new post concerning cheap dash cams

[workingonit]

The last XO thread on the subject, AFAIK, was https://xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-forums/...-dash-cam.html, from 2017, so here's a fresh one.

My wife's always complaining about bad drivers out there (she's not too bad herself, after 45 years of driving, and 32 years of my instructions and example!), and she's always driving everywhere, day and night. I, myself, after 60 years of driving, commuting up to 125 miles per day for many years, and a feel of general disgust for most drivers nowadays, choose to do as little driving as I can.

I've been trying to get her to use a dash cam, at least to record incidents when she's out and about at night. I can't convince her that it's in her best interest, but she avoids using tech that can help her (she does use an old Garmin for directions, but I have to update it for her, yearly).

I started using an old Samsung smartphone as a dash cam (on a hanging bracket under the passenger's sunshade) in my X5, primarily to show her how easy it is to use. I use the Drive Recorder App from Google Play (I formerly tried Navmii, but it kept freezing up). Works OK.

Last week, coming back late at night from the inlaws ranch, alone, she said she nearly T-boned an idiot that turned in front of her, against a light. Again, I told her that she needed a dash cam.

So, four days ago, I saw a YouTube video by Project Farm https://youtu.be/uLjGazIxjEA (I'm a real fan), that tested 11 cheap dash cams. Being cheap/retired/on a tight budget, and as a test, I ordered the second cheapest (but it scored about mid-pack in performance), as a test, mind you.



I got it yesterday, and the wife wouldn't allow me to install it in her sancrosanct Lexus, so I decided to test it as a rearview camera, on the X. I previously used a rearview cam on my HHR Panel (with no side windows in the back, it was sometimes difficult to back up in certain situations), and I sorta missed using one, anyhow, since it seems that people like to run full-speed at my X, just barely stopping in time (I might need a video)..

I mounted it just above and to the right of the rear wiper motor hump (my wiper blade and arm had already been removed), and plugged the power adapter into one of the power outlets in the cargo area. It gives me a good clear look at what's behind, at least this afternoon. Since the camera is mounted inside, I wont't get the view obscured so fast, as it often was on the HHR, by dirt, mud, and water (on the HHR, it was mounted under the bumper)

Though the power cable is long (11.5 feet?), I didn't try plugging it into the front lighter circuit (switched), and the rear outlets seem to be hot at all times; I turn off the app on my phone (my main phone, not the secondary phone), but the camera is still live. I don't think it'll draw down the battery (it's always on a Battery Tender at home), but I'll probably run an extension cable to the front switched circuit, so I won't have the camera always drawing power.

[X5chemist]

My X5 has a camera powered by the key power garage door wiring. I have a post on it. I have not added a rear camera yet. I plan to use the heated rear seat relay. It's key powered. It would make wiring a lot shorter. I'll add it on my todo list when a hitch and wiring harness go on.

Any luck with the OEM MAF?

[workingonit]

Originally Posted by X5chemist

My X5 has a camera powered by the key power garage door wiring. I have a post on it. I have not added a rear camera yet. I plan to use the heated rear seat relay. It's key powered. It would make wiring a lot shorter. I'll add it on my todo list when a hitch and wiring harness go on.



Any luck with the OEM MAF?

The only switched power I've found so far, is the flashlight charging circuit inside the glovebox. I used that circuit to trigger the aftermarket fan that I replaced the viscous-clutched fan with. I don't have heated rear seats, or know of any switched power in the rear of the X, that I could use.

About the OEM MAF: I have only made one very short drive in the X since you sent me that MAF (thanks again!). I've been pretty sick since mid-December, and also had a lot of pain with my right leg (popped the piriformis muscle in my hip, also in mid-December, and that caused a resultant strain in the peroneal tendons) so I have trouble sitting straight up in the seat to drive.

My illness has now passed, and I'm getting used to the pain in my hip & lower leg (can walk without a cane, again), so I can drive again.

During the short trip earlier, the fuel trims seemed to be slightly better than previously seen, but I haven't driven enough miles for the trims to equalize, yet.

I plan to drive the X next week, and see what the MAF does on a longer test drive circuit (including a highway component), that I follow when getting stubborn emissions monitors to set.

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[X5chemist]

Rear heat relay location.
I upgraded a camera on the wife's SUV. I'll use it as a test camera. The battery doesn't hold a charge. It will power up and record though.

[workingonit]

Late yesterday P.M., I located a Cigarette Lighter Plug Extension Cable in my spares box, and ran it beside the rear passenger's seat back, under the floor mat, under the front seat, and plugged it into the Cigarette Lighter Splitter I have been using since 6/21 (the first thing I added, so I could power more than one accessory via the front outlet). This splitter has an on/off main switch (with voltage gauge) and three more on/off switches on its' side, so I have more control, besides the main switched outlet.


It tested OK, but the length was a little short, and I didn't like running it under floor mats, so I tried re-routing it, and ended-up tearing up the brittle plastic plug, somehow. So, I was about to order a new, longer extension, when I read your (X5chemist) last post. So, I went back out, and tested all the fuses in the rear fuse and relay panel, and found that all are always hot. Then, I tried probing the empty socket for the "heated rear seat relay", and wasn't able to find the control circuit pin, that triggers the relay. I'll have to find my SG Tool Aid 23500 Back Probe Kit (I have tools everywhere, but never can find what I need, right then), to probe it using thinner probes. Meanwhile, I'm going to order a 13ft extension, anyway (if not used for this project, it'll work for another).

[X5chemist]

Rear heated seat relay pins.
Check the orientation.

[workingonit]

Before I start tearing apart the rear of my console, and/or removing the rear seat to look for the harness, I have to say that my X5 didn't come optioned for rear seat heat. So, would there even be 12v power to pin 86 (of the non-existent relay) to furnish power to my rearview dash cam, without a switch to activate it?
my X5's option list

I don't know if BMW even installed the wiring harness in all X5's, or just when optioned for it? Some mfg's do, some don't, use universal harnesses.

Even if the harness is there, then I'd still have to complete the circuit where the missing rear seat heat switch isn't.


Anyway, the cigarette lighter socket extension cable will be here today, and I'll probably go that route (a quick fix), until I'm ready to do some retrofitted wiring.

Update, 2 hours later: Installed! camera comes on when I press the splitter/voltage gauge switch (as does power to my front camera (old Samsung Galaxy J327A, from 2017), the power for my 8" tablet, used as a"dashboard" for the Torque Pro app), and charging power for my main phone + two others. Only 6 inches of the cord is visible, but it sits under my travel bag (containing diagnostic tools, specialty tools, lithium-ion jump box, and EDC items) that is always in the right rear floorboard. I've never had more than one passenger in the rear seat, so it's not a big deal.

[X5chemist]

Nice. Mine doesn't have rear heated seats. The wiring is there though. Mine is listed as cold weather package. With parts, I could probably add heated rear seats.

[workingonit]

I've spent hours looking at wiring diagrams to see if there's a switched circuit back in the rear of the X, that I could use, by hijacking it for the rear camera, instead of the intended OEM usage.

Since one of the PO's took away the CD changer, and made a mess of all the wiring in the rear, I can't tie into the CD changer circuit, because I can't make heads or tails from the rewired mess (it's also the reason I haven't installed an Android radio, and still use my tablet and the cheapo radio in the dash).

So, in lieu of making a bigger mess, my "quick fix" two-button push camera's activation method seems to be the safest, easiest way to use/test the $35 dash cam.

I spent another $9 for the extension cable, so my project cost is roughly $44.

If I eventually find an intact rear seat wiring harness back there, I'll get the button module that activates the circuit (but not the relay, because I don't need the power from pin 30, just the control power). Adding a switch/module off of eBay (about $50) or from FCPEuro (about $105, if I get a tax refund for a change), just makes the project more costly. But then, I can install the switch/module in the backside of the console, so I can reach back there and turn on the rear camera from my seat. Not much of a difference.

Seems like a lot more expense and work, just to clean up my "quick fix" wiring.

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