Passat B8 Dual dash cam hard wire install (Nextbase 512GW)

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smilie121
B5
Posts: 479
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2011 4:53 pm
Passat model: B8 GT DSG 230bhp
Location: Loch Lomond

Passat B8 Dual dash cam hard wire install (Nextbase 512GW)

Post by smilie121 »

A short while I ago I bought and hardwired a Nextbase 512GW + rear camera, only now am I getting around to doing a small guide that may help someone. Hectic life! It's relatively a simple job but we aware if you follow this guide you do so at your own skill level and if you make a mistake - its on you.

You'll need a electrical detector pen, #2 pz screwdriver, some electrical tape, plastic pry tools (cheap on ebay), scotch clips or soldering iron, and a drill with a 8mm metal bit.

I chose to hardwire with the original cigarette lighter cable as supplied with the camera. This was because I had a cigarette lighter socket removed from my previous Passat upon sale (had a 412gw camera). If you choose the hardwire kit (£20), install should not be any different.

Here are the larger image URLS, ignoring first stock photo https://i.ibb.co/rmdLcJ8/1.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/gm9RXFW/2.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/GxXrVbC/3.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/FXb0DzF/4.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/6DK4mgV/5.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/SPssBCS/6.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/25gqDHj/7.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/mS7Sf7T/8.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/GW6Xn8m/9.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/PmSzBMy/10.jpg, https://i.ibb.co/xHP9B4d/11.jpg

512GW and rear cam
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Using a plastic pry tools, open the access panel on the passenger side - minding there is a turn socket, therefore a cable
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Ground is straight forward - I used a electrical detector to determine what powered up when the ignition was on. If you want to use parking mode then you will need a constant live - I opted for ignition powered but contemplating a rewire - will update if I do so. You can use either scotch clips to join up the live or remove from of the sheath and solder the cable on as I did. When you found your cable do a test before proceeding.

Tape up securely and then some. Socket and cable were bound together by a few cable ties and then electrical tape. Now time to run the cable up - you will have to wieve it behind a plastic part of the dashboard and catch it with the other hand.
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Using a hooked plastic pry tool, pry down the cover enough to get your fingers behind it. There are 3 or 4 main metal clips with alignment pins. Easy enough to remove. Feed cable up pillar to headliner. To replace the cover, make sure the metal pins are centred and align the bottom pin - visible at an angle. Then its the usual forceful pop back in place. Note the dirty marks - my tip is to clean your hands with some wipes as you go along to save time cleaning the headliner afterwards
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Feed along the head liner to where you want the camera. The rear camera is fed by a lengthy USB cable which comes from the 512GW itself. The headliner took a bit of force with my fingers to pull down but goes back fine. No creases.
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I spent a bit of time to determine where I wanted the camera using the sticky mount, eventually deciding to have it as hidden as possible behind the rear view mirror. It can be distracting if the screen is on and takes up some of the view of the windscreen. I cleaned the area well and marked the windscreen where I wanted it to go with easy wipe white board markers.
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Right behind the rear view mirror - great!
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Simply feed the USB cable running back the way from the camera back along the head liner and over the passenger side. I taped the cable end to a thin metal rod to by pass the plastic trim around the post to save removing it. Same thing again with the metal rod to get the cable through the estates longer roof lining. A saloon would be much easier.
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Applicable only to the estate, lifting the rubber i used a 8mm metal drill bit and drilled a hole in the plastic trim and reamed it to outwards to create what is pictured. Also if your doing this in the estate, the large plastic piece at the back needs loosening on the passenger side to make it easier to feed the cable through. Its just popped in
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Hidden nicely
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Finally install rear view camera. Because of the way the boot opens and shape / angle of the glass, its difficult to eyeball the direction and position. I wasted one of the sticky pads thinking I could. I did it second time around by climbing in and closing the boot. I wanted it to the side so it wouldn't be obstructing some of my rear view. On install, I reversed the ball joint by having it upside down - this was because of the angle of the glass of on the estate and allowed more adjustment after install. The mount base also folds so it allows for a fair bit of flexibility on install. I would be unsure which would be best on a saloon as the slope is very different. You'll have to judge it carefully.
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The downside to having the camera to the side is its outwith the reach of the rear view wiper. So I manually wipe it from time to time. But its a trade off for either obstructing my view and looking stupid.

I have noticed a few drivers tailgating me suddenly back off and come to believe, having seen some of their faces, that the presence of a rear camera makes them act a bit more sensibly.

Hope it helps. Got an air intake guide coming and also halogon to LED / HID upgrade. Will be posting soon.

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