DIY

Installing a Tesla Model 3 dashcam solution from BlackVue

Arguably, one of the most important aftermarket upgrades any Tesla owner can make is the installation of a multi-channel dashcam solution that records activity on both the front and rear of the vehicle. Tesla owner and YouTuber MacTechGenius shared a video featuring a seamless installation performed by Calibred Customs of a BlackVue DR750S-2CH Full HD dashcam on a Model 3.

If the name Calibred Customs rings a bell, that’s because the Southern California-based firm is regarded as one of the premiere installers for dashcam and sound systems in a Tesla, servicing customers across the United States. One might recall that the owner of Calibred Customs, Johnny, helped Teslarati in the past on a project involving the installation of a BlackVue dashcam solution in a Model X

According to MacTechGenius, Johnny informed him that the dashcam installation for the Model 3 would be more complex than the Model S and Model X, mainly due to the vehicle’s better interior quality than its larger siblings. The run of wire connecting the two cameras of the BlackVue 750S was fed behind Model 3’s rear seat panels, along the headliner, and behind the door seal. 

RELATED: Should I Get a Dash Cam for My Tesla?

In order to avoid interfering with the Model 3’s multiple airbags, Calibred Customs opted to remove multiple panels of the Model 3, a process that was optional on both the Model S and Model X.

Starting from the rear of the vehicle and working your way up to the front of the vehicle, running wire is similar in nature to the BlackVue installation we did on the Model S, but reversed.

The housing for the rearview mirror of the Model 3 is more robust in design than the plastic housing found on the Model S and Model X, thus requiring careful removal of panels, clips and components near the assembly.

Photos provided by Calibred Customs and MacTechGenius

The power source of the Model 3 dashcam unit was connected directly to the car’s 12-volt battery located at the base of the windshield. A rubber grommet can be exposed by lifting the carpeting in the passenger footwell. This is where you’ll be feeding the power lead for the BlackVue camera to Model 3’s 12-volt battery. While some owners may be concerned that by having a constant source of power for the camera, unnecessary battery drain may occur when the vehicle is stored for long periods of time with no activity, the extra power consumption is rather insignificant for Model 3’s near 80 kWh battery pack. After all, having a camera that’s always on means that you’ll have added peace of mind with 24-hour surveillance. 

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