DIY Blackvue DR400G-HD/Power Magic Pro Dashcam

[F1point4]

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-01 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Back again. This time we will cover how to install the Blackvue DR400G-HD combined with the Power Magic Pro monitoring system. Thanks to @DarrenDriven for his DIY covering just the camera install. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15167

Please note you will learn the skills required to hardwire any sort of device (sat nav, radar detector, lights) safely to the vehicle.

This will be very picture heavy. Enjoy.

**UPDATE** Added a bit about where to buy everything. http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...5&postcount=23


The Kit

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-02 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-03 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-04 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-05 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-06 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-07 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-08 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Tools Required

You may need different size fuses depending on the choice of circuits tapped into.

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-09 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-10 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Preparation
Click for huge

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-13 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-11 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-12 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Harness Setup

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-14 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-15 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-16 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-17 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-18 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-19 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-20 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-21 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-22 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-23 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-24 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[F1point4]

Software
I found most of the software and manuals by reading some of this link. http://forums.redflagdeals.com/merge...-18-a-1147913/

**Update - Configuration settings http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...8&postcount=39



20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-25 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-26 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-27 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Dissasembly

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-28 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-29 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-30 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-31 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-32 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-33 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-34 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-35 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-36 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-37 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Identification

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-38 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Remove the fuse box cover.

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-39 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-40 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-41 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-42 by VictorN07, on Flickr

[F1point4]

Wiring and Testing

I spec'd out three 7.5 A and one 15 A fuse. The "stop light" has a 7.5A fuse, and each power outlet uses a 15 A fuse.
Combine that with two 7.5 A fuses to hook up the power magic pro, you get the four I spec'd out.
If you decide to use different circuits you may need different sized fuses.

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-43 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-44 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-45 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-46 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-47 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-48 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-49 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Reassembly

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-50 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-51 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-52 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-53 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-54 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Tuning and Results

20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-55 by VictorN07, on Flickr


20120831-LolaBlackVue400DIY-56 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Thoughts after some use
Overall the camera works very well. There isn't much to set and most of it happens automatically. Pro Tip: once you are set on the angle of the camera use a permanent marker to mark the position so if you remove the camera you know where to reinsert it.


+ The unit will always start with normal mode. It will record everything.
+ After the ignition is cut, if there is no movement/event for 10 minutes it enters parking mode. It will only record when there is movement or an event.
+ When the ignition turns on, the unit reenters normal mode after about 10-20 seconds of driving.
+ @1080p you can record about 4-5 hours of video before it loops on itself
+ Having a power button via the power magic means I can turn off the camera without having to unplug the wires.
+ The video I get is on par with all the other videos posted on the internet. It is a good dash camera
+ The alternate viewer software is awesome. Plots on map, speed, times for scrolling.
~ The microphone isn't very sensitive.
- You need the original Blackvue viewer to configure the device
- The unit does run extremely hot. See the picture below.


20120901-LolaBlackVue400DIY-57 by VictorN07, on Flickr

Update:
Wanted a more stealth look. I moved the camera higher on the windshield (picture to come) and I Aperture Science the LED ring.
Used racer's tape for science. Left a little opening so I can still see the camera status.

Blackvue Sticker by VictorN07, on Flickr

[DarrenDriven]

Great topic, I am replacing the link to my installation in the DIY directory with this one.

DIY Directory
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7365

My old installation topic:
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15167

[Rossman]

What a great DIY, thanks!

Just got my Blackvue from Korea today so we'll see how it goes!

[kwood9000]

Great write up!

[Hawaiian]

Originally Posted by F1point4

Back again. This time we will cover how to install the Blackvue DR400G-HD combined with the Power Magic Pro monitoring system.

Great work, and a quality DIY. If you were closer I would pay you to do this for me!

[rice_classic]

I notice with the add-a-circuit you cannot close the cover all the way. Doesn't our fuse box have useable but non-used circuits that don't require the use of an add-a-circuit (like a fuse for heated seats that aren't in the FRS for example)?

Would like to close fuse box cover all the way that is all.

Also:
Low Profile add-a-fuse:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LATEST-LOW-P...item4abb89b83e

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by rice_classic

I notice with the add-a-circuit you cannot close the cover all the way. Doesn't our fuse box have useable but non-used circuits that don't require the use of an add-a-circuit (like a fuse for heated seats that aren't in the FRS for example)?

Would like to close fuse box cover all the way that is all.

Also:
Low Profile add-a-fuse:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/LATEST-LOW-P...item4abb89b83e

I didn't test the empty slots. The concern is how to secure the wire into the empty slots. There is only mm of clearance under of the lid. Most hardwire installs will present a challenge in closing the lid.

Every fuse that is marked in the manual and fuse box lid has a fuse installed, regardless of if that feature is present in the car (heated seats in frs)

The low profile add-a-circuit is great! Still won't let the box close though.

[F1point4]

For science

Blackvue Sticker by VictorN07, on Flickr

[BRZranger]

Because of your diy post, i stopped procrastinating, and dropped $250 for camera and power pro.

The blackvue camera I bought is a "session 2" version, which supposedly addresses the overheating issue.

Thanks for this great post.

[Rossman]

Installed mine today, just ran to the glove compartment 12V power for now. Quality of the recordings is amazing but they are large files!

The only thing I wish they would change is the camera should be black and not silver. As it stands, it's a little more noticable from outside the car than I would like.

Otherwise a good buy!

Originally Posted by brzranger

Because of your diy post, i stopped procrastinating, and dropped $250 for camera and power pro.

The blackvue camera I bought is a "session 2" version, which supposedly addresses the overheating issue.

Thanks for this great post.

Can you let us know how hot yours gets? You might be the first person here with a Season II version!

[makalaka]

Mind sharing where you purchased it from?

Originally Posted by brzranger

Because of your diy post, i stopped procrastinating, and dropped $250 for camera and power pro.

The blackvue camera I bought is a "session 2" version, which supposedly addresses the overheating issue.

Thanks for this great post.

[Rossman]

Only place I've seen the "Season II" models is on ebay.

[Foobar]

Originally Posted by Rossman

The only thing I wish they would change is the camera should be black and not silver. As it stands, it's a little more noticable from outside the car than I would like.

Sounds like a candidate for Plasti-dip!

[Rossman]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Sounds like a candidate for Plasti-dip!

I considered this but I wouldn't be able to do the part where the sticker attaches it to the window...the part where it most looks like ass.

Also these things do get pretty hot not sure I would want to add another layer of possibly insulating material.

[scyzer]

Originally Posted by Foobar

Sounds like a candidate for Plasti-dip!

I think the flash point of Plasti-dip may be too low for this camera, given a hot day in the sun.

[Starscream15]

Nice write-up and most creative use of a piano EVAR!

[Rossman]

Curious why you put a sticker over the LED, you can just turn off the LED using the software?

[F1point4]

The LED is an easy way for me to know what the camera status is. Otherwise I would have to rely on the voice, which doesn't happen very often.

I've only heard her speak

Memory card error
Unit turning on
Unit turning off
Normal Mode to Parking Mode
Parking Mode to Normal Mode

[Rossman]

If the LED is how you tell the status then why would you cover it with tape...?

I must be missing something obvious...

[F1point4]

Originally Posted by Rossman

If the LED is how you tell the status then why would you cover it with tape...?

I must be missing something obvious...

haha, it is confusing is it. I didn't cover the entire ring. I left a tiny bit open so i can still see it. Goal was to make the camera stand out less while on in my car.