

I like this 12 Volts to 5 Volts adapter because it has longer cables and it is sealed.. it also terminates directly in a Micro B USB connector that most dash cams use... so it would also
be a clean and simpler install

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4NH168/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one I think is even better: (the cable is long... more than enough to run to the rearview mirror .. and it also terminates in a Micro B USB connector that most dash cams use

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FXJD8W...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Fudster]

This is what I did for the Dash cam power:

Amazon.com: Hard Wire Charger Cord Cable Mini USB Left Angle Shape 3.5 Meters DC 12V to 5V Power Inverter Converter Regulator Kit for Car GPS Tablet Android DVR Camcorder Recorder by HitCar : Electronics

In my case I took the power from the connector that illuminates the "Passenger Aig Bag" light on the rearview mirror assembly... it works for me because I always drive with the headlights on.. which forces the "Passenger Aig Bag" light to be "On" all the time... but as suggested.. you can use that adapter that piggybacks from the cigarette lighter and run it to the dash cam.. easy.. clean...

I am good with electronics.. I can provide you with more details if required..

My approach was similar @CaJLMetalHead with two differences. My dash camera did not require the "step down to 5V need" yours and the OPs have, and for the stripped wires end I sourced the vanity lights in the sunvisor: lights not apt to stay on much beyond the duration of a drive (i.e. ignition not battery wires.)

 

[Fudster]

LOL, I can see how you would say that. But how is the wire harness an option, when it isn't converting to 5 v?

Brent, I'm lost as to which wiring harness you are referring to. Certainly the one @CaJLMetalHead offered, with its inline step down voltage feature would provide you the correct voltage you need for your camera, and allow you to connect its free wires to one of several different "ignition" power sources (those energized when the vehicle is on) that people have astutely recommended here.

 

[Yzfguy]

Thanks, guys. Yes, when I said "tap" I meant with a fuse tap adapter, not those wire cutter type connector crimpers.
I get what you are all saying l, I was just trying to avoid replacing the whole power cord and having to run a new wire up the a pillar behind the handle.
I appreciate all the advice given here.

 

[Mx5red]

when you say "tap it off" are you referring to those thingies that bite into a cable without the need to splice it?.. like this?

If so... then.. well.. I am not a fan of such idea... especially in a vehicle.. that gets hot, humid... cold.. vibrates.. etc....

In my opinion the cleanest and easiest way to power the dash cam is first... use the cable adapter that piggybacks the cigarrete lighter.. no need to cut.. splice, solder, tap.. none of that..

This one..

https://www.quadratec.com/p/quadratec/12-volt-power-adapter-jeep-wrangler-tj-jk-jl-jt

Then connect a 12v to 5V adapter and run the 5 volts cabling to the dash cam... something like this

I like this 12 Volts to 5 Volts adapter because it has longer cables and it is sealed.. it also terminates directly in a Micro B USB connector that most dash cams use... so it would also
be a clean and simpler install

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06Y4NH168/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This one I think is even better: (the cable is long... more than enough to run to the rearview mirror .. and it also terminates in a Micro B USB connector that most dash cams use

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FXJD8W...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

^This.

Remember the quadratech style harness is just an easy way to get into 12v power. if your cam or whatever is USB fed then you still need something to convert that to power to 5v.

 

[Ratbert]

^This.

Remember the quadratech style harness is just an easy way to get into 12v power. if your cam or whatever is USB fed then you still need something to convert that to power to 5v.

He started the thread by saying he was using the cigarette lighter adapter. Maybe there was a 5v adapter in the mix somewhere?

 

[Mx5red]

He started the thread by saying he was using the cigarette lighter adapter. Maybe there was a 5v adapter in the mix somewhere?

yea the one supplied has it's own built-in converter since the usb plugs into that, but he was trying to bypass the plug... which means he'll need some other converter

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