Switching BU Camera from BU Light to Running Light Power with Switch

[grizzlyak]

I recently purchased an AUTO-VOX W7Pro wireless backup camera that is typically powered by the closest reverse/backup light. But I also want the ability to run the camera when I'm towing full time for monitoring which would require a different power source. What I'm thinking about doing is to install a SPDT switch (see Figure) and run a 3-wire bundle from the back to the dash to the switch to have control over the power source used by the camera. My intent is to, in the back, connect one wire to the BU light, the second to the running lights (perhaps on my 7-way), and the third one to the camera red. At the switch, I'd connect the camera power lead to the CENTER of the switch (where it says BATT) and the other two to either of the LOAD leads, thereby reversing the switch direction (i.e., instead of one source, two loads, I have two sources, one load). This way I can determine with a flick of a switch whether I just want BU camera when I'm not towing, or full time camera to monitor my trailer connection when towing, or to turn it off altogether (hence the 3 position switch)

Does anybody see any problem with this idea? It would give me the best of both worlds with a single camera, as opposed to simply a backup camera when the vehicle is in reverse. Any advice would be appreciated regarding the wiring and/or switch suitability.

PS: I'm certain there are myriad ways to tap into the two light circuits up front, but I feel running a three wire (since I have to run one to the camera anyway) is the simplest for me, so that's my plan.

2001 GMC Yukon, trailering pkg, 7-way connector.

 

[Big Mama]

Welcome to the forum from Virginia. I’ll be watching this thread. It’s an interesting idea.

 

[Doubeleive]

in my opinion
way over thinking it.......
1 switch, 1 power wire, 1 ground.
that's all you need then you can have it on/off as desired 24/7
to prevent accidental power drain install a simple trigger relay to key on power.
done.

 

[grizzlyak]

in my opinion
way over thinking it.......
1 switch, 1 power wire, 1 ground.
that's all you need then you can have it on/off as desired 24/7
to prevent accidental power drain install a simple trigger relay to key on power.
done.

Thanks, but what you suggest doesn't meet my stated needs at all. What you suggested is harder than just wiring it directly to the reverse light, if I wanted it to work in only one situation. As I stated, I'm looking for a solution that lets me use the camera under two different situations, requiring two different and distinct power sources. One on/off switch just won't cut it, unfortunately.

 

[Doubeleive]

Thanks, but what you suggest doesn't meet my stated needs at all. What you suggested is harder than just wiring it directly to the reverse light, if I wanted it to work in only one situation. As I stated, I'm looking for a solution that lets me use the camera under two different situations, requiring two different and distinct power sources. One on/off switch just won't cut it, unfortunately.

sure it will and only requires 1 wire from the front and a 2 channel relay
1 wire from 1 position toggle switch for trigger power with key on
reverse trigger connected to 2nd channel of relay to camera and a ground wire from camera to body
(that way the reverse lights won't be lit if you flip the toggle)

doing it that way the backup camera operates just like a normal backup camera, when you want to see a moving view any other time you just flip the toggle switch on.
super easy.

maybe it seems complicated but it's not

 

[grizzlyak]

OK, that makes sense and would work with the additional relay. With the exception of running only a single wire front to back instead of three, I'm not sure how a single on/off switch with a relay is really any simpler than what I've suggested, a single on-off-on 3 position switch and no relay. I'm just enabling one of two different power sources with the switch without the need for a relay. Am I still missing something?

I do admit that your solution is creative and that I probably would have never thought of it.

 

[Doubeleive]

anyway it's just a suggestion, all you have to run is the video wire and 1 power wire, the rest comes from the reverse lights, ground just goes to body.

 

[Doubeleive]

OK, that makes sense and would work with the additional relay. With the exception of running only a single wire front to back instead of three, I'm not sure how a single on/off switch with a relay is really any simpler than what I've suggested, a single on-off-on 3 position switch and no relay. I'm just enabling one of two different power sources with the switch without the need for a relay. Am I still missing something?

I do admit that your solution is creative and that I probably would have never thought of it.

the only issue I see runing a 3 toggle is the power still has to be seperated at the camera, hence the relay. otherwise applying power makes the reverse lights come on with the camera

 

[grizzlyak]

Hmm... I don't think so, not the way I've described it in my OP. If I connect the camera to the center tap on the switch, the reverse lights to one of the outside taps and the running lights to the other tap. Either one or the other tap is powered by the switch (or neither if off) but never both at the same time, right? There is no connection between the reverse light circuit and the running light circuit in this configuration.

 

[Doubeleive]

Hmm... I don't think so, not the way I've described it in my OP. If I connect the camera to the center tap on the switch, the reverse lights to one of the outside taps and the running lights to the other tap. Either one or the other tap is powered by the switch (or neither if off) but never both at the same time, right? There is no connection between the reverse light circuit and the running light circuit in this configuration.

I guess there isn't then, I would just use key on power for the secondary.
I don't know what I was thinking lol it's cat-nap time ZZZzzz

 

[grizzlyak]

Whew! You had me worried that I was missing something obvious! It's always good to talk it through with someone with more experience though and, besides, now I have another option I had not thought of. I can always learn something new!

Thanks, and Cheers!

 

[grizzlyak]

I've been thinking more about this, and am wondering now, since my 7-way trailer connector was added (along with the hitch) as part of the trailering package, the entire wiring harness is probably a unit piece that is added as needed. If that is indeed the case, then it probably has a dedicated plug-in point under the dash or in the engine compartment. Does anyone know whether or not this is correct, and if so, any ideas on where that might be . I'm hoping someone out there may have already figured this out. If I can find it under the dash, that would eliminate two wire runs rom the back, leaving only a single small gauge wire for the camera. The 7-way has full voltage circuits for both Tail Marker (switched) and Reverse (backup only) that could be tapped directly up front.

 

[Doubeleive]

I've been thinking more about this, and am wondering now, since my 7-way trailer connector was added (along with the hitch) as part of the trailering package, the entire wiring harness is probably a unit piece that is added as needed. If that is indeed the case, then it probably has a dedicated plug-in point under the dash or in the engine compartment. Does anyone know whether or not this is correct, and if so, any ideas on where that might be . I'm hoping someone out there may have already figured this out. If I can find it under the dash, that would eliminate two wire runs rom the back, leaving only a single small gauge wire for the camera. The 7-way has full voltage circuits for both Tail Marker (switched) and Reverse (backup only) that could be tapped directly up front.

the only wires up front that I am aware of off-hand are the power wire for trailer power and the power wire for a brake controller. otherwise the rest just feeds off the rear light harness

 

[grizzlyak]

Ah, interesting. That makes sense. I guess I'll poke around and see where those from the 7-way connector lead and make sense of it. My original plan may be it after all. Appreciate the insight.