Installing a dashcam (with naked pics...)

[5teep]

Here's a quick run through of how I installed my dashcam (all images as thumbnails)

Parts - Camera (Botlabs G980H + rear cam) + a few tiny zip ties.
No drilling or cutting required, the tool they provide is perfect for getting the wire in behind cover.
Starting from the Front camera, the power cable is just a 20cm usb C lead I already had, plugged into the rain sensor usb socket. (there's a splitter there because I also run a small gps speedo from it)



From there the HDMI cable goes along the top and down the A pillar, then back and down behind the door with a small zip tie to keep it neat.



Down behind the door (i did fit a zip tie here too) and under the glovebox.



Tucked in behind the kick plate and trim all the way to the back seat, it was mostly easy but a couple of tight places, I manage to get it all hidden nicely in the end.



The cable then goes under the edge of the seat squab and into the boot behind the rear seatbelt. I used a sticky zip tie for neatness but the cable needs to be loose from here on as the camera moves with the hatchback.



Finally the camera mounted on the left side of the windscreen and the cable attached to the parcel shelf cord. I'll probably take those ties off though.



ymmv of course but I don't mind seeing the odd bit of cable. There's nothing other than the run down from the A pillar that is exposed in the front and even that I might be able to sort at some later date if I find a way down via the dash at the windscreen because it is open underneath.

 

[5teep]

And one final image from the drivers pov.

 

[MG Clive]

Thanks @5teep

 

[RhythMick]

Am I right in saying that the usb port is not powered when the car is off - therefore the camera cannot operate in parking mode?

 

[5teep]

Am I right in saying that the usb port is not powered when the car is off - therefore the camera cannot operate in parking mode?

Yes you are, the only way to get parking mode is to hard wire the camera to the battery.

 

[nem]

Thanks for the walkthrough, im still contemplating getting cameras i mine and as i will do the installation myself, its interesting to see how others solve this.

 

[Rei]

I might try to install mine over the weekend. I was hoping I could slip the cable under the trim without lifting it too much, or detaching it. I need to wire it into the fuse box for parking mode.

 

[5teep]

I might try to install mine over the weekend. I was hoping I could slip the cable under the trim without lifting it too much, or detaching it. I need to wire it into the fuse box for parking mode.

initially I had the cable under the rubber door trims but that leaves sections of it visible. Then I found when trying to hide it under the carpet I could more easily get it under the hard plastic trim and that's much better.
Try and work out how much power draw the camera has when the car is off, if you drain the 12v battery too much it might cause issues with the HV battery.

 

[Rei]

I tried to install today. Got the power cable behind the trim okay, but the fuse box is a bit of a nightmare. The panel it's behind is hard to remove, and then it's recessed and very hard to get at. I can only reach the nearest fuses.

I can only reach F2-F10. The diagram is turned on its side, those are actually vertical and closest to the panel you remove.

I tried to get a multimeter on... I think F10. Maybe F1. No voltage.

Anyone know which ones are best to use for permanent power and for ACC switched power? Maybe F5 for the switched.

I think F20 is the OBD port, but it's very hard to get to.

 

[mystreet]

I would say F6, comm module needs to be awake all the time

 

[Rei]

I would say F6, comm module needs to be awake all the time

That's a good point! I didn't realise that it meant the G4 stuff. I suppose the kick sensor must be awake all the time too.

 

[Joningy]

And one final image from the drivers pov.

View attachment 39027

Well done on the install, but please tidy those cables crossing the plastic from of the sensors! I've got a new S5 arriving mid September (amazing pre reg deal of £24150 Trophy in silver) will defo fit a new Dash cam, but I'll take the high route with cabling as I did on my MG4, pulling back the rubber door seals and tucking under the roof lining (easy to do, no poss of pinching)
Will also fit to windscreen, high up and left of the rear view mirror.

 

[EvTek23]

It's a pity that the dashcam needs a permanent supply feed. The Nextbase 312GW I use has an internal battery so that can make recordings when the external power is off, so the G sensor or parking mode will turn the camera on if activated.
It looks like the current Nextbase models have the same feature too.

 

[electric dream]

Well done on the install, but please tidy those cables crossing the plastic from of the sensors! I've got a new S5 arriving mid September (amazing pre reg deal of £24150 Trophy in silver) will defo fit a new Dash cam, but I'll take the high route with cabling as I did on my MG4, pulling back the rubber door seals and tucking under the roof lining (easy to do, no poss of pinching)
Will also fit to windscreen, high up and left of the rear view mirror.

I thought about running a power cable for my rear dashcam above the roof lining, but decided against it, as I was worried that the cable might interfere with the deployment of the airbags that are above the doors.

 

[5teep]

Well done on the install, but please tidy those cables crossing the plastic from of the sensors! I've got a new S5 arriving mid September (amazing pre reg deal of £24150 Trophy in silver) will defo fit a new Dash cam, but I'll take the high route with cabling as I did on my MG4, pulling back the rubber door seals and tucking under the roof lining (easy to do, no poss of pinching)
Will also fit to windscreen, high up and left of the rear view mirror.

Hah they are already tidier but I don't mind either way as I can't see them when I'm driving. The rearview mirror blocks all but 3/4 of the camera itself.

 

[Rei]

Since they have a USB port for a camera it would be nice if they also had some cable raceways too.

I suppose what we really want is to be able to record the cameras that the car already has.

 

[electric dream]

Since they have a USB port for a camera it would be nice if they also had some cable raceways too.

I suppose what we really want is to be able to record the cameras that the car already has.

That question has been asked, and the cameras on the car are only low resolution as they are only to give a view for driving guidance.

 

[Rei]

I tried again today but I just can't get the fuses out. It's such an awkward angle.

 

[MG Clive]

I tried again today but I just can't get the fuses out. It's such an awkward angle.

Probably a daft question, but are you using the fuse puller tool?

 

[Rei]

Probably a daft question, but are you using the fuse puller tool?

I can't get it in there at all angle I can pull hard enough to get the fuse out.