Tried starting what I thought would be a super easy project but is kicking my butt. Just tried adding a cheaper backup camera to my truck but it's defeating me. First it was running the rca cable and destroying the first one and having to buy a second one. Then not having the right connectors for tying in the wires. I always have tons of butt connectors and other things. Completely ran dry... Finally get it all hooked up and things then "no signal" I'm completely at a lost. I put my voltmeter at the camera power supply. There's power. Checked both ends of the rca. They're connected. I'm completely baffled at what it could be. Something so simple has really got me down...
Check the continuity of the RCA cable. Set the voltmeter to diode check and it should beep when a continuous circuit is detected. Check the center pin to the center pin with the meter then check the shield (outer) conductor to the same on the other end. Yes this would have been easier before the RCA had been fished through the chassis and cab. Or get a short length RCA and connect the camera to the monitor inside the cab as another test method. Then you will eliminate whether or not it is the RCA currentky ran to the rear of your truck.
Thanks for the tips. I just don't understand how something so easy turned into such a mess. I've installed tons of stereos amongst many other projects and never had this much difficulty and it's only two cables!
My backup cam has three wires. A ground, hot, and a trigger wire. Also, if you are grounding to the truck, the power has to come from the truck. That got me while I was running wires for a bit.
Haven't hooked that up yet. Was gonna just tap the reverse up front somewhere as soon as I figure out which one it is for sure. But also thought about just leaving it so I can manually turn it on while I'm driving to see how things looked back there.
Have you got the camera to work yet? With the power and ground hooked up, send power to the trigger wire. You should have an image. I wired my trigger wire to a switch on the dash so I can watch a trailer while going down the hwy. Easy peasy
Not yet been to busy with work and the lack of motivation when I get home in the dark and cold... What trigger wire are you talking about? The one on the deck that tells it is in reverse and makes the image come up automatically?
Yep, that's the one. There won't be an image on the screen unless the display is looking for it, even though the camera is going to be on. Here's a handy video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8-P1F_H_Ok
