Backup Camera Wiring
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Backup Camera Wiring
I got one of those cheap $25 backup cameras, it was a free gift for buying a head unit off a guy on ebay. About a year later I decided to try installing it... FAIL. Here is what the camera looks like:
I know some of you have these backup cams as well so hopefully you can help. They want you to run the red wire to your reverse brake light so it only gets 12v when you are backing up. But just to test it, I tried putting the red wire on the + terminal on my battery and the black wire on the - battery post. The camera is not working and the LEDs on it don't light up. Either 12v makes it power on or it doesn't, right?
I know some of you have these backup cams as well so hopefully you can help. They want you to run the red wire to your reverse brake light so it only gets 12v when you are backing up. But just to test it, I tried putting the red wire on the + terminal on my battery and the black wire on the - battery post. The camera is not working and the LEDs on it don't light up. Either 12v makes it power on or it doesn't, right?
#4
Member
Thread Starter
C'mon Emp, don't you have a go-go-gadget IR detector in your car? If you can afford that much dynamat and audio gear you should definitely have something IR on your ride! ;-)
Thanks for the reminder though, totally missed the fact that it would be IR.
Thanks for the reminder though, totally missed the fact that it would be IR.
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Yes it was, pulled the dash apart again and traced the wires. It's definitely plugged in. I guess the HU rca port could have a problem. I know the antenna port doesn't work very well. About 6 months ago I lost reception for the radio for 90% of the stations.
#8
Member
Thread Starter
Hmm I don't remember ever disabling that input in the system settings but if I am that dumb... well we'll all have a good laugh. Will check that again after work. Thanks for the ideas sir!
#9
Member
Thread Starter
I did have it disabled on the HU. But it still didn't work with it enabled. I gave the red wire 12v+ right from the battery and the black wire GRD. When you touch the wires on the battery they spark and the HU screen flickers horizontal white bars for a second and then back to "no signal". Seems like the camera is toast.
The fact that it sparks at all tells me the wires are getting good + and -, so maybe buy another cheap camera in hopes that it works. I guess you get what you pay for. Can anyone recommend a respectable backup cam that isn't $$$$?
The fact that it sparks at all tells me the wires are getting good + and -, so maybe buy another cheap camera in hopes that it works. I guess you get what you pay for. Can anyone recommend a respectable backup cam that isn't $$$$?
#12
Member
Thread Starter
I thought it would be cool to have the backup camera on whenever I wanted to turn it on. On my HU it has a separate input and button to view the camera. So I may just keep it powered on all the time, or put a switch in the dash somewhere.
I ended up finding a direct replacement for $13 on egay. I figured that was the cheapest way to find out if the camera was dead. Unfortunately it's been raining non stop so I haven't been able to try it out yet. I'm keeping my nipples crossed that it was just a bad camera. Otherwise I have a $13 rifle target for my next trip to the range.
I ended up finding a direct replacement for $13 on egay. I figured that was the cheapest way to find out if the camera was dead. Unfortunately it's been raining non stop so I haven't been able to try it out yet. I'm keeping my nipples crossed that it was just a bad camera. Otherwise I have a $13 rifle target for my next trip to the range.
#14
New Member
Join Date: 07-08-19
Location: United States
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
you need to install a inline fuse between the battery and the cam, so your not sending hundreds of AMPS to the cam, ive installed 2 cams and monitors in 2 separate vehicles and working on my 3rd for my cobolt, i installed a 2AMP inline fuse with no issues. i hope that helps.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post