Hardwiring a dash cam into a 2011 Focus Z 1.6

[Lee Chenery]

Hi all, last week the mrs decided she wanted a dash cam (front & back). Halfords sold us a Nextbase set up with fitting. On day of fitting the engineer tells us there’s no space available in the glove fuse set up and wiring wont fit in boot fuse board. He’s mentioned going through the firewall into engine fuse board. Is it easy to do? Thanks in advance. 

[unofix]

5 minutes ago, Lee Chenery said:

On day of fitting the engineer tells us there’s no space available in the glove fuse set

I assume that it was his Granny who was the qualified engineer ? 🤔

A simple fuse tap as used by thousands of others that have fitted dashcams is all that is required. Nothing complex of difficult.

[Lee Chenery]

He’s said it’s the model in question. Three rows of fuses are sealed and the ones that aren’t are airbags. It would affect the current by piggy backing off them

[StephenFord]

Is it possible the 'engineer' doesn't know how to drop the fuse box down that sits underneath the glove box which will give access to many options? 

[TomsFocus]

Piggyback fuse on 2012 Focus.

[unofix]

Sorry to laugh at your misfortune. Clearly the person who I will not refer to as an 'engineer' or a person of technical know how is simply not capable of carrying out a task that has been done hundreds if not thousands of time before on the exact same model.

You need to employ an Auto-Electrician who should have the whole job done in around one hour. No need to drill holes, cut cables or otherwise butcher your car. The installation of a dashcam by any reasonably competent person should pose no issues.

Take a look at the owner handbook Pages 178 & 179

https://www.fordservicecontent.com/Ford_Content/catalog/owner_guides/ENUSA_CG3568_FOC_og_201009.pdf

Use Fuse 56 or Fuse 86

[StephenFord]

9 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Piggyback fuse on 2012 Focus.

Now, who doesn't love an actual photo showing 100% of the solution!