 | Home > In Car Electronics > Reverse camera help please |
 
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206  
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Hi all,
The only thing I've ever wired up before are some speakers and I'm convinced that was luck combined with it being so simple even I could do it... Now I have a reversing camera bought from Halfrauds... The instructions seem pretty straightforward I guess - Break into the reversing light, ground the black and plug it all in (after fidning a suitable location for the camera)... But rather than doing what you're supposed to do, I was considering instead of breaking into reverse light wire, that I run that cable to a toggle switch on the dash (of which there are many) then running a 12live to that toggle switch, so the camera can be switched on whenever...reason being I don't want to have it going onoffonoffonoff as I try to jiggle the defender with its notorious turning circle into a spot, I can just turn it on, faff about into the spot, then turn it off. It all sounds pretty doable and straightforward to me, on paper...see:  Click image to enlarge Problem is the cables are about as short as they are on that paper and I don't really know what wire or connectors I need in order to get power from (I'm guessing a 12v cigarette lighter) to the toggle switch and then to the camera... and the toggle switch has tabs on the back of it and I don't know if I need to ground those or what I'm doing there... Can anyone advise or should I abandon ship?  The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html
https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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7th Dec 2023 11:55am |
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| Balvaig Member Since: 19 Feb 2016 Location: Fife Posts: 720  
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The LR high level work light is wired in the way you want. The positive is taken from the back of the cigarette lighter socket and taken to a rocker switch on the dash. The cigarette lighter socket is a nightmare to remove from the front.
The feed from the rocker switch is taken up the passenger A pillar and to the rear of the vehicle in the edge of the head lining. Termination depends on where you are siting the camera. An in line fuse adds additional safety. You really need a multimeter or a 12v indicator lamp to check polarity. You also need to be able to safely make up connectors or be able to solder and use heat shrink to extend the wiring. It certainly is a DIY job, but probably not for a first time attempt at wiring. |
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7th Dec 2023 1:30pm |
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| Ianb Member Since: 25 Oct 2023 Location: Devon Posts: 206
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Thanks guys. I appreciate the honesty Balvaig. Sadly I'm surrounded by people with the same level of vehicle electrical expertise as myself... The Yeti - 110 Camper https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic90308.html
https://www.youtube.com/@YetitheDefender |
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7th Dec 2023 1:45pm |
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| Stacey007 Member Since: 25 Sep 2015 Location: Cheshire Posts: 3696
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Hello
Since I did this post I now have a double din and camera is on that. however this may help https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic46246.html?highlight=camera |
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7th Dec 2023 2:06pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3213  
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Previous owner of my Defender had installed some work lights, with a toggle switch on the dash. So when I fitted the reverse camera, I just spliced off them. That way I do not have the on off on off on off issue as you mentioned..... I just need to remember to switch off the work lights when I park in a tight spot in broad daylight. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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7th Dec 2023 2:14pm |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16894 
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^^ And hope in the UK that no jobsworth plod picks you up for using work lights without an amber beacon!
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7th Dec 2023 7:02pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3213
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Hmmmm… what defines a work light and a reverse light? Reverse lights can also be manually switched as long there is an indicator in the drivers cabin. And both are above bumper level. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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8th Dec 2023 7:38am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16894
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Light output, as far as I know.
I've had "work lights" on the back and sides of my Defender for more than a decade (they were there long before the beacons and strobes), they're manually switched with in-cab indicators, and I've never been taken to task for using them as reversing lights. You might have an issue at MoT time if the lights are solely switched with reverse selection. |
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8th Dec 2023 8:56am |
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| rallysteve Member Since: 10 Feb 2014 Location: Cumbria Posts: 2200 
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To keep this as simple as possible for you and give you the function you are looking for. How about tapping into the heated rear window circuit (at the back of the vehicle). This means you could switch the screen on by turning on the heated rear window.
It would mean the screen would be on whilst you are normally using the HRW but as doubt it is any more distracting than a satnav/dashcam/phone in cradle. Cables are both available and reasonably easy to access under the drivers side rear light cover in the rear tub. Just a thought? Steve 02' 110 TD5 Double Cab Rebuild Thread 84' 90 3.9 V8 Caged Pickup Build Thread - Now For Sale |
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8th Dec 2023 10:04am |
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| landy andy Member Since: 15 Feb 2009 Location: Ware, Herts Posts: 5424 
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I’ve had work lights that auto operate with selecting reverse on the back of all my defenders. It’s never failed an MOT with them, the police have seen them and not been bothered, and not questioned when I’ve been pulled by VOSA, even when they did light check, including reverse light.
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8th Dec 2023 10:06am |
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| blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 16894
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^^ That may be common sense or ignorance by the authorities but either way it is good to know. I too have never had any issues with mine.
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8th Dec 2023 10:19am |
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| Mo Murphy Member Since: 01 Jun 2008 Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts Posts: 2086 
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How about doing it properly and not splicing into anything and put in a fused feed from the battery.
I'll post this before someone tells you scotchloks are a good idea 🤣 Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen. |
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8th Dec 2023 4:14pm |
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| Dinnu Member Since: 24 Dec 2019 Location: Lija Posts: 3213
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My plan was to get a piggy back from the reverse light and use a delay off relay to solve the on off on off issue... but as with many of my projects, it had remained as a plan, probably because my workaround is working. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black |
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8th Dec 2023 7:26pm |
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