Trigger lead for my reversing camera

[John Bilko]

I can either get a power supply for my reversing camera from the reversing lights circuit or I can fit a manually operated switched supply from my permanent direct supply.
My question is two fold; where do I find the positive supply to the reversing lights at the back as there could be a ready made tap point in the harness and, will the ECU be upset by a second 'consumer' if I have to splice the positive hot supply near to the actual rear light cluster.

The easiest installation for me would be to rig up a hot switched supply but then I would have to switch it on every time I reverse.  However, it would mean I could switch it on at any time!

[Sol]

You can't and shouldn't connect anything to the rear lighting harness.

[John Bilko]

You can't and shouldn't connect anything to the rear lighting harness.

I thought you'd say that but how does the reversing sensor system work as it comes on when I go into reverse?

[Sol]

The BSI knows when you're in reverse. It gets the signal from the reverse gear switch first, then it lights the reversing lamps. It also turns on the park assist...

Connection of anything which draws more than 10ma can damage the outputs (they power the lamps I know, before anyone gets the calculator out to work out the current on a 21W bulb, it's just below 2A) as per the big red warning labels on the rear lighting harnesses. The 10ma limit is considered to be in addition to the requirements the existing lamps already place on the BSI electronic outputs.

You would be able to hook up a low current intermediate relay, who's coil is back-emf protected with a built in diode (required for electronic transistor outputs which is what the BSI has) and then it can use another clean supply (trailer power) to turn on the camera.

I plugged my rear cam into the rear 12V acc socket and it comes on with the ignition. I did buy the extra kit to do it remotely as above, just ended up not bothering. I like it on all the time I'm driving.

Multiplexers (BSI) are a completely different animal to the older vehicle tech where people are used to just hooking stuff up unless or until a fuse blows.

[John Bilko]

I plugged my rear cam into the rear 12V acc socket and it comes on with the ignition. I did buy the extra kit to do it remotely as above, just ended up not bothering. I like it on all the time I'm driving.

Multiplexers (BSI) are a completely different animal to the older vehicle tech where people are used to just hooking stuff up unless or until a fuse blows.

Thank you for the explanation; I have to admit the idea of these cars being run by a brain is difficult to get my head round but I half expected it would be something like that.

I can run the reverse camera via a switch somewhere (but Lord knows where ) from my direct power supply - it was one of my original possibilities.

I have a 4.3" display to be placed on the dash somewhere and my dash does not have much room left for things like that!  

   

[Sol]

What I got John, was a mirror monitor, works a treat. Clips securely over the existing mirror and works as one just like the original, but when the cam is on, the screen in the mirror lights up. I got mine from Dolphin Parking Systems online, you probably will get one on ebay or amazon too.

[John Bilko]

What I got John, was a mirror monitor, works a treat. Clips securely over the existing mirror and works as one just like the original, but when the cam is on, the screen in the mirror lights up. I got mine from Dolphin Parking Systems online, you probably will get one on ebay or amazon too.

Thanks.  Unfortunately, I have a mirror that is a dash cam. lol  it is very busy in my cab. lol

[Sol]

Haha, put any more stuff in it, and there won't be enough room for you!

[John Bilko]

Haha, put any more stuff in it, and there won't be enough room for you!

I am so glad I rigged up my own direct battery power supply.  The solar charger helps a lot with my situation being as I only do a few miles a week.  It is all essential stuff on the dash. lol

[John Bilko]

What I got John, was a mirror monitor, works a treat. Clips securely over the existing mirror and works as one just like the original, but when the cam is on, the screen in the mirror lights up. I got mine from Dolphin Parking Systems online, you probably will get one on ebay or amazon too.

I have now fitted the reversing camera and its little screen is stuck on the dash.  I decided to use the power supply of the ciggy lighter circuit and am putting one of these switches near the drive selector control (which I still hate after all these months).
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/234773831620