Car Camera Wiring Tip - Using the red tail wire for power

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If you've ever looked at one of those Amazon or eBay car cameras and wondered how you wire it, maybe this will help. Yes... that red lead coming out of the video cable can be used to run power to the camera... and I had a surprising accidental discovery about the ground!
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[@BradPaul1863]

Very good. You got the basics covered clearly in less than 5 minutes compared to the "other" guys that took twice as long to make things somewhat confusing. Thank you.

[@xavifut]

Especially when they tell you their life story before describing what u were actually looking for in the first place

[@batfenderman7212]

As far as the ground wire that is part of the 12v feed at the camera end, you may not want to connect it to ground. This is because there is already a ground connection at the head unit (monitor). If you connect grounds at both ends you can end up with a ground loop. If you have screen flicker with backup camera activated, try removing the ground connection at camera end and you may find that flicker disappears.

[@MonaichFother]

I've installed a dozen of these cameras and there's nothing new this video can show me- Wait What?? :O

[@thomasmarquez6790]

That red wire on the video cable is for instant on in reverse. It is connected with the power wire to camera which is connected to reverse light and the one at the radio side connects to your radios wiring harness labeled reverse gear signal input. So now when you put in reverse it automatically switches to camera mode and when you put it in drive it then will go to the last mode you where on.

[@nickkennedy4218]

This was what I also thought as well. I didn’t think it was for actually powering the camera, but only to wire with the head units reverse trigger wire.

[@adamjensen6376]

I know this post is couple months old but I got a question here I just bought a new stereo android and its got brake, reverse and key 2. can you tell me what is key 2 and brake for where do I wire them up at Thanks

[@guccimane5752]

Aaron Darren if your car doesn’t have those wires, I believe you just leave them alone

[@adamjensen6376]

@@guccimane5752 I found out what they are and your correct those wires are for vehicles who don't have keys on their steering wheel Thanks bro

[@ultrakewlkidd]

So do you hook the black and red both to the reverse light?

[@juanguerrero1747]

Thanks man everyone else on KZbin makes this set up look messy 🙎🏽‍♂️ but this videos great !!

[@MrJfred78]

Thank you! The instructions that came with my camera said to hook up both red wires to power and I thought that didn't make since and it should be one or the other. Glad I found your video.

[@discopa]

Finally got an answer from you after watching 10 other videos. Simple and clear! Thank you for the vid!

[@ChiacchieraconMichele]

Thank you! This makes it a lot more clear. I've been searching on the internet everywhere and have been very unsuccessful in finding an answer. Thanks again!

[@chefro1]

I too wired an aftermarket camera (nearly identical to yours) to a 2-DIN aftermarket head unit in a VW Jetta Sportwagen - these cars have CANBUS. As any other "standard" instructions, I have tapped into the Reverse Light connector. What happened was that I would turn the key to Accessories (only), shift into Reverse and have video feed. However, with the engine operational when shifting into Reverse I would only get a blank screen with only the grid lines-feature incorporated into that head unit. I combed through a lot of videos on youtube and various information in forums and finally I have seen someone's comment who said that if the CAR HAS CANBUS - do not tap into Reverse Light. If the new head unit preserves the functionality of the Canbus then it should power up automatically the camera when shifted in reverse. That's another tip. What I wanted to comment about is your "Ground" note toward the end. Actually I disconnected that separate or "local" ground wire when troubleshooting my situation and the camera had no feed. I too was thinking that the ground is already carried out through the RCA wire to and through the head unit which is already grounded. That was wrong. As soon as I reconnected that local ground I had video feed. I'm not sure what your further research has unveiled, but you might consider amending your video (which provides an excellent how-to, btw) with complete information concerning that local ground wire. Thanks. good luck

[@TheChapen]

Hello Ionel P. Just came across your comment while looking for the solution for my reverse camera. When I put the car in reverse, I only get that "blank screen with the grid line-features" as you mentioned. What did you say was the solution the get the camera to work normally? Thanks in advance

[@fredben56]

Peugeot 107 needs ground to otherwise there is no video feed.

[@thenathans96]

Awesome, thanks for the explanation of that mysterious red wire!

[@cameronowens8921]

Thanks for the informative video! I'm getting ready to install one on my TJ & the ATOTO SA102 headunit has the red 12V lead available. However if I want the camera to only come on during reversing would I use the other 12V lead close to the camera & tap into the reverse light power?

[@tbonemalone6678]

The red wire that runs in the harness with the yellow video signal wire is meant to be used for the signal from the camera back to the head unit so the head unit knows when to switch the screen to camera mode. This video makes no mention of this important function. Also, the only time you wouldn't need to connect the camera ground wire is if the camera mounting hardware was acting as a ground through contact with the vehicle chasis.

[@submittedbymail]

I have an android head unit. Can I set the rear camera to record all the time, but still take the screen when put in reverse?

[@marcellochriscitiello1870]

The android radio turns the video mode automatically on as soon as you put reverse. Even if the camera is not installed at all!

[@extrakimF]

No it doesn't.

[@batfenderman7212]

As far as the ground wire that is part of the 12v feed at the camera end, you may not want to connect it to ground. This is because there is already a ground connection at the head unit (monitor). If you connect grounds at both ends you can end up with a ground loop. If you have screen flicker with backup camera activated, try removing the ground connection at camera end and you may find that flicker disappears.

[@extrakimF]

@@batfenderman7212 if that's the case you should run the ground wire from the camera to the same spot that you grounded the head unit. You shouldn't use the RCA as ground.

[@rafaelaguadalupe3167]

Hello My name is ralphie, I too was searching for the rear view reversing camera. While looking through the images and reading the descriptions. It explains how one can connect the red and black wire meaning the negative and positive to any reverse brake light. I was confused for a little while, but I didn't realize there are so many different reversing cameras for different vehicles. And what I also realized is that most of these products don't include extendable wires to make the connection easy and comfortable to install. Great video.i definitely understand how it works thanks.

[@CesarQuinteros]

Thank you! I looked through a bunch of videos for what the red cables meant! Even considered not putting in the backup camera because I wasn't sure about the red wire. Thanks!

[@nickglowacki7010]

Very informative, it's exactly what I was looking for. Thank You!

[@jerichobrady4179]

On a 2012 ram would u advise splicing the 12v wire and the reverse wire onto the 7 pin trailer plug wires or running both straight to the dash

[@josearrvizo359]

Wat color is the wire

[@SDSproductionsLLC]

Just tried this! It works. No need to ground the black wire to ground. Power can come from the radio connection. Connect the red cables together at the camera end. Thanks!

[@rockymountainplecos1058]

This video clears it up for me. Was so confused about the two red wire sticking off the yellow rca plug.

[@viewer2325]

thank you. Your first 3 minutes I think answers my questions, I will find out tomorrow.

[@jacobk9049]

When you do this, do you typically wire the power wire for the back up camera to the power wire for the radio or do you run it to the battery?

[@RVingTheCountry]

Great. Thanks So question... will my radio, I just got the Heigh10... will that notify my camera to turn on or do I still have to tap into my reverse wire on the taillight?

[@francisco5434]

My head unit (cheap but good, Boss) has backup camera and alternately rear video feed selection from the touch screen, so I chose to draw power from my rear license lamp. I can now turn the camera on/off with my driving light switch. I don't have to be in reverse to power the camera on. That way, I can see traffic behind me while driving: tailgater's license numbers or just watch behind me while parked. I also hard-wired my mirror dash cam from my dome/courtesy lights (ignition hot,) so it starts recording as soon as I start the car and there is no wire dangling down to my cigarette lighter. I did have to buy a separate 5V USB step-down transformer, but it looks stock, with only a 2" lead going under the headliner. My mirror cam has an extra video feed to record both from the front-facing and a second camera. I could split the feed from my backup camera and run the video signal to the dash cam to record both views. But, I chose instead to install a second cheap camera pointing out the back window, powered the same way, for higher resolution. This would work with any brand camera, head unit combination.

[@rezarafiee6514]

Very well explained. I did mine before watching this one. But it took a long time to figure it out. Thanks

[@Phil-Sands]

This way of installing the power wire at the radio end only works if the radio switches to reverse camera mode using CANBUS, if it's a cheep Chinese radio the camera end needs the red connected to the reverse bulb 12v feed and black to ground or leave disconnected and use the phono plug ground, the red wire at the radio end will need to be connected to the radio reverse signal terminal.

[@KhanHS]

Perfect. Just what I needed to know. Been to 4 different Auto electricians to connect a power and ground for me and they all fobbed me off to come another day as it's a lengthy job and 1 even went on to say he needs the trigger wire to run to the reverse lights too lmao. Watched your video. Camera was already in place as well as wiring. Just connected the trigger to the red on camera and it fired up in reverse. My xtrons unit actually had a wire labelled reverse behind the headunit so other trigger wire went to that. Literally took me 5 mins to get my reverse camera working. Thanks again

[@chrisb8870]

Can you explain this again please? My radio instructions say to connect Headunit's brown (Back/Reverse) wire on its harness to Car reverse trigger wire. I already fed the Camera at Rear Reverse light harness in trunk. I found the Bulb/harness and tapped the (+) to Red of Cam and (-) Black to Ground in trunk also. The NightVision LEDs go on when I put gearshift into Reverse but Camera does Not show up on Radio. What do I connect Brown wire to from Headunit?

[@KhanHS]

@@chrisb8870 Sounds like you do have power as the leds turn on. Are you sure you connected the camera video feed to the correct input on headunit side? Try other inputs too incase they been labelled wrong on headunit.

[@chrisb8870]

Did you connect the small red wire on Camera wire/Near Radio to anything? I didn't connect it because I already connected other end of Red wire/Camera Side to reverse lights wiring in trunk. Do you still comnect the other red to the radios wire(Marked Reverse)

[@KhanHS]

@@chrisb8870 Yh so my radio (xtrons) had a wire on headunit side for it to connect to. I used the trigger wire only and didnt connect to reverse light at all but my headunit also has canbus so it only needed the trigger wire to get it working when putting in reverse

[@DezBruce]

This is the video i was searching for. Thank you.

[@joshzimmer7477]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@piotrpaczuski4060]

Ah... Just the video I was looking for. Thank you, kind sir ☺

[@Neroi21]

Big help on understanding those red wire, thanks

[@GrizzleGear]

So did you get your power from the red 12v wire or did you use the yellow acc?

[@nacelnik]

Hello, I do have FPV camera and monitor but is there why that my rear light will be able to run this camera, or will it "burn" it. btw. I run this "system" with battery but now I want to get rid of them. What do you think? Quanum ELITE QB58 Transmitter power: 25mW Input power: 2.5~5V Thank you very much.

[@PattonDickson]

So about to install one of these in my TJ, i was planning on running the red wire off my backup lamp or hitch reverse wiring. If I am understanding correctly, I can ignore the red wire with the video feed if I am getting power from the back of the Jeep.

[@user-pf1wj6gg5u]

Awesome, answered so many questions, thanks

[@Nickoli0811]

Can I install the red wire into the red 12v on the back of the head unit instead of the purple video viewer. And then run a wire from the kick panel and find the reverse light wire and run that to the purple video viewer cable? That way I can view the camera whenever I want as well as have it kick on when put into reverse? Thanks

[@aq8973]

great video! easy to understand. did you ever find out about that black ground wire? thanks

[@fiatwoody]

Thank you just what i was looking for.

[@DrJak1ll]

Thanks, wasn't getting any feed until I hooked up the red trunk wire like you stated.

[@Johnwenn1]

EXCELLENT VIDEO WITH GREAT INFO ON RED PIG TAIL

[@IvanMarino]

Hello, im using a NDDN-W56 toyota navigator and need assist to mount the carvox led 333 reverse cam and i cant see where to connect the reverse trigger red cable. Can you assist? Thank you

[@apexpredator_jku]

Funny u mentioned this because the same exact scenario happened to me. As I was wiring cam up I noticed everything was working and I hadn't even wired up the ground yet so I left it be. Everything ran fine without issue for a month & then screen started flickering intermittently. I went through everything & couldn't figure out the prob. Ended up finally terminating the ground & wala...back in business. Still can't make heads or tails out of it. Glad to hear that everything's running smooth on Seicane, looks like they addressed some passed issues with revised edition.

[@o3djeeps]

Thanks for the info...if I start noticing that, I'll check the grounding first. I was really confused when it happened...then was like BONUS!!! lol

[@salscotto6478]

Thanks for the info. answered all my questions. I was very confused, thanks again

[@ManWander]

thanks - this was a big help

[@kashmirinomad]

thanks for the explanation. helpful! installing my cam now :)

[@AllscanTwelve]

can you cut the yellow RCA cable (though it's long but what if it is short) that goes to the head unit to connect a new wire, say 16 gauge wire, in between to extend it?

[@glennfarrugia7297]

Great video just made my day the black wire has been doing my head in

[@campfireguy3870]

Very clear. Bravo! Thank you.

[@skeptic9368]

Short and sweet. Thank You

[@daveywilsonmusic]

o3djeeps great vid.... any chance you can take us through power at the other end???? Not sure how to connect monitor to battery? Thanks

[@dennismcclelland8196]

I am sure this video is informative, and helpful... For me, however, all I hear is lip smacking and air gulping... It's not you, its me

[@JerryJ26]

An added tip that I use is to not use the ground wire spliced to the backup light ground wire. I drill a pilot hole near in the body near the camera, then rotary brush the area around the hole to get bare metal. Crimp a eye terminal to the ground wire and attach it to the chassis hole with a self tapping screw to ensure a good bond.

[@zjhildreth]

That seems like that’s a better idea than letting it ground thru the head units video ground. I’m no expert, but it seems like that tidbit of information he shared in this vid wouldn’t meet an actual electrician’s approval. Your way seems like it a better bet

[@MannyGonzalezReyna]

You have the exact right way.

[@twisttwister8254]

Thanks. That was very helpful. 🎉

[@stingray4mesidewinderbandga]

Got my backup camera working finally in my 2010 tacoma. the factory one didn't work with the pioneer nex 1400 stereo. I bought a $15 cam from walmart & it still didn't work. I bought another $15 cam today from walmart & this one worked !

[@eddward758]

Bro, quick question .. if i use the constant power thats going to the head unit to connect the “ pig tail “ for the camera to power up.. how does it come on when i put the car in reverse?

[@FredySavage]

Great tips 👍😁

[@angusm205]

Many thanks for this video

[@kenem123ify]

If I could give you a thousand thumbs up I would. Works perfectly. I watched so many other videos making it seem complicated when it actually isn't. Now not only can I see it when I reverse, I can tap the camera app on my head unit and turn it on whenever I want. Thanks.

[@Shepherdstudio1]

hello what is a camera app i dont understand

[@Tugoose]

@@Shepherdstudio1 like an Android head unit with a camera app

[@venturaventura345]

Hello. Is it ok if the current flows that 10 meters through this very tinny cabel from the front of the car to the camera, is it not too big distance? Will it not affect negatively the camera after some time?

[@marcelodineck]

I was trying to get through the rubber in my car and I damaged the end of the cable. I decided to cut and run the wire because it was thinner; now, I bought a new P2 power cable. Can I just cut it too and splice it to my old one? I saw that there are 3 wires. Or do you suggest to repair with a new plug?

[@joziksk4323]

Hello Can i connect camera and monitor wires to parking light ? 2 cables on + and 2 cables on black

[@Suavecito_p]

wow!! thanks with this video you helped shave off 30 min minimum to my install! cheers

[@steveross16]

Thank you for a simple explanation! Looked high and low and you answered my question simply and concisely. Kudos!!

[@eliseogaytan8211]

Great tutorial you really helped me out thanks

[@Sandmann-so2xc]

Is there any way to connect a rear camera with a kit that has 3.5mm jack to a car radio that uses rca? My dash cam went out and I have an extra camera i'd like to utilize

[@rabihavi8062]

big thanks...im looking for hours...finally you answered my questions

[@panaitionut1079]

finally clear and simple

[@sishirbhusal91]

I was searching for this type of video, and finally, I found it! I just installed my reverse camera by connecting the red wire to the head unit backup 12+ve cable, and it worked perfectly. Surprisingly, I didn't need to connect the two red and ground wires near the camera. I assumed that the ground is already included in the video cable, and we just need to provide the +12V from the head unit. But I'm now wondering if our rear camera will always be on while driving using this method??

[@VICKSTEEL]

Awsome got right to the info I needed thank you

[@RenanteNate]

they share the same ground or neutral line if they are directly connected to same power source (car battery). But there are dashcam monitors that are battery backed up to avoid relying on ACC of car.

[@lennytomo3835]

Do you need to connect the re wire that is connected to the yellow plug ?

[@ssgundy]

THANK YOU! So easy. Why hasn't anyone explained the red wire power source before. Holy cow! Trying to find the correct wire on Ram truck was driving me bonkers, every answer was different. Good video.

[@emoneybags6038]

How did you connect it to your ram truck i8m getting power to to the Camara and lights up when in reverse but the head unit doesn't do anything

[@parveerchahal3901]

@@emoneybags6038 I’m having the same problem. What did u do to get the camera to work?

[@HarshaRukman]

Yes I have experienced it too...

[@driverguy5864]

Thank God for this film....finally some answers. Great product horrible instruction sheet.

[@jeromeaskew4856]

I totally agree about the instruction sheet. I had wired my camera both ways accordingly to that sheet and i still had no power going to camera. After watching this video i can go back in and fix.

[@bu3azoozz263]

Thanks this is helpful

[@MoreNoShoWTuCanaldeHumor]

Hello, could you tell me how I find the reverse cable in the radio cables? It is to connect the small cable that brings the cable with the yellow plug in ford focus Mk2 2008,Thanks

[@jmend8859]

My red pigtail that comes off the yellow rca got pulled off (such a cheap pos). Its the part that connects to the rca on the camera. I wonder if i should not worry abt it or get a new wire?

[@chetcross7692]

Tyvm it was so difficult to find what I was.looking for

[@gurudetail]

Perfect example thanks

[@drsbns5592]

Hello, so it’s important to connect the ground cable (black) ?

[@BruiSSer81]

A lot of people have asked but I haven’t seen an answer, does this method mean the camera can be viewed while not in reverse also since it’s connected to the head unit power source not the reverse light wire??

[@thacam12]

If you already have I stock rear view mirror reverse camera and just want you add a audio out connection to a portable touch screen radio how would you do it? Can I hard wire the the code cable right to the outputs by the fuses?

[@thacam12]

I’m using a carpuride 7in portable touchscreen stereo.

[@DucttapeEt]

Re: the red wire, I have one that is too short. How would I go about getting a wire to extend it? What size works? Thanks

[@luissoco]

Yes! Thanks buddy!

[@TheMr0450]

You beauty.. i used the red pigtail on ma truck today.. thanks mate!!!

[@kennywalkup5543]

Where did you get power from behind the head unit?

[@tylerthomas1699]

THANK YOU!!!

[@leasegrandcayman8747]

I connected everything as per the video as I connected the red "power" wire to the "back up" lights. I did that, because the "back up" lights only get power when the car is put into "reverse." Since I only want my rear view camera to work when my car is in "reverse," I thought that this is the logical way to do it. Well, I am getting a "No Video Signal" message on a black screen! Any advice?

[@glencolledge2586]

Hi can you send me the link to what you did to epoxy the magnets to the camera please ?

[@ThoughTMusic]

Your video saved my ass, thank you.

[@gregoryminogue1350]

I have done exactly as you suggest - the camera works when I go into reverse. The issue is the LEDs around the camera are on 100% of the time when the car is on. I spliced the RED power wire at the head unit into the wire going to 12v Ignition?

[@hughdavis3135]

Surely the power cable that runs with the AV cable is to connect to the back up / trigger wire on the head unit. Thus when reverse is selected, power is supplied to the back up wire, and the radio/head unit automatically displays the camera image.

[@jimmitch923]

yeah...this video is essentially wrong. You need to hook that red wire (w/ the video cable) to the reverse trigger on your stereo.

[@Jason.F.]

@John Kuehn yeah well he should be more clear. This this video is very unhelpful and misleading on what the end result.

[@RVingTheCountry]

@John Kuehn yes! That’s what I’m trying to do. Have the camera to turn on at will since my unit will let me view up to 4 cameras. So basically I need to wire the red extra wire on the video end to a constant hot? What’s hot in the back of a Jeep?

[@RVingTheCountry]

@John Kuehn yeah. I must have connected it wrong behind the radio then. I do think it’s best to wire it to reverse as it will automatically switch on the screen to show the camera when backing up right? But I got the heigh10 radio yesterday and it does allow you to install 4 cameras and view them whenever. I just can’t get the wiring correct in back I guess. Trial and error I guess. So only one end of the video cable with the red wire needs to be connected not both ends I assume?

[@RVingTheCountry]

@John Kuehn Im pretty sure I did that. As it said power but no luck. I’ll go back in and see what I did wrong. But thanks. I’m understanding now. I thought I had to connect the red wire that’s at the end of the camera aswell. But it’s just one end. Thanks for your kindness in responding though.

[@MrStaykalm]

Does Connecting the short red pig-tale the way you said to the power plug solve the interference problem? And after putting them together i’m I suppose to connect them also to the backlight ?

[@RikAindow]

My car, a 2007 Ford Mondeo, has a weird switched polarity tail light. What you think is ground is actually live, and turning on a signal, putting the car in reverse etc, actually switches on the ground for that light. I believe it's done this way so that if the car's control module fails, the lights turn on for safety. So to get around that headache (and CANBUS), here's how I wired the camera. The black lead from the camera went to a ground point near the camera. I used a tail light screw. The red power cable connected to the red cable on one end of the video cable. I ran the video cable to the head unit and connected it to the camera socket on my headunit. The red power cable was then connected to my headunits remote turn on lead (usually used for amps etc). By doing this, I was able to get a camera that is permanently live when the stereo is on so can be used at any time. My headunit wiring harness adapter had a reversing light signal output which I connected to the headunit reversing sensor. Hey presto! The camera automatically shows when I enter reverse, or manually switch to the camera input.

[@sugatyerekar]

HIi bro... I want to connect my rear cam having 5pin or 2.5mm pin ...... so how to connect 5 pin or 2.5 mm car cam pin to Android tab....? Which accessories is needed for that.........?

[@twisttwister8254]

Thanks

[@dareptile2653]

I'm confused why you made no mention of which wire from the harness you connected that to, yes 12vdc source but in some cases there is a few sources right at the stereo. My problem is I've already crimped my accessory red and my constant yellow and I'm looking at this blue wire that says remote output 12 volts 500 mAh, and I'm wondering if I can run it off of that rather than cut one of the lines I've already crimped.

[@sunilfiazfunnyvideo1238]

Very nice

[@HankHill757]

Great info!!

[@wilko0310]

Hi There. I have, coming from the camera to where the cable splits, two more wires. The wires are a light green and white. The seem to be looped out and then back in to the single wire side of the splitter. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

[@esteban6714]

Hi I have the power acoustik P-81ACRD 08-12 Accord 8.3" Touchscreen with Navi but in the back of the unit have the rca yellow for the camera but is not have the red wire

[@garydeandeery]

My set up Iv a black plug for the back camera and then single red wire some say goes to live reverse light or head unit

[@pcxdrone]

But the head unit has a wire in the harness that is in my case is pink. It's says the short red wire next to the rca connects to that. Do you just connect the pink wire, the red wire and run them to my reverse light triggered 12v in my dash?

[@aknwajood]

I am having a weird issue after connecting reverse camera to my head unit. After some intervals my head unit apparently gets a "noisy" signal and goes to "reversing mode". There's no video and the screen comes back to normal mode after a second. But this effects music playback and Normal operation. What needs to be done? I HAVE connected the ground pin to the ground though...