Re-using Dash Switches for something else and turn off constant 12v

[stuffe]

I'm sorry if I don't ask this clearly, I'm not very electrical but here we go:

M59 Modutop 1.6 Petrol

I have a dashcam mirror, than is wired with the power supply neartly tucked so it is powered from the 12v in the drivers side modutop roof storage box.  My problem is that this socket seems to be powered all the time, so the dash cam never turns off....  It's killed my battery a few times.

I want to be able to supply power only when the engine is on, and had these thoughts:

1- Tap into the BSI F1 fuse and put a switched fuse piggyback in it's place, so it's needs me to flip a switch to supply power
2- Tap into anther fuse, although this will need me to re-route the wiring to the actual fuse box
3- Use BSM F5 which is supposedly unused, with same cable reroute required.

I like option 1, as for some reason it seems simplest to me, which leads me to the next bit - the switch...  I know I can use a cheap rocker that I can simply attach to the fuse panel door/hatch/cover, but instead I have 2 blank dash sockets where aircon switches would go etc if I had it.  for a neat solution, I want to put a switch in here and remove the text and replace with "12v", there are a number of rear heated screen switches etc for sale on eBay but they all have pinouts that I fail to understand as it's above my electrical experience....  Could I wire an existing switch to be a simple on/off (that retains the little light when "on", and if so which switch is best to use to do this?

Many thanks for your time reading this

[brodfather11]

Is there not a time delay setting in the dashcam which shuts it off if no activity after a set time ?

If not I would go for option 2, a switched ignition fuse, saves hunting for suitable switch and position to mount it.

[Multispacer]

I'm sorry if I don't ask this clearly, I'm not very electrical but here we go:

M59 Modutop 1.6 Petrol

I have a dashcam mirror, than is wired with the power supply neartly tucked so it is powered from the 12v in the drivers side modutop roof storage box.  My problem is that this socket seems to be powered all the time, so the dash cam never turns off....  It's killed my battery a few times.

I want to be able to supply power only when the engine is on, and had these thoughts:

1- Tap into the BSI F1 fuse and put a switched fuse piggyback in it's place, so it's needs me to flip a switch to supply power
2- Tap into anther fuse, although this will need me to re-route the wiring to the actual fuse box
3- Use BSM F5 which is supposedly unused, with same cable reroute required.

I like option 1, as for some reason it seems simplest to me, which leads me to the next bit - the switch...  I know I can use a cheap rocker that I can simply attach to the fuse panel door/hatch/cover, but instead I have 2 blank dash sockets where aircon switches would go etc if I had it.  for a neat solution, I want to put a switch in here and remove the text and replace with "12v", there are a number of rear heated screen switches etc for sale on eBay but they all have pinouts that I fail to understand as it's above my electrical experience....  Could I wire an existing switch to be a simple on/off (that retains the little light when "on", and if so which switch is best to use to do this?

Many thanks for your time reading this

There is a much simpler option than those you list. On my Berlingo with a modutop, I wired in the 12V power supply to the driver's centre overhead lamp unit in the roof space [the light just above your dash cam mirror] Just make sure you get the correct wires though as there is a constant 12V and a switched 12V to that lamp unit [easy to check which is which with a multimeter] You obviously want the switched 12V line.

The dash cam powered up on start up and shut down on turning off the ignition. It worked a treat and I removed it when I sold on my first Berlingo [M59] and fitted the same set up in my B9 Berlingo. I then removed the same camera when that got sold recently and the camera is now in a third vehicle [not a Citroen]