How to Wire a Dash Cam?
2 Answers
Here are the wiring methods for a dash cam: 1. Cigarette lighter wiring. Simply plug it into the cigarette lighter, then route the wires through the glove box, A-pillar, etc. This method occupies the cigarette lighter, and since the wires in the glove box area cannot be hidden, a section of the wiring will be exposed. The advantage is that you can manually turn the dash cam on or off by simply unplugging the cigarette lighter or pressing the switch. 2. Direct battery wiring. Run the wires from the cabin into the engine compartment and connect them directly to the battery's positive and negative terminals. This method does not allow for manual power-off, making it inconvenient to turn off manually, and there may be issues with battery discharge. This method requires using the A-pillar to hide the exposed wires.
When wiring a dash cam, I usually consider different methods. The most common is plugging it into the cigarette lighter, which is simple and quick: just insert the dash cam's power plug directly into the cigarette lighter socket, but the exposed wires can look messy. Another method is connecting to the fuse box, which is stable and durable. First, locate the fuse box inside the car (usually under the steering wheel), use a fuse tap tool to connect to an empty fuse slot for the positive terminal, and ground the negative wire to a body screw. This way, the dash cam can turn on and off with the car, maintaining a clean look. If the car has an OBD port, it’s even more convenient—just plug directly into the OBD port for power and data. Regardless of the method, it’s crucial to ensure the dash cam's input voltage matches (usually 5V or 12V), turn off the car's power before wiring to avoid short circuits, and use cable ties or wire organizers to hide the wires along door seams or the headliner afterward—keeping them out of sight and tidy. Choose based on your situation; beginners are advised to start with the cigarette lighter.
