[Graeme2812]

Installed a Blackvue camera system into my new Cooper D and it appears when powered it has the undesirable effect of reducing the reception quality of the DAB.

There is a camera at the front and the back of the car, and it is powered by the 12V socket on the interior top right of the boot. The power is supplied to the camera to the front. So there is one wire from the 12V socket to the front camera, and one wire linking the front camera and the rear camera.

The wiring is ran along top offside headlining (around the right side of the car as you look through the back) and down to the 12V.

I'm wondering if the wiring is (coincidentally) being ran along the same side of the car as other electrics?

Does anyone know if any wiring down the right hand side/offiside of the car?

The vehicle has Media XL, Drive Assist Pack, and Heated Front Screen.

Has aynone else installed these sorts of cameras or has DAB reception issues linked to the use of the 12V rear power socket?

Graeme

P.S - loving my new mini!

 

[Peter]

Hi Graeme,

Any update on your issue? I'm going to place a blackvue camera (front/rear) in a couple of weeks.

I am going to hardwire it so i can also use the parking function.

cheers,
Peter

 

[Blat7Chris]

We have no problem with a front mounted BlackVue, and Media XL. Have you tried disconnecting the rear camera to see if the problem persists ?

 

[Graeme2812]

I managed to isolate the issue to being whenever the front camera is powered. Whether the AV lines or rear camera is plugged in makes no difference.

From this I could only assume it's possibly poor RF shielding on either the camera it's self or on the mini, particularly around the DAB antenna receiver.

I stuck some ferrite rings around the power socket (I'm using the rear one) and wrapped some of the spare AV wire in a few rings, then ran the wiring along/under the flooring to see if that would help. Perhaps just my imagination but I think it did, a little. Yes DAB reception still reduces but it's manageable and still workable.

 

[Simworth]

I have had exactky the same with two different makes of dashcam fitted to the rear. I found shielding the unit with copper tape did the trick.