Wi-fi reversing camera

[littlespark]

Bought one of these things thinking it would be simpler than running a signal line from the back of the van.

The instruction are written in translated Chinese, and my “Chinglish” isn’t so good.

So I’ve got a red, yellow and black wire at the camera. Connected red and black to + and - of reversing light. Yellow is not attached to anything.
With ignition on(but engine not running) I get the image on my iPad, which I’m going to be using as the screen. As soon as I start the engine, the Wi-fi is disrupted and I lose signal.

I’m thinking the red needs power all the time, and the yellow is the signal that I’m reversing. But it works when stationary, why not when moving??

 

[buzzlightyear]

But it works when stationary, why not when moving??

Have you lost signal, I'm trying to down load the constructions..

 

[littlespark]

I posted photos of the instructions.
Thinking it over in my head, when I turn the key to start the engine, there’s a momentary cut in power to the reversing lights... enough to disrupt the power to the cam, and therefor the Wi-fi.
Thinking some interference? But it’s at the wrong end of the van to be affected by moving engine parts

 

[DPG]

Maybe yellow is to trigger it from the reversing light feed. Where's page 4?

 

[Spoon]

Where's page 4?

Isn't page 4 the first pic, top? Begins with "12V+ positive,"...
I'm presuming the manual is 1 sheet. The bottom pic is the reverse side of the top pic.

 

[littlespark]

Pages 4,1,2,3. It’s a double sided paper folded in half to make a book.

yes. Yellow says it’s reversing signal, so how does it work without this connected?

but only works when engine isn’t running

I might try connecting both red and yellow to reversing lamp +ve

 

[DPG]

Isn't page 4 the first pic, top? Begins with "12V+ positive,"...
I'm presuming the manual is 1 sheet. The bottom pic is the reverse side of the top pic.

Strange, I couldn't see that earlier!

 

[littlespark]

Bad photo. The 4 and the 1 aren’t showing

 

[DPG]

Bad photo. The 4 and the 1 aren’t showing

I couldn't even see both pages earlier. Not sure why.

Anyway, I would definitely try connecting both yellow and red to +12V. Worth a go. What about a large value electrolytic capacitor right at the camera end of the supply cables?

 

[kropaske]

I think you need red as +12V, black GND and yellow to reverse light +12V

 

[telectrix]

i powered my rev. cam from the rear screen demister, so that i could see behing even when not reversing. this means that any muppet runs into back of me gets on candid camera.

 

[littlespark]

My van doesn’t have a rear window, so no rear demister. Although my old van, the van was powered all the time direct from the screen on the dash.

ok.... the only permanent power at the rear is the central locking.
I have driving lamps at front on all the time, but nothing at rear. I suppose I could power from headlights/ taillights, and only reverse with lights on??
Not even a 12v socket in back.
Maybe get a feed from the ceiling lights in the back?

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

You have to patch into the reversing light feed with the yellow cable.

 

[littlespark]

You have to patch into the reversing light feed with the yellow cable.

yes. That’s what I’ll do.... but wonder why it works properly without the yellow connected at all (until the engine starts)

 

[telectrix]

roof light has a permanent +ve. so the camera would be powered when you are in bed.

 

[littlespark]

Update.
I’ve connected both red and yellow now to the tail light. So I can have it up and running before reversing.
mice also tagged the black to the ground of the vehicle, rather than the earth in the wiring loom going to the lights.
Multimeter reads +12v on the line, just what I need.

same thing. Works with the light on, but not when the engine is running.

must be some interference.
there is a little antennae from the camera, but only about 6 inches. Is it possible to extend this and run it up the inside of rear door?

 

[buzzlightyear]

Update.
I’ve connected both red and yellow now to the tail light. So I can have it up and running before reversing.
mice also tagged the black to the ground of the vehicle, rather than the earth in the wiring loom going to the lights.
Multimeter reads +12v on the line, just what I need.

same thing. Works with the light on, but not when the engine is running.

must be some interference.
there is a little antennae from the camera, but only about 6 inches. Is it possible to extend this and run it up the inside of rear door?

they are looking for peaple like you in China. How to build transformers hey bumble bee.lol.

 

[snowhead]

Has the van got a full steel bulkhead?

Maybe with the engine running, start with the iPad near the camera, assuming it works there, work away from it and see where you loose the signal.

Top Tip, don't have engine running, van in reverse whilst standing at the back..

 

[littlespark]

Its a plastic bulkhead.
Not using the reverse line now, going on tail lights.
It works fine when the engine is NOT running.

Could the voltage to the lights be less than 12v after the engine starts, thus dropping the feed to the camera (not enough voltage)

I did have it working ONCE yesterday, with engine running, when it was still connected to reverse, but i cant repeat it.

 

[DPG]

I'd still try a high value electrolytic capacitor as close as you can to the camera. As a reservoir to help during the dip when the starter takes it's current.

 

[littlespark]

i just dont have one of them handy in my toolbox at the moment, dpg

 

[telectrix]

just employ a man with a red flag (minimum wage) and when you get to the job, he can hump your tools out of the van, winner all ways.

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

The very first thing you need to check is there +12volts at the input of the camera when the engine is running?If there is then it's an interference issue.If there's no +12 volts then it could be due to the voltage going missing when the van starts.This could be caused by tapping into the interior light supply which might turn off when the van starts?

 

[littlespark]

It must be down to interference, as im getting the same 12v whether the engine is running or not.

Anyone got a though on extending the antennae?

 

[Bob Geldoff1234]

It might be worth trying one of these.
View: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rectifier-Keenso-Capacitor-Filter-Connector/dp/B07KFJVC5J/ref=psdc_1342943031_t2_B07RJJJGTZ

 

[DPG]

Extending the antenna may help, or it may not. Remember, antenna length should be a multiple of wavelength.