Dashcam Install

[Jason L]

Was planning on installing a Blackvue dr900s 2ch with power magic pro hard wired.

I see that Ford has an OEM that is 1080P just put on the accessories page. Three questions:

1) Does anyone see specs (wifi, gps, parking mode, etc) for the OEM unit or who makes it, what model it is?

2) I like that it seems to come with a factory harness as I think its a much cleaner install than fuse splitters. Anyone know if we can just buy the harness for use with the Blackvue?

3) If no harness avail standalone, has anyone figured out what fuses to tap?

Trucks on order so need to fill my time buying accessories.

Sponsored

 

[rangerdanger]

Was planning on installing a Blackvue dr900s 2ch with power magic pro hard wired.

I see that Ford has an OEM that is 1080P just put on the accessories page. Three questions:

1) Does anyone see specs (wifi, gps, parking mode, etc) for the OEM unit or who makes it, what model it is?

2) I like that it seems to come with a factory harness as I think its a much cleaner install than fuse splitters. Anyone know if we can just buy the harness for use with the Blackvue?

3) If no harness avail standalone, has anyone figured out what fuses to tap?

Trucks on order so need to fill my time buying accessories.

I was planning to install a dash cam myself, I think this thread can serve as info for all.

1) Thinkware is the brand based off photos, not sure of what model #.

2) I doubt it

3) I’ve already done some of that research, but we can use this thread to consolidate all our info.

Edit: These threads have some good info:

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...-local-dealer-my-impressions-and-photos.1399/

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/interior-pictures.1053/page-5#post-15022

 

[j0shm1lls]

I have a Thinkware F700 front and rear in my RS and a Thinkware F770 front and rear in my wife's Edge. Both with the celllink battery backups. I'm probably about to pull the trigger on a F800 Pro for the Ranger.

Here's the RS install.

 

[Crismac]

I have a Vantrue dash cam X3 with the hardwire kit. And a Samsung EVO 128gb chip. it is all in the box, waiting for the truck.

 

[Bubbabiker]

I have a Vantrue dash cam X3 with the hardwire kit. And a Samsung EVO 128gb chip. it is all in the box, waiting for the truck.

I have a Vantrue X3 in my F150. Love it. Not a big fan of suction cups so I modified for magnetic mounting.

 

[Crismac]

Nice yeah I have never have had a dash cam before. I read a lot of reviews and I kept on going back to this one

On the suction cup, I did read that was the biggest complaint that the suction cup that came with cam sucked so to speak

I guess the company put out a better suction cup for 5 bucks more, so I ordered that and going to see how that works.

 

[Bubbabiker]

Yeah, about every week to two weeks I would find the camera hanging by the power cord. LOL

Tried Velcro and that work but the camera vibrated to much. Ditched the Velcro for this. Much better.
https://www.amazon.com/WizGear-Rect...0&sr=8-18-spons&keywords=magnetic+mount&psc=1

 

[Crismac]

I am going to put this on my amazon wish list. If the new suction cup doesn't work, I will defiantly get that magnet and try it out.

Thanks for the link.

 

[Bubbabiker]

I am going to put this on my amazon wish list. If the new suction cup doesn't work, I will defiantly get that magnet and try it out.

Thanks for the link.

FYI I used GE Type 2 Silicone adhesive to secure the metal plate to the suction cup. The contact area between the plate and the suction cup is very small and not sure if the VHB tape will hold over time.

 

[Crismac]

I will keep that in mind, thanks for the tips.

 

[Jason L]

So it looks like the OEM kit includes an ignition Pac IGN-3 (what I can make out from the image) that is supposed to make the camera work with the auto start stop (so the camera doesn't think the truck is turned off and go into park mode). I am wondering if that is needed to install a camera with the power magic pro, or if the power magic takes care of the potential delay in ignition power. There must be a reason they are including that device.

https://pac-audio.com/catalog/signal-triggers/ign-3

I remember the old days where a fuse had power when the car was running... simple... but now I am wondering if all the accessories are on some type of communication bus.

 

[rangerdanger]

 

[rangerdanger]

So it looks like the OEM kit includes an ignition Pac IGN-3 (what I can make out from the image) that is supposed to make the camera work with the auto start stop (so the camera doesn't think the truck is turned off and go into park mode). I am wondering if that is needed to install a camera with the power magic pro, or if the power magic takes care of the potential delay in ignition power. There must be a reason they are including that device.

https://pac-audio.com/catalog/signal-triggers/ign-3

I remember the old days where a fuse had power when the car was running... simple... but now I am wondering if all the accessories are on some type of communication bus.

I have attached the passenger compartment fuses. We just need to find a fuse that won't get turned off by auto start-stop.

 

[j0shm1lls]

I have attached the passenger compartment fuses. We just need to find a fuse that won't get turned off by auto start-stop.

So in order to properly hook up a 3 wire dash cam you need:

• Continuous - Preferably one of the spare fuses with at least 10A if using a battery backup or 5A is fine if wiring directly to the camera, should be 12v all the time regardless of ignition (I used the "Luggage compartment lid release" fuse in the RS)
• Ignition - Should go 12v when ignition is on and immediately off when ignition is switched off, in my RS I had the best results with the "Voltage Quality Monitoring" fuse as it maintains 12v even when the auto start/stop engages. Unfortunately this is in the engine compartment in the Ranger so we'll have to find an alternative on the passenger compartment fuse box
• Ground

I'll get to probing as soon as I get my truck unless someone beats me to it.

 

[Jason L]

I guess my question, is why would a company make the PAC IGN-3, and why would Ford include it in the kit if it wasn't needed.

All the box seems to do is give you those 3 leads, but makes it sound like ignition controlled is not available unless it monitors the bus to determine if its an ignition off, or auto/start stop.

I also see some dashcam threads where people with newer cars are being called idiots for wiring their cams wrong because they go into park mode on auto stop. The DIYers cant find an ignition only trigger.

So lots of technology in this truck, that IGN-3 device must do something of value.

Sponsored