Rear camera power question

tractors1 · 08-04-2014, 08:57 AM

Since Escape trailers don't have backup lights, anyone know how they wire 12V to a rear view camera? I figured tapping into the tail lights would be the best method to use it as a rear view camera, not just as a backup, and still have no power to it when camped so as not to drain the battery. The system I am having installed has a slip-over mirror (with video input) that covers the truck mirror completely.

ETI is closed for BC day today and the trailer is starting the 3rd week of the build - hoping to get this resolved before they open tomorrow.

jamman · 08-04-2014, 10:33 AM

They'll do whatever you ask. Why not have them power it off the running lights - then you can have it on whenever you want?

techfan · 08-04-2014, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Since Escape trailers don't have backup lights, anyone know how they wire 12V to a rear view camera? I figured tapping into the tail lights would be the best method to use it as a rear view camera, not just as a backup, and still have no power to it when camped so as not to drain the battery. The system I am having installed has a slip-over mirror (with video input) that covers the truck mirror completely.

ETI is closed for BC day today and the trailer is starting the 3rd week of the build - hoping to get this resolved before they open tomorrow.

I have my camera wired to the "running lights." The camera is on when I have the tow vehicle parking lights on. That way, I can turn them on when driving down the road OR backing up. When the tow vehicle is not connected, they are off. I unplug the monitor if I don't want to see the camera at all.

I had ETI leave 6 feet of ground and running light connection out the front and I did the rest.

Scuba55 · 08-04-2014, 10:47 AM

Any thought of going battery powered wireless?

techfan · 08-04-2014, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Any thought of going battery powered wireless?

My camera is wireless between the trailer and tow. More details on our web page.

tractors1 · 08-04-2014, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scuba55

Any thought of going battery powered wireless?

I imagine a battery powered camera would only last a few hours at best, particularly when transmitting wireless. My system communicates wirelessly to the truck.

tractors1 · 08-04-2014, 01:08 PM

Trailers I've had in the past had the running lights and tail lights on the same circuit. Are they wired different in an Escape?

Brian B-P · 08-04-2014, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Trailers I've had in the past had the running lights and tail lights on the same circuit. Are they wired different in an Escape?

No, it's the same circuit in almost any car and in the common 7-pin RV-style towing connector.

The centre pin of that connector is an auxiliary, meaning that it has no standard use and can be assigned for anything you want, as long as the tug and trailer are compatible. A common use is for backup lights; in this case, it could be wired to the backup lights on the tug and a wire run in the Escape for the camera... and for backup lights too if you want. If you do this and tow another trailer, you may need a disconnect switch on this circuit in case the trailer does something different and undesirable with it.

In old Bolers, there was a wire attached to this pin (using the standard colour coding of yellow) and run to the back of the trailer near the tail lamps in case anyone wanted to use it for either backup lights or a dedicated stop (brake) lamp. Is this done in an Escape, or is there just nothing connected to that pin?

Most manufacturers use common 7-conductor cable for the connection to the tug, so even if one pin is not used for anything that wire is still there to be used.

For an earlier discussion in more depth, see Backup lights.

FishBioGirl · 08-04-2014, 08:55 PM

my camera was installed during build, works great! One of my favorite things so far!

MacMan · 04-03-2015, 10:48 PM

FishBioGirl, can you tell me what type/details of the camera you got? Thanks.

FishBioGirl · 04-04-2015, 06:02 AM

I got it from rear view safety, it is white so blends in nicely, really love it! On first trip we had heavy rain and wind, it was great to be able to see behind the trailer while driving. I can even see my bikes on the rack to be sure they are secure. I use flexible wire ties to secure the monitor ever the rear view mirror in my FJ it seems homely but works really well as that is where I am accustom to looking to see behind the vehicle.

Vermilye · 04-04-2015, 08:54 AM

I also have a system from Rear View Safety - 2 cameras, one on the RAV4 & one on the trailer mounted above the window. They are wired cameras, powered by the wiring so they can be on all the time or switched off at the monitor & I don't need to find a power source in the trailer.

I like the system, been using it for 4 years. The only problem I have had is they use a coiled 18 wheeler 7 pin connector to go between the trailer & the tow vehicle. It is overkill weight wise, and the pins get corroded, causing streaks in the image from the camera. I keep a spray can of no-corrode and touch them up every couple of weeks...

MacMan · 04-04-2015, 09:15 AM

Thanks to both of you for your responses. Much appreciated.

batcat · 04-04-2015, 08:32 PM

I have a wireless system that I purchased from Tadi Bros. And had sent to ETI, but haven't seen it yet as we don't pick up till 5/26. I also got the white one.

citabria90 · 04-20-2015, 10:25 PM

Hi Steve and Julie;

I also bought the Tadi Bros. camera for my ETI 19, but haven't installed it yet. Would be interested in exchanging thoughts and views when they're both operating.

Chuck
Wenatchee, WA

ksitte · 04-20-2015, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by citabria90

Hi Steve and Julie;

I also bought the Tadi Bros. camera for my ETI 19, but haven't installed it yet. Would be interested in exchanging thoughts and views when they're both operating.

Chuck
Wenatchee, WA

We bought ours from Tadi Bros. as well. We brought our 19 home on 4/5. I have the white camera hooked to our Rand McNally GPS wirelessly. You'll [You and Steve & Julie] like how it works.

Klaus

Lornanaugle · 04-21-2015, 05:55 AM

How did you decide which camera and options to purchase? Did ETI provide input?

ksitte · 04-21-2015, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lornanaugle

How did you decide which camera and options to purchase? Did ETI provide input?

Phil and Lorna,

After I saw your post, we had consider your question for a while. We really don't remember which thread on the Forum prompted us to look at Tadi Brothers but we're both [wife and I] sure that it was, indeed, on this Forum. And, we also wanted the camera compatible [meaning easy to install] with our Rand McNally GPS. Finally, the Tadi camera came in white!

We had it shipped directly to ETI. They wired it for us to turn on whenever the lights are on. A small icon on the GPS lets us switch to the camera view mode at any time.

Hope that helps.

Klaus

MacMan · 04-21-2015, 10:12 AM

Very helpful information, Klaus. I need to get my camera this week and ship to ETI. Can you tell me again exactly which camera you got? I looked on the Tadi Brothers web site and did not see a 'white' camera. Thanks.

ksitte · 04-21-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MacMan

Very helpful information, Klaus. I need to get my camera this week and ship to ETI. Can you tell me again exactly which camera you got? I looked on the Tadi Brothers web site and did not see a 'white' camera. Thanks.

Here's the detail from the one we have:

https://www.tadibrothers.com/Secured/Cart

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