reverse camera

[starway]

Hi guys,

I am trying to wire my reverse camera with a switch so I can have it on all the time or off all the time until I reverse. Is this possible how would I wire the switch? And what switch would I need. The camera only has positive and earth. Would I take power from reverse light and constant power and then switch them somehow so that I can have 12v+ all the time or only when reverse lights come on. / any help much appreciated . James


At the moment I can only have it on all the time if I connect it through ignition 12v+ or only on when reversing through using the reverse lights wire. I wanted it so I could have it connected with 2 power sources 1 from the reverse lights so it always comes on when I reverse and 1 permanent that I can switch too whenever I feel like looking at the reverse camera.

My headunit is a very cheap Chinese double din that has a pink wire for reverse camera , when this pink wire gets 12v permanently it turns the camera screen on and I can see the camera , now this is all good but I can’t use the headunit when it’s like this as it basically just turns into a monitor. If I hook it up with just a reverse power so I only give power to the pink when I’m reversing then I can’t look at the camera whenever I want. Do you see the dilemma ?


Thanks again
James

[ceedy]

normally its just has the 12v connected to the reverse light.



to overule it you would have to run a switched 12v to the rear seperately
along side the video feed .


C

[KWIL]

You just need a single pole 2 way toggle switch. Single pole contact to the camera feed, then on one side ign 12Vdc and on the other side the normal "in reverse only" 12Vdc feed from th e revre lights Need a wire as Ceedy says.



When you merely want a quick rear camera view, move the switch the other way. Where you put the switch is up to you.

[Rick-sta]

the way I'd do it is using some barrier diodes like these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10x-SB510...72.m2749.l2649

Then you can run two power feeds to your camera. one from the reverse light wire, and one from your fuse box with a inline switch, and fit 1 barrier diode to each power feed. Then join the two wires together and run it to your camera and also to the pink cable (reverse signal feed) on your head unit.

That way the camera will turn on and automatically pop up on your head unit whenever you turn your manual switch on for it, or whenever you put it in reverse.

[starway]

Rick sta that sounds great ! Do you think I could use 1 amp diodes ? As I didn’t think the camera or the reverse lights would use more?

I have made a mock-up wiring diagram could you check it for me ?

I don’t know how to upload images so I did it on a website

https://ibb.co/9cVSRbz



Thanks so much for the help I think you have nailed it !

<a href="https://ibb.co/9cVSRbz"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/hLZwpBh/71-A83967-F26-C-4-B99-AAD6-78781-A9-DEC59.jpg" alt="71-A83967-F26-C-4-B99-AAD6-78781-A9-DEC59" border="0"></a>

[starway]

Does the 12v permenant have to be from the fuse box can I not just splice into my headunits wiring on the red ignition 12v for the head unit ? I’m guessing since the headunit gets a 12v ignition that my added load of the camera will not add any significant draw ?

Another reason that makes me think I can use its power is because at the moment I’m using the headunit ignition red 12v cable to power an aftermarket pioneer 4 channel amp that sits behind it. Now surely if it can power an amp and the headunit together then adding a camera to that supply won’t harm it ?


Otherwise how do I get the 12v ignition supply /. I have already used a fuse slot to install a double usb charger in the armrest. Would I be better splicing into that for the power instead of my headunit ?

At the moment it is installed in such a crazy way. I have the pink wire and camera positive and also the aftermarket amp and headunit ignition power wire all screwed together in some terminal connector and the other end is the 12v ignition that is normally on for the headunit . Believe it or not this all works except it basically means I have a permenant camera ! But am I doing something bad by connecting it all from the 1 supply at the moment ? I mean I don’t want to damage it before I wire it properly ?


I’m also toying with the idea of adding a front camera that could work on a 3 way toggle switch ? For instance 1 side is on permanent for the front, 1 side permenant for the back and reverse light always powering the rear in off position.


Anyway Let’s get the 1st idea sorted 1st


Thanks again

[Rick-sta]

Your wiring diagram is correct. Reverse light bulbs are 21w so would draw 1.75A. So you'll won't be able to use 1amp barrier diodes.

Yes you could power the camera from the live wire behind the head unit. I personally always run any additional accessories from the fuse box using a fuse tap like this:

[starway]

Ok thanks that’s great to know about the diode needing to be bigger. As another option would a switch work with 2 power inputs and 1 output to the camera switchable ? Wouldn’t this eliminate the need for a diode ?

[starway]

This is the switch I’m talking about except swap over the inputs and outputs https://ibb.co/qJnrMVm

[Rick-sta]

yes you could do that. Input 1 would be your live feed and input 2 would be your reverse feed and output would go to the camera and the pink wire on your head unit.