Can I add dashcam to interior light circuit, and which fuse?

Hi guys, C3 registered 10/2002 1.1l (old shape)

I want to attach a Mobius dashcam to the interior light circuit (using an add-a-circuit fuse adapter) to take advantage of the delayed power off. The manual states F22 (accessories, cigar, 12v socket, interior light), but when I pull that fuse the interior light still works. I'm loath to pull all the fuses in case I do some damage.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't tap into that circuit, and does anyone know which is the right fuse?

Thanks in advance.

justintime wrote:Hi guys, C3 registered 10/2002 1.1l (old shape)

I want to attach a Mobius dashcam to the interior light circuit (using an add-a-circuit fuse adapter) to take advantage of the delayed power off. The manual states F22 (accessories, cigar, 12v socket, interior light), but when I pull that fuse the interior light still works. I'm loath to pull all the fuses in case I do some damage.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't tap into that circuit, and does anyone know which is the right fuse?

Thanks in advance.

I run mine from the cigarette lighter power, tapped off from below the plastic centre console. There is a delay on that circuit too, well, the camera stays on for a while after ignition off.

If you want to identify fuses, have a look at this topic

https://citroenc3owners.com/citroen-c3-t ... -t129.html

My diagram shows F22 as interior lighting, but I have never tested this.

and the forum diagram shows

F22. Number Plate , Interior Lights, Power Socket (Cigarette Lighter)

Hi Arfur

Thanks for your helpful reply!

I never knew that the cigarette power socket was delay power-off. I think I might go with your solution, and have a question. Which colour cable should I tap into on the underside of the cigarette socket? I've found some good instructions by c3car re removing the centre console, and it seems to show two or three cables attached to that socket, so I'd like to be sure I get the right one!

I did check out the fuse diagram as you suggested but on my car pulling F22 doesn't cut the interior light power.

Thanks.

justintime wrote:Hi Arfur

Thanks for your helpful reply!

I never knew that the cigarette power socket was delay power-off. I think I might go with your solution, and have a question. Which colour cable should I tap into on the underside of the cigarette socket? I've found some good instructions by c3car re removing the centre console, and it seems to show two or three cables attached to that socket, so I'd like to be sure I get the right one!

I did check out the fuse diagram as you suggested but on my car pulling F22 doesn't cut the interior light power.

Thanks.

Well, I have done some testing on my car, and I am wrong about the cigarette lighter power. Its an instant off, but my camera stays on for a while from its own internal battery. So apologies for that one.

I have tried F22 as you have and can confirm it doesn't make any difference to the interior light. So my diagram is wrong.

My interior light has a fade out feature and not a quick 'off', this could cause troublesome for electronic devices powered by it and the soft off, does seem to confirm an unfused BSI powered circuit.

Its not all bad news, the radio/cd is on a timed circuit and this causes all sorts of confusion for aftermarket radio installers on the C3, but it may be just what you are looking for. Its even easier to remove the radio than it is to remove the centre console

Hey Arfur, thanks for going to all that trouble on my behalf! From what you say I think I'll forget trying to find the interior light circuit, specially if the soft off is likely to mess up the camera.

I'll think about tapping into the radio supply, just as you suggested. I'll borrow a set of radio keys and try and find the cable supplying the power.

You've been very helpful, thanks.

Edit
Found a great post by C3driver52 talking about an after market radio not powering down. He explained there are two power pins to the radio, one permanent, and one switched with the ignition (which I assume must be the delay circuit). Anyways the switched one is pin 4 on the C3, so all I have to do is find that pin and tap off its power lead.

Arfur, at the risk of being a pain (!) I checked and my radio turns off with the ignition, no delay. But it will turn on again for a few minutes with no ignition. So I think the dashcam would power off too when the engine stops, (although could be powered on for a short time by pulling and reinserting the USB lead)?

justintime wrote:Arfur, at the risk of being a pain (!) I checked and my radio turns off with the ignition, no delay. But it will turn on again for a few minutes with no ignition. So I think the dashcam would power off too when the engine stops, (although could be powered on for a short time by pulling and reinserting the USB lead)?

It depends if the radio powers off because the supply is cut or because a computer signal says 'switch off'. It would be quite easy to pull the radio out and plug a meter onto the ISO plug/socket and find pins 4 and 7 and see which ones power off with the ignition. From my memory, neither power off with the ignition, but one of them does later on, after some time.

If I can find my radio keys and a suitable car, I will go and have a look

It depends if the radio powers off because the supply is cut or because a computer signal says 'switch off'. It would be quite easy to pull the radio out and plug a meter onto the ISO plug/socket and find pins 4 and 7 and see which ones power off with the ignition. From my memory, neither power off with the ignition, but one of them does later on, after some time.

If I can find my radio keys and a suitable car, I will go and have a look

Hello again Arfur, what you say makes a lot of sense. I'm handy with a multimeter but I can't lay my hands on radio keys just now. Any further guidence will be much appreciated, if it's not too much trouble. I'm in no rush - the hard wire kit is coming on a slow boat from China so probably won't arrive for a few weeks!!

Thanks again.

PS I know I'm being a bit dense but when replying to another member how do you get for example "Arfur Dent wrote" instead of just Quote

justintime wrote:PS I know I'm being a bit dense but when replying to another member how do you get for example "Arfur Dent wrote" instead of just Quote

Select the text you want to quote, then press the box that says 'Quote' in that post.
It should add the original posters name, automatically.

Another method is to modify the [ quote ] BBCode and add ="justintime" so (without the spaces) [ quote ="justintime" ] Quoted text [ / quote ]

justintime wrote:I'm handy with a multimeter but I can't lay my hands on radio keys just now.

It may be quicker to spend 87p and get a pair delivered for free than for me to dig mine out from wherever I left them