Ok to cut off the cigarette lighter plug end and use the rest as a DC/DC converter?

iDash

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Usually I bought a separate 12 volt to 5 volt DC/DC converter because I don't want to have something plugged into my cigarette lighter.

Do any of you see any issues with cutting off the cigarette lighter plug end and hard wiring it into one of the 12 volt wiring that turns on when ignition is turned on?

Thanks
 
No issue, you can cut the included power supply male cig port off to hard wire. The 12 to 5v converter happens in the small square box in-line up the cable a bit. (Cig plug is empty inside)
 
Perfect thanks. Just a quick question, I need to install this dash cam in a 2018 camary that has pillar air bags. How would you recommend I run the wires?
 
Perfect thanks, and I should just run the wire to the fuse box using one of those fuse adapter attachments?
 
Correct, use an add-a-circuit (aka add-a-fuse) plug to share a switched accessory fuse easier. Black goes to ground. (bare metal frame/bolt)
 
And do remember to sign up for the 2 year warranty before you cover the sticker on the back with the foam pad, taking a phone picture of it should be good to do the online registration.
 
take the A pillar cover off and run the wires behind the airbag
If you have curtain air bags, when you remove the A pillar trims you will find a safety strap/clip securing the trim to the a pillar, in the case of air bag deployment.

This safety feature MUST be replaced and still be able to do its job. Also.do not run your cable in front of or strapped to the air bag.

On some cars the A pillar is difficult to remove, because of this clip.
 
Oh jeez the 2018 camary does have curtain airbags I believe, so I would have to order and then replace this safety clip? Would you know other options if I don't want to remove the pillar?

Thanks
 
you have to route the power cable up that way to the main camera, you could also just use the included stick on zip tie fasteners alongside the A -pillar plastic trim ( on the windecreen ) then the wire shouldent be in the way as the airbag deploy in the other direction, and the chance of the wire getting dislodged and whipped into your eye should be minimal.
It is not a super clean way of installing, but it should be enough out of the way for most to not notice it or do anything about it.

In my car thats a cheap ass Suzuki i can actually push wire in between the plastic trim and the windscreen using no tool, but i dont have a airbag there as its above the door and deploy downward.
Anyway even with a airbag in the A pillar if you push in wire on the windscreen side of the plastic trim it ahould be out of the way of the bag when it deploy in the other direction.

The main thing must be to keep things out of the direction the airbag deploy, at least to the back of it should be just fine, at least in my book of simple partly digital living.
 


Damn troublesome compared with my Suzuki where its just 2 screw and then rip it off. modern ( new ) isent always smart.
 
Oh jeez the 2018 camary does have curtain airbags I believe, so I would have to order and then replace this safety clip? Would you know other options if I don't want to remove the pillar?

Thanks
If you're careful removing the trim you probably wont damage the restraining clip, but do search to try and find trim removal instructions.
Also if this is a new model these parts may not yet be available.

As kamkar 1 says you can route the cable down the sc reen side of the trim, possibly using a suitable tool to try and push it behind the trim.
The only problem then is, how do you lose the cable when routing it below the dashboard, for connection.
 
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My plastic trin have some plastic like arrowheads on which some metal sit also arrow shaped, and those in turn click into holes on the A pillar, i have lost the metal pice on one of the 3 things on my R hand A pillar trim so have to visit a salvage yard.

Here salvage yard you can roam free on looking for what you need, if you can do so in the US too, that might be a good free way to experiment on how to get plastic trim off if you can find a similar car to test on that haven't had side / curtain airbags deployed.
But i wouldn't be surprised if its much like the RAV 4 video i posted above.
 
Would you know other options if I don't want to remove the pillar?
If you have a garage door opener integrated into the overhead console or sun visor, that can be a good place to tap into 12V switched power. Some overhead dome lights also tend to work for the purpose.
 
You may want to consider outsourcing the install to a professional.
(search for your local Car Audio specialist, as they are experts at routing cables and removing trim etc)
 
If you have a garage door opener integrated into the overhead console or sun visor, that can be a good place to tap into 12V switched power. Some overhead dome lights also tend to work for the purpose.

O yeah thats right, tapping in there will leave your A pillars as is,,,,, totally forgot about that option :oops:
 
You can buy a cigarette plug end on ebay for very little. That would be better than destroying a factory part.
 
You may want to consider outsourcing the install to a professional.
(search for your local Car Audio specialist, as they are experts at routing cables and removing trim etc)
What makes you think that a professional installer will be any better then DIY. Some certainly will be, but most, i guess, will take the easiest and quickest route.

I have seen, i think on youtube, instructions for running the cable under the roof trim to the A pillar, then across the A pillar to run down behind the door weatherstrip.

If the air bags deploy the act of the A pillar trim removing to allow deployment, drags the cable with it thus pulling the camera from the screen straight in your face.
 
if you follow tutorials on YouTube stuff like that is going to happen, a good installer will do it correctly
 
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