My wife's car B class Mercedes has a reversing camera but my 2005 X Type does not. I really miss it.
I am considering fitting a quality brand wireless unit. The power for the rear camera comes from a connection to the reversing light and the power fore the front screen via the cigarette lighter socket.
My question to members is will the power to the rear camera cause any issues with the rest of the electronics of the car, I am thinking the power from the cigarette lighter will be ok.
Would appreciate any comments and suggestions.
David Bruce. Australia. 2005 X Type 3l awd auto.

 

Maybe my S-Type entry from 8th of April 2023 in the following link will help you:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...estion-268529/

If you find, that the switch signal for reverse gear is on the X-Type also a switched ground signal, this is how to overcome that issue.
What I don't understand is that you plan to use wireless unit, since you need to feed wires from the front to the back anyway (power and switched signal), so you can just as well add the video cable to the monitor/screen in the front. Getting hold of the "power" for the reverse camera in the boot is slightly easier on the S-Type, as the S-Type has its battery in the boot, Getting the power from the cigar lighter would be OK (I would connect to the cables behind the cigar lighter, and as always, I would add an additional inline fuse at that point - probably with a 10A blade.

 

Hi Peter,
Thanks for the prompt reply.
I expected by using a wireless camera I would not have to run any cables front to rear, that the rear rear camera was powered from the reversing lights when reverse was engaged.
From reading your reply the reversing lights are not wired that way. This is my understanding the reversing lights have a 12V continuous supply and when reverse is selected the switch closes the earth circuit and the lights go on. Is this correct?
It is along time since I did my time, back then it was generators, regulators .
If the above is correct why can't I power the camera from the earth wire?
Thanks in advance.
David B.

 

Actually, maybe you can. I didn't think of that. First obviously confirm, if you have a switched power-line or a switched earth on you reversing lights. and then you should be able to switch your remote cam the same way on and off.

The reason as to why I did not think of that was probably that I did not connect my camera that way, which allows me to use it only with the reverse gear selected. The head unit, which I have, allows me to select, if I want to have the picture transmitted from the rear only in reverse or all the time, and the latter option would not be possible, if the camera has no power supply when the reverse gear is not engaged...

 

Watch this

 

Reversing camera.
Thanks Dennis for the link. What was shown was way above my pay grade. I was looking for opinions on fitting a wireless reversing camera.
Thanks for the reply.
David B.

 

In the video it shows you the trigger wire, if you use a independent unit

 

To clarify the power to the reversing lights in the X type situation, the Reverse Lamps Relay (operated via the instrument Panel in Auto X types) sends 12v via Fuse F2, 10A, (Glove Box Fuse Panel) to the reversing lights when required and the lights have a direct wire to ground - so it's not a switched ground circuit and it can be used to power a reversing camera as the OP wishes without upsetting anything else!
However, what may also be required is a separate ignition switched supply in the boot/trunk to power the transmitter (maybe Bluetooth?) This is readily available behind the trim panel on the lefthand side in the form of an (ususally!) unused socket provided by Jaguar for extra accessories. It has a Black wire for ground connections, a Brown wire for a permanent 12v supply and a Brown/Green wire for an ignition switched supply. Standard insulated female spade connectors fit well. Make sure the Accessory Relay is fitted in the Glove box fuse panel.

 

Reversing camera.
Hi astromorg, thanks for the reply. have purchased a wireless reversing kit. so have removed rh boote (trunk) panel and have found reversing lamp supply wire with 12volts when reverse selected. I propose to tap into this wire to power the camera. Very hot in Queensland have to work in the cool of the morning.
David B.

 

Hi Peter,
Reversing camera up date. I bit the bullet and purchased the camera kit from Jaycar.
Reversing bulb power is 12+ have wired the camera to this and it all works. Getting the boote trim out to access the wiring was a mission. Now I need to tidy the wiring and put all the trim back.
David B.