installing an additonal rear camera

[numberplate]

Hi guys i worked out how to make the reverse camera operate while in Drive , but now i want to add an additional camera for longer distance viewing ( like above the trailer ).
I tried wiring in a $20 ebay camera ( which works off 12v ) but the factory head unit does not recognise it , or the signal which comes out of it , whichever.
I know the factory camera works off 6v - this voltage is there all the time , and only goes off 20 seconds after the IG is switched off.
But does anyone know the difference between signal types , or protcols , whichever , between the older style ebay cameras and the factory type?

thanks in advance

[adamkberger]

From memory, I think the camera needs to be NTSC. Have you disconnected the original camera and replaced with the new? Make sure the new camera is powered before you turn on the head unit or it will not work. I believe the head unit looks for a signal form the camera when it boots up and if it doesn't see a camera, it will disable the camera input.

[numberplate]

Ok , so the newer cameras are NTSC ? so i presume the older / el cheapo cameras are PAL or something ? and the two signals are not compatible?

i havent done too much yet , im still experimenting. I unplugged the rear camera ( from the kickpanel connector GN3 , connected the cheapie camera to CA+ ( pin 5 ) and CGND ( pin 2 ). the 6 volts for the factory camera appears on V+ ( pin 3 ) and V- ( pin 4 ).
If the car stays in reverse mode , you can plug /unplug the factory camera and the head unit will sync to the camera fine each time. Havent tried the same thing with the radio switched off.

If the head unit looks for a signal when switched on , this would explain why the factory camera has 6v at all times while the unit is on. makes sense as you wont have to wait for the camera to be cold started for images to appear.

[rob09]

Hi guys i worked out how to make the reverse camera operate while in Drive

How'd you pull this one off mate?

[numberplate]

it takes a bit of mucking around and some electrical experience but its doable - on the back of the radio there is a 28 pin connector with a Red wire at pin 2 , which activates the reverse camera function. you need to cut this wire and solder a 4 amp diode in series ( cathode towards the head unit ).
with the car in Drive , if you apply +12v to the cathode the reverse camera comes up. The diode is there to stop any other circuits from being affected by the foreign 12v.

note that this may not work on all models as the wiring can vary depending on grade.

ensure you have electrical knowledge , and usual disclaimer applies to this mod yadda yadda

[rob09]

Thanks mate, very interesting.

[Devilsknife]

im also interested in this as i have a canopy on the rear of my 2017 sr5 hilux which doesnt have a window through it so i cant see behind me driving. i would like to switch to the av mode on the screen to see while driving. did you take any pictures or do you have any wiring diagrams ?

[numberplate]

sorry i didnt take any pictures , but if you have some electrical experience you can follow my instructions to do the job

[dave g]

I used a rear wireless reversing camera from j.car
Set up to start when I start the car i do have a ign wire to my tub and the head unit plugged in the front the camera above back window. The head unit is on the standard mirror with dabble side tape