dberladyn

I have thought about doing what you are doing. I will use relays. I might even just build my own video switcher. If I do that, I will just use relays and mount them in a shielded box. I don't think it is rocket science to switch the input signals to a monitor.


Factory Camera Wiring

StanVan

Good idea to switch the camera power. I didn't on my first camera. It was on any time the radio was on. It lasted maybe 8 months.

mountainmanjoe

I see, so you were thinking dual pole relay. That would decrease part count.

After reading the manual , there might be an easier way for triggering the switcher. This switcher wants a positive voltage for activation. Your van's signal lever switch isn't. So you should try using the actual indicator lamp circuit instead, since it goes to +12V. I didn't suggest this before because, obviously, the lamp blinks and you don't want your picture to blink. However, the switcher has a setting where turn signal cameras stay active for 12 seconds. (DIP switch #2, see manual.). The lamp circuit is on the BCM output. (go to https://www.gmupfitter.com/pages/body-builder-manuals to get your schematic).

For camera power, however, you'd have to stick to my drawing. However, depending on the camera's power rating, you may not need the relay and you could just run it through the MOSFET.

Why not talk to the manufacturer? I'm sure they've figured all this stuff out already for other people. You're not the only one with a GM vehicle. I see that NAV-TV also have a forum on their website.

mountainmanjoe

That's a ****ty camera in my opinion. Surveillance cameras run 24/7/365

Lcarter114

I never thought about the manufacturer website. I will check it out also. I thought I would have all this done in a weekend. Guess I should have known better...lol. Thanks for the great info.

StanVan

You're entitled to your opinion, Joe. Not all devices are made for 100% duty cycles.

mountainmanjoe

Dash cams are also on the whole time the vehicle is running, and you can get 'em for like 20 bucks. Either you got a defective product, or a terribly engineered one. A good vehicle camera SHOULD tolerate being on all the time.

StanVan

Let me try and spell it out for you, Joe. It's a camera made to be on when the vehicle is in reverse.

mountainmanjoe

whatever you need to tell yourself, Stan.