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No Switched Fuses for Radar Detector/Dash Cam

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114K views 138 replies 45 participants last post by  rzc  
#1 ·
I hard wired my radar detector and found that all the fuses appear to be constant, none of the circuits turn off with the car. So must remember to turn it on and off. I had a dash cam but not going to install unless I can find an easy fix. Cheers
 
#25 ·
Yes I'm another person (UK based) that has been caught out by Mazda changing their m.o. on the interior (A-pillar) fuse panel having no 'switched accessory' fuses in the interior fuse box. I have a dash-cam fitted in my CX-5 and there was no problem as there was at least one 'switched' live there. With the CX-30 not having a switched live fuse to plug the dashcam piggy-back fuse-holder into, there are installation problems.
Having spoken to a Mazda auto-electrician he told me that Mazda have gone over to having several 'control unit' arrangements for accessories within the car (I can't remember the exact term, and I have very little auto electrical knowledge). My CX-5 apparently has just one of these 'control units, whereas the CX-30 has five, hence doing away with switched live terminals on the fuse-panel. I've already spent out on a new dashcam kit for installing in my CX-30 when it's available. The auto electrician is trying to come up with a safe and practical way to wire in the dashcam and having a switched live, so the parking feature/driving recording operation functions correctly. I haven't got a difinitive answer yet (hope there is one that isn't a 'bodge around) but one idea suggested was to tap into a live switched feed somewhere in the car and have an in-line fuse to protect the feed to the camera. Not ideal but there is potential in the idea. As the CX-30 is so new, there is very little information re the CX-30 available on the internet at the moment. (All I've been able to find is that there is an 'accessory' fuse (number 30) in the fuse box under the bonnet (hood). I personally don't have an issue with a small wire entering the passenger cabin from the engine compartment, but I won't interfere with what the auto-electrician decides is the best way to overcome the problem, as he will be doing the job and I don't want to meddle with his potential work-around). I wonder if other car manufacturers are going down the same route as Mazda have done ? If so, the forums will be full of posts such as this one, and dashcam manufacturers will have a problem too ! (I've had several incidents in my long motoring life where dashcam evidence would have saved a lot of hassle, so I am very positive about trying to overcome the fitment problem and have the full versatillity of the camera available to me).
 
#12 ·
That may be a good solution. But it would be nicer to tap into the fuse that powers those usbs rather than into the usb itself. Routing the wire to the internal fuses box is also easier. But, I couldn't locate that fuse in the compartment, seems as an under the hood fuse. But, maybe other fuses in the car itself are powered off after some time as that usbs (possible candidates: F9 or F10 - power windows, F11 - power seat, F18 reverse light....) worth checking. I'll try and test this hypothesis.
 
#16 ·
My experience was also that all the interior fuses were/appeared hot when the car was off. It would be great to find one that powers down after a couple of minutes.

I found this thread on Mazda 3s that seems to confirm the all hot fuses thesis. It has some info on wiring kits that power down if voltage drops and on tapping into the mirror. Since the back usb also operates android auto, I'll probably stick with using the front usb for my dashcam.
 
#20 ·
here is the list of accessories from another page in the forum, but can't find the website or price list where it came from...highlighted and picture(cx3) of part im interested in.
Audio/Visual/Electronics
  • Frameless Auto-Dim Mirror
  • Frameless Auto-Dim Mirror w/ Homelink®
  • Mazda Navigation System
  • Remote Engine Start (AT only) (No Hood Switch is required)
  • Wireless Charging Pad
  • Frameless Auto-Dim Mirror
  • Frameless Auto-Dim Mirror w/ Homelink®
  • Mazda Navigation System
  • Wireless Charging Pad
Exterior
  • Bike Carrier, Roof Rack Mount (Thule)
  • Cargo Box, Medium Length (Thule)
  • Kayak Carrier, Roof Rack Mount (Thule)
  • License Plate Frame (Various Colors/Finishes)
  • License Plate Frame, Slimline (Various Colors/Finishes)
  • Mazda Keychains (Various Colors/Finishes)
  • Mazda Valve Stem Caps (Black or Chrome) (with Mazda Logo)
  • Moonroof Wind Deflector (Smoked Acrylic) (Requires Premium Pkg)
  • Rear Bumper Guard, Stainless Steel***
  • Roof Luggage Basket + Stretch Net (Thule)
  • Roof Rack Crossbars
  • Roof Rack Side Rails****
  • Side Window Deflectors (Smoked Acrylic)
  • Ski/Snowboard Carrier, Roof Rack Mount (Thule)
  • Splash Guards, Front
  • Splash Guards, Rear
  • Surfboard Carrier, Roof Rack Mount (Thule)
  • Touch-Up Paint (Body Color)
  • Wheel Locks (Black & Chrome finishes)
  • Wheel Lug Nuts (Black finish)
  • Rear Bumper Guard, Stainless Steel
  • Wheel Locks
Interior
  • Ash Tray Cup
  • Cargo Cover
  • Cargo Mat (Carpet Type with Logo)
  • Cargo Net (Blanket Type)
  • Cargo Tray (All-Weather Type)
  • Collapsible Cargo Carrier
  • First Aid Kit
  • Floor Mats, All-Weather, High Wall (Rubber Type)
  • Floor Mats, All-Weather, Low Wall (Rubber Type)
  • Interior Lighting Kit (White color illumination)
  • Illuminated (Front Only) Door Sill Trim Plates, Set of 4
  • Roadside Assistance Kit
  • Soft Cargo Liner (with Flap for Rear Bumper Protection)
  • Sport Pedal Kit (Accelerator, Brake, & Foot Rest) (A/T)
  • Windshield Sunscreen (Foldable Silver Reflective Material)
  • Cargo Cover
  • Cargo Mat
  • Cargo Net
  • Cargo Tray
  • Floor Mats, All-Weather, Low Wall
  • Floor Mats, All-Weather, High Wall
  • Illuminated (Front only) Door Sill Trim Plates, Set of 4
  • Sport Pedal Kit
93
 
#29 ·
Damn ...... never had a dashcam in a previous vehicle but thought I'd get one for my due-to-arrive CX30. Checked online and saw no issues for CX3 & CX5 so went ahead and bought a Garmin Dashcam and Parking Mode wiring kit all set to instal after we pick the car up next week. Then I read these posts :eek:

Guess I'll be holding off installing until there's a consensus on the best approach!
 
#30 ·
I installed my dash cam today...
It's a


I normally piggy Bach a switched fuse. But as we don't have one inside the car I've just run a usb cable long the roof line , down inside the door rubber and through the back of the fuse box , behind the glove box and upto the usb socket near the cd player.... it turns off after about 2 minutes of locking the car..All cables are hidden apart from the last 4 inch.....? It will do for now...I may get a longer cable and run it to the centre console usb... But socket that runs android auto..

Hope this helps
 
#31 ·
, behind the glove box and upto the usb socket near the cd player....
you have a CD player in your new CX-30???? wow I thought those things disappeared years ago in cars. :LOL: On my Kia Soul, they discontinued that feature with the 2014 model.

It's not available on the Canadian or US model according to their website specs.
 
#40 ·
Thanks the first one looks like what I need for 12v Escort radar. Can you confirm that the it's ODB2 port that is "switched"... goes on and off with the engine or is it the adapter that accomplishes this? The description says "Perfect for installing Dash Cams, Radar detectors or any other permanent 12v Accessory" that is throwing me off. Thanks again.
 
#42 · (Edited)
I ended up buying a Valentine One with the OBD2 power adapter. Thanks for the tip! It was time for me to upgrade anyway, and since Valentine just came out with their Gen2 detector I was able to get a deal on a used but up to date first generation model.

From what I've gathered, primarily looking at the descriptions of the two Amazon adapters, I think the OBD2 port actually is always powered on. The first 12v adapter says so in the description, and the second dashcam adapter has a physical switch you can toggle from "always on" to "acc mode".
 
#43 ·
I ended up buying a Valentine One with the OBD2 power adapter. Thanks for the tip! It was time for me to upgrade anyway, and since Valentine just came out with their Gen2 detector I was able to get a deal on a used but up to date first generation model.

From what I've gathered, primarily looking at the descriptions of the two Amazon adapters, I think the OBD2 port actually is always powered on. The first 12v adapter says so in the description, and the second dashcam adapter has a physical switch you can toggle from "always on" to "acc mode".
hmm... I have used the V1's ODB2 port adapter in 5-6 cars. Only when I start the car does the ODB2 port power up the V1. When I shut the engine off, the V1 looses power. If I turn on ACC mode, the ODB2 port has no power, so the V1 does not turn on.
 
#45 ·
Checked today with multi-meter - different pins on ODB have different voltages when ON (not AAC though), and they come on when turn the engine ON, later some loose power when you lock the car and come back on not on unlock but when you start the engine again.
Also checked all fuses and figured out that they all are always on even after you lock the car and 2 minutes have passed, so unfortunately no fuses turn off even after 2 minutes.
I can confirm though that USB ports go off after 2 minutes when you lock the car but 12v socket stays hot forever.
 
#47 · (Edited)
Agree, I would be satisfied if it turns on and off with engine, so ordered this OBD2 adapter (UPDATE: do not buy this, it damaged my GPS and did not power up camera) in Canada and will try it tomorrow, not sure which pins it will use though. As I said earlier, I tested my OBD2 and different pins are powered on differently and with different voltages, I hope the adapter will match my port. For now I just plug it into USB temporarily.
 
#48 ·
Addition to my previous post guys. Be careful with those OBD2 things, the one I bought says its output is 5v 2A which seems ok for usb, but it did not power up my dashcam and what is worse after plugging it in to GPS module of Viofo a129 it looks like I have no mode working GPS :(

I am afraid to try mode OBD-ish things not to damage the car by accident, so will pass the usb power cable below driver's seat and inside the middle glovebox and power from native usb port which will turn off after ~2min when I lock the car for sure and not drain my battery. What is more if i want it to stay ON for some reason i can plug it to cigarette port next to it.

An important note: when you put your wires, keep in mind that in CX-30 the airbags are all along the A pillar and roof, so you need to be careful not to cross the airbag over with the cable!!! Pass the cable along the A pillar between the windshield, so you are sure its behind the airbag to the bottom of A pillar where airbag ends (it ends by the vents on pillar), then make it though the floor.