rb23lb

Am I the first in the w204 forums that has the backup camera wired as "always on"???

I paid a dude $100 bucks to do finish the wiring and pop the command back in after I ripped up the car and mounted the camera because I don't have a soldering iron and have no experience with splicing wires and soldering...

He didn't even have to use the purple cable that goes to the reverse lamp or he did not even have to use an extra RCA extension. The included wires with the kenwood camera were more than long enough and the only cable outside the head unit area is the video cable going to the camera.

I know the camera pulls basically nothing to stay powered on 24/7, but I just wanted to check with the forum pros if there is anything I should be concerned about from not having the camera on switched power like everyone else...

I guess if I didn't drive the car for a month the battery might die but that will never happen.... It is nice having the camera sharp and focused the instant I shift into reverse instead of having a slight power up delay...

Anything else I should be concerned with for having constant always on camera power?

Thanks

Rb

cbcharlie

i'm curious about this, was thinking of doing it that way so there's less delay (focus time) when I throw it in reverse. Where is it wired too?

rb23lb

He wired it somewhere behind the command, not the cigarette lighter... I'm not sure exactly where tho sorry... Ya it is nice having the camera ready and focused perfect with no delay the instant u switch to reverse... And it pulls nothing as far as I know so won't kill your battery unless u leave your car for a long period of time..

The camera module and all conections were made behind the command when I was watching him, only the video cable that came with the kit went to the rear, no RCA extension had to be used

nickm

who is this dude? can we get in touch with him? Thanks

rb23lb

california at an audio shop in costa mesa

GateKeeper

I can only think of premature failure of the camera, would be a possibility, being on all the time, what is the life expectancy, is it now shortened ?

.

tanktube67

How big is the camera? Can you post a pic.

rb23lb

its that same kenwood camera that everybody is using that cost about $150

Ron Jr

I blink slower than it takes the camera to focus when I put the car in reverse. I see no advantage to constant on.

rb23lb

u have the audiovox right? maybe kenwoods are a little different... but i think the main advantage is the clean wiring and not having to lose any signal strength by rigging up another rca and having to use a coupler and being able to use just the wires that came with the retail kenwood package

Ron Jr

No breaks in my wires I soldered and shrink wrapped the harness.

rb23lb

breaks in the rca video cable where it is extended and coupled though....

Norm01

My guess is he did not tap into constant on but tapped into an ignition source. The difference is the camera would only be on when the car is started.

Rick Hunter

This is the first time I'm hearing about focus issues with the Kenwood CCD-2000 camera.

Mine has no focus issues I'm aware of, and the lag time to "on" status is not noticeably annoying. We're talking less than 0.5 seconds here! Besides, the lag time is equally dependent on COMAND flipping the screen over to the camera input (more or less).

Anyway, I don't see a point in having an always on setup unless you are using it as a replacement to the rear view mirror. I'd instead opt for a switched setting whereby you can turn it on at will, and leave it off if you don't care. You would have to hook it up as a video aux, and install a switch somewhere in the car.

Peabody

If he wired it behind the command, why didn't he use something like the remote power so that it turns on and off with your command unit? All the benefit of "always on" and none of the questionable wiring.