I am looking at creative ways to have a "constantly on" rear view camera. The backup camera is only on when you're in reverse and apparently cannot be configured in a way that allows you to turn it on at will. I've read various theories on it...some mentioning a cover that opens/closes when you're in reverse. I experimented and I can not find any such cover unless it's somewhere invisible to me. Some forums mention a settings hack for Sprinters to toggle the behavior, but they also say that these settings aren't available for the Metris.
So...I am looking for other ways of having a camera that is always on while the engine is running.
My parameters are strict. I am not making any permanent modifications to the van until I know what the **** I'm doing. That means. No drilling, gluing or welding.
I will need to find a way to attach it to something that is already there.
This leaves a couple of options for where to attach the camera and how to power it.
My first idea was that maybe I could find a 3rd brake light that had a camera built in, and replace the factory 3rd brake light. These exist, but only for the Metris passenger van with the lift gate. Nothing appears to exist for the cargo van with barn doors. I don't have a lift gate, but probably??? the brake light is actually on the lift gate. Whereas for cargo vans with barn doors, it's on the roof.
Another option I am wondering about is whether or not I can commandeer the trailer hitch and 7 pin plug. After looking around a bit, it seems like a lot of people want to put cameras on/near their trailers for a couple of reasons. 1. To help them actually back their vehicle into the right spot to attach the trailer. 2. To monitor what's going on with their trailer as they drive.
The trailer hitch socket is a 7 pin socket, and each pin is for a specific purpose (turn signals, reverse lights, running lights, brake lights). Additionally, there are 2 pins that are labeled + and -. When I google 7 pin trailer wiring diagrams, the #4 pin (+) says "Aux 12v+ charging" and the #1 pin (-) is ground. I'm not sure of the specifics of the 12v (like...how many amps, and whether pin 4 is always on)...unlike the other pins that are only passing a current through when...for example...the turn signal is on.
Supposing I can find a way to make the socket work, my idea is to mount a camera on something that I can insert into the actual trailer hitch and attach it using a locking towing hitch pin.
Before I spend a lot of time going down this rabbit hole...is this a great idea or a terrible idea?
Someone on a different forum that I'm on had this to say:
"I would hack the factory camera to be on all the time, or just tap the feed from the factory camera and add an auxiliary monitor that is installed using VHB so it's removable. The hacking/tapping can be handled either by finding the male/female set of connectors needed for inserting a "Y" tap, or just with a connector backprobe kit.
Hacking could be as simple as just providing +12v power to the reverse sense line going to the factory system, or as complex as injecting a CAN signal. You'd have to investigate. A wiring diagram should tell you."
Again: Great or terrible idea?
So...I am looking for other ways of having a camera that is always on while the engine is running.
My parameters are strict. I am not making any permanent modifications to the van until I know what the **** I'm doing. That means. No drilling, gluing or welding.
I will need to find a way to attach it to something that is already there.
This leaves a couple of options for where to attach the camera and how to power it.
My first idea was that maybe I could find a 3rd brake light that had a camera built in, and replace the factory 3rd brake light. These exist, but only for the Metris passenger van with the lift gate. Nothing appears to exist for the cargo van with barn doors. I don't have a lift gate, but probably??? the brake light is actually on the lift gate. Whereas for cargo vans with barn doors, it's on the roof.
Another option I am wondering about is whether or not I can commandeer the trailer hitch and 7 pin plug. After looking around a bit, it seems like a lot of people want to put cameras on/near their trailers for a couple of reasons. 1. To help them actually back their vehicle into the right spot to attach the trailer. 2. To monitor what's going on with their trailer as they drive.
The trailer hitch socket is a 7 pin socket, and each pin is for a specific purpose (turn signals, reverse lights, running lights, brake lights). Additionally, there are 2 pins that are labeled + and -. When I google 7 pin trailer wiring diagrams, the #4 pin (+) says "Aux 12v+ charging" and the #1 pin (-) is ground. I'm not sure of the specifics of the 12v (like...how many amps, and whether pin 4 is always on)...unlike the other pins that are only passing a current through when...for example...the turn signal is on.
Supposing I can find a way to make the socket work, my idea is to mount a camera on something that I can insert into the actual trailer hitch and attach it using a locking towing hitch pin.
Before I spend a lot of time going down this rabbit hole...is this a great idea or a terrible idea?
Someone on a different forum that I'm on had this to say:
"I would hack the factory camera to be on all the time, or just tap the feed from the factory camera and add an auxiliary monitor that is installed using VHB so it's removable. The hacking/tapping can be handled either by finding the male/female set of connectors needed for inserting a "Y" tap, or just with a connector backprobe kit.
Hacking could be as simple as just providing +12v power to the reverse sense line going to the factory system, or as complex as injecting a CAN signal. You'd have to investigate. A wiring diagram should tell you."
Again: Great or terrible idea?