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Use Back up camera as rear view while driving

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#61 ·
I want this,
My solution:
Cost $50

1. YI Home Camera - on sale at Amazon for $29, usually $39
2. Old Smartphone, apple or android

Install:
1. I need to get 6v micro usb cable to the back window to power the YI Camera.

I will stick the YI Camera with the supplied 3m tape to the inside of the Rear window pointing to wards my cargo hitch area

I can watch the video wirelessly using the YI app.

I have the camera, now I need to get power there.
 
#62 ·
Anchorless said:
Question about the wiring of these third-party integrated taillight / backup cameras (since they don't come with instructions and I'm kind of a dope):

I bought the Vardsafe camera. It has the pieces shown in the picture below/attached (albeit with the actual taillight/camera).



I installed the light. Easy.
I ran the extremely long cable to my head unit. Plug in the pin connector to the back of the taillight. Easy.

The next steps are tripping me up a bit.

The pin connector has has an adapter to RCA cables - yellow, black, and white. The yellow and white have typical female RCA ends, and connect to a male to male RCA cable which will then plug into the back of my Pioneer AVH-4200NEX head unit. Yellow is video... white is audio if the camera provides it.

The black plug has a different connector - a DC 24v/12v male adapter with black and red wires. See the picture for reference.

My questions:

1. I need to find a 12v lead to connect with the red, and then the black goes to ground. Correct?

2. Can I use the same 12v source (and ground) used with my head unit - the radio harness and headunit harness? If so, I should use the accessory 12v, correct?

3. Or, instead of using those sources for 12v power, would it be better to tap off the 12v outlet in the cupholder and add a rocker switch to turn the camera on/off?

4. I'm still having issues finding a source for the reverse signal, but I think have all of the documentation and discussion from this forum to sleuth that out.
Click to expand...

I installed a backup parking sensor, a while ago, but it shows clearly where to find and how to connect to the reverse signal. Very detailed write up. CargoVanConversion Projects

Hope that helps you on your way!

Van Willians
Save​
 
#63 · (Edited)
Kingcobra33 said:
Does any one know how to modify the MFT camera/screen to be selectable for rear view while driving?
Click to expand...
So, um, after many pages of replies is the answer still "no" to the original question?

There has to be a way to make the camera circuit think it is in reverse and put the image in the rearview mirror (mine is not MFT equipped) while driving for us who have no rear windows. I keep looking at the mirror out of habit and it is a waste not having the rear camera display showing all the time.

C'mon, somebody has the answer. One that doesn't include adding cameras, DVR, screens, etc. I just want to have the OEM mirror screen on when driving.
 
#65 ·
#66 ·
If you do find out how, could you let us know? I'd love to have it switched by the factory dash aux switches.
 
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#68 · (Edited)
Travlin said:
So, um, after many pages of replies is the answer still "no" to the original question?

There has to be a way to make the camera circuit think it is in reverse and put the image in the rearview mirror (mine is not MFT equipped) while driving for us who have no rear windows. I keep looking at the mirror out of habit and it is a waste not having the rear camera display showing all the time.

C'mon, somebody has the answer. One that doesn't include adding cameras, DVR, screens, etc. I just want to have the OEM mirror screen on when driving.
Click to expand...
The answer is to add a switch that allows you to over ride the Backup light bulb power with a +12V constant power.
One side of the switch input is connected to the Backup light bulb and the other is connected to +12V.
In one position the Backup light bulb voltage is connected to the rear CAM and the other side of the switch is connected to
the +12VDC. The center connection of the switch goes to the rear CAM power input and Radio/DDIN Head unit Backup CAN enable input..
 
#69 ·
lolwisper4321 said:
The answer is to add a switch that allows you to over ride the Backup light bulb power with a +12V constant power.
One side of the switch input is connected to the Backup light bulb and the other is connected to +12V.
In one position the Backup light bulb voltage is connected to the rear CAM and the other side of the switch is connected to
the +12VDC. The center connection of the switch goes to the rear CAM power input.
Click to expand...
That part I had figured out, having worked in electronics since the late 70's. The design of the fix isn't the problem. It is just where does the camera pick up the trigger, physically, so that I might provide the input as a permanent fixture, off of an ACC powered lead so it does go off when the key does.

I figure I can pick the ACC voltage up on one of the 12V outlets if the magic wire is located under the dash. Or, elsewhere if the trigger is in the camera module in the cargo area near the right rear door.

Just got to work that location and wire identification out and I'm golden. Plan is to download the Service and Electrical manuals from the Ford site after paying for the 72 hour access.

Anyone know the size of those files?
 
#70 · (Edited)
Travlin said:
That part I had figured out, having worked in electronics since the late 70's. The design of the fix isn't the problem. It is just where does the camera pick up the trigger, physically, so that I might provide the input as a permanent fixture, off of an ACC powered lead so it does go off when the key does.

I figure I can pick the ACC voltage up on one of the 12V outlets if the magic wire is located under the dash. Or, elsewhere if the trigger is in the camera module in the cargo area near the right rear door.

Just got to work that location and wire identification out and I'm golden. Plan is to download the Service and Electrical manuals from the Ford site after paying for the 72 hour access.

Anyone know the size of those files?
Click to expand...
There 80 or so files and I did it on a long weekend with beer in hand.

I also have been in electronics service and Design Engineer since the middle 80's so if I can figure it out so can you.
I had to tee into the BCM wires and run them up to my Kenwood DDIN Head unit.
I decided to not install the switch since the wireless TX/RX modules were not intended to be powered for long
periods of time.

The Backup light signal that enables a backup CAM video input of a DDIN unit is connected to BCM Connector B pin 11.
The wire color is Green/Brown strip. It is the BCM connector located on the lower Left of the BCM as you look at it under the Dash.

I tee'ed into this wire and extended it up to the Radio area but I could have run it over to one of the spare switches around the instrumentation dash area. A small ON-OFF-ON or ON-ON switch could be mounted in the plastic cover plate.
 
#71 ·
lolwisper4321 said:
There 80 or so files and I did it on a long weekend with beer in hand.

I also have been in electronics service and Design Engineer since the middle 80's so if I can figure it out so can you.
I had to tee into the BCM wires and run them up to my Kenwood DDIN Head unit.
I decided to not install the switch since the wireless TX/RX modules were not intended to be powered for long
periods of time.

The Backup light signal that enables a backup CAM video input of a DDIN unit is connected to BCM Connector B pin 11.
The wire color is Green/Brown strip. It is the BCM connector located on the lower Left of the BCM as you look at it under the Dash.

I tee'ed into this wire and extended it up to the Radio area but I could have run it over to one of the spare switches around the instrumentation dash area. A small ON-OFF-ON or ON-ON switch could be mounted in the plastic cover plate.
Click to expand...
That would make it switchable for the HU display, which I'll wire like you did to be triggered. I'm trying to get the display in the mirror on all the time, without having the HU backup view on all the time (if I split the video signal to both). I'm sure all will be made clear once I have the documents detailing wiring and component location.

Thanks for the file count. Do they restrict us from downloading more than one at a time?
 
#72 ·
#75 · (Edited)
Follow up. I did this simple mod and it works! Now have Rear Camera on in Mirror Display whenever the key is on. Yay!

The connector is behind the mirror under the triangular black cover. Remove the cover by sliding the two halves apart at the middle seam. I used a screwdriver to unsnap the halves.

The connector can be found behind the mirror on the windshield, below and to the left of the mirror mount. Best access is from the driver's side. The cable from this connector is threaded up the plastic base into the overhead storage area. After disconnecting it you can remove it from the plastic base to bring it in front of the mirror for easier access.

I clipped the Green/Brown Stripe wire long enough to use a splice connector. Cutting just below where it comes out of the wiring loom wrap. This leaves about an inch of Green/Brn coming from the connector.

Slide the Green/Brn wire into the half of a Red (small gauge) splice connector with one opening (nearest the flap), then put the White/Violet Stripe wire into the side that allows a through wire. Use pliers to press the metal splicer into both wires. Close the flap, lace the cable back into place and plug it back into the connector and you are good to go. Align the cover and snap back into place.


Image of Splice Connector:

Image
 
#76 ·
ranxerox said:
and other people say the forum search box does not work... (good, i am happy for you!)
Click to expand...
Searching is an art form. You sometimes have to be able to outsmart the algorithm to lead it to find the right results. It isn't always easy, though it is often possible for those not expecting it to be easy. :)
 
#77 ·
the problem with this forum, and the forum search box, is that people start new a thread with every new question asked, and then over time there are dozens and dozens of threads for each subject making searches almost impossible because you have to read so many threads to find an answer!

other forums i am on, longer term forum members encourage new members to use the search box to find the appropriate forum thread to post new questions on, making forum searches almost effortless! (almost, some threads get a little long, but most new members read the thread first and find answers making more posts unnecessary)

i think the problem with this forum is what another forum member said the other day: the ford transit usa forum has become an internet chat room.

i can often find what i am looking for on this forum quite quickly, but i have been reading this forum for 2 years now and certain thread names for many subjects jump out at me when searching.
 
#78 ·
Follow up after a few miles:

The camera works well for confirming the van is clear of vehicles in adjacent lanes I want to move into.

The fisheye lens isn't effective beyond a short distance that is about equal to the blind spot it fills. The picture can be deceiving regarding vehicles "nearby," but not close, and the side mirrors must be used for determining the distance to vehicles beyond the blind spot at the rear. If you can see a vehicle in the picture it is very close, which is what I want to know.

Anyone who does this mod cannot expect it to provide the view the mirror would. For that view adapting a camera with a narrower field of view would be necessary.

Overall, this mod improves the safe operation of a van with no rear windows when its limits are accounted for in use.
 
#79 ·
Travlin said:
The fisheye lens isn't effective beyond a short distance that is about equal to the blind spot it fills.
Click to expand...
Do you remember that complicated system Indygreg had as a rear view camera? Dashcam aimed at a 45 deg mirror which then pointed straight back. The mirror was to reverse the image I think but the video showed what looked like a regular rear view mirror FOV without the fisheye disadvantages you cite. I want that type of view but his camera must be a very narrow angle - I'm guessing 90 deg FOV would give a regular rear view?
 
#80 ·
Eiko said:
Do you remember that complicated system Indygreg had as a rear view camera? Dashcam aimed at a 45 deg mirror which then pointed straight back. The mirror was to reverse the image I think but the video showed what looked like a regular rear view mirror FOV without the fisheye disadvantages you cite. I want that type of view but his camera must be a very narrow angle - I'm guessing 90 deg FOV would give a regular rear view?
Click to expand...
That would be an ideal setup for someone wanting longer range FOV like the normal view in the mirror. It doesn't seem too far-fetched to think that on a rig as described, you could use imaging software that flips the view left to right, rather than physically shooting the camera through a mirror to present the mirror view we are used to.

I still appreciate all the features for backing, the colored lines, the dynamically changing curved lines, and, having a view of the tow ball while backing up to a trailer. Something a "normal" view might not provide. The side mirrors on the Transit are well done IMHO, with the large convex sections and the flat mirrors provide great downrange coverage. All I needed from the camera was to fill in the blanks. I'll polish up my technique using side mirrors for a while and see how it goes before changing things.

With a bare Transit I've got plenty of more pressing things to throw money at. :D
 
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