[zzz]

I managed to remove dome light console and tried to find good power source which turns off after the car is locked in order to hook up dash cam, but could not find any. Is there a power line closeby which behaves the same way as lighter power source, i.e. turns off after locking the car and after some delay? I would hate to run a cable all the way from mirror to the lighter socket at the bottom.

[PerryGunn]

Do you have auto wipers? If so, you can tap into the rain sensor wiring as the power to the sensor is a switched live - don't think there's a delay after locking the car though, it should just switch on/off with the other car systems

I should say that I haven't tried this on the X3 but that's the way it works on other models of BMW

[zzz]

Found it, and already did it

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=974007

[zzz]

Here are some photos...

[zzz]

step down DC-DC converter, extracted the one that came with the cam.

[mk3]

What camera is that you're using?

[Mingstar88]

Originally Posted by mk3

What camera is that you're using?

that's the mini 0803 or 0805 or 0806

[zzz]

Originally Posted by Mingstar88

that's the mini 0803 or 0805 or 0806

Yep, mini 0805

[VinX3]

I just bought myself a Mini as well. I was debating between Mini and Mobius and decided to go w/ Mini because of the screen in the back. Did you built the AC-DC converter yourself?

[zzz]

Originally Posted by VinX3

I just bought myself a Mini as well. I was debating between Mini and Mobius and decided to go w/ Mini because of the screen in the back. Did you built the AC-DC converter yourself?

I used the one supplied with mini, inside the lighter socket adapter.

[VinX3]

I'm thinking of doing the same. Does the converter get hot and may cause some issues down the line?

[zzz]

It's a high efficiency buck converter that shouldn't dissipate much.

[TuffLittleUnit]

Just added a mini 0805 to mine but I've stuck with the 5v plug in. No problems hiding the cable - runs neatly under the dash, through the glove box, up the rubber trim on the door, tucks into the A pillar and finally along the roof liner. Given that these things aren't known for reliability I didn't want to start making it a permanent fixture in case it needs to go back to Amazon.

I avoided placing it close to the rear view mirror as I thought it might interfere with the light/rain sensors but I now realise these are located higher up where the mirror fixes to the windscreen. Meh.

[Mingstar88]

please advise what parts used. can i buy the converter from ebay? looking to DIY as well