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Thread: Reversing camera cable question

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    Default Reversing camera cable question

    I bought a reversing camera off ebay recently, and am a bit confused about the AV cable that came with it.
    It has at each end of it, a short pigtail wire (red) that is moulded into the plugs, but when metered, appears to not be connected to the tip or the sleeve.
    What is its purpose and where does it get connected to?
    Cheers.



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    The extra cable is for connecting to the vehicle's reversing lamp so when you select reverse gear, the camera is displayed on the screen.

    This has to be connected to a screen with that function available.

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    I think the other plug with a black and a red wire are to hook up to the reverse lights and earth to power the camera.
    This single red pigtail is definitely not for power as it is part of the AV video cable.

    Last edited by ptrott; 20-06-21 at 03:34 PM.

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    The two reds are trigger wires to turn on some types of monitors

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    Quote Originally Posted by hinekadon View Post
    The two reds are trigger wires to turn on some types of monitors
    What do they connect to? I checked with a multimeter, they are not connected to the the tip or the sleeve.

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    If they are not connected to anything, there'd be no point having them in there.

    Perhaps there's a diode.

    Have you reversed probes when checking continuity?

    Are there any instructions or a link to the camera and monitor you have?

    More info needed for the complete setup.

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    Quote Originally Posted by mtv View Post
    If they are not connected to anything, there'd be no point having them in there.

    Perhaps there's a diode.

    Have you reversed probes when checking continuity?

    Are there any instructions or a link to the camera and monitor you have?

    More info needed for the complete setup.
    I did try reversing the probes, still no continuity.
    No instructions other than a schematic type diagram which doesn't even show that red wire.

    The camera and the monitor have an AV socket each, and a 12 volt (2-wire) connector each.

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    Have you connected to reversing light wire to gain power for the screen, usually done at rear of vehicle?
    There is a fine line between "Hobby" and "Madness"

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    Quote Originally Posted by allover View Post
    Have you connected to reversing light wire to gain power for the screen, usually done at rear of vehicle?
    The camera has its own 12 volt connection which I was going to wire to the reverse lights.
    The monitor has its own 12 volt connection which I was going to wire to the ACC or IGN-ON under the dash.

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    Have you done a continuity check between the two red wires ?
    They maybe there to relay power between the camera and monitor, eg use the reverse light to power the monitor.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Reschs View Post
    Have you done a continuity check between the two red wires ?
    They maybe there to relay power between the camera and monitor, eg use the reverse light to power the monitor.
    That's what I was getting at before.

    The end near the camera is typically connected to a reversing lamp and the end near the monitor powers the camera/monitor on.

    There should be continuity between the two ends of the red (+ DC) wires.

    They do not connect to the RCA video connectors, but there is usually a power wire inside the overall cable sheath, with just tails on the end to connect to a switching source.

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    go back to ebay and look at reversing cameras there they say they are trigger wires for different monitors look for your self it on there ?????

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    I put it wrong sorry that red wire is to get power to the cameras from the monitor source 12v come in the same cable as the video from the monitor end ,rather than running another wire to the cameras
    it says so on ebay ads

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    Quote Originally Posted by Reschs View Post
    Have you done a continuity check between the two red wires ?
    They maybe there to relay power between the camera and monitor, eg use the reverse light to power the monitor.
    You nailed it. I never would have thought to check continuity between the ends of the reds because I have never before come across a cable constructed that way.
    Makes it easy to power the whole lot from the reversing light assembly.

    It would also enable a camera to be used as a rear view camera, powered form the monitor end, where switched power is more available.

    Thanks people, much appreciated :-)

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    I set mine up so it is on all the time as I can't view out the back window

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