Thread: Displaying reverse camera on a carputer?

only problem witha webcam or any other type of digital computer input is that you still need some method of triggering the camera action automatically by the reverse lights


i like eCars method


thanks for the schematic
my electronics know how is limited so i must ask this question, what do the little numbers mean?

Originally Posted by aoLhaTer

only problem witha webcam or any other type of digital computer input is that you still need some method of triggering the camera action automatically by the reverse lights


i like eCars method


thanks for the schematic
my electronics know how is limited so i must ask this question, what do the little numbers mean?

That little numbers indicating each pin where you connect wires. Same numbers are labled on relays. That should help you wire up everything.

i think im even more lost now

what does the bigger blue box represent?

Originally Posted by aoLhaTer

i think im even more lost now

what does the bigger blue box represent?

On the second schmatic, bottom blue box is a relay which is triggered by reverse light. So camera is to be diplayed when shifted to rear.

Top blue box is a manual switch.
It will have three settings, Auto, VGA, VIDEO.

Did it help?

Im not really understanding what the relay actually is

Excuse my ignorance

The bigger blue box is a SPDT relay. That stands for "Single Pole, Double Throw". Click here if you need to know how a relay works.

Look for a very small relay. The load (CheeseBox) is very small; probably much less than 1A. In general, the smaller the rated load of the relay, the less current it will need for the trigger (to activate the coil and make the switch). This would be especially important if you have a car that can detect burnt out reverse bulbs. I'm not even sure that you could find a relay that will work without triggering a burnt bulb signal in those cars. By adding the relay, you change the resistance/current in the reverse lamp circuit of the car. A smaller relay will minimize the change, though.

Originally Posted by aoLhaTer

Im not really understanding what the relay actually is

Excuse my ignorance

I guess you can think relay as automatic switch when it get some signal.
In this case, when the relay get power from reverse light (which only turns on when shifted rear), circuit is switched to 87 instead of 87a.

When power is off, relay is at the 87a position and that makes Cheese box circuit open. When relay gets power, it switche to 87 and that makes cheese box closed.

FYI, when cheese box is open, VGA is displayed on the monitor and when it is closed VIDEO is displayed.

ah! thanks for the explanation guys

this would do the trick right
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=275%2D005


and the black line triangle at the bottom is ground feed right?

Originally Posted by aoLhaTer

ah! thanks for the explanation guys

this would do the trick right
http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=275%2D005


and the black line triangle at the bottom is ground feed right?

Yeah, but you'd also need a resistor to drop the voltage to the 7-9VDC that relay needs. Look for a 12VDC one.

If possible, skip Radio Shack. They are the worst. I refuse to buy anything from them, and encourage others to boycott them also.