2nd gen, Anytime-On Rear View Camera with Switch on Dash mod

...mmm..and .. can we do something with it?

 

Because that's how it was designed. i.e. works as intended.

I'm really hoping one of the more EE minded individuals on here will be like "stop being stupid and just drag your hot soldering iron across these four connections on the mirror chip and it will never time out".

There are three other options I haven't had time to research:
1. put an interrupt button on the mirror s.t. the power to the screen is interrupted restarting the timeout
proof: unplugging the dongle after timeout resets the screen timout
con: the mirror will still go blank and requires manual intervention to get another 5 minute period (e.g. still not "always on")

2. rig up some radioshack hack to apply #1 periodically
con: going to radioshack
con: since the power has to be interrupted, the screen will blank periodically, even though it will be on most of the time it will still have to blank for undetermined seconds to reset which could be a)annoying b)an actual driving distraction c)catastrophic at a critical junction when you need the screen

3. buy a totally different monitor
pro: no timeouts, potential for larger screen
con: no room to mount

So yeah, I haven't figured out what I'm going to do but those are the things I keep thinking, and I keep iterating hoping someone will have a better idea before I start hacking.

 

Where is the IN1 connector on a '07 Prerunner SR5? I just need to tap the red REV1 wire so I can have my camera turn on when in reverse. Don't really feel like running a wire all the way to the back taillight from the HU. Here is a pic of what is behind my coin tray:

 

I don't see it on your pic, it should be top left. Unless 07's or sr5's don't have one or if its not equipped with a camera from the factory it may not have one.
My 12 is just like the pics on the 1st page.

 

Unfused tap... ahhh

 

^^^^lollol! yeah was lazy. It's my Valentine One. Let me redeem myself by showing u a pic of my home rigged radar blendmount. Cost less than 2 bucks.

 

Yeah I've even looked up to the left, outside of what my picture shows, and nutting. Oh well time to get eaten alive by mosquitoes as I run the wire down to the taillight. Damn! lol

 

I just wanted to submit an additional way to wiring up the camera mod using an on/off toggle switch and a relay.

I tapped the same location as describe on the 1st page on of this thread.

Using a switch I bought from Otrattw (VVPZCCM-5FC), number 3 goes to the relay where 86 & 30 are tied together.



87a - come from reverse power source (when you put the truck in reverse)
87 - goes to the camera
85 - is ground
86 & 30 - power from switch

When the switch is off, no power is supplied to the relay. The power will come from when you put the truck in reverse. 87a will power 87, backup lights are also on. Once out of reverse no power is provided to the relay.

Using the toggle switch in the ON position will power the relay (86 & 30) which will then energizes the coil, this will provide power to 87 (going to camera) and no power to the backup lights.

Again, when the switch is off, this will revert back to putting the truck in reverse to power the camera.

I wanted an easier way to control the camera without having to worry about what position the ON/OFF/ON toggle switch was in.

Relay location:


Switch location:

 

Why not reverse that so the coil is powered from reverse and 87 across 87a from the switch? Assuming you're in reverse less, the coil and relay are powered less. Or maybe you use the switch less... I guess that's my bad assumption (I'd flip it on and never turn it off!)

Regardless I believe you can eliminate the relay and do the identical thing with only a rocker switch as diagrammed:


The other "issue" is if you leave the switch on and the camera times out, when you put it in reverse you don't get a camera. Again depends on use.

Don't get me wrong, I like your solution and appreciate you writing it up- better than my current implementation!

If you get a chance could you try the following:
1. turn switch ON
2. wait 5 minutes
3. with screen timed out shift into reverse
4. turn switch OFF and see if screen comes back, while staying in reverse

I don't think it will, but I'm curious.

 

The camera timing out, will still time out. That is separate from powering on the camera.

I could get rid of the relay, but I do not use my camera all time and I do not leave the switch on either.

 

But is the momentary interruption while the relay cycles enough to wake it back up- that's the question.

 

sub'd

 

I gotcha now...

I did not work. The camera was still off when I put it into reverse.

 

sub'd

 

i will do this one day... subbed

 

Done!
Thanks for the writeup! It would have been difficult without it.
I bought a flat black switch hoping I could use one of the blanks in the middle of my dash, but they just were a bit too small and all the switches above the coin box were used, so I just stuck the switch next to the coin box. Worked pretty sweet, I didn't even have to extend the wire that came with the add-a-circuit!

 

Great write up and input here. I just finished this mod and had a couple questions. What is the logic of selecting a 3amp fuse? Is there a specific 3amp or 36w requirement? The reason I ask this is when I flip my newly installed switch, it takes 5-10 seconds to fully energize the circuit and turn the screen on. Is this normal? If not I was going to debate upping the fuse to a 4-5amp and seeing if that made a difference. I measured the resistance of the switch I used and got 0.3 Ohms, which seemed high so I may need to compensate for that. I just wanted to check with the experts here and make sure I didn't cause myself more headaches.

 

Don't bother changing the fuse.. If it isn't blown, then it is just fine. Having too small of a rating on the fuse won't cause that behaviour.. it would just pop and that would be the end of it.

Also, the 0.3 ohms you measure across your switch is most likely all in the leads of your meter, not the switch. Touch the leads of the meter together and measure just them to see. Either way, 0.3 isn't much.

That all said, I still don't have an answer to your delay problem.. sounds very odd to me. It should be instant or very close to it - identical to any delay seen by just shifting into reverse to turn on the camera. I assume you have no delay this way?

 

Found my issue, I tweaked a wire and had an intermittent short (only up to 20 Ohms when held just right/wrong) on my override switch wire. Soldered up a new switch and no more delay.

 

Interesting... Good find and a good addition to the knowledge base that is this thread.