Rear view camera WIRE

[capnkirk4]

We have a wireless backup camera (7" color monitor) wired into our lights on the camera so that the camera is on whenever I turn on the lights. I bought the system on eBay for $79, and it has worked fine for years. We love the system as I can see what is behind me whenever I have the lights on.

[+Ruff Rider]

What did we do before all this camera stuff? You wonder why trucks are so expensive. 15 cameras on the new Chevy;s worth every penny of the $90,000. Sorry I only want the truck with 1 camera. I can get out of my truck and see what's back there before backing. I have been told I have eyes in the back of my head. Just so you know LOL

[flybouy]

Originally Posted by +Ruff Rider

What did we do before all this camera stuff? You wonder why trucks are so expensive. 15 cameras on the new Chevy;s worth every penny of the $90,000. Sorry I only want the truck with 1 camera. I can get out of my truck and see what's back there before backing. I have been told I have eyes in the back of my head. Just so you know LOL

No one is forcing you to look at the screen, or buy the truck, but I'm guessing if you bought the truck without the cameras then the resell/trade in would be less.

[Denkrull]

How did you find where the the wire was? I have a 2017 Raptor 398 I bought used and been trying to find out where the backup camera wire are? The unit did not come with a monitor.
Thank you

[Auggie Waterman]

Originally Posted by Old Mustanger

Not always true, my camera is always on when the battery disconnect is on, doesn't care if the trailer is connected to the truck.

That's how mine is, Mustanger. But I didn't want to burn out the camera as it's transmitting the image whenever the battery switch is on, regardless of whether connected to power or tow vehicle.

I started pulling each fuse from the panel and found it was wired into the exterior lights which are the awning bead lights and get this, the under the counter and behind main TV bead accent lights inside the fiver! Which is controlled on the main panel with an off/on switch, but the camera feed was tied into the hot side of that so it was always on. It WAS NOT tied into the running lights, which I found amazing since they are so close. pics.

[Nitehawk]

Originally Posted by +Ruff Rider

The reason they are wired to the back up lights is because they don't want the camera on while driving. It's a safety thing.

Mine is wired to my tail lights and to operate it i turn on the parking lights, i find this is great because it allows me to veryfy if someone is close to me when i brake.

[jimborokz]

I find more and more drivers these days love to stay in your blind spot.
The main reason I have the camera is for changing lanes. I check my side spot mirror and see a vehicle, then I check the screen and if they're in view I know they are behind me and I can go over. It's also saved me a couple times when passing a semi on the Interstate and a car following me with no patience decided to pass me on the right before I can move back into the right lane.
So it's my idiot monitor.

[Auggie Waterman]

OK, I have the switch wired in now, so I can turn the rear view camera on and off when I want. They had it crimped into the hot side of the external lights so if my battery switch was on, so was the camera. I thought having it on 24 hours a day would burn out the transmitter so I put in a switch.

I just pulled each DC fuse until the camera went off and sure enough, that was the wire that was crimped to a second wire- two wires crimped to one off the DC fuse side. So I unhooked one, left one connected. it was the exterior lights. I connected the second one back, camera came back on so then I knew that was the one to add a switch to. I got a DC switch, some size 12 marine wire, crimp and slide-on connectors from West Marine. I did not hookup the third connector on the switch which is the ground, so the led in the switch won't work. it was already grounded somewhere else so I left that. down is off, up is on!

This excellent vid on the fuse/breaker box clarified it for me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiufFMKolpY

[flybouy]

For those looking for an alternative to going inside the unit to turn on the switch https://www.amazon.com/Latching-Func...%2C151&sr=8-17

This is just one example, there are many offerings for $15-$20. Just search for 12vdc remote controlled relay.

[GarryWolfe]

Originally Posted by Cougar Jim

Had time to install the Ucam camera yesterday. The power was/is coming from the clearance light just above the Furrion. The Furrion female plug wasn’t compatible with the Ucam so I had to replace with the proper plug.

Thanks again for all the suggestions 👍

Glad you got it figured. Bummer to the power source. Wife bought me a camera for an anniversary present and looking to install it in the next couple days. Was hoping it was a dedicated circuit not tied to the marker lights. Seeing as mine is a 2020 Cougar 32RDB (different TT, but the same "vintage"), I'm willing to bet they wired mine the same as yours. Ah well...guess I'll be driving with the marker lights on.

[Auggie Waterman]

I was so surprised there was no battery disconnect switch in our 2018 Hideout 308BHDS so I put one in. Before/After..