Back-up Wiring

rickandsandi · 12-02-2006, 10:51 AM

Hello everyone- need some help!
We have an '05 22' Safari and I just got a very cool back-up camera system. I know this will not solve all backing up problems, but it sure will help backing into some of those small SP sites. One more set of eyes if you will. The problem is that you need to connect the camera to the back-up light power lines. You can not leave the camera on all the time. Since our Safari does not have back-up lights I am hoping that the wiring harness does the line for it. I had pulled one of the tail lights out this morning and there is a cluster of wires back there. I checked the wiring diagram but it was no help. The only wire I could not account for was a brown wire. Has anyone any idea if there is a line for a back-up light in this cluster?

JKWoodrow · 12-07-2006, 07:17 AM

The brown wire is for your tail lights. If you have a seven pole trailer connector, you can use the center pole for back up lights. Most camera setups need only to tie into the reverse signal from the monitor which makes it easier. You can tie into it at the reverse switch located on the steering column.

rickandsandi · 12-07-2006, 07:39 AM

JK-
Thank you for the post, you are the first response! The camera actually only needs a power lead, the signal is wireless. What I am hoping to find is the actual wire in the tail-light harness which is connected to the center post from my TV. What I am trying to avoid is running a new wire from my electrical connections to the rear of my AS.

Mike Lewis · 12-07-2006, 08:16 AM

rick---our 05 and 06 Classic's came with back up lamps standard . I assumed all Airstreams had them, apparently not. That said, I can't believe they would make up two different wiring harness' for the different models but more likly one harness and just not use the extra wire. Perhaps a call to the factory Tech. Assistance would help. Another thought is that you could open the trailer end of the 7 pin connector and see if all 7 are being used.--pieman

rickandsandi · 12-13-2006, 12:04 PM

Greetings Pieman-
I have an email off to JC, but have not yet heard. At least it's good to hear someone else agrees with me that the harness must be universal.

I guess you could rip out one of your tail light assemblies out and let me know which color the reverse light wire is!

happy Holidays!

2airishuman · 12-13-2006, 01:19 PM

it will be interesting to read the reply from j/c...

as background....

in 2004 or so a/s got a proposal from a small company to provide a back up camera on trailers near the license plate.

so a/s started including a 12v power wire in the harness, and as part of production...

turns out the company was so small they also wanted a/s to fund the camera production...

so no cameras were to be had and the deal fell apart...

but a/s continued to include the extra wire FOR a 12v camera in the wiring near the plate....

for 05/06

i wonder if they are still doing this?

cheers
2air'

rickandsandi · 12-13-2006, 02:19 PM

2air-

I have two inquiries into JC so as soon as I hear anything I will post it. Thre has to be a wire back there!

LI Pets · 12-13-2006, 03:28 PM

How about jumping off your licience plate or tail light?

Just make sure your lights are on and you have power

Inland RV Center, In · 12-13-2006, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickandsandi

2air-

I have two inquiries into JC so as soon as I hear anything I will post it. Thre has to be a wire back there!

We have had that system under test for 190 continuous hours.

Voltage at the camera was 13.5 volts DC.

The camera and monitor are working as well after the test, as they did at the beginning.

The word from some is that "you can't do that," meaning you cannot leave the system on continuously.

The test results show that not to be true.

Accordingly, "you can" hook that system directly to the tail light or license plate light circuit. Simply turn your headlights on and your in business, not only to back up, but to also see what may be behind your trailer or motorhome.

For that matter, for those that do not have back up "radar" you can also install it on your tow vehicle or family car.

We have sold out our first shipment and are waiting for more to arrive.

Andy

rickandsandi · 12-13-2006, 06:12 PM

Well Andy-

Looks like I will be wiring the camera to the plate light! Still haven't heard from anyone about whether there is a revise light lead in the cluster or not.