How to: Hardwire install a dash cam front + rear with parking mode

Guide to installing a dual dash camera wired into the car with properly concealed cabling, no permanent mods to the factory electrics, and auto drive/park switching with ignition.

This video covers a dual-circuit install with a "3-wire" power supply that taps into a permanent-live feed as well as an ACC or ignition switched feed, so the camera knows whether the car is parked or driving. It also incorporates a power saver to prevent the camera flattening the car battery when parked.

The dash cam featured is a Viofo A129 Duo.

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You can obviously do the wiring any way you like. The method shown uses fuse taps and a hardwired Viofo power supply and battery saver box. You will need:
* Dual dash cam with 3-wire power functionality, see above. (A simple USB powered camera cannot give you a true parking mode!)
* Cabling to suit.
* Power supply to suit camera, and battery saver box to kill power below set voltage. Shown is all-in-one to suit the Viofo camera but generic voltage cut-off can be done separately, e.g. Amazon links ~
* Fuse taps, make sure you get the right size. Amazon links ~
* Additional fuses to suit, 5 amps is about right.
* Other wiring and crimps or solder as required.
* Voltmeter.
* Tools to get behind trim. Socket or spanner to work nuts/bolts for ground terminal.

(Using the above links helps supports my channel and is appreciated!)

[Penguin]

Speaking as a professional mechanic this was a very well thought out and executed install- the fuse taps are excellent to avoid modifying or damaging the factory wiring, the cables were well concealed and using the existing factory grommet for the rear brake light was certainly the best way to do it in spite of being more difficult. One of the biggest issues we see with installs like these would be a parasitic draw but the wiring kit addresses that with a power cut off. Absent the wiring kit the only way you could install one of these is in a “hot in run/ACC” power socket which would not permit parking mode monitoring. Older cars built in the 90’s have power at all times including key off so that would give you a parking video but it would be very power and memory intensive at 100% recoding and would kill your battery after a few days. The only thing I might add is it appeared you used a stud for the passenger airbag module for a ground- while that should be fine it’s generally best not to mess with airbag components such as mounting bolts. If you could find some other bolt that would probably be ideal but I don’t think you’ll have an issue. Airbag components are marked by bright yellow connectors in every car I know of. Great video and it brought up some considerations I hadn’t thought of conceptually before I install one in my car.

[valour]

Thanks. I liked that you didn't go on with a lot of blah blah blah at the beginning. Straight into it and only showed what we needed to know. More people could learn from this.

[kilbeam]

I am very impressed by this video! You included every step in great detail. Even videos that are dedicated to dashcam placement did not go as in-depth as you did. Thank you very much for the time and effort you put in this video!

Edit: fixed typo. Also, I installed an A129 in my car too! It works great

[johnwandle]

I've looked at many install video's, this one is the only that mentions hot side of the fuse and it's relevance to the fuse tap orientation. Brilliant.

[rajnarulatrombone]

Hi Craig,

I wish I found your video when you first posted it 3 years ago!

A comprehensive and elegantly presented step by step instructional.

Bravo!

[fenrriho]

Sire, my respects, ur video is so far the BEST, with the exception of the whole pillar disassembly everything else is great!

[meanJust]

Thanks Craig. You're a superstar for taking the time to put this together. Really apprecaited.

[williamiwaniuk]

Extremely comprehensive video. Answered all of my questions, especially concerning the inline fuse wire taps.

[renaulttraficconversion]

Greetings from Australia. Thanks for the most comprehensive install video I have seen for this camera, Craig. I will now install mine in our Renault Trafic van.

[ongta]

WOW, this is the best dash cam installation ever. Thank you very very much for a thorough how-to video. Super well done! 👍👏 👊

[kevinvincentoleary]

Nice clearly voiced video. Having now done a similar installation myself I can safely say that feeding cable to rear dash-cam through the rubber conduit is the most awkward bit of this, especially as the mini usb is a 90 degree version, which they often are.

[lesmcqueen]

Great video, thanks. I would say however, that to get the best view from the rear camera, give the external glass surface a good clean with warm water and detailing clay, then add a coat of RainX.

[scrapironfish]

Thank you very much sir. Text book video. Clear and straight to the point. I ordered my A129 dual with hardwire kit and should have it in a weeks time. I look forward to installing it as gracefully as you did. Now I'm going to go watch your review on the unit itself. Thanks again.

[richardgraham]

Thanks for the informative video, very interesting. What surprises me in virtually every installation video that uses high quality 3M double sided tape, not one person bothers to clean the mounting point with IPA or similar (as recommended by 3M) before install. You will be amazed at the extra strength of the bond if you give your mounting area a good clean prior to installation. You could mount that tape to an aircraft wing and it will become virtually permanent if cleaned first - Any dirt will seriously compromise your installation.

[cmonkey]

After watching this helpful video (I bought this camera system so I'm interested) I went looking in the comment section, and NOT ONE silly high school joke about inserting or lubricating. I'm not even angry.

[spudd]

Awesome work! I did think about doing this a year ago but I just use a cygnett 27k powerbank with a male to female usb switch, put it in the centre console and ran the wires under the seat and along the trims up towards the dashcam. No issues even when under the 40 degree celcius heat here in Australia(I do try to park in shade if I can). Just something so much easier to do

[stub]

I really enjoyed that video, well explained and documented. Well done!

[cakeisalie]

superb guide, thanks!
gave me the confidence to do this myself, I already have a kit ready on the garage table

[uss_]

06:06
Your production has really gone up since the last few vids.
Didn’t expect that unique camera angle at all.

[areynoso]

Excellent presentation all around!
I no longer fear doing this myself.