DIY: Blackvue Dashcam Install

Berzerker · 12-14-2023, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Has anyone followed this method with a 2023-2024 iDrive 8.5 or 9 (meaning the dual tablet screens) car hard wired a dashcam? I have a G87 M2, and the master tech at the dealership was hesitant about wiring the camera directly due to changes to the electrical systems in these brand new cars that they're not familiar with, even though the fuse boxes are there.

The systems are very similar to any previous model. A fuse is a fuse. I have iDrive 8 (the G8x all are iDrive 8, not 8.5 or 9) and had zero trouble both doing a mirror tap for my radar detector and a fuse run for my dash cam.

turnsignalslol · 12-23-2023, 05:59 AM

So the error message that pops up about battery drainage from parking mode isn't anything to worry about? I tried hardwiring my Viofo A129 Pro Duo in my F87 M2 Competition when I first got it but thought I messed something up when seeing that error message the next day so I quickly undid the hardwire and decided to give up parking mode and use the 12 volt. Now that the G87 only has one 12 volt plug next to the cupholders (why BMW?), I think hardwiring is the only option.

Also someone said you should use a 10A fuse to tap into instead of a 5A. Why is this exactly? I know absolutely nothing about electrical stuff so please be patient and be nice

forcefed · 12-23-2023, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turnsignalslol

So the error message that pops up about battery drainage from parking mode isn't anything to worry about? I tried hardwiring my Viofo A129 Pro Duo in my F87 M2 Competition when I first got it but thought I messed something up when seeing that error message the next day so I quickly undid the hardwire and decided to give up parking mode and use the 12 volt. Now that the G87 only has one 12 volt plug next to the cupholders (why BMW?), I think hardwiring is the only option.

Also someone said you should use a 10A fuse to tap into instead of a 5A. Why is this exactly? I know absolutely nothing about electrical stuff so please be patient and be nice

5a is enough, these dashcams don't use more than 10 watts, 5a fuse is enough for 60-70 watts.

If you really want parking mode there's another option, there are dedicated $400 batteries that you can install under the front seat that will give you around 14 hours of recording time, but you need to drive an hour to recharge that battery, if you have short daily commutes this might not work for you. The other option is to install a larger $150-200 power station in the trunk, this will give you 36 hours of recording time, still takes time to recharge but at least its around 3x bigger than the more expensive dedicated battery. To preserve even more battery life you can also turn off the dashcam when you're parked at home in your garage.

turnsignalslol · 12-23-2023, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forcefed

5a is enough, these dashcams don't use more than 10 watts, 5a fuse is enough for 60-70 watts.

If you really want parking mode there's another option, there are dedicated $400 batteries that you can install under the front seat that will give you around 14 hours of recording time, but you need to drive an hour to recharge that battery, if you have short daily commutes this might not work for you. The other option is to install a larger $150-200 power station in the trunk, this will give you 36 hours of recording time, still takes time to recharge but at least its around 3x bigger than the more expensive dedicated battery. To preserve even more battery life you can also turn off the dashcam when you're parked at home in your garage.

Yeah, that's the route I'm going down. I just bought the BlackboxMyCar Powercell 8 kit for my Viofo for $323 (15% off Christmas sale) because I don't want to deal with the error codes and having the extra hours for parking mode is nice. Expensive fix but the convenience will (hopefully) be worth it.

BeamerBoomer · 02-13-2024, 03:32 PM

Is there a reason nobody tries the empty F35 fuse slot for permanent power supply as described in manual for the OEM ACE dashcam from BMW? And for ACC, why not tap into F46 fuse for the cigarette lighter? Both would minimize any interference with other equipment, that e.g. is connected to the proposed slots F29 and 70 already.

iviegatron · 02-13-2024, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeamerBoomer

Is there a reason nobody tries the empty F35 fuse slot for permanent power supply as described in manual for the OEM ACE dashcam from BMW? And for ACC, why not tap into F46 fuse for the cigarette lighter? Both would minimize any interference with other equipment, that e.g. is connected to the proposed slots F29 and 70 already.

You're more than welcome to use any fuse that you like as long as it serves the purpose. Those are the two fuse I tested with and it worked for me.

Mike02z · 02-17-2024, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iviegatron

You're more than welcome to use any fuse that you like as long as it serves the purpose. Those are the two fuse I tested with and it worked for me.

Such a great write up! Made my install worry free. Thanks so much for the step-by-step!!

SloppySquid · 03-24-2024, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ravenseal

Has anyone followed this method with a 2023-2024 iDrive 8.5 or 9 (meaning the dual tablet screens) car hard wired a dashcam? I have a G87 M2, and the master tech at the dealership was hesitant about wiring the camera directly due to changes to the electrical systems in these brand new cars that they're not familiar with, even though the fuse boxes are there.

Did you do it? And if so which fuses did you use?

SloppySquid · 03-24-2024, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roger83

Is it better to use the fusebox in the back instead of the front?

Did you find out?

Berzerker · 03-24-2024, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloppySquid

Did you find out?

No difference.

SloppySquid · 03-24-2024, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berzerker

No difference.

Do you know which fuses I would need to use for the rear one?

Ravenseal · 03-24-2024, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloppySquid

Did you do it? And if so which fuses did you use?

I had a friend who is a BMW technician at a dealership follow the guide linked on this thread to hardwire my Garmin Dashcam 57W with the parking sensor cable. Just have make sure you buy the EXACT fuse taps in the instructions.

pdjafari · 03-25-2024, 07:38 PM

So I’m considering the BlackVue 970 2ch but had a few questions based on what I read. Before I spend close to $900 on a setup!

1) In order to access recordings from the dashcam “on demand” the dashcam requires LTE/WiFi? The BlackVue appears to have an LTE model or a model which comes with a separate LTE unit. Is this correct? If I don’t get the LTE setup (whether built in or separately) I can only access recordings via the physical SD card? So if somebody steals my car, I wouldn’t be able to access any of that data without LTE bc the physical SD card inside the car..
2) sounds like there’s 2 hard wire methods. One which goes into the trunks cigarette lighter adapter, another which goes direct into the fuse box.
If I “hardwire” to the cars battery via the Fuse box method, I’ll get the battery drain message if I leave the car overnight (with parking mode on)?? If I instead hard wire to the cigarette lighter adapter it’ll automatically shut off the camera so it won’t record when the cars turned off.

The only way to get the car to record while off and to avoid that low battery warning is to buy a $360 battery?

Thanks!!

12-23-2023, 05:59 AM	#112
turnsignalslol Captain 275 Rep 617 Posts Drives: '24 G87 M2 Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	So the error message that pops up about battery drainage from parking mode isn't anything to worry about? I tried hardwiring my Viofo A129 Pro Duo in my F87 M2 Competition when I first got it but thought I messed something up when seeing that error message the next day so I quickly undid the hardwire and decided to give up parking mode and use the 12 volt. Now that the G87 only has one 12 volt plug next to the cupholders (why BMW?), I think hardwiring is the only option. Also someone said you should use a 10A fuse to tap into instead of a 5A. Why is this exactly? I know absolutely nothing about electrical stuff so please be patient and be nice __________________ Current: 2024 G87 M2 (ZF8) Past: 2022 330i RWD 2020 M2 Competition DCT
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-25-2024, 07:38 PM	#123
pdjafari Colonel 152 Rep 2,461 Posts Drives: G80 M3C Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Earth iTrader: (5)	So I’m considering the BlackVue 970 2ch but had a few questions based on what I read. Before I spend close to $900 on a setup! 1) In order to access recordings from the dashcam “on demand” the dashcam requires LTE/WiFi? The BlackVue appears to have an LTE model or a model which comes with a separate LTE unit. Is this correct? If I don’t get the LTE setup (whether built in or separately) I can only access recordings via the physical SD card? So if somebody steals my car, I wouldn’t be able to access any of that data without LTE bc the physical SD card inside the car.. 2) sounds like there’s 2 hard wire methods. One which goes into the trunks cigarette lighter adapter, another which goes direct into the fuse box. If I “hardwire” to the cars battery via the Fuse box method, I’ll get the battery drain message if I leave the car overnight (with parking mode on)?? If I instead hard wire to the cigarette lighter adapter it’ll automatically shut off the camera so it won’t record when the cars turned off. The only way to get the car to record while off and to avoid that low battery warning is to buy a $360 battery? Thanks!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote