Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951
Double activation of the Reverse Camera question
I am fitting a reverse camera to my car in the next few weeks, However the standard set up option means it will only be powered up and come on when the reverse gear is selected.
I was wondering, is there a way that I can have it so that the camera can be turned on manually as well as automatically come on when the reverse gear is selected?
I have a 2005 base model Manual Discovery 3.
4th Apr 2016 12:55 am
Scottydog
Member Since: 03 Aug 2015
Location: Scotland
Posts: 377
I know we can via the extras screen, don't know if that's a help or not
4th Apr 2016 1:46 am
disco-nut
Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951
I don't have a factory fitted system or even the built in Nav. I have a BASE model Discovery
This is what I have in my car.
And the aftermarket camera's come with instructions that state to wire the positive power lead to the positive wire of the reverse lights to turn it on. So that would mean no other way of powering it up other than turning the reverse lights on.
Or I could wire it up to a switch and turn it on manually, but what I would prefer to do is have the camera available without the reverse lights on, and also for the camera to automatically on when reverse is selected.
4th Apr 2016 1:56 am
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
Very basic electronics, run a separate switched power feed to the camera and stick a diode in the reverse light power cable to prevent the lights coming on when the camera is switched.
Simples.Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
4th Apr 2016 5:40 am
Skynet
Member Since: 23 Jul 2014
Location: Melksham, Wiltshire
Posts: 868
Or connect it to your side lights for power Dave
D3 2006 HSE, Cairns Blue - gone
D4 2016 SE, White
I know we can via the extras screen, don't know if that's a help or not
but that would mean that the camera is always powered, and the reverse switch merely switches the screen to display the camera's output?
unless the extras screen option can power the camera? --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged
Whilst you can wire it to be permanently live does the head unit support it - most switch the screen on to the camera when detecting a 12 volt feed supplied only (i.e when reversing lights on) . If you want facility of both whilst reversing or otherwise then you may have to split the video feed to an additional aux in on the head unit if it has one for the video signal.
4th Apr 2016 11:38 am
DaveJLBI
Member Since: 07 Mar 2014
Location: Clare
Posts: 678
Get a GVIF and split the feed from the camera to both the reverse signalled input and one of the AV inputs. Then you can switch it as required. You will need to have it ignition-live powered though.
4th Apr 2016 12:19 pm
disco-nut
Member Since: 27 Dec 2013
Location: Kent
Posts: 951
The head unit allows the option to turn the camera on manually as an option as well as the reverse camera auto switching the screen to the camera for the revers.
I know people are saying basic electronics, but all I am reading when you are getting technical is gobledygook to me lol
Any way someone to could dumb all this talk down please? And maybe if possible could someone send me a link to what I need to do what I would like to achieve please?
If necessary I would be happy to wire the power feed to the 12v socket and the reverse lights, but obviously need something to stop both power sources trying to power it at the same time.
No idea what a Diode is lol etc...
Thank you for the replies so far btw.
4th Apr 2016 6:07 pm
JMack
Member Since: 02 Aug 2014
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 1517
A diode is basically a one-way 'valve' that would stop the power back-feeding from the other source.
4th Apr 2016 6:34 pm
Narpy
Member Since: 18 Jul 2011
Location: Stockport
Posts: 7830
There's nothing technical about it, we are talking wiring so simple, if you can't figure this at such a basic level, you're probably better off leaving it to somebody else.
Look at it like this, you have a camera with two power feeds, one from the reverse lights and one from a switch.
When reverse is selected, the camera comes on.
When you flick your switch, the camera comes on BUT so do the reverse lights. ( This happens because not only are you powering the camera, you're also sending power to the reverse ligjts via your switch )
To prevent this, you put a diode ( a one way electrical valve ) into the lead coming from the reverse light to prevent power going back down it and illuminating the reverse lamps when you flick the power switch.
If that doesn't explain it, I'll draw it and post the pic for you. Mods:
Front Fogs + Halos
FBH Remote Control
The 1st Ever RRS Modded Grill
Garmin Nuvi + D4 Surround + Reversing Camera.
D4 Steering Wheel.
Rear Boot Spoiler.
Twin Brake Lights.
Wing Mirror Indicator Repeaters.
Long Roof Rails
Make your own Narpy grill thread
I'm not scared, I'm outta here.
Well another option that is simple and would work is to have like myself the canadian lights setting enabled - this gives you headlights on all the time until you apply the parkbrake . This is overridden by the dash headlight switch at night . The advantage is that you can power the camera off the rear number plate light so its permanently powered up when the vehicle is running then all you have to concern yourself about is having a switchable video feed from the camera which from what you describe can be selected on the head unit either by engaging reverse or selected manually .Just split the video signal with a splitter .
Alternatively if you dont want the canadian light setting enabled still power the camera off the number plate light but use the sidelight switch during the day, night time is taken care of by the headlight switch on the dash
I have had this configuration in use now for some 6 years on my D3 and still works a peach - only diffence is that I use the second video in connection on my aftermarket head unit to power the front camera mounted in my grill and select it manually when i need it - so effectively as you want to do but for the rear camera only
No diodes , no Gvif , simple wiring and most of all ......... it works !!!!!!
5th Apr 2016 8:16 am
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1168
There are lots of different ways of doing this. If you really want both options, then a simple double pole, centre off switch would do it. Feed from reverse lights to one side and 12v to the other, then output to the camera.
However, if you want a manual switch anyway and want a really simple solution, do you really need a feed form the reverse lights? How about a single switched supply and just switch it on when needed?Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
does anyone have answer to my previous question?--
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport V8 Supercharged
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- only diffence is that I use the second video in connection on my aftermarket head unit to power the front camera mounted in my grill and select it manually when i need it - so effectively as you want to do but for the rear camera only
