I'm in the process of connecting my backup camera. I tied into the reverse wire that sees 12 volts when the car is placed in reverse. The problem is, this wire is for some strange reason getting 2 volts as soon as I turn on the ignition. I even checked the voltage on the reverse bulb socket and got the same 2 volt reading with the igntion on and lights off.

I believe I could install a relay and make it work, but that's a PITA and overkill for this.

Suggestions welcome.

 

This is on my wish list, subsribed.

 

The camera only cost $15, but it's the cat's meow.

 

less than $100, nice? Does it mount on the license plate frame? There are two black wires and one brown on the passanger reverse bulb socket. I got 11.2 volts on both wires.

 

The problem is I get a voltage reading with the lights off by simply turning on the ignition. What voltage do you get on the brown wire with the gear in P, N or D?

Mine is a flush-mount camera. I drilled a hole in my license plate and mounted it behind.

 

I dont know why the 2 volts would be a concern, it is likely the test current to confirm the lamp has a good filament. It wont affect the electronics at that level. WDY

HOLIDAY

CHRISTMAS

YIPPIE

 

The head unit sees the voltage, causing it to display the camera. The problem is it's doing it when the cars in other gears. Also, 2V is not enough to power the camera, so its displaying a blank screen.

 

That could be a Rudy question. He's the electronic genious. But share the the camera info.

 

Did you tap into both the power and ground wires on the reverse socket? I had a similar problem and found that I had a bad/weak ground. When I tapped the ground wire from the same socket, it worked fine afterwards.

 

If I had to do this I would use a 2 volt zener to block the voltage, this will drop the operating voltage by 2 volts also eliminating full power which could be an issue.

The simplest approach is to use a relay as your stand off, and then you would be able to get normal operation. The relay could be a small 12 volt single pole relay and you would not need any additional wiring. See my sketch below.



I have made a sketch of the relay, and a wiring diagram. When the relay sees about 8-10 volts it will PULL-IN and power the output pin C. Should do all you need, relay to be as small as you have, no current to speak of here.

HO HO Woody

 

Only issue would be that the backup light bulb could blow and the bulb sensor stuff would never know ( not much of a concern, though - who needs 2 backup lights anyway ? )

 

That was it! Thank you very much and thanks to the other's that offered great suggestions as well.

 

Is this the system you are talking about? (click)

 

This is a different camera.

2012-12-21_15-32-28_205_zpsc63e2098.jpg


2012-12-22_12-14-56_473_zpsea09b6ad.jpg

 

I guessed it was a different camera, $80 to $15. Cool.
What is the camera make?
Inquiring minds ......

 

My wife bought it for me off Amazon, so I'm not exactly sure what it cost. I belive it was around $15, but no more than $20-$25. Below is a link to a similar camera on ebay.

ES588MO 170 Degree Viewing 16 5mm Mini Color CMD Car Reverse Rear View Camera | eBay

 

Must be something wrong with his list of countries not shipped to as he doesnot ship to Canada or even China LOL.

 

Pretty easy to figure that out... Will not ship to Canada because its too fleckin cold up there the pixels would freeze and drop off the screen. And China? Why they make them there... No one would install one of those in things they own because they know how they are made. (He he he he he)

 

Don't know about your car.. but if it does mine is broken. It only tells me a bulb is out when it's activated for use.

 

That is a cool install....I may have to look into to doing that in the future...I was looking at the rear view mirror cameras and such.... Maybe my dashdaq will do this, lol.....