Rear camera installation

[jakewalter]

I am in the process of installing a rear camera for my truck camper.

I am working on my 85 K20 with an automatic transmission.

I need to tap into the backup lights.

Rather than run a wire back to the taillight I was wondering if I could tap into the wiring underneath the dash.

If anyone knows where the wires are I would appreciate the help.

Thanks so much,
Jake

[kglowacky]

I'm only guessing on a 85 but my guess is it is the switch mounted on the steering column.. I am confident someone on this forum knows this answer.

[geezer#99]

No wires needed.
Search for wireless back up cameras.
Some examples for you.


https://www.google.com/search?q=wire...ient=img&udm=2

[jakewalter]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

No wires needed.
Search for wireless back up cameras.
Some examples for you.


https://www.google.com/search?q=wire...ient=img&udm=2

That would be a good idea however I already bought a hard wired version.

[Bandit130]

Couldn't you tap into the backup light wires at the rear of the truck near the bumper?

[Dead Parrot]

2nd the idea of tapping into the Neutral Safety Switch. IIRC, it normally also handles the backup lights.

Is this main power for the camera or some kind of activation signal for one that is already booted up? It would kinda suck if you have to wait many seconds for the camera to go through a boot up cycle before you can begin moving back.

[jakewalter]

Originally Posted by Bandit130

Couldn't you tap into the backup light wires at the rear of the truck near the bumper?

Yes I can however I was hoping to connect the wire closer so I didn’t have to run it all of the way back.

Originally Posted by Dead Parrot

2nd the idea of tapping into the Neutral Safety Switch. IIRC, it normally also handles the backup lights.

I will have to check the neutral safety switch. That would be a great place.

[/quote] Is this main power for the camera or some kind of activation signal for one that is already booted up? It would kinda suck if you have to wait many seconds for the camera to go through a boot up cycle before you can begin moving back.[/quote]

The camera has a four pin plug. One of those wires controls the backup monitor. That’s the wire that needs to be connected to the reverse lights.

[Slammed84]

"The camera has a four pin plug. One of those wires controls the backup monitor. That’s the wire that needs to be connected to the reverse lights."

Any possibility you could post the schematics if any were included? I deal with analog cameras quite a bit at work, typically they need 2 wires for power, 2 wires for the video signal, so I'm wondering how there is a signal wire to fire the monitor for the camera in cab.

[Pontiac1976]

look up 85 column wiring diagram for your option on this sit

[jakewalter]

I’m sorry for not getting back to this sooner.

My wife and I went on a camping trip in the upper peninsula of Michigan and had transmission problems.

We had to leave the camper up there at a friends house so it will be a while until I get back to the rear camera.

Thank all of you for your insight and advice.

It is really appreciated.

[Axle]

I'd put a manual toggle swith on the camera (you can tie into any switched 12 volts source, theres a switched single terminal in the fuse block available, or you can tie into the radio feed wire. Sometimes you want to see whats back there without having to put it in reverse.