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Front parking-camera project

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by GregP507, May 27, 2014.

  1. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    What size are you looking for? I'm using a DPDT ON-OFF-ON mini rocker switch similar to this. GRS-4023A-0014 CW Industries | CWI417-ND | DigiKey
     
  2. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I was looking to buy a switch that would fit in the existing blank to the right of the steering wheel. I also wanted a 2-color illuminated switch. As it happens I won't need the center-off position, because power will be supplied when I tap the parking brake. I wanted to make it as simple as possible, so once I get it wired, it will be a simple matter of selecting the VTR input, and pressing the parking brake lightly. The red or green light in the rocker switch will light up, telling me which camera is on, and I can select between the two.
     
  3. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I'm now finished the project for all intents and purposes. I now have two cameras in addition to the backup camera. To activate either one, I must be traveling slower than 5 mph, and tap slightly on the parking brake pedal to enable this feature. From the "audio" menu, I select the "VTR" source. A two-way rocker-switch is mounted in the dash to the right of the steering wheel, which selects either camera, or in the center position, both are off.

    Both composite video leads are teed together into the auxiliary video input of my head unit display. The rocker switch supplies power to one or the other, or neither in the center position. This works very well for turning on either camera. The side camera is mounted under the passenger mirror, and the cable feeds into the bottom of the mirror mount, past the rubber gasket. It looks very neat and almost factory-issue. The double-stick adhesive supplied with the camera was almost useless, therefore a bit of urethane glue held it in place. It also makes it easily removable without affecting the paint. All the wires are tucked away behind the dash and tied out of the way. The main power for both cameras comes from the lighter-socket in the lower center console. The cameras are easily adjustable, as they are basically like an eyeball in a rubber socket. I had to turn the image 90-180 degrees, which was very easy to do by turning the camera in the socket. Both cameras have jumper-loop wires which can be snipped to provide parking lines, and to flip the image to mirror-image, but I saw no reason for doing so.

    It's probably not a big deal, but I may eventually install indicator lights in case I leave the rocker-switch on, but in any case, all power to the cameras is off when the car is shut off.
     

    Attached Files:

    #23 GregP507, Jun 28, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
  4. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    The original problem was that in spite of my best efforts, the front spoiler on my Toyota Corolla would collide with obstacles when I parked. It was very difficult to judge distances, and to judge heights. The result was that after a number of such contacts, the spoiler was broken and scuffed, which significantly affected its trade-in value.

    A parking sensor would have beeped to tell me the object was there, but I already knew that. The problem was determining whether the spoiler was high enough to clear it or not. I didn't want the same thing happening to my Prius. I've used my front camera now on several occasions, and I'm very pleased with the results.
     
  5. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Another update: Both cameras are working exactly as I expected, and I use them frequently when I'm parking. The passenger-side camera doesn't provide a field of view useful for traffic, and only shows a few feet out from the side. It would require some extensive modifications to be incorporated into the right-turn signal, for viewing the blind-spot (as in the Honda) as I had initially conceived.

    And the video screen is not disabled over 5 mph as I originally thought; it's more like 1 or 2 mph. To use it for parking, you have to be moving very slowly.
     
  6. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I have a completed and test my video switcher on post 17. It works exactly as I designed including turn signal switch just like the Hondas. It uses the rear camera video input instead of VTR so there's no speed restriction. It works at any speed. I'm looking to get $150 for it if you're interested. Unfortunately, I have no wiring diagram for the rear camera for the head unit. I'll post a picture of it when I get a chance.
     
  7. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I am interested.
    It looks like the backup video signal input isn't blocked by the forward speed of the car. Did you tap into the video signal wires from the backup camera? If that's the case, I'd like to see your wiring diagram. I'd also like to know if the backup camera is powered and live all the time, or switches on only when reversing.

    Your switch configuration is a bit more complicated than I'd like, and I don't need full-360 camera coverage. I wouldn't mind mounting cameras to cover the blind spots, each activated by the signal lever. I'd like to avoid having the cameras powered-on all the time, or having a special switch to power them on and off. If it's possible to activate each of the cameras using the power-feed alone, and no other special switching, that would be the ideal situation, as far as I'm concerned.

    Do you think its possible to have all three cameras ( left and right blind-spots, and backup) wired to the same video input, controlled only by the power supplied to them?

    Thanks
     
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  8. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Reverse camera is speed independent. It operates regardless of speed. Feeding the reverse signal wire with 12V to the radio (does not effect rest of car i.e. reverse light, R indicator on dash, reverse beep), activates the factory rear camera. It also supply power to the rear camera.

    There are 3 wires that need to loop into my switcher then loop out to the head unit. the reverse wire, the rear camera signal + and -.

    My video switcher has an "active out" positive 12V output. It is intended to activate my speed lock bypass. However, you can use it to feed power to all your cameras.

    For your application, you'll only need to connect the turn signal that you have the camera on. In your case, it's the right turn signal. The only time you'll get a black screen is when you activate the front camera and you turn the right signal on and it's only because you don't have a right front facing camera.

    If you want to tie multiple camera's signal wires together and control which camera receive power, you'll still need a power distribution switch. If you build you own, you'll end up with a schematic like my switcher. If that's the case might as well do it the right way and switch the signal wires only.

    Pictures below are what my video switcher and the dual switch look like.

    6 Cam Switcher1.jpg 6 Cam Switcher.jpg 2 Switches.jpg
     
  9. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I'm looking for cameras. The one you listed shows 170 Degree viewing angle. But, the image on your head unit don't even look close to 170 degree. It looks less than 90 degree.
     
  10. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    When you order direct from China through AliExpress, you never know if the descriptions are accurate, or if they simply don't understand what they are describing. It's always a risk, but you do have a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and the prices are usually extremely low.
     
  11. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Can you do a test of what coverage angle the camera has? The camera you ordered seems to be the most versatile as far as application and installation.
     
  12. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    My best would be about 100 degrees.
     
  13. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    Any information about the cable?
     
  14. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Beat sonic.com
     
  15. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Got my 6Cam Switcher project done. I removed the radio to mount the 9" LCD. I can manually switch to any of the side views or use the turn signal to switch the view. It makes parking and U-Turns a lot easier.
     

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  16. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    What cameras did you end up using?
    How hard to add a multiplexer to show all cameras at one time on screen?
     
  17. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    I used this camera. I don't recommend it. The video is not as good as the stock Toyota camera. The only reason I bought it is because it features selectable mirror image and it allows for adjustment in just about any direction once it's mounted. Also because it's rotates 360 and no markings for top up, I had to do numerous adjustments to get the pictures aligned properly. As for multiplexing, you're looking for something that Nissan uses. My mod is switcher only hence the 12 DPDT relays on board. It has no video processing at all. It'd be nice to show all 6 cams in 1 video but I don't have that kind of knowledge.
     
  18. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    You can probably get a used one from a security system that had composite video inputs.

    A quick search turned up some interesting options. One (only a quad) brought up different cameras depending on what was happening. Left turn, left camera, etc. Under $100
     
    #38 DaneH5, Sep 25, 2014
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2014
  19. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    A relay will solve any power control issues. Small amount of current can control large amounts of current.
     
  20. DaneH5

    DaneH5 Member

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    Cable is like $80 right? I think I found the right one.

    Will the Nav over ride sold here on Prius chat work? Big price difference!