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Hard-wiring options for dash cam and rear cam

3K views 0 replies 1 participant last post by  Ripshod 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey folks! I have a 2015 Mazda3 s GT, 5-door. I'm adding a dash cam. I have the cable to hard-wire it for power. This also has a rear camera (more about that later) so I will be running a wire along the windshield and through the side of the dash trim but I am sorely tempted to access the power I know I can find in the roof console instead of running under the dash to supply power to the camera which is mounted behind the rear view mirror. Has anyone removed the ceiling console where the lights and sunroof controls live, in order to tap into a switched 12volt source? This particular wiring harness will take up a considerable amount of space under there since it has the little adapter box at the end of about 12 feet of wire, but I feel sort of certain that there is enough empty space up there so I could stuff it all under there, but would it be worth taking that stuff apart in search of 12volts?

If that is unadvisable for some reason, like I said, there is also a wire that will be routed to the rear window camera so I'll be routing a wire around the windshield and down the side of the dash anyway so if it's just as easy (or easier) to access power under the dash, that's not a huge deal. If so, is there an easy place to hook up under there and should I go down the right or left side of the dash?

And speaking of routing to the rear camera, well, I haven't yet inspected closely for a good route to send the wire. Before I get into that, are there any recommendations from experienced installers here as to how I should go about routing a wire from behind the rear-view mirror to under the third brake light on the inside of the back window? Any particular route I should pursue or avoid?

Thanks a lot!
Jerry in Knoxville
 
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