I am building my car pc and I ran into a slight problem. I want my backup camera to come in automatically when i put the car in reverse. I have read where some people use the reverse lights as power for the camera to accomplish this. However, I would also like to be able to turn the camera on while driving. Does anyone know how I can make the camera come on automatically when I put it in reverse, but also be able to turn it on during any time during the drive. I have a xenarc 700tsv that I will be using for a screen.

Thanks

 

You'll need to hook up the camera's power line to 2 diodes. One diode from the reverse light; the other to your manual switch. This way, if you manually turn it on, your reverse lights won't come on.

***edit***
added diagram

 

Thank you very much.

 

yep, thats what ive done too :d you know the TSV has auto sensing input on AV2 right so it switches to cam when it senses input?

goodgood. ..


Jamie:d

 

Thanks for that. I am considering that for my OEM navi and was thinking of adding the switch as well. But I am confused. Wouldn't the reverse lights still come on with the button? Any button's function is always to ground the circuit (power is always on) in all automotive applications so it is completed and the intended accessory turns on. If the reverse light's power and ground are intercepted by the button and then provided when the button is pushed, wouldn't the reverse lights come on anyway? Wouldn't we have to accomplish the desired outcome by tapping the reverse ground only for use with the stick, and leaving it alone for the button, but instead using only its power wire, then creating a new ground circuit just for the button (by using a nearby chassis bolt, for example?).

Please shed some light on that possibility (no pun intended! ), and whether my logic is even correct.

 

Great info...Thx.

 

The reverse lights will not come on when you manually switch on the camera because diode B is not conducting.

Also, because the TCM is sending a +12V signal (through a relay) to the reverse lights, it's easier to just wire it up this way.

The second pic is taken from a g35 wiring diagram and it shows that the reverse lamps' signal is +12V, not ground.

 

Hmm...thanks for explaining that. I may PM you before my install. I have been researching EE sites for relay info and think I have a pretty decent grasp on those

 

on the subject.... my 3 series beemer has a feature where when i put the car in reverse, the right hand mirror tilts down to view the curb and then back to the orignal spot when out of reverse. can this be accomplished while on this topic?

im wondering, if all the people who run the backup cameras here, are they really worth it? im installing my carpc as well, and does anyone know if the AV2 auto turn on is also a feature with the new 8.4in model Xenarc?
I was just thinking of a front cam too.


ALSO,... which "color" wire do i tap for the 12v+DC line that powers the reverse. the cam im using, the plug is inside a long 30' cord so if i can splice it in somewhere along the way or at the point the 6mt switches it on that would be so helpful, thanks in advance.