Installing rear camera tips
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
Likes: 36
From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Installing rear camera tips
Im working on my radio install over the next few days when I have some time. And the next project is wiring up the rear camera.
How did you guys run the video wire from the back all the way up front.
How did you guys run the video wire from the back all the way up front.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,968
Likes: 343
From: Shell Point (Crawfordville) Florida
I tapped into the right rear brake light wire easily accessed by removing the license plate, and spent about $6 on fleabay for the wireless transmitter and receiver to bring the signal up front to the radio, avoiding all extra wiring and drilling unneeded holes into the trunk compartment and snakeing wires up into the console. It has worked flawlessly for the ?2 years since my install. It also only took maybe all of 2-3 minutes instead of all the time and effort to run wires up to the console. It's all plug and play, very little effort. The transmitter sits in the rear bumper area next to the taillights, wrapped up in bubble wrap inside a plastic baggie, and is very happy back there. The receiver sits tucked up underneath the right side of the console next to the passenger's knee, is just pushed up underneath there, not taking anything apart and has plenty of room. The power wires from underneath the glove box and the front camera cable are all hidden from view under the edge of the console.
Last edited by mrlmd; Nov 16, 2017 at 11:06 PM.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 503
Likes: 50
From: Bradenton, FL
I suspect that the wireless transmitter is the way to go. Wish I would have gone that route... Mine is hardwired. I had pulled all of the carpet out of the car as part of my project - Dynamatted the interior. Ran the wire straight back and drilled a small hole in the back wall to route the wires. Tapped into the left reverse light for power.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
Likes: 36
From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I was able to run it under the carpet and under the center console without pulling to much up. But might have been easier with a Z06 vs a coupe, I dont know. But really didnt take to much, to get it done.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 203
Likes: 19
From: South River NJ
This is an excellent thread. Will definitely be doing this over the winter but am intrigued by the wireless transmitter mod mentioned above. Got any recommended brands for one ? Thanks Mrlmd for the tip
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
The problem I have with the wireless transmitter is that I cannot find a reverse voltage source inside the cabin to trigger the reverse camera for manual cars. The reverse switch is located on the transmission.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Use the backup lights as the power source. They only operate when you shift into reverse.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Typically the head unit is always monitoring the backup camera port so when you shift into reverse and the backup lights power on (if you tie into them for power), the port on the head unit receives the signal and switches over.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Don't know what head unit you're talking about, but most that I have looked at require a trigger.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 233
From: Placitas NM
St. Jude Contributor '03 & '04
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Unless I am misunderstanding you, that is not the same thing as receiving a video feed. Most head units or radios I have looked at require a separate wire to switch to backup camera mode automatically.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
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From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
the camera i just installed. I spliced the power wire into the reverse lights. So it powers on as soon as I put it into reverse. And then the head unit will automatically switch to the camera view
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
I'm not talking about getting power for the camera. I'm talking about the trigger for the headunit to switch to reverse camera mode.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 18,236
Likes: 36
From: Haymarket VA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
I don't know how I can make this more clear. Did you or did you not have to connect the trigger wire to the reverse power? It is the orange/white wire on your head unit.
I'm not talking about getting power for the camera. I'm talking about the trigger for the headunit to switch to reverse camera mode.
I'm not talking about getting power for the camera. I'm talking about the trigger for the headunit to switch to reverse camera mode.
There is is no power cable at the head unit. It’s just a video rca cable
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 1,660
Likes: 365
From: SF Bay Area
Assuming you have the same ILX-107 you posted that you installed:
From your manual:
So you are saying all you did was plug in the RCA cable and the head unit automatically detects reverse? You didn't connect that orange/white wire to anything?
From your manual:
Reverse Lead (Orange/White)
Connect to the plus side of the car’s reverse lights. These
lights illuminate when the transmission is shifted into reverse
(R).
With this lead properly wired, the video picture
automatically switches to the rear camera whenever the car
is put into reverse (R).
Connect to the plus side of the car’s reverse lights. These
lights illuminate when the transmission is shifted into reverse
(R).
With this lead properly wired, the video picture
automatically switches to the rear camera whenever the car
is put into reverse (R).
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 472
Likes: 83
From: Lafayette LA
I ran my wires under the console and under the carpet all the way to the back. The Z06 is easily the easiest car I've ever had to move the carpet around in. I just ran it to the trunk, drilled a small hole thru and ran attached the camera above the license plate.
I wired up a DPDT switch with resistors so that I could switch between a front and rear camera on demand, and I ran power from the cigarette lighter in the console.
Attachment 48351174
I wired up a DPDT switch with resistors so that I could switch between a front and rear camera on demand, and I ran power from the cigarette lighter in the console.
Attachment 48351174