The Mitsubishi Pajero Owners Club®

peteinchad · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 19:32 Post subject: Dash Cam without trailing wires

I got a dash cam but it seems that to provide power I am supposed to plug the adapter into the accessory socket and run a wire around the screen and have it dangling over the dashboard.

I didn't want loose wires strewn all over the dash so did a little mod that might be useful to others who hate an untidy dashboard.

If your dash cam is powered by USB (mini or micro connector) then you can buy a 12V to USB converter (known as a Buck converter)

Most dash cams are powered up when the ignition is switched on - and there is a wire that goes live that feeds the power sun roof. So it is a matter of getting to the wire and connecting the buck converter to it

Remove the sunroof switch:

And you will see the connector:

Connect a wire to the Yellow /Black wire and insert a 2.5A fuse into a fuse holder:

You can also connect an earth wire to a spare screw above the roof lining.

Remove the centre roof light:

And the Map Light:

And the mirror:

And thread the wires from the sunroof switch - through the hole for the centre light and then thread them to the map light.

Connect the buck converter to the two wires and tuck the converter up into the map light hole.

Thread the USB plug from the buck converter out of the front of the roof lining:

Check that you have 5V at the USB connector by connecting the dash cam and switching on the ignition. If all is working then refit the lights and sunroof switch.

I also didn't want a big suction mount so I got a dash cam that fits directly onto the screen with an adhesive pad. It has a plate that sticks to the screen and the dash cam clips onto it - so the dash cam is removable.

After mounting the camera then the mirror can be refitted.

I hope that it helps people get rid of the spaghetti wiring on their dash boards.

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Jutwit · ***** Joined: 21 May 2013 Posts: 543 Location: South wales

Thanks for that, I ordered one last week so should be getting it any day now.

Are these dash cameras desirable to thieves? Or do people leave them there all the time?

peteinchad · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 20:29 Post subject:

Some people will steal anything - I will leave mine on the screen because it isn't very noticeable - except in iffy areas where I might be working.

They will probably take my double DIN touch screen head unit anyway.

gregorypestelle · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 21:31 Post subject:

Great write up pete Wink

I like tidy Laughing

Adman · Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 22:49 Post subject:

Very tidy install there Pete

peteinchad · Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2015 6:37 Post subject:

It's an easy job - easier than running cables round the screen.

And it's an "inside" job - so I could do it in the rain!

Rob546454 · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 0:21 Post subject:

Not bad thinking. I was going to run the wired through the A pillar and down the back of the dash but that is an easier option.

peteinchad · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 6:49 Post subject:

venn105 · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 9:05 Post subject:

I am in

how could you..................you have standard festoon bulbs Shocked

you need led ones Laughing

Awesome write up,excellent tidy professional job as always pete Cool

peteinchad · Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 10:00 Post subject:

Mitsubishi2 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 16:35 Post subject:

Nice work!

rich r · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 17:04 Post subject:

Nice install, and well done for identifying the nearest ignition live supply in the roof Smile

That reminds me, I must get some LED bulbs for my Subaru's interior lights, and wire the map lights to come on with the room light, as it's a bit dark in there at the front at the moment!

cinman2003 · ** Joined: 11 Feb 2015 Posts: 63 Location: Southampton

Loving your work but I don't have a sunroof, so could I come off anything else in the lining?

peteinchad · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2015 20:08 Post subject:

I don't think that there are any other wires in the roof that are live only when the ignition is on.

You maybe might still have the wiring for the sunroof even if the sunroof isn't fitted.

I used one of these

It has a needle point under the cap - just connect the clip to earth and push the needle into the wire insulation until it touches the copper conductor and it lights up if there is power in the wire. There is no damage to the wire doing it this way.

You are looking for a wire that is only live when the ignition is on.

cinman2003 · ** Joined: 11 Feb 2015 Posts: 63 Location: Southampton

Cool makes sense I'll give it a try, cheers