Hard wire dash cam and retain auto on feature + constant power for parking mode?

[Lamer]

I got a Fokey K1 dash cam for christmas and would like to know about the possibility of hard wiring it into the power supply to the map lights instead of running the super long wire down to the cigarette lighter

here is the camera
Things I know:

• I know the map lights are 12v supply.
• I know the camera power comes from the cigarette lighter, but the plug also has a USB wired in....see below:

my first issue comes with cutting the cable. does the camera itself use a 12v supply? or is the power being reduced within the cigarette plug? (I do not need the USB charging port...)

if its being reduced, then I cannot cut the wire (bummer). if the power is straight 12v to the camera, then I would be able to cut the wire.

My second issue is the "auto on" feature. because the cigarette lighter is switched power it will automatically turn the camera on when I start the car. if I cut the wire, that feature will no longer exist and I would have to manually turn the camera on/off every time I entered/exited the vehicle.

and finally my third issue is the "parked/motion" mode on the camera which requires direct battery power, and i'm not sure how that would/could come into play while using the cigarette lighter plug. (I would really like this feature as my parking garage has fell victim to break-ins)

does anyone have any input for me? looking for a friend...

 

[ToyotaBrah]

Instead of cutting the wiring or even splicing, I would go with a hardwire kit. It's a clean install and allows for parking mode!

This one has high reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Tec-Hard...r=8-1-spons&keywords=hard+wire+dash+kit&psc=1

 

[BrianSD_42]

The map lights are 24/7 power so if you tap it just be aware of possible battery drain issues.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Instead of cutting the wiring or even splicing, I would go with a hardwire kit. It's a clean install and allows for parking mode!

This one has high reviews:
https://www.amazon.com/Spy-Tec-Hard...r=8-1-spons&keywords=hard+wire+dash+kit&psc=1

Your dash camera will always be powered, providing a watchful eye over your vehicle when you’ve left it unattended with the ignition turned off. For 24-hour surveillance, hardwiring can’t be beat.

I presume even with this kit that you can set the camera to stop drawing power after the vehicle is turned off? 24/7 camera operation isn't realistic for the folks who have a different daily driver.

 

[Lamer]

ok, so that eliminates the cigarette plug, which is great. but how does that retain the "auto on/record" function AND allow for "parking" mode when the car is turned off? it reads like one or the other.

or maybe im missing something

 

[Lamer]

I presume even with this kit that you can set the camera to stop drawing power after the vehicle is turned off? 24/7 camera operation isn't realistic for the folks who have a different daily driver.

this particular camera will turn on automatically with ignition ON. but it specifically says that I need to connect battery power to the camera in order to turn "parking" mode ON when the key is removed.

its odd but its like its one or the other.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

I presume even with this kit that you can set the camera to stop drawing power after the vehicle is turned off? 24/7 camera operation isn't realistic for the folks who have a different daily driver.

Right. From what I have read, the hardwire kits monitor the battery level and will stop recording if the battery is too low. They only draw a small amount of power, enough to power the cam.

With my dash cam, which is a Vantrue N2, it has motion detection, so when someone or something comes in front of the vehicle, it will start recording until the motion has ended. Otherwise, it should not be running. Some dash cam's parking mode only have a G-sensor, which won't start recording unless the vehicle has been hit. And then there's dash cams that continually record and rewrite unless there has been an incident (impact detected, motion), in which case it saves that file from being overwritten.


I should mention that currently mine is powered using just the 12V power plug, so it only receives power when the ignition is on. I haven't yet had the time to install a hardwire kit in mine.

 

[Lamer]

...I should mention that currently mine is powered using just the 12V power plug, so it only receives power when the ignition is on. I haven't yet had the time to install a hardwire kit in mine.

yours is able to perform the "motion sense function" while the key is out of the ignition? meaning there would be no power supplied to the camera at that time...

 

[ToyotaBrah]

yours is able to perform the "motion sense function" while the key is out of the ignition? meaning there would be no power supplied to the camera at that time...

Yes, my cam has that function and will work if I hardwired it. Right now, it's using the 12V cigarette plug, so power is out when the key is out.

 

[Lamer]

Yes, my cam has that function and will work if I hardwired it. Right now, it's using the 12V cigarette plug, so power is out when the key is out.

right. ok. i guess the only way is to manually turn the camera on/off and manually turn the "motion sense/parking" function on/off every time you get into/out of the car.

but....

I think the only way to truely have "auto on/record" + "motion sense/parking" functionality is to wire in a relay which is activated by ignition power....this effectively gives the camera constant power while ONLY retaining the "auto-on/record" feature. ("motion sense/parking" is still a manual process

for example:

when starting the car first thing in the morning (the camera is in "motion sense" mode) the ignition power will cycle the relay from the right to the left. the resistor will give the camera time to turn off, and then eventually turn back on in the "auto on/record" mode. (this is how the camera would normally power on using the cigarette lighter plug.)

when you turn the car off, the relay will cycle back to the right, the other resistor will do the same as the first. and then will allow you set the camera in "motion sense/parking" mode. unfortunately there is no way to have the camera automatically go into "motion sense/parking" mode...so if you forget to put it into that mode, the camera will stay on 100% of the time.

 

[kolelt]

I have my camera on a rocker switch. Can turn it on whenever I want. And believe me. When your in the trail. It’s nice to have it on when driving.

 

[Lamer]

I have my camera on a rocker switch. Can turn it on whenever I want. And believe me. When your in the trail. It’s nice to have it on when driving.

ya I like the switch option, but I dont trust myself enough to remember to turn it off every time. I think im going to stick with the link that ToyotaBrah shared earlier.

 

[nissanh]

Just to let you know that I have 24/7 running camera in the back through a constant power outlet I made to power accessories in the cargo area. Runner is used M-W and rest it stays at home, and every time I try to start it starts right away. The specific camera I have shuts off the display after 2 minutes but the recording continues.

I also got one in the front and I used power from the wiper fuse at the fuse box. Then wired it through the headliner all the way to the map lights.

 

[kolelt]

ya I like the switch option, but I dont trust myself enough to remember to turn it off every time. I think im going to stick with the link that ToyotaBrah shared earlier.

It’s right under my headunit. So as I go to put it in reverse. I flip it.

 

[ToyotaBrah]

right. ok. i guess the only way is to manually turn the camera on/off and manually turn the "motion sense/parking" function on/off every time you get into/out of the car.

but....

I think the only way to truely have "auto on/record" + "motion sense/parking" functionality is to wire in a relay which is activated by ignition power....this effectively gives the camera constant power while ONLY retaining the "auto-on/record" feature. ("motion sense/parking" is still a manual process

for example:

when starting the car first thing in the morning (the camera is in "motion sense" mode) the ignition power will cycle the relay from the right to the left. the resistor will give the camera time to turn off, and then eventually turn back on in the "auto on/record" mode. (this is how the camera would normally power on using the cigarette lighter plug.)

when you turn the car off, the relay will cycle back to the right, the other resistor will do the same as the first. and then will allow you set the camera in "motion sense/parking" mode. unfortunately there is no way to have the camera automatically go into "motion sense/parking" mode...so if you forget to put it into that mode, the camera will stay on 100% of the time.

I don't have much experience in the electrical side, so I can't really critique your proposed approach.

I would be careful if you go this route and make sure everything works safely (last thing you want is your ride to go up in flames).