Viofo 329S installation and fuse type

[chip127munk]

I’ve been looking at which dashcam best fits the needs for my soon to be ORP Hybrid and wanted to know how y’all installed a rear camera and what fuse type you used when installing.

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[BonRunner]

Get a Dongar Pro adapter to tap into the power of the rear view mirror. This will allows dash cam to stay on for 4 hours after car off or indefinitely.

 

[chip127munk]

Get a Dongar Pro adapter to tap into the power of the rear view mirror. This will allows dash cam to stay on for 4 hours after car off or indefinitely.

I assume I can’t use it to record if there was an impact or anything like that?

 

[BonRunner]

I assume I can’t use it to record if there was an impact or anything like that?

The Dongar Pro adapter is to provide power to your camera when the car off at safe level that won't kill the battery. To record when there's an accident while car off, that's depends on your camera model. Find one that has shock sensor.

I sell that adapter here. Never used. Not compatible with my dash cam, unfortunately.
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/dongar-pro-dash-cam-power-adapter-while-parked.8690/

 

[shine]

I’ve been looking at which dashcam best fits the needs for my soon to be ORP Hybrid and wanted to know how y’all installed a rear camera and what fuse type you used when installing.

I decided to go with an externally mounted rear camera. I have had the same setup on my 4th gen for several years and it's been working great.

I tapped into the factory dash cam power connector, so no added fuse.

https://www.4runner6g.com/redtiger-f7n-elite-dash-cam-front-and-external-rear-camera-install/

 

[Nodak]

viofo sells and external battery pack that can run the cams off that and the battery is recharged when the vehicle is running. you hard wire the battery pack to the vehicle and the cams connect to the battery pack that way you discharge the battery pack until it dies and it wont discharge you 12v battery since the battery pack works as a cut off for the cams. it will never pull power from your 12v battery thru the battery pack.

that way you can run it in parking mode for as long as you want if you have a big enough memory card to record for days.

i run a 256b card in my 329s (front only) but you can run a 512gb card. i set mine for 5 mins clips and have it make no sounds and goes blank and no lights after 15 secs with a delayed start up of 5 secs. so when you start its not trying to power up at the same time as starting the vehicle so it doesnt get a double surge of power when starting

 

[skeegs79]

I picked up my ‘25 TRD Pro a month ago and did a lot of research on dash cams. It was one of the first accessories I wanted to purchase since I’m on the road a lot and often park it outside.
Ultimately, I chose the VIOFO A329S with the 3 channel set up and the HK6 hardwire kit. The cameras look great and worked flawlessly for about 2 weeks. Then, it wasn’t booting up anymore. I reached out to VIOFO and they sent me a new hardwire kit. After checking fuses and connections, measuring Voltage/Amps etc it appears the regulator piece may have failed. I actually received the replacement today but have not had time to replace it. In the meantime, it works with the car adapter (unfortunately this means there’s no parking mode which was the selling point for me). I will update once I have it installed.
I don’t know if I can recommend the hardwire kit, as the other battery powered option mentioned above might be more convenient. If you chose this route I spent a lot of time checking fuses. The best options I found were:
RED (constant power) - HAZ (fuse for hazards)
YELLOW (ACC) - P/Outlet No. 1
Ground - Screw/Bolt
Unfortunately, the mini low profile fuses still protrude out too far so that you certainly won’t be able to put the fuse box panel back on, but you also won’t be able to completely snap the kick panel back in place. I can only snap 1/4 back on to hold it there. No issues with it falling off or anything yet but there’s going to be a little vibration under there.
Running the wires to the rear and dash weren’t too difficult. It’s a tight fit over the airbags in the door to the front dash, but doable with some finesse and patience.
Again, really nice camera images and everything. But disappointed in the ongoing issue with power from the hardwire kit.

 

[chip127munk]

I picked up my ‘25 TRD Pro a month ago and did a lot of research on dash cams. It was one of the first accessories I wanted to purchase since I’m on the road a lot and often park it outside.
Ultimately, I chose the VIOFO A329S with the 3 channel set up and the HK6 hardwire kit. The cameras look great and worked flawlessly for about 2 weeks. Then, it wasn’t booting up anymore. I reached out to VIOFO and they sent me a new hardwire kit. After checking fuses and connections, measuring Voltage/Amps etc it appears the regulator piece may have failed. I actually received the replacement today but have not had time to replace it. In the meantime, it works with the car adapter (unfortunately this means there’s no parking mode which was the selling point for me). I will update once I have it installed.
I don’t know if I can recommend the hardwire kit, as the other battery powered option mentioned above might be more convenient. If you chose this route I spent a lot of time checking fuses. The best options I found were:
RED (constant power) - HAZ (fuse for hazards)
YELLOW (ACC) - P/Outlet No. 1
Ground - Screw/Bolt
Unfortunately, the mini low profile fuses still protrude out too far so that you certainly won’t be able to put the fuse box panel back on, but you also won’t be able to completely snap the kick panel back in place. I can only snap 1/4 back on to hold it there. No issues with it falling off or anything yet but there’s going to be a little vibration under there.
Running the wires to the rear and dash weren’t too difficult. It’s a tight fit over the airbags in the door to the front dash, but doable with some finesse and patience.
Again, really nice camera images and everything. But disappointed in the ongoing issue with power from the hardwire kit.

Care to check back and let me know if the replacement worked or not? Not sure what other brand to go to that fits all the boxes the 329S seems to tick.

 

[skeegs79]

I should get it installed this week. I’ll for sure check back. When I was researching my options I think the Thinkware U3000 was next in line. But to be honest, the separate storage unit may work well. Big thing is security for me. So if someone’s tries to break in or steal something off the exterior while it is parked I want it captured. Absolutely bummed about the issues I am running in to. Will follow up for sure.

 

[chip127munk]

I should get it installed this week. I’ll for sure check back. When I was researching my options I think the Thinkware U3000 was next in line. But to be honest, the separate storage unit may work well. Big thing is security for me. So if someone’s tries to break in or steal something off the exterior while it is parked I want it captured. Absolutely bummed about the issues I am running in to. Will follow up for sure.

Looking forward to hearing how it went and appreciate it!

 

[skeegs79]

Quick update. We aren't completely there yet. I am waiting for my step father who's a little more mechanically savvy to come over and take a look this weekend. At this point, we believe the issue is coming from the ground wire. The bolt we chose seems to work on/off. We think it goes through the firewall and there might be some insulation interfering with the metal to metal contact. I just haven't had time to get under there and mess around this week. But, hope to have a fix this weekend and will keep you posted. Also going to try and see if there's a way to get the kick panel secured better over the fuse box (since the fuses that come with the kit protrude too far to reattach it securely). In hindsight, grabbing that battery pack (or 2) from Viofo (fairly expensive at $270 each), using the car charger to charge them and having them ready to swap out might be a solid Plan B. For longer stationary periods where the car is parked it won't last long enough, but that's not very often. I'm certainly considering it.

 

[chip127munk]

Quick update. We aren't completely there yet. I am waiting for my step father who's a little more mechanically savvy to come over and take a look this weekend. At this point, we believe the issue is coming from the ground wire. The bolt we chose seems to work on/off. We think it goes through the firewall and there might be some insulation interfering with the metal to metal contact. I just haven't had time to get under there and mess around this week. But, hope to have a fix this weekend and will keep you posted. Also going to try and see if there's a way to get the kick panel secured better over the fuse box (since the fuses that come with the kit protrude too far to reattach it securely). In hindsight, grabbing that battery pack (or 2) from Viofo (fairly expensive at $270 each), using the car charger to charge them and having them ready to swap out might be a solid Plan B. For longer stationary periods where the car is parked it won't last long enough, but that's not very often. I'm certainly considering it.

Thanks for the follow up! I’ve been taking a look but for me personally the 329S still seems the best in terms of quality since it has a higher/better frame rate especially when running it during the day.

 

[skeegs79]

Totally agree. The image quality of the camera is great. I’m not disappointed in that at all.
Just considering options for parking mode with the external battery vs hardwire kit. There’s an older post I found that discussed similar issues. I left a comment there and will see but they had some insight in to my current problem with the hardwire kit.
Definitely going to have this resolved over the weekend

 

[Nodak]

good thing about the viofo 329s front only, you get all the goodies that are extra in the other brands.

the biggest selling point, you can add 2nd or 3rd camera down the road as you see fit.

i know on the blackvue series you have to upgrade to the dual or tri channel camera's, you cant add them.

not sure on other brands as i have been exclusive to viofo for about 5-7 yrs.

 

[AdFour]

Id use the hardwire kit through the firewall. External battery is another variable you have to worry about. Theres a rubber cable pass through under your left foot on the driver side. Engine bay has 2 fuse boxes, use the one one directly in front of the driver. Theres open (unused) fuses to tap into. I've haven't seen any reliable way of people using the passenger glove box fuse box to tap 2 wires + ground. Maybe you can.

The fuse box lid in the engine bay needs a tiny slot cut into it to allow the 2 wires to go through, if you screw up you can always buy another one for under $85. Don't chop away at it, minimal cutting. The 3rd ground wire can be attached to any of the frame bolts right next to the box.

By the way take off the a pillar, its extremely easy (see below video), 1 or maybe 2 screws depending on the trim. Theres videos of that. Route it the correct way and zip tie it down and avoid the air bag to the headliner. That will have a very clean look.

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