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Topic ClosedFurrion rear camera
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Joined: 24 Nov 2009
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Furrion rear camera
    Posted: 24 Jan 2020 at 8:29pm
   There is not a power source from the ignition switch at the back of our truck. It has the factory tow package and the seven pin connection always has power for trailer when connected. The truck has a safety feature if the head lights are left on or interior dome light is left on after a short time power will be turned off to those lights so they will not drain the battery. But the factory seven pin connection is not included in that safety feature.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jan 2020 at 8:18pm
  I mounted the new Furrion camera to the back top of the fiberglass cap on our truck. I have not wired it yet but I have a question. I thought of connecting to the reverse lights  and also connecting to the interior dome light of the cap and adding a separate switch for the camera. My question is if I turn the switch on for the camera and the reverse lights are turned on when backing up will twelve volts coming from both sources at the same time hurt the camera. As I had said before I am not smart when it comes to electricity. Thank you if you can answer my question.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Jan 2020 at 1:21pm
Originally posted by CharlieM


David,
You should recheck that 7-pin connector. I don't know what TV you have but most all newer ones switch power to pin 4 with the key switch. With the ignition off and the trailer disconnected there should be no voltage on pin 4. If there is you can run down the TV battery while camping if you leave the TT plugged in. If you find the line is not switched it may be miswired, especially if the connector was an add on. It's worth a fix if it's wrong.

Depends on the tow vehicle. The aftermarket kits for vehicles like my Highlander that come with a flat 4 connector supply 12V continuously from the battery via a 30A breaker. That is not miswiring, you would need to add an additional 12V contactor with a coil connected to the ignition in order to switch that line. It's unnecessary, just disconnecting from the TV while camping solves any discharge risk problem. Most everyone does that anyway. 
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2020 at 6:57pm
Originally posted by David and Danette

  I think wiring to the reverse lights will work out OK and did test the seven pin connector for the 12 volts to trailer and it is not switched has power all the time.

David,
You should recheck that 7-pin connector. I don't know what TV you have but most all newer ones switch power to pin 4 with the key switch. With the ignition off and the trailer disconnected there should be no voltage on pin 4. If there is you can run down the TV battery while camping if you leave the TT plugged in. If you find the line is not switched it may be miswired, especially if the connector was an add on. It's worth a fix if it's wrong.
Charlie
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2020 at 10:23am
  I think wiring to the reverse lights will work out OK and did test the seven pin connector for the 12 volts to trailer and it is not switched has power all the time.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2020 at 8:34am
We have DRL, which run the headlights at a somewhat reduced intensity (presumably to reduce wear, but I digress). One thing to note with vehicles equipped with DRL is that they do NOT activate the tail lights by default. At least with the F-150, you can change the DRL to include tail lights with a simple software change. That may not be the case with other vehicles, so do check which yours are, or if equipped.

We often have foggy conditions where we live and where we frequent. So having the tail lights on is an added safety factor. Of course, when we're pulling the pod, the running lights are on anyway.
bp
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Jan 2020 at 7:09am
It is illegal to drive with just your parking lights on at least in many states. 

I should probably have been more clear, I leave my headlights on when I'm towing, even in the daytime. Belt and suspenders perhaps, but there are many studies that show daytime headlight use reduces collisions by 5-10%.  And headlights are legally required in so many conditions that in many places its simpler not to have to think about it and just to leave them on. There's really no downside to it except for a very slight increase in fuel use that you'll never notice. 
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David and Danette View Drop Down
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Posts: 1214 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2019 at 1:10pm
   I will test the seven pin connector to see if it is switched. Also not so sure if it is legal to drive with parking lights on I read that is against the law. Thank you all for your help hope to get a camera connected soon. Our rear cap has no side windows and the visibility is not that great when backing up.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019)
2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab


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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2019 at 9:43am
Another option is connecting to the TV Accessory terminal. Most newer vehicles, at least those of this decade, switch the accessories on/off with the ignition switch to prevent draining the battery by mistake. That way the rear camera would be powered any time the ignition switch is in the accessory or run positions. You would have to find the accessory line, preferably at the TV main fuse box, and run a wire to the back of the truck. That should be easy and need be only #16 or #18 AWG since the camera draw is light.
Charlie
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 31 Dec 2019 at 7:04am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

Our F-150 only activates the trailer +12V when it senses there is a trailer and the ignition is on. I am willing to bet that different vehicles and vintages handle this differently.

For sure, that's why I hedged and said "typically". My Highlander came with a flat 4 connector so my 7 pin was an aftermarket installation. It required two taps from the vehicle battery, one for the 12V trailer supply and one for the brake controller. 

If your tow vehicle came factory equipped with a 7 pin connector it might well switch the 12V trailer supply on and off. 

Myself, I always have my lights on when towing so I would connect a camera to that circuit. I like the lights on for additional on the road visibility but also because I will know in a few seconds if my connector ever became undone because my trailer marker lights would be out. 

But connecting to the reverse lights is fine too, its a matter of personal preference. 
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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