09 Always-On Rear View Camera

damn.. only if i knew how to Solder...

 

"Use the Force Luke", better known as the internet.Teach yourself, Soldering irons are cheap. Practice soldering two points between a battery (C/D cell) and a small light bulb (flashlight)

Make the connections so the bulb lights up, or get an old radio at a yard sale and take it apart, unsolder some of the points and then solder it back up. Nothing to loose and plenty to gain.

 

that's bad ass bro...nice job on the mod...

this is definitely on my to do list...

 

Thanks man. I like it even better now that i installed my Pop-n-Lock tailgate hande, now it sits a bit higher and i get a better viewing angle.

 

Does it still automatically turn on when you place the truck in reverse or does it now only turn on when you flip the switch? Great job BTW

 

runs like normal (turns on when you go into reverse, and off when not) with switch in pos #1 and in pos #2 it is on in any gear.

 

thats a great idea! if i had an 09-10 i'd do it.. just to have it. I dont like not having full control over everything in my car.. (issues maybe??)

 

you might want to verify this but i believe your method will also turn the backup lights on when you flip the toggle. you would need to install a diode to prevent this.
and FWIW the read view camera is so small and worthless for anything but backing up and hitching a trailer i dont really see the point.

 

i disagree! i think it would be nice to be able to see the tow hitch while driving. just to check up on it! and some times i back up on a hill just by putting it in N and rolling. i'd like to see the camera then.

 

no other lights come on when the switch is turned on.

 

Depends on how you wire it. If you use a SPST switch and just add the power directly to the red-wire circuit, you will trigger the R and backup lights since your energizing the entire stock circuit.

If you use a SPDT switch, with one circuit being the stock circuit, and the second switch position being where you apply power only to the mirror's red circuit, then no backup lights since the stock red circuit is disconnected from the energized mirror end.

Also, I have the parts but have not done this yet, but could have used it this weekend when pulling some hedges out from my yard. I was close enough that I could not see the hedge and chain when pulling away. Would have been nice to be able to see when the chain tensioned up. Yes, doable without it, but would have been useful.

 

Just made the mod this weekend, works great. Thanks to all who contributed. It took me more time to solder the lead wire connections to the mini-switch than it took to do the mod itself.

A couple of pointers though. First, there are two red wires in the wire bundle going to the mirror. Actually three, but one goes to the camera feed and it's easy to pick that one out as it's part of a three wire bundle by itself. You need to read the OPs directions well as it states which red wire you need. I assumed their could only be one red wire and I'd be able to figure it out easily. Had to go back and re-read the OP to straighten myself out.

I used a mini SPDT switch in the mirror trim piece, like the OP, but tapped into the wiring behind the overhead console, like one of the subsequent posters.

Radio Shack has quite a few different SPDT switches to choose from. Make sure you look through all the switches and not just the ones marked "Automotive" as they all should work.

 

It works, thats great. So how do ya like it so far? Oh and your welcome! LOL I can here it now!! Um WHY? Cause I'm the one that posed the info about a different spot to tap into. Just happy to hear my info was usefull.

Take care and anjoy..

 

Your welcome, ooops, thanks! Yup, it was all good. OP's switch and location; your wiring location, and even the same type of taps.

So far I haven't directly needed it, just messing with it, but works great. Interesting view when moving down the highway, almost makes you dizzy Could have used it a couple weeks ago when I was pulling out some hedges and could have used it to see when the chain was getting tight.

 

I know exactly what you mean on the Dizzy part. Awsome when towing to check on things, expecaly with my 4x8, cant see it in the mirrors! Try it when someone is or you are passing. You'll see it gets a bit of the blind spot, ya can cut when passing really close and give a few pannic attacks!!! (not advised, cops may think its not funny) lol but its cool view but It dont replace turning your head and looking.

 

AlerAero, doesl the built-in button to turn off the camera during backing up still work the way it's supposed to? and does your still tun off after 5 minutes?

Great mod by the way. Thanks for the info.

 

just an fyi: i was able to do the mod without soldering. i just twisted the wire the the switch terminal holes and used shrink wrap. works fine

 

ya works like it was in reverse with out being in reverse lol

 

I meant the button that came with the mirror, basically can you turn it off if you don't want to see the view when in reverse.

Do you still have the problem that the view go away after 5 mins?

Thanks

 

Thats what i was talking about. lol