Over the last several years, there has been a dramatic upsurge in dash cams popularity due to the growing understanding of its importance.
Usually, the dash cam is mounted on the dashboard and helps to document occurrences around your car’s surroundings.
The information recorded is typically stored for a short time.
So, what is the best way to install a dash cam?
How you use your dash camera depends on your preference and how often you intend to use it.
However, a fundamental feature to contemplate when assessing dash cameras is how they transmit and keep the footage they capture.
Typically, you may not need to fix your dash cam but instead attach it to your vehicle’s cigarette lighter.
An unfixed dash cam is versatile, simple to remove when not used, and can be charged through the cigarette lighter.
Alternatively, you can incorporate the dash camera into your car’s interior by having it fully installed.
This option is the most prevalent, with millions of car owners settling for this type.
Dash cams get a constant power supply from the cigarette lighter.
However, most vehicles do not have more than one 12-volt socket, with the available one used for charging other electrical devices.
Although you may contemplate powering your dash cam using the vehicle’s USB port, the idea is usually greatly discouraged.
The USB port contains less than 1A power output which can’t guarantee a constant power supply.
Eventually, it may damage your vehicle.
Most individuals have contemplated self-hardwiring, fixing directly to the fuse compartment.
Also, to increase the use of the 12V socket slot and use the parking mode function.
The parking mode can be triggered, and it can minimize the need to switch the power socket and shield it from a short circuit.
Dash cameras provide drivers the peace of mind that if they get in an accident or unforeseen incident on the road, they will have distinct evidence of whatever transpired.
What Is a Hard-Wired Dash Camera?
Hard wired dash camera is a small, affordable video camera that an overwhelming majority of drivers install in their vehicles to protect themselves in case of an accident.
The car battery is highly susceptible if your hard-wired dash cameras lack a built-in voltage monitoring system or a parking mode hard-wiring kit.
This is because it doesn’t regulate power, thus leading to battery drainage.
A hard-wired install means integrating the dashboard camera into your vehicle’s interiors.
A hard-wire kit gets rid of the necessity of having your dash camera fixed into your vehicle’s 12v socket.
The power cable is fixed directly to the vehicle’s fuse box, leaving you with zero worries about displeasing wires or power running out at a vital moment.
What Does a Hard-Wired Dash Cam Do?
The fundamental nature of a dash cam is to record events in times of accidents.
It is created to discreetly and precisely capture each detail on the road.
For instance, if you are involved in an accident, the dash cam recording will give quicker access to video footage regarding the accident.
After successfully recording the footage, the dash cam footage is documented onto a micro SD card.
Once the SD is loaded, the camera will instantly have a loop recording and document over a 3-minute file.
Footage can be shifted onto any electrical device such as a computer, phone, tablet, or phone and kept there permanently.
Hard wired dash cams help in fraud prevention.
Today, insurance fraud is one of the most prevalent challenges.
Some drivers intentionally cause an accident and then shift the blame to other drivers to gain money unlawfully.
Installing dash cameras can prevent scammers from swindling cash from you as they record events instantly.
Hard-wiring a dash cam to your fuse box is a popular installation technique.
Below is a guide on some simple instructions to follow to hard-wire your dash cam:
Step 1 – Discover the Fuse Box Area
Since we are operating a power cable from the dash to the fuse box, it is essential to understand where the fuse box is located.
Usually, the fuse box is situated below the driver or passenger side dashboard.
You can refer to your owner’s manual to find the right fuse slot that will offer adequate power for the dash cam.
Some fuse slots are created only to give power when the automobile lighting is on.
In most cases, the dash cam hard-wires kit entails three wires (constant fuse, ignition-controlled fuse, and ground) linked to the fuse box.
Step 2 – Set Up the Power Cable
Beginning at the dashcams, arrange the power cable roughly where it will operate once concealed behind the vehicle’s interior panels.
With this, you understand the right place to route the cable and the amount of slack to omit on the way down to the fuse box.
While setting up the power cable, knowing the correct fuse to utilize is crucial.
For better results, you can choose fuse slots rated between 10A-30A.
You can correctly offer adequate power to your best dash cam with this.
Always resort to the vehicle owner’s manual to keep away from fuse slots that could have reference to particular aspects within your car.
Step 3 – Locate the Ground Point
Aftersuccessfully fixing the power of your hard-wire kit, you can link the ground wire to slide below a metal bolt or screw in a car.
Usually, you will require a socket wrench to unfasten the nut or bolt that you opt to ground with.
The most prevalent dimensions are 1mm and 2mm.
To link the grounding terminal, undo the bolt or the nut enough to slip it in and fasten it back.
The unfastened ground can contribute to power problems for your dash cam.
It is essential to ground with a bolt-on a plain metal free of paint.
If a lousy ground is selected, it may eventually make your dash cam restart when the current cannot flow persistently.
Albeit using a metal bolt, you may still encounter some challenges if the hard-wire kit’s grounding terminal is tightened on a plastic surface.
Step 4 – Button Up the Installation
Apply a zip tie to button up the extra power wire jointly.
Then, carefully store the wiring to a solid mounting point below the dashboard or behind the kick panel using additional zip ties.
Attach the device to the mount and unfasten the mount’s locking ring.
Ignite the car engine and the appliance with a switch on instantly and apply the screen to modify the shooting angle.
After alteration, fasten the locking ring.
Step 5 – Now, Perform a Test
After successfully hooking up the power and ground, insert the kit into your camera and ignite your cat to see whether it will function.
Turn it to the run position and fold all the wires into your car if it works.
For exceptional results, you can tape or zip tie the extra wires out of the way in your vehicle to curb any access to your fuse box.
Ensure wires are not loosely hanging where they may be interfered with when getting in and out of the car.
This can be detrimental to your hard-wire kit or car.
Summing Up
A hard-wired dash cam is a significant investment, mainly since it is affordable and can successfully save you from fraud, accidents, and unforeseen events on the road.
It is important to have it installed as you will benefit greatly.
