Good location for 12V source?

I'm trying to find a good location to pull 12V off of to power a backup camera.
Right now, the reverse-light in my driver's side tail-light (in a 2000 Tacoma) is only reading about 10V.
Any ideas for a convenient 12V source?
I've not checked the other tail-light yet but it's on the list ...

 

Is the engine running? Transmission ACTUALLY in reverse? Good connection to negative? Reading the voltage from the correct side of the bulb?

If you can't get a solid power from the tail light, then your best option is to grab power from the distribution panel that is under the hood. Look directly behind the battery for a black plastic box. The lid pops off. You can hook in there with an add-a-fuse and run a wire along the frame to the back.

 

Can't help you with a power source, but a suggestion instead: consider setting it up to be useable when moving forward as well. I modded my truck for this as it's mighty handy when pulling through parking spots or for street-side parallel parking when I want to ensure I'm within the pavement markings. (no meter posts to serve as visual cues)

 

It's on the list!
BUT I need to get it working in reverse, first.

I've tried it both with the engine on and in Accessory mode.

Yes, shifted in to reverse ... at least the shifter is in position and I can roll backwards.

I'm pretty sure I am. On both counts. I'll see if I can't get pictures of the taps soon enough ...

I'll try from inside the engine bay ... although that's mildly annoying.
Happen to know off hand if that wire in the panel is marked?

 

EVERYTHING in that panel is +12 volts, and hooked up by the "really big wire" that runs from that panel directly to the battery. You can actually hook up using a standard blade connector to one of the unused contacts in there if you want to, but if you do that, use either a piece of fusible link or an inline fuse. All fuses in there are OK to tap off of.

 

Yeah... but is the "reverse tail-light power line" coming out of there?

 

If the taillight circuit is giving you insufficient voltage, then it won't matter where in the circuit you are tapping in, it will still give you inadequate voltage.

Did you actually *TEST* if the camera will work on the "10V"? Pretty much any digital electronics will NOT actually run at 14.4 volts, but have a linear voltage regulator to pull it down to 5.0 or 3.3 volts. Basically, anything over about 6 volts will be enough to get 5 volts out of a 7805.

 

I plugged it in and tried to run it ... and it didn't work. Which is when I started checking continuity and voltages.