I need to connect a power source to my back up camera. What is the best power source to tap into. My first thoughts would be to tap into the tail lights or license plate light, but those wouldn't be available to use unless my lights were on.

I'm thinking about possibly using the rear cargo light, but it isn't switched and I'm afraid I'd somehow drain my battery when the car is off. Although, the camera shouldn't be working when the car is off and/or the car isn't in reverse. Thoughts or assistance?

Eldon

 

Go to the fuse block, and look for the vacant spots marked IGN. If you want to get fancy they make the OE style terminals that clip in, or just crimp a male spade terminal on your power wire and push it in.

 

I was hoping to be able to tap into an existing power source already in the rear of the car so I wouldn't have to run a power cord all the way from the rear bumper to the front of the car if I can avoid it.

 

There isn't anything back there that's switched 12v. It's not a big deal to run a wire. Wouldn't you have to run a wire for the camera to a display or is it somehow wireless?

Idk, compared to something like wiring a 4ch amplifier, routing a single 14ga wire seems pretty low impact.

 

don't the white, back-up lights, in the tail lens' work even in the day time? i feel stupid because i honestly can't remember, lol. i'm pretty sure they do.

 

Yup, back-up lights work whenever the ign is on and the car is in reverse. The ideal source for the accessory in question.

 

I thought the same, but does the camera need time to turn on? Even if it took 5 seconds, that'd kinda be a pain. I just turn my head. It's all but instant.

 

I had actually considered tapping into the reverse light but was concerned about the camera needing time to power up. I know it isn't hard to run a wire, just more of a hassle. I was hoping I could just tap into something back there, but I guess not. I'll just run a wire up to the fuse block.

As far as just turning your head, I get it. But rear visibility in these convertibles is not the best. I didn't think there'd be much difference than my GTA, but the blind spots on a vert are a lot worse especially in parking lots when the car is parked at an angle. Makes backing out of a spot much more nerve wracking.

 

I think I've figured out your problem. It seems you've forgotten to put the top down.

 

What is the wiring scheme for the camera? I would expect more than just a power and ground. Isn't there a sense wire for when the backup lights are on or off?

 

Generally the camera gets its power from the BUL circuit. All it needs besides that is ground, and of course the signal cable to the monitor, whatever form that takes. I've never seen a wireless aftermarket one but there might be such a thing, not something I pay much attention to.

 

i have a buddy, (retired state trooper), that bought a brand new chevy trax. it has the built in back up camera that looks pretty high-tech. sorta looks like something you'd see on a fighter jet landing on an aircraft carrier. anyway, we both got a good laugh out of it. no matter how carefully you stay within the lines, the car parks crooked as a witches nose! maybe its a flaw on that vehicle? but we both agreed nothing beats backing up the "good-old-fashion" way of turning your head and paying attention.

 

Good one. Unfortunately, we in Ventura County (Southern California) are suffering through our two weeks of winter and are actually receiving rain (real rain, not sprinkling). No need to send help, we should be back to our usual sunny afternoons here shortly, and the top will go back down at that point.

 

The camera I bought this time had one cable for the video feed, and then another for the power source and ground.

Since we got a reprieve from the rain today, I quit being lazy and just ran the power wire to the fuse block and the camera works perfectly fine now. Long story short, I wasn't able to tap into the IGN spot on the fuse block so I piggybacked into the RADIO spot. Made sense to me since if the radio isn't working then I won't have the screen to display the back up camera.

Thanks for the suggestions people.

 

That's the truth... I was down there this past Wed in SD, Encinitas, & Carlsbad, and it rained on me more in that one day I think, than it did the whole time I lived in Carlsbad a few years back. It was as heavy as normal rain in the Midwest almost. People said it had been doing that off and on for at least 2 weeks! It was beyond bizarre... the hillsides were actually GREEN. Damnedest thing I ever saw out there. Landslides everywhere.