Ground wire for dash cam

[snoop6060]

Morning,

I've managed to route my dash cam to my dash fuse box but not sure where is best to attach the ground wire. There are 2 screws either side of the fuse box that are into metal but not sure if that is in turn connected to the chassis.

Don't have a great deal of choice unless I extend the ground wire on the thinkware cam, needs to be a couple of inches from the fuse box.

Any ideas?

Cheers
Si

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@snoop6060 where exactly are you mounting your drawback? If it is by the rearview mirror then others have used screws in the interior light fitting.

 

[snoop6060]

It's by the rear view. I'd need to strip out the earth wire to use anything more than a few inches from the fuse box as all three wires come inside a single sheath.

 

[Pauly]

Haven't tried the fusebox securing screws but I would imagine if they are into metal you would be fine, there's only one way to find out !
The draw on cams is pretty small so can't imagine any issues either way, if your not sure just put a meter from a positive supply to the screw and make sure it shows 12volts

 

[snoop6060]

Right ok, here goes

Actually one final thing I have the cables crimped onto 2 of those piggy bag fuse holders. I've added a 5amp fuse to each.

Can I use them as is in appropiate but empty slot in the fuse box? Or do I actually have to piggy back off a slot that already has a fuse and add both fuses to the piggy back? There's plenty of space in both the left and middle columns so not sure I need to double anything up and just use a free one.

Or am I missing something?

 

[T6 Dave]

Right ok, here goes

Actually one final thing I have the cables crimped onto 2 of those piggy bag fuse holders. I've added a 5amp fuse to each.

Can I use them as is in appropiate but empty slot in the fuse box? Or do I actually have to piggy back off a slot that already has a fuse and add both fuses to the piggy back? There's plenty of space in both the left and middle columns so not sure I need to double anything up and just use a free one.

Or am I missing something?

If the slot is populated with a feed you can pop it in there if it's secure, and will avoid scrabbling around to put the other 1/2 of the slot in with the cable out to your dashcam.. (The neater way). What dashcam is it btw?

 

[snoop6060]

Thinkware 770. I can double one up if there is no feed but might need a matching fuse as none of them have 5amp fuses in them and that's the max I was recommend to use.

 

[T6 Dave]

I didn't bother threading those all that way.. Have you seen the post for the instal here?

https://www.t6forum.com/threads/dash-cameras-any-thoughts.1236/

I think 2amp is enough, but stick in whatever the units fuses are or higher, as unit is protected by their OEM fuses anyway..

 

[andys]

There are also 2 lovely big and accessible grounded bolts behind the right side panel that you could use as you'll be passing it through there on the way to the A pillar

 

[snoop6060]

Ok cheers. Got it working from your original picture Dave

Despite resetting my trip computer by removing that fuse briefly, it's working. The app on my iPhone is absolutely appalling tho, but think I've got it set up. The voice is highly annoying as well so turned the volume right down and all the safety stuff off. Only want the video and parking stuff.

And that 3m stuff is some sticky shit. Camera is ever so slightly wonky but it records fine

So fingers crossed it just works now. Will do some tests of the parking stuff shortly.

 

[T6 Dave]

Try update on phone to latest op system, android I found works crap, iPhone 4 shit hot, think about a spare clean one for dashcam system as per my comments in that thread.. Also gives a good SD card supplier...

Glad your sorted..

 

[T6 Dave's Dad]

@snoop6060 did you go for the rear camera too?

 

[T6 Dave]

Don't forget download speed camera updates etc from website, as well as PC program for viewing.. And any firmware updates as well...

 

[snoop6060]

Don't have a rear window at the moment so just front. Think you can buy the rear one separate if I do decide to glaze my tailgate.

The camera does seam to do what it's supposed to once set up. Just a bit clunky and unreliable to get there. Got the latest IOS and all that jazz. Think I've a spare iphone in a drawer somewhere. Good idea to repurpose it for this.