Struggling to figure out how to get your dash cam to record even when your car is off? The Rexing universal intelligent hardwire kit, in its sleek black design, is basically your ticket to unlocking continuous 24/7 surveillance and peace of mind, without having to mess with your car’s cigarette lighter port or worry about a dead battery. It’s a must for anyone serious about protecting their vehicle. This kit is designed to provide constant power to your dash cam, enabling features like parking mode with intelligent motion detection and built-in low-voltage protection, all while keeping those pesky wires neatly tucked away. Think of it as giving your dash cam its own dedicated, smart power source right from your car’s electrical system.

Table of Contents

What is a Hardwire Kit, Anyway?

Let’s start with the basics. What even is a hardwire kit? Simply put, a hardwire kit is a device that connects your dash cam directly to your car’s electrical system, usually through the fuse box. Unlike just plugging your dash cam into the cigarette lighter socket, which often turns off with the ignition, hardwiring provides a continuous, reliable power source. This means your dash cam can keep recording even when your engine is off, which is super important for capturing events like hit-and-runs or vandalism when you’re not around.

Many dash cams draw power between 1-5 watts during normal operation. When using a hardwire kit, this power is managed much more efficiently, especially for parking modes. Dashcams can consume around 300-350mA at 12V approximately 4W in parking mode. Without a proper hardwire kit, leaving your dash cam running in parking mode could quickly drain your car battery, especially if your vehicle sits unused for a few days. That’s where a good hardwire kit, like the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit, really steps up to prevent those headaches.

Why You Need to Hardwire Your Dash Cam

So, why bother hardwiring? Honestly, it’s a no-brainer if you want to get the most out of your dash cam. Here are some of the biggest reasons:

24/7 Parking Mode: This is probably the number one reason people hardwire. When your dash cam is hardwired, it can stay powered even when your car is off, giving you round-the-clock protection. This means if someone bumps your car in a parking lot, or tries to tamper with it, your dash cam can capture the footage. This is essential for peace of mind, knowing your vehicle has an “extra set of eyes that will never sleep or rest”.
Clean, Professional Setup: Let’s be real, dangling wires are a mess and a distraction. Hardwiring allows you to hide all those cables neatly behind your car’s panels, creating a super clean and organized look. No more wires obstructing your view or getting in the way.
Frees Up Your Cigarette Lighter: Your car’s 12V outlet is a precious resource! Hardwiring means you can keep that outlet free for other gadgets, like charging your phone or powering your GPS, instead of it being constantly monopolized by your dash cam.
Prevents Battery Drain: This is a big one. Quality hardwiring kits, like the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit, come with a voltage cut-off feature. This ensures your dash cam won’t completely drain your car’s battery, leaving you stranded. It’ll automatically cut power to the dash cam if your car battery voltage drops below a safe threshold, making sure you still have enough juice to start your engine.
Improved Reliability and Safety: A hardwired connection is simply more stable and reliable than a cigarette lighter plug. You won’t have to worry about the camera losing power due to vibrations while driving or accidental disconnections. Plus, with no dangling cords, it’s a safer driving experience.

Diving into the Rexing Universal Intelligent Hardwire Kit Black

Now, let’s talk specifics about the Rexing universal intelligent hardwire kit black BBY-IT-HWK. This isn’t just any hardwire kit. it’s designed with smart features to make your dash cam experience as seamless and protective as possible. Users often praise it for allowing their camera to keep recording when the vehicle is off and for neatly hiding wires.

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Key Features that Make a Difference

The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit stands out with some really clever features:

Premium Parking Mode with Motion Sensing: This kit is all about intelligent monitoring. Instead of just continuous recording or basic impact detection, this kit utilizes motion sensing to trigger recordings. Once the motion sensor detects movement, the dash cam automatically powers up and starts recording until the motion clears. This means your dash cam isn’t just constantly recording and potentially wasting storage space or battery when nothing’s happening. it’s actively looking out for trouble. Some users even confirm it picks up motion from all sides, including the back, doors, and corners, not just the front.
Low Voltage Protection: This is a critical feature to protect your car’s battery. The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit has a built-in smart low-voltage protection system. If your car battery’s voltage drops to a specific level often around 11.4V or 11.8V for 12V systems, the kit will automatically cut power to the dash cam. This prevents your battery from completely draining, ensuring you can still start your car. This is super important because continuously running a dash cam in parking mode can drain your battery if not managed properly.
Wide Compatibility: This specific “Intelligent” hardwire kit is designed to be compatible with a broad range of Rexing dash cam models, including newer ones like the R4, DT2, M2 Max, R316 Series, RH2 Series, and even the CPDuo Multimedia Receiver. It accepts voltage from any vehicle running on 12V-30V, making it suitable for cars, trucks, buses, and SUVs.
Type-C Output Port: Many modern Rexing dash cams use a Type-C USB port for power, and this kit delivers that. It outputs 5V, 1.5A, which is standard for most dash cams. This means you’re getting a reliable, up-to-date connection for your camera.
Generous Cable Length: With a 13ft cable, you get plenty of length to route the wiring discreetly from your dash cam to your fuse box or battery in most vehicles. This really helps in achieving that clean, professional look we all want.
Easy Installation Options: Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast or prefer professional help, Rexing makes it accessible. Many users find it easy to install themselves, but professional installation services like Best Buy AutoTech Garages are also available if you’re not comfortable with electrical work.

Smart vs. Intelligent: What’s the Rexing Difference?

You might have heard of both “Smart Hardwire Kit” and “Intelligent Hardwire Kit” from Rexing, and it can get a little confusing. Here’s the key difference, straight from Rexing themselves:

The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit the one we’re talking about uses motion sensing to alert the camera to turn on and record. This is a more proactive approach, triggering recordings based on movement around your vehicle. This kit also features a Type-C output port and is compatible with a wider range of Rexing dash cams, including models like the R4, DT2, and M2 Max. It’s built for that “Premium Parking Mode” experience.

The Rexing Smart Hardwire Kit, on the other hand, typically senses hard vibrations to trigger recording. It often uses a Mini-USB port and is tailored for specific Rexing Supercapacitor models like the V1-4K, V1P-4K, and V3, and notably, it does not support parking mode functionality.

So, if you’re aiming for comprehensive parking surveillance with motion detection, the Intelligent Hardwire Kit is the way to go.

Step-by-Step: Installing Your Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit

you’ve got your Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit. Let’s get it installed! While this guide gives you the rundown, always refer to your specific car’s owner’s manual for fuse box diagrams and your kit’s instructions for the most accurate details.

Important Note: Rexing explicitly states, “Please DO NOT enable the parking monitor function in the settings of the dash cam once connected. This intelligent hardwire kit will override the dash cam’s parking monitor feature.”

Gather Your Tools

Before you begin, make sure you have:

Rexing Universal Intelligent Hardwire Kit Black obviously!
Circuit Tester / Multimeter: Crucial for identifying the right fuses. You can get a cheap one online.
Fuse Tap Adapters Piggyback Fuses: Your kit might come with various types, but you’ll need ones that match your car’s fuse type e.g., Mini, Micro2, ATO/ATC. The Rexing kit usually includes several.
Wire Strippers/Crimpers: For making secure connections.
Zip Ties or Cable Clips: For neat wire management.
Screwdriver/Socket Wrench: For accessing the fuse box and grounding the wire.
Flashlight: To see into those dark corners of your fuse box.
Owner’s Manual: Your car’s manual will have the fuse box diagram, which is super helpful.

Locate Your Fuse Box

First things first, find your car’s fuse box. Vehicles often have multiple fuse boxes, but you’ll generally want to use the one closest to where you’re installing your dash cam. Common locations include:

Under the dashboard driver’s or passenger’s side.
In the glove box.
Under the hood.

You might need to remove some trim panels or lift a cover to get to it. Don’t be afraid to poke around a bit!

Identifying Constant BATT and Switched ACC Fuses

This is probably the trickiest part, but with your circuit tester, it’s totally doable. Hardwire kits typically have three wires:

Yellow Wire BATT / Constant Power: This needs to connect to a fuse that always has power, even when the car is off. This is for your dash cam’s parking mode.
Red Wire ACC / Switched Power: This connects to a fuse that only has power when your car’s ignition is on or in accessory mode. This tells your dash cam when the car is running and when to switch to parking mode.
Black Wire GND / Ground: This attaches to a metal bolt or screw on the car’s chassis, which acts as a ground.

How to find them:

For Constant Yellow Wire: With your car off and the key out of the ignition, use your circuit tester. Connect the tester’s clamp to a metal ground point in your car. Then, touch the probe to the metal tabs on top of each fuse. If the tester lights up, you’ve found a constant fuse. Aim for fuses that aren’t critical for safety e.g., radio, sunroof, cigarette lighter, but not airbags or ABS.
For Switched Red Wire: Keep the car off initially. Test fuses again. Then, turn your car’s ignition to the accessory ACC position or turn the engine on. Re-test the fuses. The ones that now light up, but didn’t before, are your switched fuses. Again, try to pick non-critical fuses. Recommended fuse slots are typically rated between 10A-30A for dash cam wiring.
For Ground Black Wire: Find a metal bolt or screw that’s securely attached to the car’s frame, usually near the fuse box. Make sure it’s not painted, as paint can interfere with the connection.

Sometimes, the red wire is for constant and the yellow for ACC, or vice versa, depending on the kit. Always check your Rexing kit’s specific instructions. For the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit, the instruction manual indicates the RED cable connects to the switched fuse power only when car is on and the YELLOW cable connects to the hot fuse power at all times. This is crucial to get right for parking mode to function!

Making the Connections

Once you’ve identified your fuses and a good ground point:

Connect the Fuse Taps: For the constant and switched fuses, you’ll use fuse tap adapters. These allow you to “piggyback” your dash cam’s power without cutting into existing wires. You’ll pull out the existing fuse from your chosen slot, insert it into the lower slot of the fuse tap, then insert a new fuse usually a low-amp one, like 5A or 10A, for your dash cam into the upper slot of the fuse tap. Then, plug the fuse tap into the fuse box slot you just removed the original fuse from. Remember, the top fuse in the fuse tap should always be lower than the main fuse on the bottom.
Attach the Wires: Crimp the yellow wire from the hardwire kit to your constant fuse tap, and the red wire to your switched fuse tap.
Ground the Black Wire: Securely attach the black ground wire to the chosen metal bolt or screw on the car’s chassis.

Routing and Concealing Wires

This is where you make things look clean!

Start from your dash cam and run the power cable towards the fuse box.
Use a trim removal tool often included with the kit to carefully tuck the wire behind trim panels, under the headliner, and along door pillars.
Use zip ties or cable clips to secure any loose sections of wire. The goal is to make the installation virtually invisible.

Final Setup and Testing

Connect to Dash Cam: Plug the Type-C connector from the hardwire kit into your Rexing dash cam.
Test the Ignition: Start your car. Your dash cam should power on and begin recording as usual.
Test Parking Mode: Turn off your car and remove the key. Wait a few moments. The dash cam display should turn off, and the blue indicator on the hardwire kit’s motion sensor should turn on when it detects motion, indicating it’s in parking mode and recording. If you tap on the screen of your dash cam, it might come on for a few seconds to show the time-lapse or parking mode status.
Check Low Voltage Cut-off: While you can’t easily test this without draining your battery, rest assured that the kit has this built-in protection.

If something isn’t working, don’t panic. Double-check your fuse connections – sometimes reversing the yellow and red wires or how the fuse tap is inserted can fix issues.

Maximizing Your Parking Mode with Rexing

The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit, with its motion-sensing parking mode, is designed to keep an eye on your car, even when you’re not there. This “Power Saving Parking Mode” keeps the dashcam in a dormant phase until motion or impact is detected, then it wakes up to record.

Understanding Low Voltage Cut-off Settings

One of the great things about this kit is its low voltage protection, which typically activates around 11.8V for 12V systems. Some hardwire kits offer adjustable cut-off thresholds e.g., 11.6V, 12V, 12.4V. A lower voltage setting means the camera can record for longer, but it also means your car battery gets discharged more. A higher setting is safer for your battery but reduces parking recording time.

For most modern cars, a cut-off around 11.8V-12V is a good balance to ensure your car starts while providing decent parking surveillance time. As long as the hardwire kit is working correctly, you shouldn’t have concerns about battery drainage.

Optimizing for Battery Health

To optimize for your car’s battery health and get the most out of parking mode:

Drive Regularly: Short trips or infrequent driving can prevent your car battery from fully recharging, especially if your dash cam is frequently active in parking mode.
Consider Battery Condition: An older car battery will naturally drain faster. If your battery is nearing the end of its life, even a low-power dash cam can cause issues.
Don’t Overdo Parking Mode Duration if adjustable: If you have options for parking mode recording duration, choosing shorter durations e.g., 12 or 24 hours instead of 48 can help, especially if you don’t drive daily.

Common Questions & Troubleshooting Tips

Even with the best instructions, sometimes things can feel a bit confusing. Here are some quick tips for common issues:

Camera stays on after the car is off: This usually means your red ACC and yellow BATT wires are swapped, or you’ve accidentally connected both to a constant power source. Double-check your fuses with the circuit tester.
Parking mode isn’t activating: Ensure your wires are correctly connected ACC to switched, BATT to constant. Also, remember to not enable parking mode in your dash cam’s settings, as the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit manages this automatically.
Dash cam doesn’t turn on at all: Check all fuse connections, make sure the ground wire is secure on bare metal, and confirm the hardwire kit is plugged firmly into the dash cam.
Fuse keeps blowing: You might be drawing too much power or have a short circuit. Ensure the fuses in your fuse taps are appropriate for your dash cam’s power needs.
Dash cam loses power during engine start: This can happen if your ACC fuse loses power briefly during engine cranking. Some recommend finding a fuse that only becomes live at ignition position 2 to avoid this.

When in doubt, Rexing’s support is usually quite responsive, and they even offer extended warranties if you register your product.

The Rexing universal intelligent hardwire kit black is a fantastic way to elevate your dash cam’s protective capabilities. By understanding what it does and how to install it properly, you’re not just adding a gadget to your car. you’re investing in continuous security and peace of mind.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between Rexing’s “Intelligent” and “Smart” hardwire kits?

The key difference is how they detect events for parking mode. The Intelligent Hardwire Kit uses motion sensing to trigger recordings around your vehicle, while the Smart Hardwire Kit primarily relies on detecting hard vibrations. The Intelligent kit also features a Type-C output and wider compatibility with newer Rexing models, offering a more advanced “Premium Parking Mode”.

Will the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit drain my car battery?

No, it’s designed specifically to prevent battery drainage. The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit has a built-in low-voltage protection system that automatically cuts off power to the dash cam if your car battery’s voltage drops below a safe threshold, typically around 11.8V. This ensures you’ll always have enough power to start your car.

Can I install the Rexing Universal Intelligent Hardwire Kit myself, or do I need a professional?

Many people successfully install it themselves, especially with basic tools like a circuit tester and by following the provided instructions and online guides. However, if you’re uncomfortable working with your car’s electrical system, professional installation is always an option, and companies like Best Buy often offer these services.

What do the three wires red, yellow, black on the hardwire kit connect to?

The three wires have distinct functions for proper operation and parking mode:

Yellow Wire BATT: Connects to a fuse that provides constant power even when the car is off.
Red Wire ACC: Connects to a fuse that provides switched power, meaning it only has power when the car’s ignition is on.
Black Wire GND: Connects to a metal ground point on the car’s chassis.
These connections are crucial for the dash cam to know when the car is running versus when it should activate parking mode.

Is the Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit compatible with all Rexing dash cams?

The Rexing Intelligent Hardwire Kit is designed for broad compatibility and works with a wide range of Rexing dash cam models, including newer ones like the R4, DT2, M2 Max, R316 Series, RH2 Series, and CPDuo Multimedia Receiver. It primarily features a Type-C output port. Always double-check your specific dash cam model and its port type to ensure compatibility. Rexing DT2 Installation: Your Ultimate Guide to a Seamless Setup

Should I enable parking mode in my dash cam’s settings if I use this hardwire kit?

No, Rexing advises against enabling the parking monitor function in your dash cam’s settings when using the Intelligent Hardwire Kit. This kit’s intelligent motion-sensing system is designed to override and manage the parking mode automatically, so enabling it in the dash cam settings might cause malfunctions.

Unlocking 24/7 Protection: A Guide to the Rexing Universal Intelligent Hardwire Kit Black