roadkill401 Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 It has come more and more apparent that you need to have a dash camera running all the time to prove that you are not in the wrong if you get into an accident, or stop sign / red light ticketing. For Christmas, my father purchased me a unit like he put into his 2007 Toyota Prius. He has an AUX 12v power point that is linked to the ignition so it turns off when the car is off. As we all know, this is not the case on the Ford Edge models like mine. The unit I got doesn't know enough to turn on and off with movement, so as long as there is power, it is running. Fine for some, but it pulls enough juice from the battery that it will easily run the car dead in 4-5 days. For me that is a problem as I don't drive every day and have gone for more than a week without needing to drive. One option is you have to remember to unplug the unit (off) and replug it (on) each and every time you want it running. Not something that I am really good at. I am looking to figure out where to get a +12v line that I can tap into to run the 0.3a usb power plug off of. I have read with Google search that some suggest running a fuse tap off #41 to power a relay to convert one of the front AUX 12v plugs into an ignition triggered plug. What does fuse #41 power? and could I just use a fuse tap to connect the 0.3a usb power plug directly to that line as I just need to power this one device? Any alternatives would be great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
always on edge Posted January 1, 2017 Report Share Posted January 1, 2017 Sounds like you're going through a bit of trouble for something that should be plug and play. I don't know if it's an option, but you could purchase a different dash cam. I have a Z-Edge dash cam that turns off within 15 seconds of my ignition being turned off and I use the USB port for power. The model year of your Edge isn't listed so I'm guessing you don't have a USB power source. No worries, there's a cigarette lighter attachment that comes with the camera. Good luck. https://www.amazon.com/Z-Edge-2560x1080-Dashboard-Recording-Ambarella/dp/B018YRBQSK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1483308036&sr=8-3&keywords=z+cam+dash+cam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tacyon Posted January 2, 2017 Report Share Posted January 2, 2017 I've just wired up two "hard wired" devices on my 2013. My Escort 9500xi by the mirror and for that I tapped into the mirror's power used for the auto dim feature built into the mirror itself. I used a test light to identify the wire with ignition voltage - IIRC it was the green wire. Then used a self tapper into the sheet metal brace for the grounding. And then my secondary GPS (garmin) mounted on the dash by the A pillar. For this I used fuse #37 with and tap-a-fuse. (example) Note of caution. Don't assume that everything installable in a car is 12VDC. That Garmin above comes with a cigarette lighter adaptor to an USB. The adaptor changes the 12VDC to 5VDC IIRC for the GPS. Omitting it in the installation would/could have dire outcomes. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted January 7, 2017 Report Share Posted January 7, 2017 Installing my radar detector I bought a harness and wired it into the back of my mirror. It's switched with the ignition and is on the time delay (until door opens). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Engr146 Posted April 9, 2017 Report Share Posted April 9, 2017 That's old school,eBay has DRL switches for $5 ,connect two wires one to battery+/- and this tiny little box senses when car starts and stops running,turning on led/DRLs while car is running and shuts off automatically when ignition is off,senses alternator 14volt vs 12 volt (no more finding wires) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheWizard Posted April 10, 2017 Report Share Posted April 10, 2017 Note of caution. Don't assume that everything installable in a car is 12VDC. That Garmin above comes with a cigarette lighter adaptor to an USB. The adaptor changes the 12VDC to 5VDC IIRC for the GPS. Omitting it in the installation would/could have dire outcomes. I made that exact mistake several years ago. Fortunately, the Garmin customer service people are so good, they had me send back the fried unit and then they sent me a replacement one for no cost other than shipping. They really are a great company to deal with. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vexer Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Somewhat of a new user here... (always reading but never posting!!) I have a 2013 SEL and recently bought a dash camera as well, experiencing the same issue(s). Looking for a way to have the camera on only when the ignition is on or on ACC (with push start) Has anyone tried the eBay option noted above, or a relay with time delay? Wondering how easy it is to do (I have an electrical background but always worried about modifying stuff within my car). Just want the simplest, and cheapest solution to do this... as always! thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evh Posted January 19, 2018 Report Share Posted January 19, 2018 Tacyon, can you post some pictures of your dashcam mounted to the mirror. I am looking at doing the same thing on my 2009. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizsin23 Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) Morning All! Wanted to show where you can tap a fuse for ignition on/off. I have my DRL strips tapped into this unused fuse location. #38 in the photo. DRL's come on when the car is started, go off when key is removed. 2014 Ford Edge SEL Since it is an unused (spare) fuse, I put a 10 fuse in the top portion of the tap only. Everything works perfectly. Let me know if you want more pics Edited April 9, 2018 by Rizsin23 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted April 8, 2018 Report Share Posted April 8, 2018 Excellent write up. Like to add that there is an easier way to power a radar detector or dash cam, that being to use a Mirror Tap harness and plug it into the rearview mirror connector. Powers on with the car, off (with delay) when car off and door opens. Takes only a few minutes and easy to install. Here's an example of one style: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW7MGSY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_NgMYAbADGZ8G2 ($40 but you can buy China brand for less yhan $20). 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizsin23 Posted April 9, 2018 Report Share Posted April 9, 2018 Agreed on the mirror tap, however I didn't want the delay with the lights, hence going straight to the source No delay! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enigma-2 Posted April 9, 2018 Report Share Posted April 9, 2018 The delay I was referring to was power stays on until it times out or you open a door. Same as the interior lighting circuit. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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