[jothishX]

Hello everyone!

This is my first thread on TeamBhp and I just bought a Kia Seltos. Decided to do a concealed dashcam installation and do a DIY step by step pictures for anyone interested.
I bought this Apemans C860 dashcam from abroad through a friend. It was one of best dual dashcam I could find in Amazon. But sadly the rear camera/cable turned out to be faulty and I'm stuck with the front camera for now.


Package contents


The installation process is as below

[Mr.Boss]

Any specific reason to cut the cable?
At least in the few cars that I installed dash cams never faced any such issues.

[jothishX]

Originally Posted by Mr.Boss

Any specific reason to cut the cable?
At least in the few cars that I installed dash cams never faced any such issues.

The micro-usb plug was thick and L-shaped (second picture). I couldn't push it from under the glovebox. Could also have used the guide wire to pull it up. But, cutting it seemed to be the easier approach. Moreover, this doesn't have any warranty. And I was sure there would be only two wires inside.

[madhavabeer]

Did you hardwire the setup or connect using the 12V socket only?

[jothishX]

Used the 12v socket only.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by madhavabeer

Did you hardwire the setup or connect using the 12V socket only?

Looks like the dashcam has been connected using the 12V socket (Picture No.: 4).

[naveen.raju]

Ya, don't think it's hardwired.

The installation is pretty simple and you can easily conceal all the wires. In my Creta, I took the cable through the A pillar, then under the rubber beading on the door sill, then you have a perfect gap to route the cable below the glove box, left over wires are just placed under the floor mat and then on to the car charger. Only the last bit reveals the cable.



Image Source - Team BHP Creta Review

[Turbo yoda]

Even I installed a dashcam in my seltos recently, I didn't have to cut any wires. I installed the 70mai pro.
One tip I would give you is install the camera closer to irvm and route the wire inside the irvm plastic holder. The plastic piece just pops off and clips back in with ease.

[jothishX]

My power cable is directly connected to the cigarette lighter adapter. Other dashcams like 70mai have a USB A plug which could be disconnected from the adapter and wired without cutting.

[GutsyGibbon]

Great job with the DIY project!
Curious to know what went wrong with the rear camera. That is a bummer. Is rear camera also powered by 12V? Have you tried hardwiring the rear camera to the battery/ or an external 12V source, and see if the monitor is receiving a signal?

[jothishX]

The rear camera is powered by a usb c cable running from the main cam. It is 5V. I tried using other cables - didn't work. This is using different pins than the standard usb 2.0 data pins. As you suggested, I'll try hooking up the camera to a spare reverse camera monitor to see if I'm getting any feed

[FGP]

Originally Posted by jothishX

Used the 12v socket only.

Do you unplug the adapter after you switch off the engine everytime? Or is that not required since the 12V socket does not have the always on feature?

[jothishX]

No, None of those sockets have always on feature. Cam goes off after turning off the engine.

[FGP]

Hi JothishX, was there any particular reason why you opened the rubber beading and tucked the wire under the A-Pillar instead of directly tucking the wire below the rubber beading itself?

[jothishX]

I wanted a clean and concealed look as much as possible. With the wire under the beading, there is a chance of someone pulling out the cable accidentally where visible (especially my toddler). There was a slight bulge in the beading when tucked under it, could be an ocd though