i have a 2012 Jeep GC Diesel and am towing a 25 foot (3100 Tare) outback van. VERY happy with the combo btw...
My question..... does anyone have experience in trying to integrate a wired caravan reversing camera into the existing car screen (Uconnect I believe is the stereo unit)? Im struggling to find an auto-electrician who has any great knowledge of the 2012 Jeep GC and who can definitively advise whether a camera can be integrated into the factory fitted screen, or if a second screen is required. Any advice is very much appreciated.
Thank you!!
-- Edited by SoloCraig on Friday 22nd of September 2017 11:00:53 PM
there is usually a "reverse trigger" wire that hooks into the gearbox or reversing light loom. Power to this tells the screen to switch over to the video feed.
The cam must be wired with 12v and ground, also, the feed wire and the surround wire go to the screen "cam in" plug.
If you want to rear-veiw whilst driving along then a bypass wire can be swithed into the "reverse trigger" input as well
A mate who works with Jeep/Chrysler told me most of the Head units in the Jeep range have a yellow input on the back of the Head unit for Video in. Jaycar for one sell generic cameras you can mount on the rear of your car. A lot mount on the top edge of the Number plate and can be adjusted for the angle you want. Jeep Chrysler obviously sell their own version.
Depending on the use you want from the camera you will have to decide what angle of lens to buy. The really wide angle ones (100+ degrees) make stuff look further away than they actually are. OK if you just want them for hitching up. Once you get used to the correlation between the view and actual distance is the main thing.
If you want a view that is as lifelike as possible you would need a 70/90 degree lens.
If you want two cameras, one on the back of the tug and one on the back of the van you can buy a two way connector that can be switched between inputs. Much like the old Walkman headphone connectors that were around so your friend could listen as well with their own headphones but for video.
Thanks for the great advice everyone. Ive got more of an idea now thanks to the time You guys have generously taken to share your insight. will see how I go this week with the plan!
