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BobGFish

Member Since: 09 Jan 2025
Location: Zug
Posts: 26

2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver

Reverse Camera wiring.

I know this has been asked a heap. But still struggling Confused

I have just purchased a double Din Kenwood system and reverse camera. I have brought the Mud UK piggy back loom kit.

My plan is, splice the black and red into the camera loom in the middle on the left side of the connector. Using the red cable with fuse go to purple/white wire at head unit. Black should be able to say disconnected as earthed via reverse circuit?

This should turn camera on when selecting reverse.

If I want camera on all the time I can piggy back of say cig lighter (Need to add a USB here anyway) and if required for auto reverse camera extend to the purple/white?

Mud UK instructions differ slightly saying red from camera to ignition live and then use piggy loom to go back to head unit. (but optimal camera instructions are as per first plan)

Thanks

Click image to enlarge

30th Apr 2025 9:55pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20775

Basically in effect the HU Cam purple input is signal detect only, it’s only purpose is to tell the HU that it should display the reverse screen automatically on the display, this normally comes from the reverse feed tap you have, as the cameras use very low current you can use this to power the camera too.

But only so long as you only want the camera to come on, power wise and on the HU display with reverse selected.
That works, but if you want the cam on whenever you want, as well as reverse, then you are better placed to power the cam from a fused ignition switched supply.
This way the camera is always on when the ignition is on, the HU will display when reverse is selected, or you can select it on manually.
If you do want it on manually you might well need a P.B.B. Module as well to display the media source when you want, obviously within safe locations only, which also saves additional P.B wiring which is a pain to have to bother with.

(Parking Brake aka Handbrake).

The earth aka ground will be common, so a good ground point is ideal.

If you can, for the video RCA cable, use a shielded quality one like from Stinger, cheap ones are exactly that cheap, and you can have a great HU display and camera, but if the cable is low quality the image quality and reliablity will be poor, grainy images etc.
You’d be surprised what difference a quality video cable makes, just the same as Audio RCA’s. WeWillWin🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪

30th Apr 2025 10:34pm

BobGFish

Member Since: 09 Jan 2025
Location: Zug
Posts: 26

Thanks for feedback.

I "think" I only want it for reversing.

If it's on all the time will it "damage" the camera?

If I do wire it in all the time is it best to take the positive feed from the piggy back loom only? and use sperate ignition live to camera, or can I combine the piggy back loom and ignition live and the head unit will still get signal?

Lastly I saw the parking brake detection cable on head unit. Thought I would ignore it. I'm guessing your saying I won't be able to switch to camera feed unless I do something with it. (My handbrake warning light is broken

Need to recrimp the cable feed under the gaiter) If I fed to that it might work or ground it?

Thanks

30th Apr 2025 11:00pm

excossack

Member Since: 22 Feb 2012
Location: North West
Posts: 5944

1999 Defender 110 Td5 SW Caledonian Blue

My reverse camera takes the permanent live from the rear wiper so I can use the camera when ever I want 1999 Defender TD5 110

Regards
John M0VAZ
Econet Station 48 no clock

1st May 2025 7:57am

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5892

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver

I asked a similar question.

Here
https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic93961.html

And ended up doing what Penfold suggested a few posts down.

Live comes from ignition live to head unit. And powered camera also via ignition live so I can view camera at any time, but also via reverse trigger.
That way I can drive and view camera, or just use as reverse camera when it auto switches as reverse is selected.

They are a great head unit and brilliant camera 👍🏻👍🏻

1st May 2025 11:28am

BobGFish

Member Since: 09 Jan 2025
Location: Zug
Posts: 26

Thanks so much

I did not find this post earlier.

Basically all the same parts I am using! My Nak DAB aerial arrived today. Does come with an adaptor to fit now though !

By default is the aerial fitted on the left or right? I have a LHD (My existing is on the left but also have a hole on the right !)

Did you use the loom kit or just wire in direct to reverse?

Also you mention you brought the MudStuff USB. Which one?

I have this to wire in as well. Hopefully does not default to off!
https://www.mudstuff.co.uk/collections/soc...b-c-socket

I thought I would take power from my new USB port out the back but option Penfold suggests looks clean !

Once I've got this sorted I need to tackle some DRL's

1st May 2025 11:55am

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5892

I wired direct to reverse, as I have extra reverse lights and a switch in the rear speaker panels to operate them. There is an extra connector on the trailer tow loom, which I have connected too.

I got the same USB port as you, which is nice quality but blue light is horrible (standard Td5 light is green) and it needs turning on each time. Not what I want.

1st May 2025 5:59pm

custom90

Member Since: 21 Jan 2010
Location: South West, England.
Posts: 20775

There are lots of options as to where you can take the ignition live fused power from.
So long as it’s fused and NOT permanent live you’ll be fine.

You could use an “add a tap” ATO adaptor in the fuse box, but the downside is it is upfront, run it with your purple signal wire.
The lighter socket fuse is ideal, I deregulated the existing fuse to 15A from 20A. And just a 1A fuse for the tap circuit, this fuse is ignition live.
This is Puma.

If you can take the video wire across the other side, to keep power and signal away from each other.

As has been mentioned, there are quite a few options, fuse rating for the Camera will not need to be any more than 1A.
Most draw under 500mA / 0.5A. WeWillWin🇬🇧🇺🇸
⛽️🛢️⚙️🧰💪

2nd May 2025 5:38pm

landy andy

Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5892

The camera supply wire has a fuse fitted to it. 2amp.

2nd May 2025 6:29pm

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