fuse orientation

msh57

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fitting a cam for my son and the kit came with these fuse taping not sure which way round they go to give you fuse protection
IMG_4892.webp
 
Cut them off , connect the wire to a new fuse tap which you bought. Thats my recommendation.
 
Cut them off , connect the wire to a new fuse tap which you bought. Thats my recommendation.

I'm not sure the validity of this video, as "Fuse Polarity" has been debated quite a bit.... However, I I take it at face value. This should explain to @msh57 what he needs.

Top Fuse = Protects Camera
Bottom Fuse = Original Vehicle Fuse

@SafeDriveSolutions what's your input on polarity?

 
Polarity definitely matters since if it's installed backwards, one fuse draws current from both loads.
The common side of the fuse tap gets +12V power, and the current splits to each fuse.

There is a good picture that shows this if I can find it.....
 
I'm not sure the validity of this video, as "Fuse Polarity" has been debated quite a bit.... However, I I take it at face value. This should explain to @msh57 what he needs.

Top Fuse = Protects Camera
Bottom Fuse = Original Vehicle Fuse

@SafeDriveSolutions what's your input on polarity?

My opinion

how to safely install dash cam wiring into the car
 
My opinion

how to safely install dash cam wiring into the car

You solder and that's a major grey area. I hardwired a dashcam to a family member's Volkswagon fusebox and the fuse supposedly caused a conflict with another system. Fine, pop out and swap the fuse to another spot. Nope, dealer wanted to argue that using the fuse box at all invalidated the entire warranty. It became a huge argument.

I don't know how things work in Canada, but I can only imagine car dealers would argue a physical modification ( cut wires + solder) is grounds for claiming the car's electrical has been modified.

Food for thought.
 
You solder and that's a major grey area. I hardwired a dashcam to a family member's Volkswagon fusebox and the fuse supposedly caused a conflict with another system. Fine, pop out and swap the fuse to another spot. Nope, dealer wanted to argue that using the fuse box at all invalidated the entire warranty. It became a huge argument.

I don't know how things work in Canada, but I can only imagine car dealers would argue a physical modification ( cut wires + solder) is grounds for claiming the car's electrical has been modified.

Food for thought.
Oh man you can solder a vehicle wiring there is no issue at all. Got another video for that. But we also say you should look at your countries laws.
Most car dealers can not prove it is a fault.

 
You solder and that's a major grey area. I hardwired a dashcam to a family member's Volkswagon fusebox and the fuse supposedly caused a conflict with another system. Fine, pop out and swap the fuse to another spot. Nope, dealer wanted to argue that using the fuse box at all invalidated the entire warranty. It became a huge argument.

I don't know how things work in Canada, but I can only imagine car dealers would argue a physical modification ( cut wires + solder) is grounds for claiming the car's electrical has been modified.

Food for thought.
That would have been an interesting argument to hear.

I also had concerns tapping into the fuse block, which is why I used an external battery pack plugged into a 12V socket. I don't know what the heck I would have done if my cars did not have 12V sockets. There is no way I would have allowed any installer (sorry Ben) to cut/splice/solder into the car's wire harness with a car that is under warranty. Not because I really think it's a problem, but more because the dealer will have a conniption fit if there is any kind of electrical problem.

My 1983 P/U has a unique problem. The CLA is ALWAYS hot so I can't use it. The truck is obviously out of warranty so I'll be ok with tapping into the fuse block.
 
That would have been an interesting argument to hear.

I also had concerns tapping into the fuse block, which is why I used an external battery pack plugged into a 12V socket. I don't know what the heck I would have done if my cars did not have 12V sockets. There is no way I would have allowed any installer (sorry Ben) to cut/splice/solder into the car's wire harness with a car that is under warranty. Not because I really think it's a problem, but more because the dealer will have a conniption fit if there is any kind of electrical problem.

My 1983 P/U has a unique problem. The CLA is ALWAYS hot so I can't use it. The truck is obviously out of warranty so I'll be ok with tapping into the fuse block.
Its your vehicle and you can choose to do it the way you want. But in the USA and Canada they legally can not void your new vehicle car warranty without proof that damage was done. Fuse taps, OBD2, solder and splice. They can not speculate. They must provide proof.
 
Its your vehicle and you can choose to do it the way you want. But in the USA and Canada they legally can not void your new vehicle car warranty without proof that damage was done. Fuse taps, OBD2, solder and splice. They can not speculate. They must provide proof.
The problem is that splicing into a wire harness is not reversible, like fuse taps would be. So it would be hard to prove the fault was not related to the modification, and at the very least it would be a headache of an argument with the dealer. 20 years ago it would not be so big a deal, but cars have become so complex that seemingly benign modifications can lead to gremlins.

If the car was out of warranty I would be less concerned.
 
That would have been an interesting argument to hear.

I also had concerns tapping into the fuse block, which is why I used an external battery pack plugged into a 12V socket. I don't know what the heck I would have done if my cars did not have 12V sockets. There is no way I would have allowed any installer (sorry Ben) to cut/splice/solder into the car's wire harness with a car that is under warranty. Not because I really think it's a problem, but more because the dealer will have a conniption fit if there is any kind of electrical problem.

My 1983 P/U has a unique problem. The CLA is ALWAYS hot so I can't use it. The truck is obviously out of warranty so I'll be ok with tapping into the fuse block.

They literally told my family member if they didn't buy a brand new fuse box, they would invalidate their entire warranty. The vehicle got flagged in the warranty system, too. I kid you not... Volkswagon is horrible. The fight to get issues resolved on their car under warranty became a huge headache, and my family member was mad at me over it! Like seriously, if there's a conflict, you remove fuse tap and put elsewhere. NO HARM AT ALL.

Volvo has never pulled **** like that on my vehicle.
 
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Its your vehicle and you can choose to do it the way you want. But in the USA and Canada they legally can not void your new vehicle car warranty without proof that damage was done. Fuse taps, OBD2, solder and splice. They can not speculate. They must provide proof.

Not true. I did this install for a family member living in the USA. Never F*CKING again.... Never. Volkswagon is a nightmare.
 
That is totally nuts that the dealer wanted a new fuse block simply because a fuse tap was used which is totally reversible. I would have raised holy hell with that dealer. It makes the case that when you take a car under warranty for repair to the dealer, remove anything from the fuse block. Heck I used dealers years ago to install aftermarket ring and pinion gears and performance clutches. I think they would laugh me out of the shop if I asked today.
 
That is totally nuts that the dealer wanted a new fuse block simply because a fuse tap was used which is totally reversible. I would have raised holy hell with that dealer. It makes the case that when you take a car under warranty for repair to the dealer, remove anything from the fuse block. Heck I used dealers years ago to install aftermarket ring and pinion gears and performance clutches. I think they would laugh me out of the shop if I asked today.

Reversible....is subjective apparently..... Volkswagon flagged the car and the flag remains to this day (happened maybe 1.5 yrs ago I think)..... To remove or not, I can't say, but caveat emptor.
 
We do it all the time. We do not have issues. Ocassionaly we get 1 or 2 people a year where dealer asks for our connections to be unhooked so they can verify the circuit.

We do not have challenges. But we also created our own database with wiring information we have verified. We also do this everyday.

We hear stories all the time. But we are willing to talk to the car dealer on the phone if needed
 
We do it all the time. We do not have issues. Ocassionaly we get 1 or 2 people a year where dealer asks for our connections to be unhooked so they can verify the circuit.

We do not have challenges. But we also created our own database with wiring information we have verified. We also do this everyday.

We hear stories all the time. But we are willing to talk to the car dealer on the phone if needed

I'm just giving you my personal experience on the matter.....Maybe rules in Canada are different. But to say the USA is the same as Canada is a big hell no. Manufacturers are free to argue you modified vehicle. If they want to be assholes, they've got lawyers and fighting it in court isn't feasible.

Having gone through the headache (or my family member) - I read all the emails back and forth - the potential is there.
 
I'm just giving you my personal experience on the matter.....Maybe rules in Canada are different. But to say the USA is the same as Canada is a big hell no. Manufacturers are free to argue you modified vehicle. If they want to be assholes, they've got lawyers and fighting it in court isn't feasible.

Not arguing, just stating the facts.
Its obvious you did not watch the video. The Magnus Moss Warranty act protects consumers in USA. USA has better protection for consumers.
 
Its obvious you did not watch the video. The Magnus Moss Warranty act protects consumers in USA. USA has better protection for consumers.

Tell you what, go fight them in court. They argued the fuse box was "Damaged", wanted $1000 dollars, and have red flagged vehicle. Family member being an attorney fought them and go nowhere short of taking matter to court...... I read the emails from Volkswagon.

I'm not lying, and maybe Volkswagon SUCKS, but this did happen about 1.5 yrs ago.
 
Tell you what, go fight them in court. They argued the fuse box was "Damaged", wanted $1000 dollars, and have red flagged vehicle. Family member being an attorney fought them and go nowhere short of taking matter to court...... I read the emails from Volkswagon.

I'm not lying, and maybe Volkswagon SUCKS, but this did happen about 1.5 yrs ago.
Some car dealers are bullies and nothing will change that.
 
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