I am installing a rear view camera on my travel trailer with a quick disconnect at the hitch between the suburban and trailer. I have a 2004 Suburban LS. I want to pick up a hot 12v for the camera system in the cab off of the ignition circuit so it has power whenever I am driving not just when I am backing up. Am looking for maybe a accessory port off the ignition ?Could use some help.
Thanks,
Tom

 

Welcome to the forum.

The easiest way to pick up accessory power is to use add a circuit kit. First locate a fuse in the fuse box that has power when the key is on. Use a test light to do this or voltmeter. Once you have located a fuse, remove it and install the add a circuit kit. They work well and are pretty easy to work with.

Here is a link to a kit available on Amazon. You should also be able to get one at your local autoparts store.

The only draw back to using them is that you have to stay within 10 amps. However, this should be fine for your project.

Littelfuse FHA200BP ATO Add-A-Circuit Kit : Amazon.com : Automotive

Good Luck with your upgrade.

 

I was just looking at that little item the other day mulmur1.

I have to add a relay for my camper battery, it seems that when have the camper hooked up and the harness for the lights and battery connected and I lock the truck, enabling the security, the small drain on the system from the 12v used to maintain the campers fridge, is enough to freak out the system and the horn will start going off!...But it is totally random, sound like someone honking the horn in anger lol...

 

Thanks Brad, I believe there is a 10amp fuse in the panel on the driver's side of the dash that is marked "ignition, heated seats". I don't have heated seats so this may be just the spot to use one of these kits. I'll check it with the tester and then I will let you know how this works out.

 

I picked up one of those "add a circuit" kits and this is going to work great for the 12v+ for my camera. I checked the fuse location for the heated seats and it only comes on when ignition is on so it is just what I needed. Now I am trying to locate where the ground terminal or convenient tie point is under the dash. If it is on the BCM how do I get that piece of lower dash off without breaking it??
Thanks,
Tom

 

If possible, try and use a ground point that it located in an area where you do not need to remove a lot of trim.

In the 2004, I would apply the parking brake or block the wheels. Then turn on the ignition and lower the shifter. Once that is done, grap hold of the trim around the dash and pull. It comes over pretty easily. This will take the trim off around the radio. Once this is off, pull the trim under the radio. This will expose the area around the radio. The area under the cub holder comes up with a solid pull as well. Once all of this trim is off, you can get a ground off the mounts for the console.

Good luck with the camera.

 

Well I finished my rear view camera project today. I now have a 7" monitor that can be placed on a swivel mount I installed between the two cig lighter/12v power supplies on my dash just below the a/c controllers. I ran all my cables along with the cable for the trailer package electric and zip tied them. Installed a port on the bumper just to the left of the car tag (right side has the port to bring down the spare). I have my camera mounted on a 3' pole secured to the 4" square tubing on the back of the trailer, there is a quick disconnect at the camera so I can safely store it. There is a coiled cable that connects from the burb to the trailer when traveling to connect the system. Used rubber groumet where I went through the fire wall with the camera cable. I turned the system on just before sundown today and my wife had just come out to check on me so she got to see it's maiden viewing. Yes, I am pretty excited about it, it was quite a project, lots of crawling around under the trailer and burb, but well worth it. I purchased the camera from Amazon, it is a Rear View Safety sytem.
I appreciate the good ideas and moral support Brad.
Thanks,
Tom

 

Tom,

I am glad that everything worked out well. It is nice to be able to share your excitement with your wife and have her see that all of your effort has paid off. I am sure that you will get lots of use of the new camera.

Regards,