Best routing for a 12v supply?

[chelrob]

I want to put a 12v supply in the boot. Was thinking of taking from one of the dash switches, but any views on what is the best way to route it through to the boot compartment?   

[SLR No.77]

The only practical way to get the wiring through the the boot is to remove the centre tunnel cover and cable tie the wiring to the chassis tube, the loom running to the rear will already be in there.

Depending on the year of car, you might be able to feed the new wire into the boot via a small gap in the bulkhead, or otherwise drill a hole and use a small grommet to avoid chafing of the wire(s).

Stu.

[SM25T]

If it is a recent build, it may already have a 12V supply cable and connector in the boot.

[admaraujo]

I would buy a 4-way 12v supply, get current from ignition and double tape it under the dash.

That was what I did.

[Wrightpayne]

I connected my 12v outlet to the permanently positive side of the FIA switch. Its the only live circuit when the switch is thrown but has a fuse within inches of the connection. This is so I can easily plug my trickle charger into the socket.

As Stu suggested the transmission tunnel is the route to go though I would sleeve the wire for extra protection.

 

Ian

[John Vine]

Agree about the tunnel route.

What year and model is the car?  What device(s) do you plan to attach, and at what wattage?  That could have a bearing on where you take the power from.

JV

[Golf Juliet Tango]

My 12V outlets are either ignition switched or isolated by the battery isolator.

[John Vine]

Looking at the paper-based Assembly Guide that came with my 2008 R400D, the Sigma wiring diagram shows a power socket towards the rear of the car:

Judging by the cable lengths, this could well be located in the rear bulkhead area.  If it's not immediately visible, it might be tied up out of the way under the tunnel cover or below the boot floor.

According to the same Guide, fuse "O" is shown as "10A Power socket".  If there's a fuse fitted there, you probably have the power socket too. 

JV

[colindavies56]

there's a pair of 12v spade ends by the offside rear wheel and a pair near the diff.on a 2010 sigma. 

[K7 VCT]

My 2014 sigma has a pair of spades in the boot attached to the bulkhead for a power outlet.

I have a power outlet in the dash for devices and as its wired and fused direct to the battery I use it for my ctek charger.

I also have a motorcycle dual USB outlet by the passenger knee trim panel, its water proof.

[chelrob]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The car is a 2008 Sigma and I wanted the supply for a video camera, so not a high current.

 Anyway following the various inputs, I have had a more thorough look underneath and there is indeed a spare terminal hidden away up behind the rear suspension.. However, it is permanently live rather than ignition switched which is what I need. So looks like i need to run a new cable, but was worth checking... Thanks

 

 

[Jonathan Kay]

Private Message sent.

[SM25T]

Find it at the front end and reconnect it to what you need ?

[Golf Juliet Tango]

  exactly.  No need to run an additional line unless you want two independent, separately switched supplies.

[Beagler]

GoPro query,

just bought one and a few questions please. 
I assume the little battery cover must be left open to keep external power lead connected. This means unit would not be waterproof.

Found the socket below with purple and red wire which I believe is permanent live. Would a switchable with ignition live not be better for a camera. I suppose then the camera needs to be switched off when stationary then if this is used.

[Beagler]

I think if I connect a power supply lead with door open and then close if there is a shower and run on battery that will do. 

[Jonathan Kay]

Can anyone identify the factory-fitted connector?

Thanks

Jonathan

[Scotland North AR]

Morning, did you look at this post I did for my 2009 Sigma https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forum/techtalk/dead-power-socket-rear-harness-2009-sigma?page=1

It shows the factory fitted connector just behind the handbrake in the transmission tunnel.

[Beagler]

Thanks Nigel. Yes I saw that. I cant decide whether to connect through ignition or permanent supply. If the latter its not trauma to switch it off and on. I will have to remove the camera when I leave the car parked anyway. I will be servicing in winter so will use a power pack in the boot for now and the then connect to a car supply when I have the tunnel off and check supply terminals

Mount came today will give it a whirl. What camera settings do people use?


 

Seems Nice and clear.

[anthonym]

wide, 720, to save disk space. Use external mic to avoid wind noise: one place to drop that which seems to work fine is in the boot. Beware current demand by cam exceeding port rating. Prolly requires GoPro adapter 

https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/pro-3.5mm-mic-adapter/AAMIC-001.htm

That cam looks like a newer model so USB C.

Last I checked max SD card is 128GB. may be more now.. IT IS

Edit: SD Cards https://gopro.com/help/articles/block/microSD-Card-Considerations?sf96806377=1

CameraMinimum RequirementsRecommended SD Cards

HERO10 Black
HERO10 Black BonesmicroSD card with v30 or UHS-3 ratingSandisk Extreme, Extreme Plus, Extreme Pro: 32/64/128/256/512GB

Lexar Professional 1066x Silver Series: 64/128/256/512GB

Samsung EVO Plus, EVO Select, EVO PRO Plus: 128/256/512GB

HERO9 Black
HERO8 Black
MAX
HERO7 Black and older cameras (* See exceptions below)microSD card with at least Class 10 or UHS-1 rating

and on topic: yes the tunnel except seems you have pre-existing supply, yes re orient the other end and make it permanent supply so it runs after engine off and stops with cut out key removal, having tried ignition switched which was a real pain.

 

Anthony

[DerekH]

Hi Beagler,

I use the GoPro Media Mod, this gives our external USB C and microphone connectors and the camera remains waterproof.

With the door open the battery will fall out!  You will need an external microphone otherwise the wind noise saturates the microphone and you end up with a horrible clipping noise.  My microphone is under the dash, some people put them in the engine bay. You'll need an extension cable. Avoid microphones with 4 rings connectors they don't work with a GoPro Media Mod.  I use a Rhode Video Micro with a dead cat.  Lot's of fun to be had working it all out.

Then the video editing.... That's a whole new adventure.

DerekH

[Beagler]

Thats really helpful, thanks guys. 

[Beagler]

Derek could I ask for a website for the Rhode Video Micro and dead cat (dont know what this is). Have ordered the Media Mod. Thanks for your help.

[anthonym]

that looks great.. only GoPro 8 and above by the looks of it. About time. Originally this sai 9 but found this: https://community.gopro.com/s/article/Media-Mod-How-To-Use?language=en_US which says 8 too, but "The Media Mod for HERO10 Black and HERO9 Black are the same while the Media Mod for the HERO8 Black is different."

https://gopro.com/en/us/shop/mounts-accessories/camera-media-mod/ADFMD-001.html

I also use a Zoom H4 (mine is older than the link) to mix ambient and voice into one in real time. Dead cats on both.

Anthony

[DerekH]

Wex photo video. Plenty to choose from here. Rode VideoMicro is £49

Dead cat is the name given to the big fluffy cover that cuts down the wind noise.

A friend uses a Sony Lavalier under the bonnet to good effect with a K series. My Sigma sounds awful, too much cam noise at idle.

Watch out for odd things happening when you have the camera powered from the USB adapter.  They use switch mode power supplies to reduce the 12 volts to 5 volts. I find this interferes with GoPro's Wifi if you try to control the camera from a phone. For reliability I now always start the recording manually from the camera.

For video editing DaVinci Resolve is free, very powerful but quite complicated to get your head around.

Here is one of my shorter videos, GoPro stabilisation off on this one. 

DerekH