Wiring additional car appliances

[FsXTimmix]

Hey guys,

Was wondering if anyone has any recommendations on how to wire a Tom Tom and a Dash Cam into the car without using the cigarette lighter for the power supply? I was thinking the lights in the glove compartment? Anyone got any other ideas?

Many thanks

 

[PerryGunn]

Although it's possible, you probably don't want to use the same power feed for both dashcam and TomTom as routing the power cables could be a bit of a nightmare

For the dashcam you can pick up a switched 12v feed from the lighting console - this thread shows the process for an E85 but it should be very similar in the E89

For the TomTom, pick up a 12v to 5v converter from somewhere like eBay and connect it to a switched 12v feed from the fusebox using a piggy-back fuse holder.

If you use a converter with a trailing USB socket, like this, you can then use whatever length USB cable is appropriate to route to your TomTom

 

[FsXTimmix]

Although it's possible, you probably don't want to use the same power feed for both dashcam and TomTom as routing the power cables could be a bit of a nightmare

For the dashcam you can pick up a switched 12v feed from the lighting console - this thread shows the process for an E85 but it should be very similar in the E89

For the TomTom, pick up a 12v to 5v converter from somewhere like eBay and connect it to a switched 12v feed from the fusebox using a piggy-back fuse holder.

If you use a converter with a trailing USB socket, like this, you can then use whatever length USB cable is appropriate to route to your TomTom

Thanks so much for the detailed reply! I'll give this a go and see how it goes

 

[markplant]

Here's a link to a piggyback blade fuse holder
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/390937414082?adgroupid=13585920426&hlpht=true&hlpv=2&rlsatarget=pla-131843270226&ul_ref=http%253A%252F%252Frover.ebay.com%252Frover%252F1%252F710-134428-41853-0%252F2%253Fipn%253Dicep%2526icep_id%253D67%2526mtid%253D1673%2526kwid%253D1%2526crlp%253D50600204586_563391%2526icep_item_id%253D390937414082%2526itemid%253D390937414082%2526icep_meta_categ_id%253D131090%2526icep_etrs%253DY%2526icep_epid%253D-999%2526icep_ctlg%253D-999%2526icep_cond%253DNew%2526targetid%253D131843270226%2526rlsatarget%253Dpla-131843270226%2526rpc%253D0.16%2526rpc_upld_id%253D60944%2526device%253Dt%2526icep_msku_flag%253Dn%2526icep_cbt%253Dn%2526adtype%253Dpla%2526loc%253D1007064%2526poi%253D%2526campaignid%253D207297426%2526adgroupid%253D13585920426%2526gclid%253DCj0KEQiA-4i0BRCaudDcrrnDi6kBEiQAZSh5fz6qlZ3bfLPpC7DJNx1YR1F1Q-zaROdCG5QKEvq_XeEaAoYK8P8HAQ%2526srcrot%253D710-134428-41853-0%2526rvr_id%253D958883048349&adtype=pla&ff3=1&lpid=122&poi=&ul_noapp=true&limghlpsr=true&device=t&chn=ps&campaignid=207297426&crdt=0&ff12=67&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff14=122&viphx=1&ops=true&ff13=80

 

[markplant]

I used this type to power the same type of USB adapter above, for a tablet install

 

[FsXTimmix]

I used this type to power the same type of USB adapter above, for a tablet install

Both my tom Tom and Dash cam use the cigar lighter adapter for power. Can this be used with the USB item your talking about?

 

[PerryGunn]

I used this type to power the same type of USB adapter above, for a tablet install

Both my tom Tom and Dash cam use the cigar lighter adapter for power. Can this be used with the USB item your talking about?

The cigar lighter adaptor just converts 12v to 5v - with the USB adaptor you just use a standard el-cheapo USB lead to power the device

 

[FsXTimmix]

I used this type to power the same type of USB adapter above, for a tablet install

Both my tom Tom and Dash cam use the cigar lighter adapter for power. Can this be used with the USB item your talking about?

The cigar lighter adaptor just converts 12v to 5v - with the USB adaptor you just use a standard el-cheapo USB lead to power the device

Oh cool, so if i purchase that adapter, and take power from the fuse box, I can power both the appliances from it? Will they only turn on when the ignition is started?

 

[PerryGunn]

Both my tom Tom and Dash cam use the cigar lighter adapter for power. Can this be used with the USB item your talking about?

The cigar lighter adaptor just converts 12v to 5v - with the USB adaptor you just use a standard el-cheapo USB lead to power the device

Oh cool, so if i purchase that adapter, and take power from the fuse box, I can power both the appliances from it? Will they only turn on when the ignition is started?

If you want to power both appliances at once you can get ones with two USB flying sockets - as I said earlier, you're probably better with two separate adaptors (they're only a couple of quid each) and hide one in the lighting console as this gives a very easy dashcam installation

They'll power on when the ignition is live if you pick a 'switched live' feed - check your handbook or google for the fuse numbers

 

[markplant]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38888
There's a guide part way down this thread shows which fuses are always on and switched

 

[PerryGunn]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38888
There's a guide part way down this thread shows which fuses are always on and switched

That's for the E85/6 - the OP's posted this in an E89 section so I'm assuming that's what he has...


...although he may be able to use that as a reference to the equivalent circuits to look at for a switched live....

 

[markplant]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38888
There's a guide part way down this thread shows which fuses are always on and switched

That's for the E85/6 - the OP's posted this in an E89 section so I'm assuming that's what he has

I must start paying more attention to headings :roll:

 

[PerryGunn]

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=38888
There's a guide part way down this thread shows which fuses are always on and switched

That's for the E85/6 - the OP's posted this in an E89 section so I'm assuming that's what he has

I must start paying more attention to headings :roll:

Happens to me all the time

I was in the process of editing my post to say that the OP may be able to use that thread as a cross reference for the equivalent circuits to look at for a switched live in the E89

 

[FsXTimmix]

That's for the E85/6 - the OP's posted this in an E89 section so I'm assuming that's what he has

I must start paying more attention to headings :roll:

Happens to me all the time

I was in the process of editing my post to say that the OP may be able to use that thread as a cross reference for the equivalent circuits to look at for a switched live in the E89

Sorry, i'm not quite up to date with how the forum works! I have a BMW Z4 2006, so i'm assuming that's not the E89?

 

[markplant]

I must start paying more attention to headings :roll:

Happens to me all the time

I was in the process of editing my post to say that the OP may be able to use that thread as a cross reference for the equivalent circuits to look at for a switched live in the E89

Sorry, i'm not quite up to date with how the forum works! I have a BMW Z4 2006, so i'm assuming that's not the E89?

If your 06 is a roadster its e85 , coupe of similar shape e86 , the later z4 with folding metal roof is e89
So the above link to the fuse guide is relevant to your car

 

[PerryGunn]

Sorry, i'm not quite up to date with how the forum works! I have a BMW Z4 2006, so i'm assuming that's not the E89?

If your 06 is a roadster its e85 , coupe of similar shape e86 , the later z4 with folding metal roof is e89
So the above link to the fuse guide is relevant to your car

As is the thread I linked to in my first post, which will show you how to wire in a dashcam using a switched 12v power feed from the lighting console - this is a lot simpler than taking power from the fuse box and routing it up inside the A-pillar and top windscreen trim
http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=73905


PS - I've send the mods a request to move this thread to an appropriate E85/6 section