The goals of this project are to design a reversible semi-permanent mounting solution that is:
- Sturdy.
- Functional.
- Aesthetically pleasing.
- Continues to allow the alarm LED (aka Clown Nose) to function.
- Allows access to the SD card on the dash cam mirror.
- Hides the wires required for the dash cam mirror to function.
The BMW i3, as well as most BMWs, uses a photochromaic auto-dimming mirror. This mirror has two sensors for determining how much to dim the mirror, as well as being connected to to a reverse signal wire, to override the mirror dimming feature providing full brightness while the car is in the reverse gear. All of this circuitry is attached to a small PCB and shoved in the mirror housing. This PCB also connects a small LED to the alarm system that blinks when the alarm is activated. The alarm LED is encased in a smoked plastic bubble known as the "Clown Nose" and it is the least favorite aspect of this factory design.
Dash-cams are gaining popularity with consumers around the world as they provide you with a continuous recording solution to capture all the shenanigans of your fellow road mates, catalog astrological events, spot UFOs, and hopefully generate viral footage for youtube. There are a number of dash-cams popping up that allow for a rear facing camera for ensuring inclusion of events that happen behind you. These systems can also be used to replace your glass mirror, with a much more sophisticated, error prone, less reliable, yet insanely cool digital rear view mirror.
I see no better combination than a digital rear view mirror and an electric car. Follow along in the build logs for the specifics.