Taped Fuses?

[Midnight Specialist]

I have a dash cam in by it requires the cigar lighter to charge it. I was considering tapping into a fuse, but from what I have read about the electrical system on the DMC I’m a little hesitant. Has anyone done this?


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[DMC5180]

Do you have a manual or auto trans?

I wouldn’t use the lighter socket primarily to keep it open for a phone charger. Instead get a bussman ATC style ADD-A-LINE fuse holder. It simply plugs into an existing fuse location in the fusebox. If you have a manual trans I would install it in the Fuse 13 location (auto transmission only) this is a live location but is not used in the Manual cars.

[Midnight Specialist]

Manual


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[DMC5180]

Manual


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See my edited prior post.

[Midnight Specialist]

Thanks! That helps a lot


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[DMC5180]

The Add-a-line only gets you a fuse protected 12v source. You will need to also connect a ground to the camera cord. Terminate with a ring terminal to any location where Black ( ground) wires are attached to metal brackets.

[WHO1DMC]

A lot of the newer dash cams use less than 3 amps so not a big power draw. As more of us are putting in dashcams, back up cameras and other gadgets in our cars. Some of us are most likely using taps. The only thing is that the cover to the fuses won't go back on.

You raised concern about the electrical system. If your car hasn't had the fuse box replaced I would do it. I had to do mine this year do to meltdown and I was trying to keep it happy but there was just to much corrosion. My personal opinion is to use a AGM battery. Less corrosion do to no off gassing.


My 2 cents.
Dave B.

[CFI]

I have a dash cam in by it requires the cigar lighter to charge it. I was considering tapping into a fuse, but from what I have read about the electrical system on the DMC I’m a little hesitant. Has anyone done this?


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I had a similar situation recently. I decided to install a 12 volt socket hidden under the glovebox. The dash cam wiring goes up along the passenger side A pillar and is mostly hidden. The 12 volt socket is powered by the wiring for the transmission shifter light and grounded through the passenger door light switch.

The reason I did it this way instead of just cutting off the camera’s 12 volt plug and wiring it directly, is because without the factory plug the camera would think it was connected to a computer (for offloading videos perhaps?) and you would have to press a button to exit that mode and get it to record. But if you used the factory plug, the camera would go straight to recording mode without driver input.

[WHO1DMC]

There is a lot of power cables that can plug into these cameras that tap into the fuse box. Just a heads up they come with mini fuses. So you will have to cut the end off and get fuse taps that fit our fuse box.


Dave B.

[DMC5180]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201208/b8c64990ac42bd7090c7c9ffd77a0fde.jpg

ATC Add-A-Line The bottom slot is for the original fuse. The top slot is for the new circuit.

[WHO1DMC]

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20201208/b8c64990ac42bd7090c7c9ffd77a0fde.jpg

ATC Add-A-Line The bottom slot is for the original fuse. The top slot is for the new circuit.

Yup that's what you need.


Thanks Dennis

Dave B.

[Midnight Specialist]

A lot of the newer dash cams use less than 3 amps so not a big power draw. As more of us are putting in dashcams, back up cameras and other gadgets in our cars. Some of us are most likely using taps. The only thing is that the cover to the fuses won't go back on.

You raised concern about the electrical system. If your car hasn't had the fuse box replaced I would do it. I had to do mine this year do to meltdown and I was trying to keep it happy but there was just to much corrosion. My personal opinion is to use a AGM battery. Less corrosion do to no off gassing.


My 2 cents.
Dave B.

Do you have a recommendation for a good AGM?


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[WHO1DMC]

I've been using red top. My old one lasted 5 years. Replaced it when it would only hold half a charge. There are supposedly better ones out there but they run about a hundred to two hundred more. I run LEDS so with everything open all day at a car show is no problem.

Dave B.