DIY: Blackvue Dashcam Install

svrds · 08-02-2022, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinMax

Hey guys, I just got the Blackvue 750X. Can I leave it plugged into the 12V slot in my trunk? Will it drain my battery or does it shut off itself after I turn my engine off?

You can but it'll shutoff when you power off the car. I use a 124x battery pack add on which gives me 24 hours of juice for when it's parked. Works good for me but isn't cheap. That's plugged into my trunk port

nearwater4me · 08-02-2022, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinMax

Hey guys, I just got the Blackvue 750X. Can I leave it plugged into the 12V slot in my trunk? Will it drain my battery or does it shut off itself after I turn my engine off?

It'll power off after a few minutes.
I'm also guessing the Blackvue unit has the function that detects voltage drop and consequently powers itself off... have you checked the manual to see if it does?

MinMax · 08-02-2022, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

Quote:

Originally Posted by MinMax

Hey guys, I just got the Blackvue 750X. Can I leave it plugged into the 12V slot in my trunk? Will it drain my battery or does it shut off itself after I turn my engine off?

It'll power off after a few minutes.
I'm also guessing the Blackvue unit has the function that detects voltage drop and consequently powers itself off... have you checked the manual to see if it does?

I didnt see anything mentioned voltage in the manual. I'm tempting to get the blackvue battery but it's sooooooo expensive.

iviegatron · 08-02-2022, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nearwater4me

It'll power off after a few minutes.
I'm also guessing the Blackvue unit has the function that detects voltage drop and consequently powers itself off... have you checked the manual to see if it does?

It does, it let's you set the voltage from the pre-configured values. I've had the camera shutoff on me couple of times, which is weird since the camera is set to shutoff if it drops below 12.5 volts. My car was reading 13.2 volts. Guessing some bug. But the option is there.

s58 · 08-03-2022, 11:21 AM

Great write up, thank you for the details on the fuse tapping.

One thing I would caution against is running a wire along the roof line above the doors. There's a curtain airbag that could easily catch that cable and hit a passenger in the event of an airbag deployment. When I did this install on my f30 years ago I ran the wires at the base of the doors to reach the back of the car to avoid going near any airbags.

top-down · 08-29-2022, 03:10 AM

In case anyone else is doing this, make sure you remove the A-pillar trim piece enough to run the wires behind the airbags. The original post shows the wires just crossing the a-pillar, and that would definitely interfere with airbag deployment. Why take chances.

It's very simple to pop off the little plastic "airbag" emblem to reveal a torx screw that holds the trim down.

Also - for the fuse taps, just use 3A fuses for both the acc and batt, you should definitely not use 20A fuses in the new circuit of the fuse tap. Most guidelines say not to use more than 5A protection anyway on the new side.

JustinHEMI · 05-18-2023, 10:58 PM

The beauty of a common platform is not reinventing the wheel. This tutorial worked perfectly for my G87! Thank you!

BzsBimmer · 06-04-2023, 02:25 PM

Just going to add, that there is a wrong way and right way to orient an Add-A-Fuse

I know the original DIY said “fuses” are non-directional which is true, but there is a right and wrong way to add the circuit.

More info found here
https://www.124spider.org/threads/ad...se-them.33420/

This is a valuable thread as I’ll be planning to go through this soon with a R8 and Blackvue

OtoPA · 07-03-2023, 05:57 PM

Thank You Iviegatron for your great write-up. I installed the Blackvue 970 2 channel today. works great. I was expecting the fuses to be mounted vertically on the sidewall...surprise! Borrowed the wife's makeup mirror to see as older eyes needed some distance. Name: IMG_1201.jpg
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iviegatron · 07-03-2023, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OtoPA

Thank You Iviegatron for your great write-up. I installed the Blackvue 970 2 channel today. works great. I was expecting the fuses to be mounted vertically on the sidewall...surprise! Borrowed the wife's makeup mirror to see as older eyes needed some distance.Attachment 3220104

Attachment 3220105

Looking good.

Just a suggestion, your camera is upside down. You should flip it 180⁰ where the connections are facing the passenger side. It'll be easier to remove the SD Card when needed.

OtoPA · 07-03-2023, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iviegatron

Looking good.

Just a suggestion, your camera is upside down. You should flip it 180⁰ where the connections are facing the passenger side. It'll be easier to remove the SD Card when needed.

I tried it many locations and orientations. As it sits, I don't see it at all when driving. . As we're able to flip the image via software, I opted for less cable show. I suggested to Blackvue that they print a overlay for those of us too OC to deal with upside-down labeling...LOL. Even with the closeness, I can still get the card when needed, (hopefully never) it has a 256 card as does my F150 and I've not had to pull a card for a year.

Th3DarkSide · 07-03-2023, 08:19 PM

Can someone explain the point of having these Cameras when my car already has this feature for accidents etc etc….? I briefly looked into this unit and the fitcamx and don’t understand the need unless you tap into the fuse box and record while the car is off.

iviegatron · 07-03-2023, 08:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Th3DarkSide

Can someone explain the point of having these Cameras when my car already has this feature for accidents etc etc….? I briefly looked into this unit and the fitcamx and don’t understand the need unless you tap into the fuse box and record while the car is off.

There has been instances where people complained the built in camera never recorded in the event of an accident. The aftermarket dashcams are recording all the time. Even when parked you can leave it to record. Plus they come in handy when you're racing someone lol.

Th3DarkSide · 07-03-2023, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iviegatron

There has been instances where people complained the built in camera never recorded in the event of an accident. The aftermarket dashcams are recording all the time. Even when parked you can leave it to record. Plus they come in handy when you're racing someone lol.

Haha. Interesting. So the built in cameras suck. Got it. Why the Blackvue vs the Fitcamx? The Fitcamx looks to be way better integrated and almost unnoticeable

iviegatron · 07-03-2023, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Th3DarkSide

Haha. Interesting. So the built in cameras suck. Got it. Why the Blackvue vs the Fitcamx? The Fitcamx looks to be way better integrated and almost unnoticeable

Personal preference. I don't have much experience with fitcamx but from a quick Google search it looks like it only records the front. Blackvue records both front and back.

Th3DarkSide · 07-03-2023, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iviegatron

Personal preference. I don't have much experience with fitcamx but from a quick Google search it looks like it only records the front. Blackvue records both front and back.

Gotcha. I think they both can do front and rear. Thanks

ap2x · 09-29-2023, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustinHEMI

The beauty of a common platform is not reinventing the wheel. This tutorial worked perfectly for my G87! Thank you!

Did you also tap into fuses 29 and 70? I have an m240 so our fuse box looks a bit different, not sure if that changes anything

JustinHEMI · 09-30-2023, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ap2x

Did you also tap into fuses 29 and 70? I have an m240 so our fuse box looks a bit different, not sure if that changes anything

I can't remember which ones exactly, but if that's what that tutorial said, then yes, I used the same fuses.

Mike02z · 10-02-2023, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Th3DarkSide

Haha. Interesting. So the built in cameras suck. Got it. Why the Blackvue vs the Fitcamx? The Fitcamx looks to be way better integrated and almost unnoticeable

The Fitcamx does not fit my 24 G82. I sent them all the pictures they asked for and they said I needed model “C”. It was not even close to fitting. There are two stantions that hit the mirror attachment point. I got it to work but the halves would not fully seat which drove my OCD crazy. I returned it. Don’t bother with their customer support. It’s horrific. In addition, the internals of the Fitcamx kept falling out. Not even a dab of hot glue to hold the camera in. Very cheaply made IMO.

I had a Fitcamx in my 22 X3 MC and it worked perfectly but for the G82, not so much.

I decided to bite the bullet and go with the Blackvue. I hope it arrives so I can do this next weekend.

Thanks OP. This looks easier than I thought. Bookmarking this thread.

Mike02z · 10-07-2023, 08:59 AM

I’m about to takle this today. My only concern is the 20 Amp fuse. With the size of the wires I would think they would melt before tripping a 20A fuse. Can I just use a 5 A fuse in the top slot?

***45 minutes in and the rear camera is on as is the front. Rear camera plugged into main camera and hardwire kit all the way to the fuse box. All wires are hidden****

Berzerker · 10-07-2023, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike02z

I’m about to takle this today. My only concern is the 20 Amp fuse. With the size of the wires I would think they would melt before tripping a 20A fuse. Can I just use a 5 A fuse in the top slot?

***45 minutes in and the rear camera is on as is the front. Rear camera plugged into main camera and hardwire kit all the way to the fuse box. All wires are hidden****

The connection to the camera itself shouldn't be any more than 3 or 5A fuse. If you're talking about tapping it into a 20A fuse circuit, that should be left at 20A because it's other things on the circuit that *can* short past 20A.

Mike02z · 10-07-2023, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berzerker

The connection to the camera itself shouldn't be any more than 3 or 5A fuse. If you're talking about tapping it into a 20A fuse circuit, that should be left at 20A because it's other things on the circuit that *can* short past 20A.

Thanks. That’s what I thought. Leave the 20A in the bottom of the tap and I’ll use a 5A fuse for hot to the camera.

08-03-2022, 11:21 AM	#71
s58 DROP TABLE EVs; 544 Rep 297 Posts Drives: 2023 m3 6MT, 2015 Lexus GX460 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: MD iTrader: (0)	Great write up, thank you for the details on the fuse tapping. One thing I would caution against is running a wire along the roof line above the doors. There's a curtain airbag that could easily catch that cable and hit a passenger in the event of an airbag deployment. When I did this install on my f30 years ago I ran the wires at the base of the doors to reach the back of the car to avoid going near any airbags. __________________ @g80mt on Instagram - 2023 BMW M3 6MT in Individual San Marino Blue / Tartufo Past BMWs: 2013 BMW 128i 6MT M-Sport Slicktop, 2016 BMW 340i 6MT M-Sport Join BMWCCA today and become eligible for members only events, discounts, and the new car rebate of up to $1000! Feel free to use me as a referral (with member #553730) which enters me for a performance school day (I should probably be better at driving, anyway).
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08-29-2022, 03:10 AM	#72
top-down Private First Class 117 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 22 M3 MT, 22 X5 45e Join Date: Mar 2022 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00]	In case anyone else is doing this, make sure you remove the A-pillar trim piece enough to run the wires *behind* the airbags. The original post shows the wires just crossing the a-pillar, and that would definitely interfere with airbag deployment. Why take chances. It's very simple to pop off the little plastic "airbag" emblem to reveal a torx screw that holds the trim down. Also - for the fuse taps, just use 3A fuses for both the acc and batt, you should definitely not use 20A fuses in the new circuit of the fuse tap. Most guidelines say not to use more than 5A protection anyway on the new side. Last edited by top-down; 08-29-2022 at 07:25 AM..
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05-18-2023, 10:58 PM	#73
JustinHEMI Not great. Not terrible 7445 Rep 2,700 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW X3 M40i Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lebanon, TN iTrader: (2)	The beauty of a common platform is not reinventing the wheel. This tutorial worked perfectly for my G87! Thank you! __________________ Current: 2024 BMW X3 M40i.
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06-04-2023, 02:25 PM	#74
BzsBimmer Major General 3274 Rep 6,723 Posts Drives: '23 G80 FO M3, M3 & MY Tezzy's Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nor. Cal iTrader: (32)	Just going to add, that there is a wrong way and right way to orient an Add-A-Fuse I know the original DIY said “fuses” are non-directional which is true, but there is a right and wrong way to add the circuit. More info found here https://www.124spider.org/threads/ad...se-them.33420/ This is a valuable thread as I’ll be planning to go through this soon with a R8 and Blackvue
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07-03-2023, 05:57 PM	#75
OtoPA Private First Class 384 Rep 133 Posts Drives: 22 F150, 23 M4, JD3038E Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: OKC(ish) iTrader: (0)	Thank You Iviegatron for your great write-up. I installed the Blackvue 970 2 channel today. works great. I was expecting the fuses to be mounted vertically on the sidewall...surprise! Borrowed the wife's makeup mirror to see as older eyes needed some distance.
	Appreciate 1 iviegatron2542.00 Quote

07-03-2023, 08:19 PM	#78
Th3DarkSide Second Lieutenant 369 Rep 258 Posts Drives: 2020 M4 Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Can someone explain the point of having these Cameras when my car already has this feature for accidents etc etc….? I briefly looked into this unit and the fitcamx and don’t understand the need unless you tap into the fuse box and record while the car is off.
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10-07-2023, 08:59 AM	#86
Mike02z Major 1978 Rep 1,277 Posts Drives: 2024 BMW M4 Base Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: 29651 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2024 BMW M4 [10.00] 2024 BMW M4 [0.00]	I’m about to takle this today. My only concern is the 20 Amp fuse. With the size of the wires I would think they would melt before tripping a 20A fuse. Can I just use a 5 A fuse in the top slot? *45 minutes in and the rear camera is on as is the front. Rear camera plugged into main camera and hardwire kit all the way to the fuse box. All wires are hidden**
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