Dashcam and radar detector tapped into mirror power?

So I already have an Escort 8500 tapped into the mirror power harness and I'm interested in adding a dashcam. Has anyone powered both off of the mirror?

Alternatively, how difficult is it to get to the back of the switched 12v plug in the center console?

Thanks

I have seen another thread around here where someone did what you ask of powering off the mirror and upper center console power feeds.

I do not feel like doing the leg work searching for it but I am sure someone that remembers it better will chime in to help.

TTU14 said:

So I already have an Escort 8500 tapped into the mirror power harness and I'm interested in adding a dashcam. Has anyone powered both off of the mirror?

Alternatively, how difficult is it to get to the back of the switched 12v plug in the center console?

Thanks

Click to expand...

With some basic calculations, you can figure this out for yourself and learn a little bit in the process.

1. Determine the gauge of the wire that powers the mirror. Check the gauge size against the current rating for that gauge as shown here (use the "chassis wiring" column) : Current Rating of Wire

2. Determine the size of the fuse that is currently installed for the power mirror.

3. Determine the total current draw of all the devices - including the mirror! - that will be powered by the same wire. Because you will be tapping into the mirror power wire and not actually interrupting it, you are creating a parallel circuit. In parallel circuits, voltage (V) is constant and current (A) is additive. So take the manufacturer's stated current (A) figures for each device and add them all together: mirror(A) + radar detector(A) + camera(A). Note that total number.

4. Now, take the total current that you came up with in #3 and multiply it by 125%. If that number is less than the rating of the wire gauge and less than the amp rating stamped on the fuse, then you're all set and can just splice and go. If, however, that 125% number is greater than either the wire rating or the fuse, you will need to change something. If only the fuse is smaller, then you can just install a larger fuse. But, if it's the wire, you should reconsider your plans or risk burning up the circuit and potentially causing a fire.

Figure out these calculations and you'll be able to work through most device installations that you'll ever need to do. Only time it will be different is if you install devices in series which, really, you shouldn't ever need to do.

Finally, the wire for the console plug isn't too difficult to get to. Just pop the chrome trim, take the rubber liners out of the various pockets/cup holders to access the screws, remove the shifter grip, and pop up the console cover.

Hope all this helps!

This doesn't specifically answer your question about the mirror power, but I have an Escort Max and an iTronics ITB-100HD SP cam running in mine. I ran both to the 12 volt in the center console. With mine having the auto-wipers, my mirror has the huge plastic surround on it (which makes a mirror mount not an option).

I mounted my RD low on the windshield, and my dash cam is basically behind my mirror (just below). For the cam, I ran the wiring up the passenger side A-pillar and across the front of the headliner. For the RD, I removed the center dash speaker, and the radio - I was able to get the wire up through there with minimal issues. The biggest pain in the whole thing was that I removed the speaker altogether (which included some sort of light sensor). The sensor had all of about 1/2" of extra wiring, so it was a pain to reconnect when I was all done.

If I had to guess, I'd say the mirror will provide the power you need. But you may find (like me) - that you will want to separate the 2 items. Those dash cams have super wide lenses on them, so you can't really have anything else mounted near it.

Good info thanks guys