120 deg Wide-Angle Rear View Reverse Camera off Ebay - REVIEW

**tbird2340** · 11-06-2004, 07:38 AM

I won this rear view camera off eBay and I plan to do a helpful review for everyone.

First.. There were two sellers I found selling this identical camera. This seller I bought it off was a couple dollars more but said you'd receive it in 2-3 business days and I did.. He shipped from California and I got it in two days.. I was very happy about that..

One thing that sucked and I'm still working on is that it came with NO instructinos. I have been emailing the seller asking questions and he promptly returns them.

Here is some pics:

My question to him was how do I power the thing? Here was his reply:

"Thanks for your mail.
It could be powered directly by mobile power system DC 12V.
Here is the photo for your reference.
http://www.ksoffice.com.tw/ebay/US/C...weradaptor.jpg
So you may cut the power cord of the camera by yourself to connect to the vehicle power system.
There are three rings that you could mount it into the keyhole of your vehicle.
If you have any further question, please do not hesitate to mail me again.
Regards,

David (eBay Seller ID : dvoneb)"

Hesistant to cut something that I wasn't supposed to so I didn't jack it up I emailed him again and asked him if there were two wires (a ground and a hot) and if I was supposed to just snip the red connector off. And his reply was:

"Hi,

There are two wire, the red jack is for power cord, and the yellow one is for video output.
Please see the label of the power adapter in the photo.
http://www.ksoffice.com.tw/ebay/US/C...weradaptor.jpg
The fire wire(positive) is inside, and the ground(negative) is outside.
Thanks, David"

I'm still not sure what he's talking about.. If I cut this red RCA off and strip the wire back is there going to be two wires to tie into??

**jcdillin** · 11-06-2004, 08:12 AM

Yes. They are just using a RCA plug instead of a barrel connector for power. So if you cut if off you will have 2 wires to use. Did it come with a power adapter?

**tbird2340** · 11-06-2004, 08:14 AM

No.. No power adapter...What you see is that it came with..

So your saying to snip off the red plug and there should be two wires there?

**jcdillin** · 11-06-2004, 08:16 AM

yes. But leave a little wire on the RCA plug so you can keep track of the polarity

**R32 JUhl** · 11-06-2004, 08:17 AM

Tbird,

This is my first post. I've been lurking for a few weeks doing research and multiple searches. And WOW! I'm finally getting caught up enough to read NEW posts! Anyhow, you're in luck. Last week I got some components from an investment property that used the same connectors you have.

What the seller is trying to say is that there are two wires in that red wire. The picture he provided shows the layout of the adapter pin needed to power that camera using a 120V to 12V adapter. Going by the picture, the inside terminal is power the outside is ground. When you cut the wire, you will probably see a shielded ground with a power wire wrapped inside it. That will be your guide as to how to power it.

Depending on your PSU and your available power, you can grab the 12V supply from it... or if you're willing to take the risk, wire it directly to your cars 12V supply. I can't imagine it pulls enough wattage to be concerned with!

**jcdillin** · 11-06-2004, 08:18 AM

R32 is right, but I would power it from the computer to keep from frying it if it gets too much voltage from the car.

**tbird2340** · 11-06-2004, 08:27 AM

Ok.. Snipped it.. There's a red wire and then a bare wire. I'm assuming the bare wire is the ground correct?

**jcdillin** · 11-06-2004, 08:30 AM

Yes that sounds right. Bare would be shield and the red is positive.

**tbird2340** · 11-06-2004, 08:56 AM

Ok.. I have one of those adapters that go from 120 to a variety of volts. I set it to 12V and alligator clipped the wires together.. I got nuttin. Flipped the polarity switch.. Still nuttin...

The ONLY thing that I have a question with is... If the polarity was wrong when hooked up could it have jacked it up and then when I switched it to the correct polarity it not matter because it was jacked up?