Need help wiring backup camera

[07ExpyEL]

Hey guys, need some advice before tackling this project. I bought a backup camera from Costco that will be hard wired into the truck. As far as powering the camera I had planned to tap into the backup lights in the rear. However, I am not sure where to get power in the front for the monitor. Are there empty spots in the fuse box? If so, how would I wire into that? Should I try tapping into the overhead lights? Truck is a 2007 EB EL. Thanks for any ideas.

Rob

 

[dtd07]

not sure on 07, but on 06 if your vehicle is equip with a auto dimming rear mirror look for a 6 pin clip from behind, find a wire color black w/pink stripe. this is the reverse power tirgger (+). Not sure what its use for behind the rear mirror. if you have a volt meter test it first..
The same wire is also located on the 24 pin harness that runs from your navigation DVD-ROM to the head unit.
If you don't have this wire you can run the backup wire towards the front or I can search for a wire diagram. again I can only search for 06 years. It might be close.

 

[White03Expe]

I tapped into the cigarette lighter power supply for my monitor.

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

Don't just power it from the reverse lights, use a relay.

 

[GAINMOB]

Don't just power it from the reverse lights, use a relay.

whats wrong with using the reverse lights? someone advise me to do just that...

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

whats wrong with using the reverse lights? someone advise me to do just that...

Because you are asking that circuit to pull more currrent than it was intended to do. I don't know what the current draw of your camera is, and perhaps in this situation with limited usage it might not be a big deal.

The more accepted way of adding anything to your wiring is to run a power wire from the battery to a relay, and to trigger the relay with the existing circuit (in this case, reverse lights).

Just my .02

 

[GAINMOB]

Because you are asking that circuit to pull more currrent than it was intended to do. I don't know what the current draw of your camera is, and perhaps in this situation with limited usage it might not be a big deal.

The more accepted way of adding anything to your wiring is to run a power wire from the battery to a relay, and to trigger the relay with the existing circuit (in this case, reverse lights).

Just my .02

so thats a no-no...

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

If its working, I guess its fine. It's not the "Wrong way", but it's not the "Right Way" either. It really depends on the Fuse rating and what the combined current draw is.

 

[GAINMOB]

so what will be ideal? i have one that i'm waiting to hook up cuz itz still too cold outside to hook up...

 

[dtd07]

so what will be ideal? i have one that i'm waiting to hook up cuz itz still too cold outside to hook up...

a rely is only used when a "unit" is a high drain/amprage, such as a high power amp, off road lights or such. For a low drain unit like interior light, radio it doesn't need a relay. a fuse is a good idea from the power source to your "unit". A backup camera and a small monitor wouldn't need a relay. It wouldn't draw that much amps...from the looks of what you have in your Expy...you have a clear idea of what you are doing. Your back up system wouldn't be on for no more than a few minutes at a time if at all 60 seconds, your radio is on most of your driving time and it doesn't need a relay to keep it going.
Just my take.

 

[GAINMOB]

a rely is only used when a "unit" is a high drain/amprage, such as a high power amp, off road lights or such. For a low drain unit like interior light, radio it doesn't need a relay. a fuse is a good idea from the power source to your "unit". A backup camera and a small monitor wouldn't need a relay. It wouldn't draw that much amps...from the looks of what you have in your Expy...you have a clear idea of what you are doing. Your back up system wouldn't be on for no more than a few minutes at a time if at all 60 seconds, your radio is on most of your driving time and it doesn't need a relay to keep it going.
Just my take.

take noted...

 

[98EXPY 5-0]

a rely is only used when a "unit" is a high drain/amprage, such as a high power amp, off road lights or such. For a low drain unit like interior light, radio it doesn't need a relay. a fuse is a good idea from the power source to your "unit". A backup camera and a small monitor wouldn't need a relay. It wouldn't draw that much amps...from the looks of what you have in your Expy...you have a clear idea of what you are doing. Your back up system wouldn't be on for no more than a few minutes at a time if at all 60 seconds, your radio is on most of your driving time and it doesn't need a relay to keep it going.
Just my take.

Thats why I said I don't know what amperage your camera will draw and about limited usage. It may not be an issue at all. I am thinking of adding a back up camera to my Expedition as well because my rear view mirror is useless with my cage. I am also going to be adding reverse facing flood lights and so I will already have a 12v source from the battery to the rear of my vehicle. So adding a relay will be easy for my application.

I only brought it up at all because I have seen guys hook a wire from their headlights to their driving lights and powered both from the same circuit. That is bad.

 

[07ExpyEL]

Thanks for the replies guys. The weather looks ok for tomorrow so I think I will try and get it done.

 

[dtd07]

If you have a 7 pin towing hookup you can add your back up flood light to that..it is already setup with a relay. just a though

 

[07ExpyEL]

unfortunately I don't have the 7 pin hookup. That is my next project, I already bought the plug and will be using the instructions from another thread on this site.