Backup camera
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Joined: Jun 2014
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Backup camera
Just got a backup camera and I’m curious what folks suggest I wire the power / ground to. There is a separate wire for the positive side of the backup light (part of the video feed that runs to the radio). I was thinking either the brake light or my amplifier. The latter is a little harder due to the gauge of the wire and the fact that I used a balun. Obviously I could run it to the front of the car to accessory power, cigarette lighter, etc. but they didn’t make that wire pair very long.
As an aside, this is my second camera. The first one didn’t have adjustable height and I found it pointing too much toward the road. So it’s going back. For those thinking of doing this, that’s a warning for ya.
As an aside, this is my second camera. The first one didn’t have adjustable height and I found it pointing too much toward the road. So it’s going back. For those thinking of doing this, that’s a warning for ya.
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 82
Likes: 6
You do connect it to the positive side of one of the backup lights. This is for triggering it when the car goes into reverse and then the head unit knows to display the video.
But this camera also has separate wires for power and ground.
I ended up using the ground from the power antenna (remove right tail light) which is where my amp is connected anyway. For positive I used the remote amp line for accessory power which ultimately runs to the passenger foot well (yellow wire if I remember correctly). In my case the amp is in the back right corner of the car inside a cubby so it was a short run.
With this wiring the camera is on all the time when the car is running or on accessory. I can display it by shifting into reverse or touching camera from the head unit display.
But this camera also has separate wires for power and ground.
I ended up using the ground from the power antenna (remove right tail light) which is where my amp is connected anyway. For positive I used the remote amp line for accessory power which ultimately runs to the passenger foot well (yellow wire if I remember correctly). In my case the amp is in the back right corner of the car inside a cubby so it was a short run.
With this wiring the camera is on all the time when the car is running or on accessory. I can display it by shifting into reverse or touching camera from the head unit display.
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Winder, GA
Back up camera
Just got a backup camera and I’m curious what folks suggest I wire the power / ground to. There is a separate wire for the positive side of the backup light (part of the video feed that runs to the radio). I was thinking either the brake light or my amplifier. The latter is a little harder due to the gauge of the wire and the fact that I used a balun. Obviously I could run it to the front of the car to accessory power, cigarette lighter, etc. but they didn’t make that wire pair very long.
As an aside, this is my second camera. The first one didn’t have adjustable height and I found it pointing too much toward the road. So it’s going back. For those thinking of doing this, that’s a warning for ya.
As an aside, this is my second camera. The first one didn’t have adjustable height and I found it pointing too much toward the road. So it’s going back. For those thinking of doing this, that’s a warning for ya.
Last edited by C5forever79; Jul 27, 2020 at 01:15 PM.
