Okay I got one of those wireless reverse cameras from canadian tire and have hooked it up and all is fine. The unit hooks up to your reverse lights so that the camera is on when you are in reverse. Now I want to set up a switch so that I can also run that sucker manually. So I did this today and just before finishing up I realise that now when I turn this switch on not only is the camera gonna come on the reverse lights will too. Does anyone know how I can fix it so just the camera comes on when I hit the switch and will still come on automatically with the reverse lights?

 

Run another power supply for the unit. You will then have to make sure it does not backfeed to the lights when the switch is on. In electronics, a diode is used for this. Like a check valve for electricity.

Not and expert but thats my first thought.

 

Diodes my friend, diodes. Two diodes, with the banded ends tied together and run to the camera positive. The other end of the diodes go to the reverse light wire and your switch. Mine is hooked up similar to this (I added voltage protection since the reverse camera came with a warning about over 12 volts.)

Lots of info by clicking the picture below.
Cheers

 

So the power for my camera comes from the reverse light right before the reverse bulb if i hook up this new power wire from the switch downstream from the reverse light signal and install the diode upstream of this. Is this what I am trying to accomplish? How come I need two diodes, I think I am still confused. Also what diode do I need? Just a 12 volt one or do they go by amps or watts?

I appreciate the help!

 

Hooks up like this:



Power from the switch will flow through one diode, and power from the reverse light will flow through the other to your camera.

Don't forget to fuse things.

Current rating should be higher than your camera needs. Voltage rating is cheap, go big, like 200 or more volts. If your camera draws less than an amp, 1N4003 diodes are available at radio shack.

 

Damn you are a fountain of knowledge Myst. I will phone the manufacturer of the cam to find out the amps required to run the cam so I can figure out what diode i need. I cant think of any other questions right now and I am stuck at work and I cannot find a diode around here anywhere so I will have to wait.

 

I would hook it up using a relay. Wire your reverse light to terminal 87a. Camera hot to 30. Run a permanent hot to 87. 85 to ground and 86 to the hot of your switch. Then the other side of your switch to a permanent hot.

 

Well I finally finished this up. I went the diode way and went with a 1Amp
50Volt diode that I got at "radioshack" or "thesource" or whatever company bought the candian radioshacks. I asked some electricians at work about this and they suggested the relay deal too. I am just wandering why go thru all this extra work of adding hot wires and grounds and tieing in when a diode is so damn simple?

Any way works great thanks for everyones help on this, a special thanks for myst for knowing so damn much about everything .

This camera is one of the 2.4ghz wireless set ups from canadian tire on sale right now. The downfall is that because it is wireless it does pick up interferance, on the plus side i can pick up crystal clear video surveilance at the Napa store and tattoo shop. (Just need to figure out how to benefit from that) Any way because u only hook the camera to ure reverse light, the camera bolts on ure license plate, and the monitor is hooked up either hardwire or to ure cig lighter outlet this kit is a breeze to install. On the other hand if u plan to hook up a switch to it like I did (and everyone else seams to have) I would recommend the wired one as it will be no harder running that signal wire right beside ure switch wires.

I could do some pics or answer questions but Mysts write up should clear up any questions u may have.

 

Hi.

As usual, Myst's advice is right on.

Diodes are ever so much more elegant a solution over stupid relays. There is no need for the current handling capacity of a relay in this application, and the diode approach is also more reliable.

There is life beyond relays - solid-state solutions are always preferred.

Oh - and always fuse any additions, to be safe.

Good job

Cheers, fellow Canuck!
Bubba