[teaston]

Where are people plugging their dash cams into? I mean just the USB cable, not a hard wire kit.

The F30 had a 12v socket under the glovebox which was perfect to route the cable down the A pillar to, and be out of site, but no such luck on the X3 it appears!

[MechX3M40i]

It was discussed a month ago. Click the links and check out some posts on this topic.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24170054

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24166889

[MediaMan]

Originally Posted by teaston

Where are people plugging their dash cams into? I mean just the USB cable, not a hard wire kit.

The F30 had a 12v socket under the glovebox which was perfect to route the cable down the A pillar to, and be out of site, but no such luck on the X3 it appears!

Mine is in the 12v cig socket in front console. Wiring is mostly hidden under headline, A post and under dash to appear at back of centre console. It's not ideal as console sliding lid doesn't fully close. As the car is 15 months old, I am not keen on splicing into wiring (or paying through nose for dealer to do so) to create a hidden power source.

When it's warmer, will review options of access under dash/behind console. The USBs in the centre arm rest or by the conductive charging tray wont power it for some odd reason. Will post a pic in next 48 hrs.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by MechX3M40i

It was discussed a month ago. Click the links and check out some posts on this topic.

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24170054

https://www.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=24166889

Thanks, that thread didn’t come up when I searched.

I don’t want to plug it into any of the visible sockets though as it looks a mess, especially that one in the rear cig socket, that is just ridiculous!

I’ve got one of these wire tap 12v sockets, just need somewhere convenient around the dash to connect it to, suppose I’m going to end up connecting it to the cables that go into the back of the head unit!

[supersebbo]

Just my 2 cents on this. I have always found it tidier to take 12V from the over-head console rather than under the dash and run a short wire to the cam from behind the rear-view mirror. This also means you don't have to run wires up the A pillars which is potentially dangerous/lethal in regards to the curtain airbags.

I typically buy a mini/micro USB inline transformer kit and tap into the ignition switched electronics for the sun roof or similar. These devices are very low power in the grand scheme of things, so you are unlikely to overload any existing circuit and can safely rely on the existing fuses if you choose a sensible circuit on a 3/5A fuse. This one is particularly good as it has a short USB plug wire and a long supply tail that can be trimmed down to size meaning there isn't much wiring left to hide away.

I haven't fitted one on the X3 yet, but this method has worked on a VW Golf, Range Rover, Mini Cooper, Land Rover Discovery and Suzuki S-Cross.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Just my 2 cents on this. I have always found it tidier to take 12V from the over-head console rather than under the dash and run a short wire to the cam from behind the rear-view mirror. This also means you don't have to run wires up the A pillars which is potentially dangerous/lethal in regards to the curtain airbags.

I typically buy a mini/micro USB inline transformer kit and tap into the ignition switched electronics for the sun roof or similar. These devices are very low power in the grand scheme of things, so you are unlikely to overload any existing circuit and can safely rely on the existing fuses if you choose a sensible circuit on a 3/5A fuse. This one is particularly good as it has a short USB plug wire and a long supply tail that can be trimmed down to size meaning there isn't much wiring left to hide away.

I haven't fitted one on the X3 yet, but this method has worked on a VW Golf, Range Rover, Mini Cooper, Land Rover Discovery and Suzuki S-Cross.

That's a bloody brilliant idea, why didn't I think of that!! I guess there's constant power going to the dome light so i'll wire it to there!

[supersebbo]

Originally Posted by teaston

That's a bloody brilliant idea, why didn't I think of that!! I guess there's constant power going to the dome light so i'll wire it to there!

Exactly - though it's always a good idea to test with a multi-meter to see when the 12V comes on and when it turns off.

I suspect the lights would be on circuit that runs-on longer than the ignition as they can be switched on as soon as the car is unlocked. You just need to check that it switches off eventually or you could run your battery flat.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Exactly - though it's always a good idea to test with a multi-meter to see when the 12V comes on and when it turns off.

I suspect the lights would be on circuit that runs-on longer than the ignition as they can be switched on as soon as the car is unlocked. You just need to check that it switches off eventually or you could run your battery flat.

How can you test if it eventually switches off though, would you have to leave the car with the door open for 20 minutes?

[supersebbo]

Your best shot, I think, would be Pin 3 on connector A21*4B in the roof module.

This is 12V on Terminal 30 through a 5amp fuse.

EDIT: I mistakenly said this was on terminal 30B earlier, it appears it's actually terminal 30 - which is always on. Might need some more investigation.

Location of connector A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...-4b/1VnYNFtThg

Pin assignment of A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...-4b/1VncBLhKSa

Pin-out of A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...sav/1VnbizjdNG

[teaston]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

Your best shot, I think, would be Pin 3 on connector A21*4B in the roof module.

This is 12V on Terminal 30 through a 5amp fuse.

Terminal 30B is for components "required when the driver is present" so should be off at locking, or shortly after.
https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...30b/1VnYxzv5i4

Location of connector A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...-4b/1VnYNFtThg

Pin assignment of A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...-4b/1VncBLhKSa

Pin-out of A21*4B: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...sav/1VnbizjdNG

Sweet thanks!

Another bonus of this is no chance of the cable interfering with the airbag in the A pillar.

[supersebbo]

Originally Posted by teaston

Sweet thanks!

Another bonus of this is no chance of the cable interfering with the airbag in the A pillar.

See my edit above, looking like that pin might be always on, not switched.

This could be OK if your camera has good power management, some are designed to be always-on for stationary accident/vandalism recording.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by supersebbo

See my edit above, looking like that pin might be always on, not switched.

This could be OK if your camera has good power management, some are designed to be always-on for stationary accident/vandalism recording.

If there is a true always on connection that would be amazing if I decide to get the hardwire kit for parking mode!

But I'm pretty sure that the only place on a BMW that is always on is the battery terminal.

[supersebbo]

OK! This was a bit harder to find, but there is a Terminal 30B pin (switched 12V) in the overhead console. It's pin 3 of connector E131*1B.

E131*1B location: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...sav/1VnZ7PyVl7
E131*1B diagram: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...sav/1VnccjuLDF
E131*1B pin assignment: https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...bdc/1VnbsEPHiY (in the middle of the diagram).

Pin 3 is wired to terminal 30B through 5A fuse F62.

[tonyb15re]

Originally Posted by teaston

If there is a true always on connection that would be amazing if I decide to get the hardwire kit for parking mode!

But I'm pretty sure that the only place on a BMW that is always on is the battery terminal.

I also believe this is the case, I believe the car monitors the battery level and starts shutting things down if it gets low, if it sees a drain where it shouldnt it may switch it off.

[Rhino707]

I have a Blackvue camera and use the POWER MAGIC EZ. It plugs into the OBD port, which has constant power and has DIP switches that allow you to set the voltage or time that it should run for once it enters parking mode. It also has an onboard switch to disable the continued running in parking mode. The switch is easy to reach when plugged into the port so I switch it to 'off' when the car's parked in my garage and 'on' when I leave it elsewhere. When the switch is set to off it just powers down once it enters parking mode. If the switch is on it runs until the low voltage or the timeout is reached.

[sor]

Originally Posted by teaston

Thanks, that thread didn't come up when I searched.

I don't want to plug it into any of the visible sockets though as it looks a mess, especially that one in the rear cig socket, that is just ridiculous!

I've got one of these wire tap 12v sockets, just need somewhere convenient around the dash to connect it to, suppose I'm going to end up connecting it to the cables that go into the back of the head unit!

If the overhead wiring doesn't work, dig up our thread from a year ago that outlines the front fuse panels and the various people's threads who wired to that. No need to dig under the dash for head unit wires.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Rhino707

I have a Blackvue camera and use the POWER MAGIC EZ. It plugs into the OBD port, which has constant power and has DIP switches that allow you to set the voltage or time that it should run for once it enters parking mode. It also has an onboard switch to disable the continued running in parking mode. The switch is easy to reach when plugged into the port so I switch it to 'off' when the car's parked in my garage and 'on' when I leave it elsewhere. When the switch is set to off it just powers down once it enters parking mode. If the switch is on it runs until the low voltage or the timeout is reached.

That does sound good, but looks like it only works for BlackVue?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sor

If the overhead wiring doesn't work, dig up our thread from a year ago that outlines the front fuse panels and the various people's threads who wired to that. No need to dig under the dash for head unit wires.

I've just got the BMW advanced car eye 2 installation instructions and it looks like one wire needs to go to the footwell fuse box (pin 31) and one to the rear fuse box (pin 2), but i'm not sure which is the ACC live, any idea?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by teaston

I've just got the BMW advanced car eye 2 installation instructions and it looks like one wire needs to go to the footwell fuse box (pin 31) and one to the rear fuse box (pin 2), but i'm not sure which is the ACC live, any idea?

It's ok I've worked it out, the ACC wire goes to the footwell pin 31.

In the instructions it's a LHD car though, and the fuse box is on the right side of the car, so is it on the left side on RHD?

[sor]

Originally Posted by teaston

I've just got the BMW advanced car eye 2 installation instructions and it looks like one wire needs to go to the footwell fuse box (pin 31) and one to the rear fuse box (pin 2), but i'm not sure which is the ACC live, any idea?

People were using F47 for switched power and F27 for always on power, according to this thread discussion:

G01 Front Fuse Box https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1454540

If that's not enough, if you search for "fuse" on this forum there are about a dozen discussions of different accessory installations that might be helpful.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by sor

People were using F47 for switched power and F27 for always on power, according to this thread discussion:

G01 Front Fuse Box https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1454540

If that's not enough, if you search for "fuse" on this forum there are about a dozen discussions of different accessory installations that might be helpful.

Great thanks, I'll try that way if I decide to hard wire.

[SROC3]

Hey so when someone finally gets this done (tapping the dome light area), can you post pics of the wiring install so we can all see exactly which ones are being tapped? It would be a total help I agree with NOT running the wires down the side because of airbag deployment issues that might arise. I'm getting a blackvue too