Electrical genius needed

fishAK · 08-16-2009, 04:56 AM

Ok, so that may be over-stating it, but I got a back-up camera for our new Denali and I'm a little stuck on how to power it. I don't need more written advice or how-to's...got plenty of that on the yukon forum..lol.

This is probably like a 10 minute project for someone who knows their stuff. I just happen to be an electrical moron. I want to get this done as soon as possible, since I've got the camera and monitor mounted but no power supply and random wires and cables floating around the cabin. I would also like a lesson on hiding cable in a vehicle, since this runs the full length.

Will trade smoked salmon for help.

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MrDubb · 08-16-2009, 04:57 AM

Talk to quikevo, electrician he be.

Carter · 08-16-2009, 04:57 AM

The door trim on GM vehicles should pop up, and you can hide the wiring under there. However, since it's probably mounted on the lift gate, you might want to run it over the roof...

02redwagone · 08-16-2009, 06:21 AM

Buy some split loom (nothing uglier than a bunch of unsecured wires hidden or not), tie into reverse lights (Camera activate on),camera power from keyed power (accessory ie: radio, clock ect...), take your time.

<--another sparky

HellBinder · 08-16-2009, 02:54 PM

wire it up to the back up lights so it comes on in reverse.

fishAK · 08-16-2009, 05:19 PM

See, this is the problem. Everyone tells me what to wire it to, but I tried for a while yesterday and got nothing. Which is why I need someone who knows what they are doing to help. Like physically come and show me how I should do it, since I'm sure this won't be the last thing I ever install. I need a basic "this wire goes here, ground goes here, this is how you splice" kind of lesson.

QwikEVO · 08-16-2009, 06:24 PM

fish, if you need some help I'm available today...I just need to stay around the house if you don't mind swinging by.

fishAK · 08-16-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by QwikEVO

fish, if you need some help I'm available today...I just need to stay around the house if you don't mind swinging by.

How about this evening? I'm working until six, then gotta eat with the family, but could come by 7:30-8:00ish??

Thanks. I'd appreciate it greatly since I spent most of yesterday frustrating myself with this stupid thing.

QwikEVO · 08-16-2009, 08:33 PM

If you have how-to's for the install, bring them along. I don't mind hooking up wires and what-not, but I would rather know where I'm going to tap off where...rather than tearing off interior panels and tracing wires.

I PM'd ya my cell number. Hit me up when you're thinking about heading out.

fishAK · 08-16-2009, 09:15 PM

The how-to sheet was pretty useless. I nice diagram showing the basic direction the wiring should go, but nothing about what/where to tap for power. I was trying a fuse tap, but don't think I had it grounded right, cause even that wouldn't light it up.

I'll call ya later. Thanks.

QwikEVO · 08-17-2009, 12:37 AM

Fish, sorry I couldn't get this working. I'm still stumped on wtf the deal is. Do some more research and see what the Tahoe/Yukon guys can find out because I'm out of ideas.

I'll be more than happy to help route and install everything if need be...we just gotta figure out the power issue and the rest is cake.

fishAK · 08-17-2009, 05:37 AM

Hey, thanks for trying. At least I have proven I'm not just completely incompetent...lol. It really won't power up any of the ways I or you tried, so that made me feel a little better. Still somewhat of a mystery, though. I'll let you know if I find any other info.

Maybe 02redwagone could give it a shot and get frustrated with us....

It'll power up fine if you connect it straight to the battery, but not at all if you fuse tap or splice it to another power source. We tried like 6 fuses and splice with the reverse lights, got good power and ground, but no go on the camera. Got any ideas??

sol0 · 08-17-2009, 08:59 AM

is it not getting enough power to power up perhaps?

bad ground? (unlikely)

check resistance, ohmage might be a factor (if you don't know about ohms and resistance Rusty can explain it)

QwikEVO · 08-17-2009, 10:58 AM

All grounds I checked were all good.

Power's not an issue. The fuse box and the reverse light all had enough voltage to power it up.

It only liked the battery, lol.

sol0 · 08-17-2009, 11:07 AM

I got it! wire the camera to the battery directly. Next, have a toggle switch that is inline to the camera to power it up. Now duct tape the switch to the gear selector next to "R" (you see where I'm going with this).

Now, when you switch into reverse, the toggle switch is actuated and the camera comes on. When you select Park or Drive, it turns off.

Now remember, if women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

fishAK · 08-17-2009, 04:53 PM

lol

I may end up actually doing the direct to battery/switch option if we can't find something else that works. Probably not quite as ingeniously as you suggest, though.

I kind of want the camera always-on when the vehicle is on. Like a rear-view cam in an RV. But, we tried the reverse light option since we were running out of other ideas.

TurboSetch · 08-17-2009, 05:33 PM

I can take a look if you want. If your on the wrong side of the backup light lead the light acts as a resistor that will not give you enough current to power the camera. If you have a volt meter just simply measure the voltage at the camera leads while its plugged in and see if its below 12volts or so. If there is a current restriction the voltage will drop to show that.

QwikEVO · 08-17-2009, 05:44 PM

There's a power and a ground to the light.

There's no "wrong side" of this DC circuit. You have input and ground. You won't read any resistance or a voltage drop from the light if you're measuring the input voltage.

If you had the light hooked in parallel with another circuit or light, then yes...you would have hit a "wrong side" and noticed a drop in voltage. Not in this circuit. Power to light. Ground from light. Simple as that.

TurboSetch · 08-17-2009, 06:10 PM

Ok... Are you sure its not like this? I dunno without a diagram but:

+ power (input)----->Bulb----->Bulb-----> - Ground
If you tap here-------------- ^^
Then bulb number one is a resistor. I have seen this happen thats all I was getting at.

QwikEVO · 08-17-2009, 06:14 PM

There's only one bulb for the backup light. I was tapping off the power wire to the socket.

TurboSetch · 08-17-2009, 06:34 PM

Ok. Thought there were two backup lights one on the left and one on the right.

It still could be a voltage sag issue. The circut was deisgned to just light a bulb so the current draw might still be to high. I would still say put a meter on the line to the camera and see whats up. If the voltage droped then at least you have more of a clue.

Like you explained this is a simple concept and basic wiring, the fact that its not working tells me there is a simple answer.

fishAK · 08-17-2009, 07:14 PM

Maybe we should have a "wire Scott's back-up cam" meet....

lol

This is not supposed to be this difficult, dammit.

retrac · 08-17-2009, 07:23 PM

If it's okay with the wife I can give a hand and get you the plates too... I've wired quite a few things in GM vehicles over the years.

fishAK · 08-17-2009, 07:27 PM

That'd be cool. Then I could see what you've done to the car, too.

Right now I'm stuck at home, wife's got the car running errands, but maybe this evening?

retrac · 08-17-2009, 08:55 PM

We've gotta do some shopping and pharmacy stuff this afternoon, but evening might be a good time... Gimme a call!

08-16-2009, 04:56 AM	#1
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	Electrical genius needed Ok, so that may be over-stating it, but I got a back-up camera for our new Denali and I'm a little stuck on how to power it. I don't need more written advice or how-to's...got plenty of that on the yukon forum..lol. This is probably like a 10 minute project for someone who knows their stuff. I just happen to be an electrical moron. I want to get this done as soon as possible, since I've got the camera and monitor mounted but no power supply and random wires and cables floating around the cabin. I would also like a lesson on hiding cable in a vehicle, since this runs the full length. Will trade smoked salmon for help. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

08-16-2009, 06:21 AM	#4
02redwagone Scooby Specialist Member#: 87067 Join Date: May 2005 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Oregon Coast/AK Vehicle: 02 Old but tasty SRP	Buy some split loom (nothing uglier than a bunch of unsecured wires hidden or not), tie into reverse lights (Camera activate on),camera power from keyed power (accessory ie: radio, clock ect...), take your time. <--another sparky Last edited by 02redwagone; 08-16-2009 at 08:06 AM.

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08-16-2009, 04:57 AM	#2
MrDubb Scooby Newbie Member#: 181135 Join Date: May 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: AK Vehicle: 2006 Evo-R.I.P. 2003 Forrester	Talk to quikevo, electrician he be.

08-16-2009, 04:57 AM	#3
Carter NASIOC Supporter Member#: 156708 Join Date: Aug 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer, AK Vehicle: 2009 Cessna 172SP G1000	The door trim on GM vehicles should pop up, and you can hide the wiring under there. However, since it's probably mounted on the lift gate, you might want to run it over the roof...

08-16-2009, 02:54 PM	#5
HellBinder Scooby Newbie Member#: 132385 Join Date: Nov 2006 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer, Ak Vehicle: 94 RHD Legacy w/wrx swap. White	wire it up to the back up lights so it comes on in reverse.

08-16-2009, 05:19 PM	#6
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	See, this is the problem. Everyone tells me what to wire it to, but I tried for a while yesterday and got nothing. Which is why I need someone who knows what they are doing to help. Like physically come and show me how I should do it, since I'm sure this won't be the last thing I ever install. I need a basic "this wire goes here, ground goes here, this is how you splice" kind of lesson.

08-16-2009, 06:24 PM	#7
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	fish, if you need some help I'm available today...I just need to stay around the house if you don't mind swinging by.

08-16-2009, 08:33 PM	#9
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	If you have how-to's for the install, bring them along. I don't mind hooking up wires and what-not, but I would rather know where I'm going to tap off where...rather than tearing off interior panels and tracing wires. I PM'd ya my cell number. Hit me up when you're thinking about heading out.

08-16-2009, 09:15 PM	#10
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	The how-to sheet was pretty useless. I nice diagram showing the basic direction the wiring should go, but nothing about what/where to tap for power. I was trying a fuse tap, but don't think I had it grounded right, cause even that wouldn't light it up. I'll call ya later. Thanks.

08-17-2009, 12:37 AM	#11
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	Fish, sorry I couldn't get this working. I'm still stumped on wtf the deal is. Do some more research and see what the Tahoe/Yukon guys can find out because I'm out of ideas. I'll be more than happy to help route and install everything if need be...we just gotta figure out the power issue and the rest is cake.

08-17-2009, 05:37 AM	#12
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	Hey, thanks for trying. At least I have proven I'm not just completely incompetent...lol. It really won't power up any of the ways I or you tried, so that made me feel a little better. Still somewhat of a mystery, though. I'll let you know if I find any other info. Maybe 02redwagone could give it a shot and get frustrated with us.... It'll power up fine if you connect it straight to the battery, but not at all if you fuse tap or splice it to another power source. We tried like 6 fuses and splice with the reverse lights, got good power and ground, but no go on the camera. Got any ideas??

08-17-2009, 08:59 AM	#13
sol0 Scooby Specialist Member#: 152976 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: UK Vehicle: MkVI Jetta TDI, EF6 CRX, del Sol SiR	is it not getting enough power to power up perhaps? bad ground? (unlikely) check resistance, ohmage might be a factor (if you don't know about ohms and resistance Rusty can explain it)

08-17-2009, 10:58 AM	#14
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	All grounds I checked were all good. Power's not an issue. The fuse box and the reverse light all had enough voltage to power it up. It only liked the battery, lol.

08-17-2009, 11:07 AM	#15
sol0 Scooby Specialist Member#: 152976 Join Date: Jul 2007 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: UK Vehicle: MkVI Jetta TDI, EF6 CRX, del Sol SiR	I got it! wire the camera to the battery directly. Next, have a toggle switch that is inline to the camera to power it up. Now duct tape the switch to the gear selector next to "R" (you see where I'm going with this). Now, when you switch into reverse, the toggle switch is actuated and the camera comes on. When you select Park or Drive, it turns off. Now remember, if women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

08-17-2009, 04:53 PM	#16
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	lol I may end up actually doing the direct to battery/switch option if we can't find something else that works. Probably not quite as ingeniously as you suggest, though. I kind of want the camera always-on when the vehicle is on. Like a rear-view cam in an RV. But, we tried the reverse light option since we were running out of other ideas.

08-17-2009, 05:33 PM	#17
TurboSetch Scooby Specialist Member#: 192358 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer,AK Vehicle: MANY P3 Import Auto 907 355 6655	I can take a look if you want. If your on the wrong side of the backup light lead the light acts as a resistor that will not give you enough current to power the camera. If you have a volt meter just simply measure the voltage at the camera leads while its plugged in and see if its below 12volts or so. If there is a current restriction the voltage will drop to show that.

08-17-2009, 05:44 PM	#18
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	There's a power and a ground to the light. There's no "wrong side" of this DC circuit. You have input and ground. You won't read any resistance or a voltage drop from the light if you're measuring the input voltage. If you had the light hooked in parallel with another circuit or light, then yes...you would have hit a "wrong side" and noticed a drop in voltage. Not in this circuit. Power to light. Ground from light. Simple as that.

08-17-2009, 06:10 PM	#19
TurboSetch Scooby Specialist Member#: 192358 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer,AK Vehicle: MANY P3 Import Auto 907 355 6655	Ok... Are you sure its not like this? I dunno without a diagram but: + power (input)----->Bulb----->Bulb-----> - Ground If you tap here-------------- ^^ Then bulb number one is a resistor. I have seen this happen thats all I was getting at.

08-17-2009, 06:14 PM	#20
QwikEVO Scooby Specialist Member#: 44172 Join Date: Sep 2003 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Eagle River, AK Vehicle: 2003 Lancer Evo 8 Plasti-Dip is for TOOLS	There's only one bulb for the backup light. I was tapping off the power wire to the socket.

08-17-2009, 06:34 PM	#21
TurboSetch Scooby Specialist Member#: 192358 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer,AK Vehicle: MANY P3 Import Auto 907 355 6655	Ok. Thought there were two backup lights one on the left and one on the right. It still could be a voltage sag issue. The circut was deisgned to just light a bulb so the current draw might still be to high. I would still say put a meter on the line to the camera and see whats up. If the voltage droped then at least you have more of a clue. Like you explained this is a simple concept and basic wiring, the fact that its not working tells me there is a simple answer.

08-17-2009, 07:14 PM	#22
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	Maybe we should have a "wire Scott's back-up cam" meet.... lol This is not supposed to be this difficult, dammit.

08-17-2009, 07:23 PM	#23
retrac Scooby Specialist Member#: 217208 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Alaska	If it's okay with the wife I can give a hand and get you the plates too... I've wired quite a few things in GM vehicles over the years.

08-17-2009, 07:27 PM	#24
fishAK Scooby Specialist Member#: 177680 Join Date: Apr 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: '03 GMC Denali White light w/flicker	That'd be cool. Then I could see what you've done to the car, too. Right now I'm stuck at home, wife's got the car running errands, but maybe this evening?

08-17-2009, 08:55 PM	#25
retrac Scooby Specialist Member#: 217208 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Alaska	We've gotta do some shopping and pharmacy stuff this afternoon, but evening might be a good time... Gimme a call!