Don't hardwire your Dash Cam! Try this instead!

With your installation the camera is too low, and the connector will be sticking out of the port. It is really easy to tuck the wire under the trim with a plastic fitting tool, and you can get piggyback fuses for the interior fuse box. My first fitting only took about 20 minutes, with no visible wires, and is no bodge job!

Wow, thank you so much for your video. You were very full of information, and explained it so well.

Or you can connect to USB port.

Thanks for the tip. I decided to use this method to power my dash cam. I never knew the OBD2 could power a device. A+

While the information about the OBDI was helpful, where you chose to install the dash-cam head unit looked out of place and not a bit professional looking. You could have made a much cleaner installation by locating the dash cam near or behind the rear view mirror. By simply lifting one edge of the windshield molding you could have easily hidden the power cable behind it.

So I'm just seeing this video now. After already installing my dash cam by hardwiring it that i've learned how to do from another video I wish I would of watched your video first.

What does OBD stand for?????

I appreciate the video and am concerned about parking mode. Do you happen to know if the Garmin Mini 2 offers the parking mode you mention at the conclusion of your video? Or if any cameras do? I am interested in the ability to have the camera only record events if you park the car for a long time such as at an airport or train station for a week or something like that? Thank you so much for your very informative videos. They make life easier for people like me.

Is there one of these that works with the wolf box 900?

Super not a fan of this. The diagnostics port is for diagnostics, you should never plug an unknown device from an unknown manufacturer into it. A car is the second most expensive thing most people own, and should be treated as such.

Also, you should never attach things to your windscreen next to the A pillar. If the airbag goes off, it could send that object with it, sending it across the car at breakneck speeds. I know this because something very similar in someone else's car hospitalised me.

I have a quick question I bought 12 “ dash cam from Amazon by two years ago never had a problem but this couple of weeks ago I have problem I press the power button I can see the camera and then just off then I press the button again I can see the camera and then just go off you can send meinformation how to fix it I appreciate it

If you were hoping for the worst dash cam install ever you nailed it.

Thank you so much. This was EXTREMELY thorough, concise, clear and intellectually done!

Hello! Thank you so much for this video! :)
I had a question, since I’m a beginner and I’m a little confused on some things. My vehicle has a fuse for ACC and Accessory, and a separate one for the cigarette lighter.

1. If I wanted to only have it on while my car is running like you mentioned, will it go in ACC, Accessory or both?

Thanks again! Just watched the one where I can place the wire behind the airbags and that helped a lot

I loved you in KarateKid.

I don't want be a Debbie Downer but this is one of the laziest and non professional looking installs i have seen.

The camera in the lower corner is terrible for capturing video which is the whole reason for having a dashcam in the first place. The angle to the ground is hidden by the hood and by looking more up instead of down means more sunlight and glare.

It also obstructs the driver’s view and almost certainly hides the right side of the car since most viewing angles from dashcams are around 150 degrees.

Wow, thank you sir!! I didn't know about this way of connecting my dash cam. I've been currently using the Cig Lighter adapter and wanted to hard wire it instead but I'm sure glad I came across your video!

Not an optimal position to have it I will suggest you to take of a-piller cover and run the wire up to rear mirror and place it the you will get a waay better filed of view that way

Thank you. I have a great mirror cam and my Ford Fusion. But I couldn't wire it because it's so hard to get to the fuse box. This is a perfect solution.

excellent video w/ great explanation and recommendations... THANKS!!!

I just wanted to let you know that this video gave me the confidence in installing OBD power cord to my new dash cam. It was exactly the way your describe the installation. I have a 2023 Buick Encore GX and it went extremely well. I had never done that before, I went into this with alot of aniexty and it came out perfect. Thank you so much, RC

Hey Alex, I am trying to install a redtiger f7np in my mazda3 and bought the obd port hardwire kit to do so. However, I found out the obd supplies constant power even when the car is off. Will the obd to usbc connector ( the one with the toggle switch) be able to turn my dashcam off when the car is turned off? I know I'm a couple years late but thanks!

OBD should not be used to draw power for dash cams, manufacturer says on one of the blogs.

Hi Alex, been a fan of your informative videos for a while now, and I just want to say you're doing an excellent job! I recently switched from a Corolla Hatchback to a Mazda CX-30. I used your hardwiring guide for the Wolfbox G840H dashcam on my Corolla to enable parking mode. However, with my Mazda, I encountered a challenge because all the fuses, including the ACC ones in the footwell fuse box, remain hot even when the car is off. So, I had to choose between running wires through the firewall to the engine fuse box or trying the OBD2 option. Since my Mazda is new, I'd rather not drill holes or tamper with the engine bay fuse box. Instead, I ordered an OBD2 power cable with both ACC and 24-hour modes. My question is, will this cable work effectively with the dashcam's parking mode (time-lapse), or will it record as usual (with the screen on) and then cut off once it detects a low battery in 24-hour mode? Also, is using this OBD2 power cable safe long term? Thanks for any insights you can provide!

Done like 99% of people do it 🙊

Nice vid and info but I just run a dash cam battery under my seat. It was an expensive option but it doesn't mess with the electronics of my truck, doesn't drain the car battery while in parking surveillance mode, and it has a nice extra USB outlet that acts like a battery bank for my phone when my truck is off. And since I keep a super capacitor battery jumper for emergencies, I can use it as a PowerBar to charge that if my car battery is too far gone. Nonetheless, I like the option you pointed out. 👍

This was an EXCEPTIONAL video!!!

1. You got straight to the point.
2. You explained yourself VERY WELL.
3. None of what you explained was confusing
4. The ONLY REASON I could tell that English is your second language, is because you have an accent. Other than that, your knowledge and cool personality came through very well

Thanks for doing this very informative and helpful video

In my Audi the OBD connector is always powered on. Took me a while to figure out what was draining the battery to absolute zero - I thought I'd park the diagnostic adapter right in the OBD port, because why the heck not.

Is there a camera that you recommend that’s been good long term preferably 3 to 4 channels. Thanks

Your mechanic will be unplugging it to plug in their computer

That is called a fuse tap. Also concidered as hard wired but still, good info.

Very descriptive and easy to understand. Thanks for the video.

uhhhh i thought leaving anything electrical in the obd port will end up frying your circuits as its not made to have continous voltage drawn from it over night or even plugged in

I'm tryin to figure out Way to install dash cam on a 2008 g35 Infiniti my lighter socket don't work so can I use this obd adpater?

Very informative! Good job! .....👍😎

I ordered a mirror power adapter on AMZ to connect to my powered mirror (it has a compass and Homelink buttons). It worked flawlessly on my Hyundai.

Tapping into the fuse is still hardwiring LOL

EDIT: I'm trying to connect a Vantop H610 backup camera


Would this work for a 2011 Subaru Legacy? If so, where would I plug this into? I don't know anything about cars. Need an easy solution like what you're explaining. I can't access my center reverse/brake light. Or I just don't know how to 😂🙃

Good video. But leaving on accessory mode, that mechanic/valet can easily turn off the camera?

When you use the piggyback connector what size fuse should you use for the hardwire kit

Well made video and very informative! Thank you.

Have you ever did a install with a VIOFO 139 PRO 2CH ?

Great video, very helpful. Any feedback if car service people have concerns about using the ODB port?

Use a power bank, much easier, and wont siphon / kill your battery. Power bank can be charged with the 12v cigarette port.

Good ,i once let car shop remove covers etc and i started having water ingress in the car cabin.since then all my install have been external and done by myself.i even went to extra length as i put a car battery inside the cabin to power these electronic without taking car power supply or alternator power

OBD doenst always have igition on that port this will very from manufacture to manufacture

How about a battery operated dash camera.