Forum Discussion

Ramblin__Ralph's avatar
Ramblin__Ralph
Explorer
Apr 19, 2017

Connecting backup camera to rear marker light?

I'm trying to install a Garmin backup camera on my Lance 845. Want it wired to a rear marker light, so I can use it when driving forward or reverse, with lights on.

Tried to remove the center rear marker light to get access to power for the camera and also to see if there is room for excess cable behind the light. After cutting away the caulking I was able to pry the assembly away from the body partially. Then the lens popped off and I see 2 rivets holding the assembly to the body :M .

I have a lot of cable to store somewhere and was hoping to use the space behind the light assembly to do this. Also was planning on drilling through to the inside of the TC from behind the light assembly. Then I would mount the wireless transmitter inside above the door and connect it to power and the camera via the space behind the marker light.

I need the marker light off to see if my idea will work. If I drill out the center of the rivet, I'm assuming I could then remove the marker light.

Any thoughts on this?

BTW, I've already confirmed that the wireless transmitter above the door provides a good signal to the GPS screen.

Thanks,
Truck Campers
  • Ramblin__Ralph's avatar
    Ramblin__Ralph
    Explorer
    Apr 21, 2017
    Thanks for the suggestions. AnEV942, thanks for using my pic to clarify what I'm trying to do. :)

    I tried drilling some small holes from inside towards the marker light. Some sort of obstruction about 2 inches in. However, from the outside I can insert a rod, through the marker light wiring hole, about 5" into the "box", . I've asked Lance for a drawing.

    Now that I think about it more, though, I'd like to be able to turn the camera on and off from my truck. Probably not much harder than what I'd originally planned, as far as wiring. As far as mounting the camera, I'll probably just run the cable over my roof and down the fridge vent. Cable from camera goes to wireless transmitter. Transmitter is wired to 12 vdc.

    Results TBD. :)

    Ralph
  • AnEv942's avatar
    AnEv942
    Nomad
    Apr 20, 2017
    Stole this off your site Ralph, shows rear valance.

    Individual lamps, hopefully have a large enough wire hole to pass the larger camera cable ends thru. Getting below inside ceiling when drilling would be the trick I think (small bit to start):)


    If the bumpout for the clearance lights isnt hollow to stuff wires possibly a project box inside to contain cabling?
  • SidecarFlip's avatar
    SidecarFlip
    Explorer III
    Apr 20, 2017
    I wired my (Furrion) to a dedicated power cable and put a switch inside the camper so I can turn the camera on without having the marker lights on, just me I guess. I like the Furrion because you can either run the backing grid on the monitor or remove it. The backup grid irritates me.
  • Buzzcut1's avatar
    Buzzcut1
    Nomad II
    Apr 20, 2017
    the bulb assembly will come out of the housing without popping the rivets. I tapped into the wires where they connect to the bulbs at that point to power my camera and wireless transmitter.

  • hedge's avatar
    hedge
    Explorer
    Apr 20, 2017
    Can't help you directly but I found it easier to tap wire from the 7-pin umbilical bundle. I installed a Garmin BC30 and drilled a hole above my door and ran the the wire from the camera inside. Then I tapped into the Reverse wire and ran the wireless transmitter up to the front wall of the camper (needed an extension cable).

    I later added another wire from the truck's upfitter switch so that I could trun the camera on at will via the switch. I didn't want it powered all the time as then I'd have to select it from the menu all the time.. and my monitor is also my gps and my dashcam.

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