5 Ways To Power Your BlackVue Dashcam | Installation Options by The Dashcam Store™

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Today we’ll be showing your 5 different ways to power/install your BlackVue dashcam! Please note that while this post was written for BlackVue dashcams specifically, these methods will apply to just about any dashcam brand.

Method 1: Standard 12V Power Cable

The first and most simple to use is the standard 12V power cable that comes with almost every dashcam. It is intended to plug right into your cigarette lighter outlet for power while your vehicle is on. The benefits to this most basic of configurations are not only its simple plug and play installation, but also the fact that no additional costs are required.

The biggest deterrent is that your power cord will be hanging from your camera in plain sight (but, you can always tuck the wire in to hide it). Your cigarette lighter outlet is also now unavailable. More importantly, you will not be able to utilize the “Parking Mode” feature of your dashcam, unless your cigarette lighter outlet is always hot, which is rare.

Method 2: Power Magic EZ - OBD2 Adapter
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Second on our list is BlackVue’s Power Magic EZ. The EZ plugs directly into your vehicle's OBD-II port and is equipped with a low voltage safety cutoff, so you can take advantage of your dashcam’s “Parking Mode” feature without fear of draining your vehicle’s battery. There is also an override switch on the device if you want to turn “Parking Mode” off. Not only is it an inexpensive upgrade, but it also leaves your cigarette outlet available and gives your camera the appearance of an OEM installation.

A few downfalls to this approach are the extra but, minor cost of the module, along with your OBD-II port being occupied by the EZ.

Method 3: Direct-Wire Power Harness
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Third is a Direct-Wire Power Harness. This bare harness allows direct integration to your fuse box and is also an inexpensive method that will leave your cigarette lighter outlet free and give you that OEM installed look. This method is fine if you only use the dashcam while driving and you do not intend on using "Parking Mode" with your dashcam, since the direct-wire harness does not include built-in low-voltage protection.

Therefore, we don’t recommend using “Parking Mode” with the Direct-Wire Harness strictly due to its lack of low voltage protection. You wouldn’t want to drain your vehicle’s battery inadvertently. This harness comes with an additional minor cost to purchase the cable, and you need to have some automotive/electrical knowledge to complete the install.

Method 4: Power Magic Pro
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Next in line is the Power Magic Pro. With the PMP you can safely utilize “Parking Mode”, but also turn it off via the override switch on the side of the unit. The PMP can be mounted anywhere inside your vehicle. The time settings can be set to run “Parking Mode” infinitely, or for just 12+ hours, making this the best solution for timed “Parking Mode”. The low voltage safety protection will ensure you do not drain your vehicle’s battery. Since the PMP connects to your fuse box, your cigarette lighter outlet will be available for other uses.

You will need some automotive/electrical know-how to complete this install. You also must consider the minor upgrade cost to purchase the Power Magic Pro.

Method 5: B-124 Battery Pack
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Last on our list is the B-124 Battery Pack from BlackVue. This will plug into any 12V outlet to charge and is very easy to install. Since the battery does not absolutely need to be wired to your fuse box (although it can be via the included fuse taps), it is very easy to remove. These are also expandable using the B-124E expansion packs to add some extra power. The battery pack serves as the only source of power for your dashcam, so there’s no risk of draining your vehicle’s battery.

The B-124 is the most expensive solution on our list and is also the largest and most difficult to hide. You will need to use one of your few 12V outlets to charge the pack and will have also limited “Parking mode” availability when compared to simply using your own vehicle’s battery. But the more expansion battery packs you have, the longer “Parking Mode” will be able to run with this setup.

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