Wiring a reverse camera mounted in the license plate

[dasmikechen]

Hey all,

I am very very new to wiring, but I think I have the general concept down. I just bought an in-dash head unit with camera input and screen. I love backing into parking spaces, and decided to spend some $$ to get a good camera ($83 shipped). I am thinking I need some help with the install, at least someone who know wtf they are doing to walk me through it.

It mounts in one of the license plate light spots and then wires need to run to the front of the car. A power wire (which will be tapped to an always on with ignition accessory) and a video RCA cable need to run to the dash/fuse box, and I will also need to run a line from the reverse lights (since the fuse is always hot) to the head unit to tell it to switch automatically to the camera when in reverse. I don't really know which wire I need, but more importantly (and frieghteningly for me) is I don't know how to run the wires in a clean install front to back. Can anyone walk me through it or would anyone want to meet up to help me? I have tools/garage in champlin I could use... any help would be great. Should be arriving in a few weeks.

Thanks

[ClearCoatMiata]

it sounds like a very simple instal its just time to make shur it looks nice i would love to help but im just not comftorable to work on other peoples cars yet

[WhiteSpy9]

You don't want me anywhere near your wiring, but every time I put the mazda3 in reverse, I look at the dash, hoping for a back up image to appear.
I like this idea....

[dasmikechen]

Well, it is now installed, works great! I owe a lot to my girlfriend, she always loves helping me with my projects... The camera was made perfect to mount in the license plate light's shield/cover. Ran the wires for the camera up the right rear boot toward the brake lights. Ran a ground and the 'backwards sensor' to a ground on the hatch and to the green power wire for the back-up white lights. then ran them up the floor board sills to the fuse box/head unit. Took us about 3 hours of diligently working to get it done right. If anyone wants pictures, let me know.

[mndsm]

pics?

[dasmikechen]

Here are pictures of the camera install

The look of the installed camera in the light area.
<a href="http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163415-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163415-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Picture for reference of how close the item in the screen is to the car.
<a href="http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163400.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163400.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Picture of the screen image while in reverse.
<a href="http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163450.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163450.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Close up on the screen.
<a href="http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163520.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163520.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[dasmikechen]

Here are pictures of the camera install

The look of the installed camera in the light area.
http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163415-1.jpg

Picture for reference of how close the item in the screen is to the car.
http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163400.jpg

Picture of the screen image while in reverse.
http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163450.jpg

Close up on the screen.
http://s872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/?action=view&current=2010-05-25163520.jpg

[dasmikechen]

I dont get the internets.... how the heck do I link pictures in here?
The look of the installed camera in the light area.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163415-1.jpg

Picture for reference of how close the item in the screen is to the car.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163400.jpg

Picture of the screen image while in reverse.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163450.jpg

Close up on the screen.
http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/ab284/dasmikechen/Mazda%20camera/2010-05-25163520.jpg

[Z-licious]

NICE! I've always wanted a back-up camera but never got around to it.