Switched Power Source Search – Back Up Camera Install

mahoneyj · 01-29-2006, 07:41 PM

Can anyone help me find a 12v switched power wire possibly located in the driver side kick panel? I am installing a back up camera system and would like to keep all the splicing in the immediate area if possible. The entire system only draws a max of 1 or 2 amps. From another thread I already found the green \w white stripe back up light wire in the driver side kick panel to switch the unit on when engaging reverse. (Update) When I tested this G / W wire it was a constant 12v once the truck was on and did not seem to be impacted by the reverse indicator. I ended up running a wire from the back of the truck. Now I just need a good 12v switched lead to splice into in that general area and I am good to go on power. If there is not a good one I will probably just get a Fuse Tap and add it to the fuse box and run the wire across the truck under the dash to this area for the hook up.

Also does anyone know of any good locations to bring wires into the cab on the driver’s side? I will be running a cable form the back of the truck where the camera will be mounted on the license place. I took a look around this weekend while finding the reverse light wire and nothing jumped out at me. I need to get an S Video cable through to connect the camera to the rest of the system.

I am installing this unit.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...Category_Code=

I am hoping it will make hooking up my trailer easier when I have no help. Hate jumping in and out when aligning the hitch.

Thanks for any help.

pi3yeargrad · 01-29-2006, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mahoneyj

Can anyone help me find a 12v switched power wire possibly located in the driver side kick panel? I am installing a back up camera system and would like to keep all the splicing in the immediate area if possible. The entire system only draws a max of 1 or 2 amps. From another thread I already found the green \w white stripe back up light wire in the driver side kick panel to switch the unit on when engaging reverse. ( This site is a great source of info) Now I just need a good 12v switched lead to splice into in that general area and I am good to go on power. If there is not a good one I will probably just get a Fuse Tap and add it to the fuse box and run the wire across the truck under the dash to this area for the hook up.

Also does anyone know of any good locations to bring wires into the cab on the driver’s side? I will be running a cable form the back of the truck where the camera will be mounted on the license place. I took a look around this weekend while finding the reverse light wire and nothing jumped out at me. I need to get an S Video cable through to connect the camera to the rest of the system.

I am installing this unit.
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...Category_Code=

I am hoping it will make hooking up my trailer easier when I have no help. Hate jumping in and out when aligning the hitch.

Thanks for any help.

hope u didnt spend that much on the camera kit...someone posted that same kit on sale like a week or 2 ago for like 200...

edit: found thread
Backup camera

mahoneyj · 01-30-2006, 07:36 AM

I got the kit for $200 from eTrailer.com. Hooked it up to a 12v battery for a quick test and it seems to be of decent quality. Not amazing but definitely usable. The only issue I see with the kit is the monitor, you need to look at it as close to straight on as possible or it gets hard to see. But that easy enough to solve when I mount it.

40Niner · 02-02-2006, 10:02 PM

mahoneyj,

I'm in the process of doing this also.If you get under your truck and look at the back side of the cab,there are grommets/plugs on the driver side and passenger side.From inside the cab if you pull the back liner up from the floor they are just above the "door side seat mounts".Also,I was thinking of splicing into the accessory wire to the ignition switch for the switched +12v since I already added a remote starter and can easily do this now.

Now I hope you can answer a question.Did you really find the g/w backup light wire in the driver side kick panel?I have almost decided to run a wire from the back of the truck because I couldn't easily locate the g/w wire in the cab.I know my mirror gets one but it is on the passenger side(I think it is.lol)Like you,I prefer to do these close together if possible.

pi3yeargrad · 02-02-2006, 10:21 PM

just wondering but why would u want to get 12volt power from the backup lights inside the cab?? if ur doing a camera install why dont u just get the power from the actual tailight...maybe Im missing something here...

mahoneyj · 02-03-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Also,I was thinking of splicing into the accessory wire to the ignition switch for the switched +12v since I already added a remote starter and can easily do this now.

40Niner
So where is the ACC wire located on the driver’s side? Any idea how much power it can handle? I know the monitor will not need more than 2 AMPs since that is the fuse rating stated in the manual if that is accurate.

I will look for those plugs on the driver side. They seem like the ticket. I really did not want to run the wires all the way to engine compartment and then through the fire wall.

Quote:

Did you really find the g/w backup light wire in the driver side kick panel?

40Niner
Yes I did find the g/w wire as it runs to the backup light located above the cab. Pull the driver side kick panel. Notice the wire harness that runs under the factory wire protector. Look where it plugs into the main harness on the drivers side fender well towards the front of the truck, If you dig through it you will see the G/W wire and you could easily pop a wire tap on. If you don’t see it post and I will try to take a pic and post it. (Update) When I tested this G / W wire it was a constant 12v once the truck was on and did not seem to be impacted by the reverse indicator. I ended up running a wire from the back of the truck.

Also where are you thinking of mounting the small monitor. I am thinking to mount it just above and to the left of the rear view mirror. I think I will need to custom make a mount out of metal though. We will see how that turns out. lol!

Quote:

just wondering but why would u want to get 12volt power from the backup lights inside the cab?? if ur doing a camera install why dont u just get the power from the actual tailight...maybe Im missing something here...

pi3yeargrad
We want to find the power wire to the back up lights inside the cab to avoid a long wire run for no reason. When the wire gets power to turn on the back up lights it will auto turn on the video monitor. Nice option to wire up if you can. Also the switched 12v source and ground are in the same location. Keeping all the wiring local is nice to avoid wire runs for no reason that could cause problems in the future.

40Niner · 02-03-2006, 09:33 PM

mahoneyj,

If you go to the link below and scroll to the 4th picture you can see the red accessory wire I'm thinking of using.This guy did a great job w/ the pictures.Or I might tie into the power supply wire to the remote starter I installed that runs from the battery and terminates in this area below the steering column.The wires to ignition switch are pretty short.A pain to get to if you solder.As far as power goes I don't know for sure but I believe it is more than enough.

My monitor is 3.5 in and is a little different from yours.The location you mentioned is a possibility.I might "attach " it to my visor because I can pull it down and fold it back up and it locks in the folded position.

Thanks for the g/w wire location.This sounds a lot better than running a wire from the back of the truck.

remote start help101 needed please

mahoneyj · 02-04-2006, 06:22 AM

Thanks for the info 40niner. Now I think I want a remote starter since I know how to install it. Too bad I have limited extra time. Hard enough to get time to do the backup camera.

Quote:

Or I might tie into the power supply wire to the remote starter I installed that runs from the battery and terminates in this area below the steering column.

If you use this for your power isn’t that not a switched source. So if you manually turn on the monitor while the truck is off it would stay on. Probably not a scenario that would happen unless you have kids.

I hope to get started on this next weekend if the weather is good.