This article aims to help you with hardwiring or fixing a dashcam. But do you know about a dashcam? It is a very important device nowadays. It uses used for many recording and surveillance works. The dashcam is an abbreviation for the dashboard camera. You can understand its working by its name.
This dashcam is generally installed on the dashboard of your vehicle. Hardwiring a dashcam generally refers to install it. It works more like a silent proof. It can help you in your safety and your safety matters a lot.
You can purchase this dashcam from any digital shop. If you don’t find it in any shop, then you can place an order for it online. It is very to find these dashcams online. Now, we will go ahead in this article to learn how to hardwire a dashcam.
How To Hardwire A Dashcam – Step By Step Guide
Any kind of installation needs a proper procedure. To install this dashcam, you should follow a proper procedure. It is not at all a difficult task. If you choose a wrong or complicated method, then the task turns out to be tougher. We will try to put the correct procedure sequentially.
You will it very easy to follow. Try to understand each step first. If you understand the process correctly, then you can easily perform it practically. But try to understand it first. Otherwise, it will be difficult to follow.
Now, let’s have a look at the following procedure:
1. Placing The Fuse Box Properly
This is the first step that you have to do to install your dashcam. To start with this step, you need to first have its user’s manual. Trust us, you cannot go ahead properly without a user’s manual. You will need this to know many technical specifications and warnings. Every device comes with different warnings and specifications. Even if you have installed a dashcam before, you need to have the user manual. This dashcam may have different properties. So, take care of this thing properly.
Once you have got your user’s manual, search in it for a proper fuse box. It will mention the proper location where the fuse box should be placed. You cannot place the fuse box anywhere without knowing. Always try to place these devices in a proper location. Placing them in a wrong location may result in some unexpected results.
You will find the required location in your manual. Just go through the manual once. It will clear all your doubts regarding fuse box placement. If you are unable to find it in your manual, then the best alternative is the internet. You search the required location of the fuse box thereby mentioning its mode. Or you should find the user’s manual also online. This will work if you don’t have a user’s manual for your dashcam.
Now, you have to use a trimming tool to place your fuse box at a required location. Also, look into your installation package. You may find some important tool there. It depends on your dashcam model. You need to remove some fuse parts. In some vehicles, you will be able to find these fuse boxes already installed. You can do this fixing by any screwdriver or by your hand. For some other vehicles, you need to pry the fuse box using your trimming tool. So, be ready for that. You should always take help from the tester.
2. Choosing A Proper Fuse Slot
Now it’s time to select a proper fuse slot for your fuse box. The fuse slot should be appropriate for your fuse box. You may find many fuse slots with different ratings. But for a dashcam, you should go for 10 A to 30 A power ratings. Fuse slots with these ratings will help your dashcam to work properly.
This type of fuse slot will properly require the amount of power to your dash. Go through your user manual also once. It will help you immensely. Some dash cams are not comfortable with such ratings. Otherwise, this process will not be safe for you. Whatever procedure you follow, you need to go along with the manual’s instructions. Avoid any kind of electric shock case.
Now if you are selecting a fuse slot, then don’t go for fuse slots that work through stability programs or airbags. These types of fuse slots have fewer features for safety. But you can use some fuse slots that are used to control lighter objects. For example, you can use those fuses which are having control over the radio, sunroof, or another such device. These are very safe compared to the former type of fuse slot.
When you find the right fuse slot, then you will work with three types of wires. For any electrical equipment, you will generally find these three wires. One wire among these will be always grounded. Another two wires are used in the real connection. One wire will be connected to the main fuse and others will be connected to the switched fuse. Now, you need to use an electrical tester to differentiate among the main fuse and switched fuse. You should not connect the ground wire with any main connections. To differentiate among three wires, you can refer to the labeling. It will be mentioned on the wires.
Before making the connection, should clean all the wires to get accuracy in the result. You can use any soft material or cotton bud to clean the wires. You should properly clean all the dust from the wires. Before cleaning these wires, you should clean your hands properly. otherwise, they will be no use of cleaning the wires.
Now, try to install the fuse box in the slot. You can use an add-a-fuse kit for this installation. Otherwise, you can use those wires by wrapping up them. You need to wrap them from the bottom end. After connecting these wires to their respective connections, you should do the wrapping process 3 to 4 times. This will ensure a tight connection.
A tight connection is always good in an electric circuit. Now after this, you can place your fuse box in the slot. So, this completes the fuse box installation. You should use the wires with full care. If you misplace any wire, then the circuit connection will be incomplete. Now, we will move to further steps.
3. Using an Add-a-fuse kit
Now, you are well aware of the fuse slot that you have to use for your dashcam. Now you have to use your dashcam hardwire kit. It will work efficiently if you use it along with the Add-a-Fuse Kit. In this kit, you will find all the required installation packages. Now, you should use your nose plier. It helps us to groove your hardwire dashcam kit properly.
You can also use your electrical tape to make the circuit connection safer. Remember that before start working, all the wires should be inactive. If you have one more fuse in that slot, then you can make it inactive.
You should place that fuse in the lower part of that slot. You should take off this thing properly. if you don’t want this much complexity, then remove the extra fuse.
And then make your new connection in the fuse slot. Now you have to fix the fuse box with proper position and orientation. In this thing, the add-a-fuse kit will be very helpful.
Now, you need to place your hardwiring kit in that add-a-fuse kit. You can use electrical tape to have a proper electric circuit. This way, you will be able to make the circuit connection very clear and clean. Any complex circuit will also look like a simpler one in this way.
Don’t go for any other kind of tapes. Otherwise, the circuit will look more complex. Now, after placing the hardwire dashcam kit in the AAF kit, you need to place this part.
This total package should be now placed in the fuse slot. Us the same slot that you have already chosen for your fuse box. Ensure that the position and orientation of your kit are appropriate.
4. Hardwire Kit Grounding
After the previous step, you will be able to connect your hardwire dashcam kit with a power connection. Now, you should make the ground connection using the ground wire. Generally, the ground wire will be present in a ring shape. Use a screw and a metal bolt to connect the ground wire in your vehicle.
If you want to control the nuts and bolts properly, then you should use a socket wrench. It will help you in the tightening and loosening of these bolts and nuts. The ground connection should be tight enough. You should not proceed further with loose electric connections. Otherwise, it may drive more power and will cause damage to your dashcam. Don’t use painted metal also for grounding purposes. Remove any type of plastic material from the grounding connection. If there is any, then replace them with other metal.
5. Proper Testing Of Dashcam
Now, it’s time to check your dashcam properly. This is the last step of hardwiring any kind of dashcam. Without performing this step, you don’t know whether you have installed it correctly or not. So, perform this step carefully and completely. This will ensure your safety. Check all the connections properly.
If you find that any connection is wrong, then you should not leave it as it is. You should change the connection. A proper connection matters a lot. We cannot work with the wrong electric circuit. Otherwise, there may be some unexpected and unwanted results. Any type of wrong connection may result in an electric shock or shorting condition. You should always think about your safety as well. You should not take any risk with your health. It matters a lot.
Things You Would Need
- Dashcam
- Hardwire dashcam kit
- Screwdriver
- Electrical hose
- Electrical tape
- One circuit tester
- Fuse Box
- Plier, preferably a nose plier
- Trimming tool
- Add-a-fuse Kit with all necessary installation package
- User’s Manual
- Socket Wrench
- Some nuts and bolts
Whenever you want hardwire a daschcam, you need to have some tools. Thus, we have provided a complete list of things. You can refer to this section to arrange all the required tools and things. This will save you time.
If are not able to arrange these items, then you can go for their appropriate alternatives. You can always borrow these items for a day if it is possible. After installing your dashcam, you will not need this item for a long duration. These items are sufficient to fix your dashcam properly.
Final Thought
We have tried our best to provide you the complete procedure on how to hardwire a dashcam. You should be able to hardwire dashcam easily. However, if you don’t know how to handle tools to open up your car it is wise to hire a professional.
When you are buying a dash cam, you can also ask for company installation which sometimes is available with additional cost. Your dash cameras should be mounted accurately.
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