Can I tap the map lights for dash cam power?

[Nate4641]

I just bought a dash cam and I would like to tap into the power that runs the interior lights above the windshield instead of a long cable going into the accessory socket. I already use the socket for my windshield phone dock and ipod charging so adding another to that spot would be too much. I was wondering if there is a spot to tap into that was only on with the ignition in that area. I was thinking of using something like this so that I could just plug any usb cable into it to change from micro to mini usb or whatever.


Any ideas?

[Pheonix]

How much power (amp) will the camera draw?

[Nate4641]

Looks like at most .5 amps

http://dashcamtalk.com/mini-0801/#Power_Specifications

[Pheonix]

I think you should be OK. Check the fuse rating for interior light, I think it is a 5A fuse (fuse number 25). I have the V1 tap onto the dome light with no probkemand it draws about 200mA-450mA.

[Nate4641]

Do you happen to have a picture of where you tapped into?

[RobMCoupe]

You can tab into the fuse box behind the glove box. The are two open slots. One is switched and the other is always on. You can use add a fuse.

[M-Power M3]

F2 & F3/4

[jdoublehcubed]

Originally Posted by RobMCoupe

You can tab into the fuse box behind the glove box. The are two open slots. One is switched and the other is always on. You can use add a fuse.

This.

Tapping directly into an open slot and adding a dedicated fuse for accessories will make your life much easier should you ever need to troubleshoot the system. And, like Rob said, there is an ignition switched slot you can use. Thats how I wired in my radar detector.

If you pull the passenger side vent, you route the cable from the fusebox directly into the vent area, then into the a-pillar without ever having it come into the cabin. Much cleaner than trying to go around the glovebox door or something like that. And actually very easy to do, since there are only two screws holding in the vent.

You can put a stick on wiretie anchor in that vent space, and bundle any slack cable there. Then if you need to change the cable length, you don't have to get into the fuse box again.

[pokeybritches]

If not, you could always get a fuse tap and run the wire up behind the A pillar trim. To remove the trim, there are screws under the sun visors. I ran my gauge wiring for my rear view mirror gauges this way.

[Nate4641]

M-Power this is the fuse box behind the glove box?

1. How do I access this? (still a few thousand miles away from my car until next week so I can't look for myself)
2. How do I go about wiring the cable in? From what i have seen online I should only need to ground the black wire and add the red wire to power. The green and white wires should just be for data and not used.

[Pheonix]

I followed this along with a you tube video with lot of details.
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136245

[Nate4641]

Is there a way to connect to the fuse box in a temporary way? Wire taps are easy to use, but I have heard horror stories and would like to avoid them.

[M-Power M3]

Yes behind the glovebox.

You can use one of these. This is what I did for power for my Air management.

[Nate4641]

Thanks! That looks like exactly what I want to do. So I found 2 different fuse taps from Advance. One is ATM and one is ATC, which one do I need?

My plan was to use a long (maybe 6 foot?) usb cable for this that would end with a female USB A connection inside the trim up top. This would allow me to connect change from a Mini B to a Micro B depending on what I need to connect to. Does this sound like a good plan or should I just cut the 12v cigar lighter cable that comes with the camera so there arent too many connections in the line?

[pokeybritches]

Some cameras have a motion sensor option, so that it goes into a low power setting until motion is sensed (like when someone backs into your parked car). If your camera has this feature, you'll want to tap into a fuse that's always hot.

I always avoid cutting cables unless I absolutely have to do it.

[Nate4641]

I'm pretty sure the camera I got does not have the parking mode so I'm not worried about that.

I found a fuse tap on Amazon that looks good, just need to make sure I need the ATM style fuse. It looks similar to the one pictured above, just want to make sure before buying.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...A2QG0CRWTZ2FNM

Also what fuse should I use? It looks like from the technical info in the link I posted above it shouldn't draw more than .5 amps.

My electrical knowledge is pretty limited so if I need to run a certain gauge wire or anything that hasn't been covered please let me know.

[Nate4641]

Can anyone chime in on the fuse tap questions?

[Pheonix]

The power consumption is a so small of 5w at 500mA. Get as lower as a fuse as you can. 14gage wire should be ok. Still don't understand why you would not consider tapping the dome light for a more simple installation?

[Nate4641]

It might be more simple, but it is more permanent which I don't want. I would like to be able to remove all wiring and not leave behind wire taps and such. The fuse tap also makes it independent from other things so should it blow a fuse only the camera wont work.

Just need to know if the one I added a link to is the right size tap.

[Clearancediver]

Look at your fuze panel and check the size/pull a fuze. Take the fuze to an auto parts store and ask them what size it is (there are two sizes). That way if you order the wrong size of tap it's on you....