Electric for a Dummy

[Chris]

I'm going to wire in a switch to turn my backup camera on whenever I want rather than just in reverse. I have directions from a guy who did it but his is a bit flaky because he didn't include a relay. So my question is what's the right way (and type) to add a relay to the switched wires? Basically all I'm doing is interrupting the reverse wire.

Thanks!

[CS79bronco]

Why a relay Chris? The camera doesn't require much current, not like lights or a winch. A switch should handle it without any problems.

[Tom]

Why a relay Chris? The camera doesn't require much current, not like lights or a winch. A switch should handle it without any problems.
I concur.

[Chris]

The guy who figured out the wiring says it needs a relay, that's why! One person that did it with a switch only says after leaving it on that it starts whacking out by flickering, going blank, etc. I suspect it has to do with additional functions of the circuit but I've forgotten more about circuits that I knew in the first place.

[Tom]

The guy who figured out the wiring says it needs a relay, that's why! One person that did it with a switch only says after leaving it on that it starts whacking out by flickering, going blank, etc. I suspect it has to do with additional functions of the circuit but I've forgotten more about circuits that I knew in the first place.
I would think you'd have to know the amperage draw of the camera to know certain. That said I can't imagine it would draw as much as a set of lights. Too large a relay shouldn't hurt anything. So a 12 vdc lighting relay should work.

I've one left over from my air compressor rebuild I'd give you but I can't get out of nor you in to Longmont right now. I'll see if I can find an Amazon link for what I bought.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007JPPQH6/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This link shows the wiring of the relay for the air compressor. It should provide enough info for wiring it into your camera circuit.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/131953-bfads-superflow-mv-50-air-compressor-build.html

[Chris]

That's simple enough, thanks Tom. Below is the reason to use the relay.







The dual throw relay isolates the signal so that it does not back feed into the ecu which may cause some issues.

[Chris]

Here's what I'm working from:

Find Red wire with Yellow stripe in J33 connector. This is the signal that goes to the navigation system to enable the camera. Don't cut it, but skin the insulation and solder a new piece of wire that will go to one side of the switch.

Find Yellow wire with Red stripe in J25 connector. This is the voltage that goes to the reverse switch. Again, don't cut it, but skin the insulation and solder a new piece of wire that will go to the other side of the switch.

Run the wires to where you want to install the switch.

Here's a link to this with a bunch of other mods included, far too much for me to grasp: http://www.top4runners.com/ja/2007/navvideo.html

J.A. who is top4runners.com added this when I asked about doing this as the poster did when he had issues with it getting funky. "



Quote:


Originally Posted by CXS http://im.toyota-4runner.org/images/buttons2/viewpost.gif (http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/125438-howto-rear-backup-camera-mod.html#post1255179)
Do I understand correctly that you're saying this thread is good but that you would suggest a relay be included?




Sort of. You can use a spdt switch like the 5G thread OR do what I did and use a spst switch with a spdt relay.

[Popsgarage]

Ugh, wiring. My least favorite job.

[Hypoid]

It looks like you need two relays, Chris. The schematic is making my eyes cross. I'd have to print it, and trace my circuits with colored pencils.

http://www.top4runners.com/cgi-bin/image.pl?/ja/2007/navvideo/navvideo_schematic.jpg

[Chris]

Yeah Mike, I asked the guy to simplify it for those of us that don't have the knowledge base he has. I'm waiting to see if he follows up. His schematic includes a bunch of changes for the navigation system, I just would like to be able to turn it on at will to check on my trailer now and then.

(Okay, it would be nice to use it on the trail to see the guy behind me as well as amusing the grand kids too!)

[sunk]

OEM or aftermarket camera?

If it aftermarket, this schematic is way too confusing. If OEM, it sounds fairly easy if those directions are correct, and if you can find and identify the plugs. They are usually labeled.

Since you are trying to prevent backfeed, I recommend using a relay and to be safe I would add a diode.

You will have to add a power wire instead of tapping the reverse light (otherwise the switch would only work while in reverse) and a ground.

I could draw it out for you, or I would be happy to wire it for you. I have all of the parts needed at the house just stop by.

[sunk]

I scribbled a schematic but cannot convert it from PDF, PM me your email if interested

[Chris]

Thanks Adam, the guy that did these explained it to me and I think I get it but will keep you in mind if I get confused when I approach it. I'm not sure when I'll get to it, we'll see how things go. I might make my life easier and come to you since you make stuff that boggles my mind look so easy.

It is OEM and the guy who designed it included other stuff like a switch to enable it when moving which Toyota doesn't allow and IIRC he also enabled it to play DVD's.

[Chris]

Got it done today after a number of us discussed it and sought guidance from the experts. Pretty cool to be able to turn on the backup camera any time I want and not spend much cash doing it. Probably falls in to the "I did it because I could" rather than something really practical. :lmao:

[Popsgarage]

"I did it because I could" rather than something really practical.

Isn't that where it all starts with this hobby of ours????????????:thumb: