Questions regarding rear power socket

[dannypatrol]

Hi everyone,

I bought a rear view camera which requires a 12v connection and after some research I figured I hook it up to the powerlines of the rear power socket. The camera is working, it only gets hot so I am wondering if everything is oke...

When I opened the rear power socket panel, I found that two other power cables were attached to the powerlines of the power socket. I am not sure for what these are but I presume they are for the anderson plug on my tow bar. I attached the positive and negative wire of the rear camera to the corresponding power lines, I didnt had any plastic connector boxes so I did it on a dirty way: wire to wire. I did not know these lines are even active when the engine is off, I didnt know that, lucky for me I wasnt electrocuted. How do I switch the power off of these lines?

Enclosed a picture of the setup. My worry is the fact that the camera is getting hot. The camera needs 300mA. What do you guys think?

Long term thinking, I need a better solution because I also want to hook up a rear LED flood light, any advise on that would be appreciate as well.

[Drewboyaus]

Hi mate,
Do you have one or two batteries?
I don't think there are too many problems with the camera. I'd be more concerned about the wiring methodology.

[megatexture]

I don't think I'd worry about the camera but I wouldn't add anymore to that plug especially if you don't know what's running off it already.

[dannypatrol]

Hi mate,
Do you have one or two batteries?
I don't think there are too many problems with the camera. I'd be more concerned about the wiring methodology.
One battery. I agree, it doesnt look like the best wiring, need to find a cheap, easy and good solution. Can I just split it with a plastic type of splitter? In addition, any idea how I get the power of those lines?

[dannypatrol]

I don't think I'd worry about the camera but I wouldn't add anymore to that plug especially if you don't know what's running off it already.

Must be nothing. I have an anderson plug at the tow bar, a compressor under the passenger seat but I think that is another wire. I also have a connection under the driver seat but that one doesnt seem to be active. The previous owner used that for an inverter. Havent figured out yet how to turn it on.

[megatexture]

Unless its one of the small cigarette 100w inverters I wouldn't be running it off a cig plug. You might just have to trace back all the old wiring to make sure its done to a half decent standard lol

[dannypatrol]

Unless its one of the small cigarette 100w inverters I wouldn't be running it off a cig plug. You might just have to trace back all the old wiring to make sure its done to a half decent standard lol

I think the compressor and inverter plug arent wired from the sigarette plug. The seller said they are connected to a main line. But I am not planning on running anything big from it, just a small laptop inverter. In the cargo, I want the reverse camera and an additional light so I need to hook that up. Maybe in the future a fridge but I figured I need a dual battery setup for that.

[megatexture]

I would personally run say.. 50 amp wire min from the battery to the rear via a relay(40-50 amp) switched off accessories(you can pick up accessories from the wipers under the bonnet or in the near the accelerator in car),
then run power to the rear to a fuse box and put any extra gear off that just make sure that you don't exceed the lowest rated out of the two be it the relay or wire,

You could put a fuse block in the front and rear if you plan ahead and know what items you plan to add that will switch off with the ignition.

Power for the fridge I'd go straight from the batt

And the pic up the top looks like there may be some scotch locks used? Most people aren't a fan of them as they can fail

[dannypatrol]

I would personally run say.. 50 amp wire min from the battery to the rear via a relay(40-50 amp) switched off accessories(you can pick up accessories from the wipers under the bonnet or in the near the accelerator in car),
then run power to the rear to a fuse box and put any extra gear off that just make sure that you don't exceed the lowest rated out of the two be it the relay or wire,

You could put a fuse block in the front and rear if you plan ahead and know what items you plan to add that will switch off with the ignition.

Power for the fridge I'd go straight from the batt

And the pic up the top looks like there may be some scotch locks used? Most people aren't a fan of them as they can fail

no scotch locks, he did a really dirty job, just wire to wire soldering....(but having said that my knowledge is 0,0 so would maybe have done the same)

So you reckon the standard wire to the rear socket will not be enough? I tried to find information on the amp's but can't find it. Because the power is on while the ignition is off (no key in the ignition) made me wonder if it is a direct wire to the battery.
I see you are located in Brisbane, are you by any chance member of the Nissan Patrol club in Annerley as well?

[MudRunnerTD]

The best place to take the 12v supply for your reverse Camera is the reverse light in the quarter panel. That way your cam and screen turn on when you engage reverse only and your not distracted by the reverse screen when not in use and there is no drain from your batteries.

All the advice above is exactly what you should be doing with the rest too.

If there is a question mark over the quality of the wiring currently in the car then I say rip it out and start again. Be I control of what is in your car and make sure its done right and you won't end a bad day with a burnt out wreck.

[megatexture]

Na I'm not in a club and didnt know there was one in annerly lol.

If the power to the plug is 24/7 it will be direct from the battery. Its hard to make out what anything is in that pic lol.
is your standard rear plug working ?

[dannypatrol]

The best place to take the 12v supply for your reverse Camera is the reverse light in the quarter panel. That way your cam and screen turn on when you engage reverse only and your not distracted by the reverse screen when not in use and there is no drain from your batteries.

All the advice above is exactly what you should be doing with the rest too.

If there is a question mark over the quality of the wiring currently in the car then I say rip it out and start again. Be I control of what is in your car and make sure its done right and you won't end a bad day with a burnt out wreck.

Thanks! I considered hooking it up to the reverse lights but I decided to have it available even when I am not reversing.

You are right about being in control. I am planning on joining a 4wd club to gather more knowledge and see if ppl maybe can help out with checking the wiring before I replace it.

[megatexture]

Your in bris I take it?

[Drewboyaus]

One battery. I agree, it doesnt look like the best wiring, need to find a cheap, easy and good solution. Can I just split it with a plastic type of splitter? In addition, any idea how I get the power of those lines?

Substitute easy for fast...... 'Philosophy is the same
38379

Last thing you want is to burn your car down because you went for the easy and cheap solution when you should have gone for good.

[dannypatrol]

Your in bris I take it?

Yep I am indeed

[dannypatrol]

Substitute easy for fast...... 'Philosophy is the same
38379

Last thing you want is to burn your car down because you went for the easy and cheap solution when you should have gone for good.

True thats why I started this tread. Prefer to do it myself instead of paying someone to do it. I know now more and just need to get the right tools and a bit more knowledge and then I can make it better :)

[NP99]

Where in Brisbane are you mate?

[dannypatrol]

Where in Brisbane are you mate?

Toowong area

[NP99]

Here's a good site to view for parts and rough pricing

http://www.autoelec.com.au/autoelec/product_category.asp?cat=28

[MudRunnerTD]

Here's a good site to view for parts and rough pricing

http://www.autoelec.com.au/autoelec/product_category.asp?cat=28

Nice link there NP99

[bear3103]

I would be careful running constant power to the camera as they are not really designed for it. I would set it up through a switch or possibly a double switched relay that would come on when reverse is selected or when a switch in the drivers compartment is selected.

[MudRunnerTD]

I would be careful running constant power to the camera as they are not really designed for it. I would set it up through a switch or possibly a double switched relay that would come on when reverse is selected or when a switch in the drivers compartment is selected.

Yeah I would have thought the Camera was not designed for constant duty cycle either? Bears suggestion would be the best outcome if your looking to use it for checking your trailer load or something?

[megatexture]

I would be careful running constant power to the camera as they are not really designed for it. I would set it up through a switch or possibly a double switched relay that would come on when reverse is selected or when a switch in the drivers compartment is selected.

I have 3 cameras on my car that switch on with accessories and have been for 5 years now without fail

[megatexture]

Toowong area

Im in corinda and dont mind having a quick look if you like but it will have to be in the new year as were going away on sat for a week.

[threedogs]

Try this mod a bit cheaper by a mile
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121236948801?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I used a 30 amp circuit breaker for my fridge, located near my Aux battery in the engine bay

[megatexture]

Try this mod a bit cheaper by a mile
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/121236948801?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
I used a 30 amp circuit breaker for my fridge, located near my Aux battery in the engine bay

This link went to a dust cap for an Anderson plug ? Did you do it right John?

[MudRunnerTD]

This link went to a dust cap for an Anderson plug ? Did you do it right John?

I think he was trying to list the seller. That guy has a heap of stuff listed at pretty good pricing.

[NP99]

I have purchased from Big Al before.....good products, pricing and service.

[threedogs]

Yeah I mean't the shop sorry, he has great prices and delivers fast

EDIT :: this is my rear power outlets for merit and cig plugs

[mudski]

For the rear camera do as MudRunnerTD suggested, get your power from the reverse light. Thats what I have done. As for the rest. If your worried about voltage drop as long as there is no more that .4 of a volt difference between the battery its hooked up to and the socket it at the back, should be fine.