Jackboot:Originally Posted by Jackboot
I think I want to take your idea to the next level, and also add an 'override' switch to my dash, so that I can manually enable the rearview camera by flipping a switch in my dash.
Doing what you describe above, will enable it when reversing -- cool , I still want that. How can I make the dash switch also trigger the line so that the relay activates on demand? I'm thiking of tapping into the same 12V trigger that goes into Opus, and putting a switch in between.
I might be talking out of my arse here, didn't give it too much thought yet. Any ideas appreciated, as having the 'manual enable' capability would be awesome.
2002 Honda CR-V
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yes 2amps is 24 watts but your camera is probably alot less but some equipment has a high start up spike, so if its usually 400ma, and you use a 500ma fuse, it would work, but may pop everytime you power it up.
a 1amp fuse is a good start. if it pops try a 2, if that pops have it looked at with a meter than can measure the turn on surge and use a fuse accordingly, but 1 or 2 amp will be fine.
Lez, more widely known as flez1966
Actually, leaving your manual tranny in reverse while parked is a very safe bet. I left mine in 1st gear on a hill and when I got back from lynch, I thought someone stole my car....found it about 1/4 mile away. It rolled down the drive way and street, jumped a curve, went through a drainage culvert and sandwiched itself between 2 trees. (yes, wheels were left straight and parking brake was pulled up...parking brake did not have enough grab) So, now I drive an auto and when I drive my wifes manual, I park it in reverse, pull the brake all the way up and cock the wheels to the side.
Now for the answer: If you are concerned about the voltage, just hook a voltmeter to the line and check the voltage while you are cranking. More than likely, it will drop rather than spike. I like the relay idea better though.
BTW...good idea about using the back up lights as the power source. I would still be trying to build a circuit around the shifter position.
David
Unless I am misunderstanding you, if you tap into the 12V trigger that goes to the Opus and put a switch in between, this will only serve to turn the Opus on and off and won't affect the camera's operation aside from not allowing the camera to turn on even when in reverse since the Opus (which the camera is powered from) is not outputting any power.
In any case, yes you can certainly wire in an override switch and the hardest part will only be running a wire from the front of the car to the camera (a PITA more than hard).
Basically you are going to create a second trigger (aside from the reverse light's voltage). All you need to do is attach another wire to:
3. Unregulated 12V from reverse lights (this is your "trigger")
Run this newly attached wire up to the front. Attach the rocker switch to one end of the new trigger wire, and attach the other rocker switch connection to a constant 12V source (like ignition or radio). You could even attach it to your cigarette lighter +12V if you really needed.
Note: If you use the rocker switch in this configuration to override the reverse light's trigger, voltage will also flow from your trigger up front (ie: your radio) to your trigger switch on the relay, which is also attached to your reverse lights. This will cause your reverse lights to have power anytime you turn the rocker switch to the "on" position. In other words, whenever your camera is on your reverse lights will be on whether your car is in reverse or not. This is also assuming that your trigger up front (ie: radio) can safely handle ~2.5A which should be fine. Put a fuse on the rocker switch line if you'd like.
Hope this makes sense...personally, I think it is more trouble than it is worth since realistically the only time you'll want the camera on is when you are *actually* reversing eh?
Jackboot: That almost does what I want, except that I really don't want the reverse lights turning on when I hit the rocker switch. If I am driving at 55 mph on highway, and decide I want my rearview camera ON, I would hit the rocker switch... but in this scneario, I certainly don't want my reverse lights turning on! (will confuse drivers behind me... might even get me a ticket LOL)
Thanks for your input. Any 'tweak' to the above to make this work without reverse lights?
2002 Honda CR-V
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Somewhat tedious depending on your car, but you could run 2 wires (could be 1 cable with 2 wires in it like speaker wire) from the trunk to your dash. Tap the reverse light and send it down one wire. Wire the switch up to that wire and also something that stays on while the car is running (you could tap pretty much anything in the fuse box). Then use the other wire going back to the trunk to trigger the relay. This will yield automatic trigger of the reverse camera when in reverse (in one position) and always on (in the other position).
relay that is trigger by your reverse light to the acc 12v line to power the camera. I have the same setup as you with the montior. I find that if I use the opus there is a slight lag in powering up plus also there is already a screen bootup lag so by the time both of those are done I am done backing up so its worthless. I decided to cut time and wire it up hard to the reverse light and if it goes out thats what ebay is for ... lol
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There is actually an easy tweak so that the reverse light won't come on in this configuration. BTW, only the reverse light that is connected to the relay will light up when the override switch is ON. The other reverse light is most likely on its own circuit.
The tweak involves installing a diode like this one (3 amps is a good rating for isolating your reverse light):
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...ductId=2062579
Diodes only allow voltage to flow one way. Installing the diode between the reverse light and the relay will allow voltage to flow from the reverse light to the relay in order to activate the trigger but NOT in the other direction (from the rocker switch up front back to the relay and back up to the reverse light).
You just need to make sure you install the diode in the correct direction. This is with the Cathode (side with the stripe) on the relay side. In other words, the side with the stripe will be closest to the relay.
ANYONE ELSE: I'm only going off of theory here, so if I'm wrong, feel free to correct me!
Why you little....! ok you explain it in more depth than I did.
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