DTDOG
Free Member
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- 77
So, a few weeks ago I turned the switch to turn on the reversing camera and the monitor made horrible crackiling noises and then started to smoke!
I quickly killed the power to the monitor and after investigating further, decided a new monitor was needed. My van is a home build that I bought already done and the more I look in to how it was put together, the more I realise that electrics wasnt their forte. The camera (and monitor) are good quality ex lorry units and as the wiring was already fitted (one genuine cable along the full legth of the van so can't be bodged!) I ideally wanted to keep the camera and just replace the monitor.
Another thing I had always intended to do was swap the standard Ford stereo for a better quality unit that had DAB, bluetooth and preferably 'Apple Carplay'.
Then I had the idea of going full out and buying a unit with a built in reversing camera monitor facility.
I had to buy an adaptor for converting a four pin connector to an AV and 12v power to connect the camera to the back of the stereo (this was £6 from Ebay). I also wasn't happy with the Apple Carplay connection being a 'dangling' USB, so bought a dash mount USB female to male (Ebay £4).
The stereo unit has a wire which automatically swaps the stereo screen to the monitor screen once it receives a 12v signal and back again once it loses the 12v, so that was fed from the camera 12v supply and then these went to a switch so that the camera can be turned on when needed. I did this rather than use the reverse lights for a couple of reasons. 1. it was easier as the wires were all there anyway and 2. it means I can use the monitor as a rear view mirror when I tow or just need to look behind me while driving. Other than the DAB aerial which was not hard just awkward feeding the wire from down the pillar trim and to the back of the stereo unit, the last thing was to fit a two way switch so in position 1. the stereo is on without the ignition and position 2. switches the stereo on and off with the ACC ignition
Total cost = £350
Stereo unit plus wiring adaptor for Ford Transit and DAB aerial £333.
Ebay. couple of switches, USB male to Female, four pin to AV etc. = £17
Here's how it turned out:-
I quickly killed the power to the monitor and after investigating further, decided a new monitor was needed. My van is a home build that I bought already done and the more I look in to how it was put together, the more I realise that electrics wasnt their forte. The camera (and monitor) are good quality ex lorry units and as the wiring was already fitted (one genuine cable along the full legth of the van so can't be bodged!) I ideally wanted to keep the camera and just replace the monitor.
Another thing I had always intended to do was swap the standard Ford stereo for a better quality unit that had DAB, bluetooth and preferably 'Apple Carplay'.
Then I had the idea of going full out and buying a unit with a built in reversing camera monitor facility.
I had to buy an adaptor for converting a four pin connector to an AV and 12v power to connect the camera to the back of the stereo (this was £6 from Ebay). I also wasn't happy with the Apple Carplay connection being a 'dangling' USB, so bought a dash mount USB female to male (Ebay £4).
The stereo unit has a wire which automatically swaps the stereo screen to the monitor screen once it receives a 12v signal and back again once it loses the 12v, so that was fed from the camera 12v supply and then these went to a switch so that the camera can be turned on when needed. I did this rather than use the reverse lights for a couple of reasons. 1. it was easier as the wires were all there anyway and 2. it means I can use the monitor as a rear view mirror when I tow or just need to look behind me while driving. Other than the DAB aerial which was not hard just awkward feeding the wire from down the pillar trim and to the back of the stereo unit, the last thing was to fit a two way switch so in position 1. the stereo is on without the ignition and position 2. switches the stereo on and off with the ACC ignition
Total cost = £350
Stereo unit plus wiring adaptor for Ford Transit and DAB aerial £333.
Ebay. couple of switches, USB male to Female, four pin to AV etc. = £17
Here's how it turned out:-