DriveCam DRC 340-D Installation instructions manual

DriveCam Mounting Guidelines
This document provides instructions for mounting the DC3 Video Event Recorder (VER)
in a variety of vehicle types and mounting positions, including use of the Standard
Windshield Mounting Bracket and Extended (Bulkhead) Mounting Bracket.
Copyright © 2009 DriveCam Inc.
Use this document as a supplement to all DC3 Installation Guides
The VER must be mounted in a location that provides an unobstructed view of the interior and exterior (front) of the vehicle.
Ideally, the interior-facing lens should capture a view from the outside shoulder of the driver to the outside shoulder of a
front seat passenger. The exterior-facing lens should capture a clear view of everything in front of the vehicle, beginning as
close to the front of the vehicle as possible without cutting off the horizon.
Important Considerations:
Vehicle Type: Passenger car, light or heavy truck, bus or coach, dump truck or mixer, tractor trailer, etc. Each of these
vehicle types typically requires different considerations when selecting a mounting location. Some brackets are better
suited for specific vehicle types.
Lens Obstructions: Sun visors, windshield wipers, window tint, circulation fans, mirrors, etc. Be aware of any object that
could potentially block the interior or exterior lens and mount the VER in a location clear of all obstructions.
The Driver’s View of the Road: The VER cannot be mounted in an area that blocks the driver’s view of the road.
Adherence to Applicable Laws & Regulations: Some jurisdictions (including California, New Jersey and Florida) have
adopted laws that prohibit or restrict the mounting of objects on a vehicle’s windshield. If you plan to operate your
vehicle in such jurisdictions and no federal exemptions apply, DriveCam recommends the use of the Extended Bracket.
See page 3 for federal exemptions and approved mounting locations on the vehicle windshield.
Refer to the DriveCam Mounting Regulations (DRC 110) document for detailed information about these regulations.
Contact DriveCam’s Implementation Planning team ([e-mail]) for additional assistance
or if federal or state restrictions impact the mounting of VERs in your vehicles.
Available Brackets:
Standard Windshield Mounting Bracket: Allows you to attach the VER to the vehicle windshield. The bracket is attached
with high-strength tape. This is the most commonly used bracket and typically provides the best solution. See pages 2-3.
Extended Mounting Bracket: Allows you to attach the VER to the vehicle bulkhead or ceiling. The bracket is attached
with screws. This is typically used in large commercial vehicles with bulkheads above the windshield. See page 4.
Additional Options:
Articulating Interior Lens: The VER’s interior-facing lens can be adjusted to focus on different areas within the vehicle.
Though not always necessary, it allows you to adjust the lens to capture the best internal view. See page 5.
DRC 340-D / August 2010

DriveCam Mounting Guidelines (340-C) 2
Mounting the Windshield Bracket behind the Rear View Mirror
The Windshield Mounting Bracket allows you to attach the VER directly to the vehicle windshield. The bracket can be rotated
to fit slanted windshields (e.g. cars) or vertical windshields (e.g. buses). It is attached with high-strength tape that cannot be
easily removed. This placement positions the VER in the most optimal location for the program and is the recommended
standard, unless the vehicle will be operated in jurisdictions where such mounting is prohibited.
The following recommendations apply to vehicles WITH standard rear view mirrors
Vehicles with Standard Rear View Mirrors (sedans, small to mid-sized trucks) should mount the VER so that the interior-
facing lens “peeks out” from under the rear view mirror unless the location is not allowed in your jurisdiction. These smaller
vehicle types may or may not be impacted by the regulatory restrictions described on the previous page.
COMMON MISTAKE: The rear view mirror can potentially block the interior-facing lens. To avoid this, make sure to adjust or
move the mirror down to its lowest position before selecting a mounting location. Keep in mind that the mirror typically
pivots on two points –one on the windshield and one on the back of the mirror.
1. Loosen the Torx screws so the VER can rotate in the bracket.
2. Adjust or move the mirror down to its lowest position. Most rear view mirrors can be adjusted up or down. Before
selecting the mounting location, adjust the mirror all the way down so that it cannot cover the lens after mounting.
3. Position the assembly behind the mirror, about one inch to the passenger side of the post. This will allow easy access
to the Torx screw and power connection.
This mounting option is described in greater detail in the DC3 Installation Guides

DriveCam Mounting Guidelines (340-C) 3
Windshield Mounting Options (Restrictions & Recommendations)
Some states have adopted laws that restrict locations where objects can be attached to the vehicle windshield. The figures
below provide recommendations for mounting the VER on the vehicle windshield that work within the guidelines set forth by
the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT). The Two-Inch Bracket Allowance is a federal exemption for DriveCam Video
Event Recorders. Refer to the DriveCam Mounting Regulations (DRC 110) for detailed information.
The following recommendations apply to most commercial motor vehicles
US DOT Two-Inch Bracket Allowance: Allows the bracket to be mounted anywhere above the path of the windshield wiper
blades or within (but not lower than) two inches of the upper edge of the area swept by the windshield wipers, provided
that the VER is located outside the driver’s sight lines to the road and highway signs and signals.
Larger commercial motor vehicles should mount the VER near the center of the windshield on the passenger’s side, with the
bottom of the bracket placed in the “allowed” locations as described above.

DriveCam Mounting Guidelines (340-C) 4
Mounting the Extended Bracket on the Bulkhead or Ceiling
DriveCam’s Extended Mounting Bracket is most commonly used in large commercial vehicles where the windshield mount is
not always an option. It is also used in vehicles operating in jurisdictions where windshield mounting is restricted. The
bracket can be rotated, but is usually hung vertically as close to the windshield and center of the vehicle as possible. There is
no tape on the bracket. Instead, four small screws secure it to a bulkhead or ceiling. Adjustment of the interior lens is often
required when using this bracket (see page 6).
COMMON MISTAKE: Large commercial vehicles often have many objects near the top of the windshield (e.g. large sun
visors, window tint, circulation fans, etc.) that can block both the interior and exterior-facing lens. To avoid this, you must
carefully consider the mounting location. Hold the VER in a potential location while rotating sun visors, running windshield
wipers, etc. until you are certain that the location cannot be obstructed.
1. Loosen the Torx screws so the VER can rotate in the bracket.
2. Position the assembly as close to the windshield and center of the vehicle as possible.
Make sure the VER does not block the driver’s view of the road
Make sure the exterior-facing lens has a clear view out the windshield (look for obstructions)
Make sure the interior-facing lens cannot be blocked by sun visors or other objects
Make sure the mounting surface is solid, can be safely drilled, and the bracket attached securely with screws
3. Mark the position and pre-drill the screw holes. Be careful not to drill or screw into wires or other components.

DriveCam Mounting Guidelines (340-C) 5
Additional Information
DriveCam Technical Support is available 24 hours / 7 days at [phone].
For international assistance please call [phone]. Or, email questions to [email protected]m
DriveCam Documents are available online at www.drivecam.com/Fleet/Documentation.aspx
DC3 Standard Installation Guide (DRC 303)
DC3 5-Port HUB Installation Guide (DRC 304)
DC3 5-Port HUB with Universal Module (DRC 305)
Contact DriveCam for additional documents and alternate mounting methods.
Removing a Bracket from the Vehicle Windshield
Use the following procedures to remove a mounting bracket that has been attached with high-strength tape. You’ll need the
Torx wrench that was shipped with your first order to remove the VER from the bracket and a 3M Tape Removal Tool (or a
thin putty knife) to remove the bracket from the windshield or panel. These items can be ordered from DriveCam.
CAUTION: Do not try to pull or pry the bracket off the windshield. It will destroy the bracket and may break the windshield.
Removing the VER from the Mounting Bracket:
1. Remove the left Torx screw completely.
2. GENTLY pull down on the left side of the unit (try not to trigger the unit) and unplug the power cable.
3. Remove the right Torx screw completely then remove the VER from the bracket.
Removing the Mounting Bracket from the Windshield:
1. Use the 3M Tape Removal Tool or a broad, very thin putty knife.
2. Apply a small amount of lubricant (e.g. WD-40) to both sides of the blade.
3. Slide the blade between the bracket and the window and gently rock the blade back and forth while pushing forward
until the bracket is completely removed.
Adjusting the Interior-Facing Lens
The interior-facing lens on the DC3 VER can be rotated up to 15 degrees in all directions. This allows you to “point” the lens
to focus on different areas of the vehicle interior. This is not typically required when the VER is mounted on the windshield,
near the center, at about eye level. In this position, the VERs wide-angle lens will usually capture the optimum internal view.
However, if the VER is mounted off to one side or up higher than eye
level, the interior lens may need to be re-adjusted.
1. Use the small end of the Torx wrench to loosen the interior
lens adjustment screw.
2. Adjust the interior lens to the desired angle.
3. Tighten the interior lens adjustment screw securely so that
the lens cannot be moved.
End of document.