DIY Blackvue DR400G-HD/Power Magic Pro Dashcam

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by mrlewistan

anyone know if this monster will run well on the dr400hd2?

http://www.sandisk.com/products/memo...?capacity=64GB

My DR400 hates any card (all are class 10) over 16gb. I have 2 different 32GB cards and when the device powers on it just cycles over and over and never starts recording. The 16GB card, it just boots right up and starts recording.

Oh well.

[Dispect]

hey guys, i have a quick question.
lets say ive installed the dash cam into my car. followed this DIY exactly. how can i install the exact same camera into the rear of my car? do i have to tap into more fuses again and get another power magic box? or can i just tap the new camera into the magic box? thanks guys

[rbizzle004]

Originally Posted by Dispect

hey guys, i have a quick question.
lets say ive installed the dash cam into my car. followed this DIY exactly. how can i install the exact same camera into the rear of my car? do i have to tap into more fuses again and get another power magic box? or can i just tap the new camera into the magic box? thanks guys

You would need another Power Magic Box and you would want to use a different fuse if possible.

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by rbizzle004

You would need another Power Magic Box and you would want to use a different fuse if possible.

Or you can buy dual cigar adapter to attach it

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by zc06_kisstherain

Or you can buy dual cigar adapter to attach it

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

That is, if you don't want the "parking" feature which is one of its main features with these units. Would be a waste if you bought a $300+ BlackVue and not use all of its features...

[cnk]

Originally Posted by DaJo

That is, if you don't want the "parking" feature which is one of its main features with these units. Would be a waste if you bought a $300+ BlackVue and not use all of its features...

The output on the Power Magic box is a cigarette lighter receptacle so you could use a splitter. Just need to make sure the overall power draw doesn't exceed the unit's output.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 4

[rishi]

Originally Posted by Dispect

hey guys, i have a quick question.
lets say ive installed the dash cam into my car. followed this DIY exactly. how can i install the exact same camera into the rear of my car? do i have to tap into more fuses again and get another power magic box? or can i just tap the new camera into the magic box? thanks guys

Since the guys before me have pretty much answered your question, I'll give you an alternative by suggesting the DR550GW: it's the same great camera as the DR500GW, but it also includes a secondary 720p camera you can place in your rear windshield. The second cam is smaller and only needs a single wire to connect to the base camera, no extra power required - and all the recording and streaming is done by the base station, so you don't need to set up a second device, you don't need a splitter for your Power Magic, and you don't need a second SD card.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by cnk

The output on the Power Magic box is a cigarette lighter receptacle so you could use a splitter. Just need to make sure the overall power draw doesn't exceed the unit's output.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 4

I don't see how that works though. Cigar lighter is not constant power when the car is off; why would you need the Power Magic Box then?

[cnk]

Originally Posted by DaJo

I don't see how that works though. Cigar lighter is not constant power when the car is off; why would you need the Power Magic Box then?

It doesn't sound like you understand how the Power Magic box is hooked up. You have input wires that come from the fuse box into the PM box. The output wire to provide power to devices is a cigarette lighter receptacle, as in, that's the connector coming out of the PM. If that doesn't make sense, go take a look at the DIY on the PM/camera installation for pics and it will make sense. You're not getting power from the cigarette lighter in the center console or in the glove box. You're getting power from the PM box via a cigarette lighter receptacle.

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by cnk

It doesn't sound like you understand how the Power Magic box is hooked up. You have input wires that come from the fuse box into the PM box. The output wire to provide power to devices is a cigarette lighter receptacle, as in, that's the connector coming out of the PM. If that doesn't make sense, go take a look at the DIY on the PM/camera installation for pics and it will make sense. You're not getting power from the cigarette lighter in the center console or in the glove box. You're getting power from the PM box via a cigarette lighter receptacle.

Nvm I just refreshed my memory. Lol My bad. Had it for a year and already forgot how it was wired.

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by DaJo

Nvm I just refreshed my memory. Lol My bad. Had it for a year and already forgot how it was wired.

[Dispect]

Guys I need help. Just finished wiring it last night. I turned my car off and I think it went into parking mode. This morning I went into my car to turn it on, it didn't go into normal mode automatically. I had to press the button. What could be the problem? And now when I turn my car off, it doesn't go into parking mode.

[zc06_kisstherain]

Originally Posted by Dispect

Guys I need help. Just finished wiring it last night. I turned my car off and I think it went into parking mode. This morning I went into my car to turn it on, it didn't go into normal mode automatically. I had to press the button. What could be the problem? And now when I turn my car off, it doesn't go into parking mode.

it takes 2-5min to go into parking mode.
same goes for normal mode from parking mode.

[ChiefG]

First off, major to F1point4 for this awesome DIY. People like you make this forum great, and I can appreciate the time and effort that went into photographing your DYI and doing the write-up.

I'm pretty much sold on this cam and the power-magic unit.

During my install of my aftermarket head unit and back-up cam, while soaking up all I could from the forum, I came across a post about the "option connector." (and now I can't find the post )

The option connector is an unused white connector behind the radio toward the passenger (LH drive vehicles) side. That connector contains a ground, 1 accessory-fused socket, and 1 battery-fused socket. There are a couple others, but you'll only be interested in those three. I think there's even a guy on the forum who can supply you with a connector and harness to plug in to that option connector. A big plus is that it is very near the glove compartment. If you use this connector you can save a LOT of work, not to mention you won't have to use an Add-A-Circuit or go anywhere near the fuse box or the driver's side and you won't be left with a fuse box cover dangling open or strapped up with wire ties.

I plan to put the Power Magic unit under the dash mounted to the roof of the glove compartment, or somewhere in the vicinity. It will be in an accessible spot where I can operate the switch if necessary. Using that connector, the wiring run will be easier as well.

Here's a photo (below) of the option connector. It's the white 6-pin connector in the lower-right center of the picture. Use a test light to find the accessory and battery-fused circuits. If you want, put a 1-amp inline fuse in your accessory and battery leads.

If you use this option connector to tap power, you can run your cam cables under the headliner, down the passenger side A-pillar, and behind the dash. The dash panels and radio are very easy to remove. Gently pry the dash panel and radio surround panel out from the bottom. Protect the plastic with a piece of paper and use a panel removal tool, not a screwdriver. Four bolts hold the radio in. You'll need a 10mm socket and extension. Piece of cake.

You should be able to find some narrow crimp-on bayonet connectors that will plug in to the option connector.



There's some good info here: http://ae64.com/Rear-camera-16p-operation.htm

Here's SSVXdc's picture of the connector: