Adding a front camera

[Dutchrav]

The idea in a wiring diagram

 

[flash22]

that will work, you may need a diode or suppression cap across the coil on the relay, most relays have them built-in

[Dutchrav]

As far as i can see the finder 40.52.9.014.0000 does not have any.

Do you think its wise to add a 1N4001 diode like this?

 

 

[flash22]

only if you have isssues

[Dutchrav]

No issues yet.. need to recieve all needed parts first. Its all on its way.

[jimaros]

On 1/27/2024 at 3:30 PM, Dutchrav said:

No issues yet.. need to recieve all needed parts first. Its all on its way.

Did you have any luck 🤞 with your project?

I'm extremely intrigued to do the same but even though I'm technically oriented enough I don't know electronics enough.

An idea I had was to make a system that fools the infotainment as to project the front camera BUT to have the original function unbothered, meaning that if you have your button pressed and looking at the front then if you put the car in reverse it will automatically revert to the back camera.

Please do share any progress 

[jimaros]

2 hours ago, jimaros said:

Did you have any luck 🤞 with your project?

I'm extremely intrigued to do the same but even though I'm technically oriented enough I don't know electronics enough.

An idea I had was to make a system that fools the infotainment as to project the front camera BUT to have the original function unbothered, meaning that if you have your button pressed and looking at the front then if you put the car in reverse it will automatically revert to the back camera.

Please do share any progress 

That's a rough thought of what I had in mind. Note I'm not good at that.

Probably I might have some outrageous mistakes on that.

[Mjolinor]

Is the camera type a normal analogue video signal (Yellow phono plug)?

If it is then there is no need to switch 'video-', you only need to switch between the two 'video+' signals and connect both 'video-' together.

Video does not go well through a standard relay, you should use a coaxial relay but you may be lucky, some relays will pass the signal OK. The only way to know is to test it.

 

[jimaros]

50 minutes ago, Mjolinor said:

Is the camera type a normal analogue video signal (Yellow phono plug)?

If it is then there is no need to switch 'video-', you only need to switch between the two 'video+' signals and connect both 'video-' together.

Video does not go well through a standard relay, you should use a coaxial relay but you may be lucky, some relays will pass the signal OK. The only way to know is to test it.

 

The car is a Yaris mk4 and the reverse cam signal is unknown to me, the front though is a an analogue one.

[Dutchrav]

I have finally all parts received. The Finder 14v DC relay was difficult to get but after contact with Finder they are sure a 12v version will do the job also as its rated till 18v. 

The relay have contacts enough so i can switch both V- and V+. I think a relay works fine with the composite video signal but we will see.

Jim : Nice idea! Maybe i add that later.. need another relay for that.

Just waiting for better weather. Keep u posted about the mod.

[jimaros]

13 hours ago, Dutchrav said:

I have finally all parts received. The Finder 14v DC relay was difficult to get but after contact with Finder they are sure a 12v version will do the job also as its rated till 18v. 

The relay have contacts enough so i can switch both V- and V+. I think a relay works fine with the composite video signal but we will see.

Jim : Nice idea! Maybe i add that later.. need another relay for that.

Just waiting for better weather. Keep u posted about the mod.

The ideas 💡 are there but the technical knowledge isn't. Probably someone else would see my "schematic" and say "this is just a ******* microcontrollers job".

Either way if you have a brakethrough with yours I might give mine a go.

There is way to many info to gather and way to many parts and parts number to scavenge as to make it a bit "factory like"

And there's also the language barrier 🚧 there with the slang, technical or not.

[Dutchrav]

Changed your diagram a bit... missing the GND (ground) and think this works. When selecting reverse the 2nd relay cuts off power to the first... and switch back to reverse cam.

 

[jimaros]

23 minutes ago, Dutchrav said:

Changed your diagram a bit... missing the GND (ground) and think this works. When selecting reverse the 2nd relay cuts off power to the first... and switch back to reverse cam.

 

Hahaha it was a test to see if you know what you are doing 😜 (cause clearly I don't) 😂🤣😂🤣😂 

It's a pity we have different cars.

We could be gathering info on that design now and elaborate on a common base.

Making a small PCB for the 2 relays and what pins on what cables can we tap in to for minimal work and cable length behind the infotainment and also what male and female plugs to order so as to make this a plug n play for anyone, having an external RCA input standby and an appropriate cylindrical power feed for the front camera.

 

Edited February 28 by jimaros

[flash22]

@jimaros As I explained in another threads, 2017 onward touch2 and gen2 and 3 do not have the analog 12v input for reverse enabled, these radios get their reverse signals from CanBus

 

as for the  diagram, no need for a relay on the reverse signal to the radio just 2 diodes to stop it from back-feeding, with that relay in place it will not work anyway as the relay is powered by the reverse signal

 

I can knock up a simple diagram

[jimaros]

3 hours ago, flash22 said:

@jimaros As I explained in another threads, 2017 onward touch2 and gen2 and 3 do not have the analog 12v input for reverse enabled, these radios get their reverse signals from CanBus

 

as for the  diagram, no need for a relay on the reverse signal to the radio just 2 diodes to stop it from back-feeding, with that relay in place it will not work anyway as the relay is powered by the reverse signal

 

I can knock up a simple diagram

Thank you for spending your time even answering my stupid posts, and I'm even more than grateful to accept your offer to provide a simple diagram.

I'm very sorry that I don't have the professional expertise to understand fully what you are telling about the analogue signal and the can bus signal. I am indeed old and don't know the "new" tech.

I had an epiphany...

So what you mean about the second relay that switches between signals is that I can get the front camera signal in the device with something like the picture and the whole switching between cameras will be done by one relay that will cut the 12v feed aka kill the front camera when the reverse is indeed selected. (So that forces me to have a 6 volt camera?)

It's true what they say that simpler is better... I might not be so stupid after all.

Also what about mirroring the cam cause I think I've seen people with tat kind of trouble in front cameras that see mirrored images with simple reverse cams...

 

Edited February 29 by jimaros
Forgot the damn picture again

[flash22]

The 6v is generated from radio, that is activated by the reverse signal

Can bus sends messages, a bit like sending an email, you need an address to send it to and the receiver need to know where it comes from

as technology moves on, it becomes more complex

[jimaros]

2 hours ago, flash22 said:

The 6v is generated from radio, that is activated by the reverse signal

as technology moves on, it becomes more complex

Yes I'm realizing it clearly the more I'm messing with the car...

SI if I force 12v video from my existing  aftermarket car camera, would that cause a problem?

Also I'm very interested and intrigued of the diagram you talked about to see if I can understand it on my own.

Thanks again for your time.

[flash22]

Composite video is not a 12v signal

it will not be displayed, you have to tell the radio that you are giving it video input

[jimaros]

1 hour ago, flash22 said:

Composite video is not a 12v signal

it will not be displayed, you have to tell the radio that you are giving it video input

Then it won't matter. Nice.

I've been meaning to ask you about some pins on the back side of the MK4.

On plug F129 can I use some of the pins to power the front cam?

I was thinking about

Pin 1 for ground

Pin 4 or 15 for the 12v for the camera (the one to be killed by the reverse signal) which in turn returns to

Pin 28 to trick the reverse initiation or is it F131 pin 18 saying cam select?

F131

Pin 28+29 for the video feed.

Pin 15 for positive for the push button illumination

Pins 19+27 can they be used for powering the cam instead F129 pins I mentioned earlier?

Disclaimer: I'm not going to accuse you for any info or clarification you may provide. I'm not that kind of guy. I'm the guy WHO WILL DO IT on his own but I'm surely grateful for anyone advising on things they might know better than my guessing...😜😂🤣

[Dutchrav]

On 2/29/2024 at 3:49 PM, flash22 said:

as for the  diagram, no need for a relay on the reverse signal to the radio just 2 diodes to stop it from back-feeding, with that relay in place it will not work anyway as the relay is powered by the reverse signal

 

its needed to switch back to reverse camera when selecting the reverse gear while the front camera is activated by the rocker switch.

Anyway.. if its a test.. i will build it.. and let you know.. maybe i do know what im doing this time. 😉

[flash22]

5 hours ago, jimaros said:

Then it won't matter. Nice.

I've been meaning to ask you about some pins on the back side of the MK4.

On plug F129 can I use some of the pins to power the front cam?

I was thinking about

Pin 1 for ground

Pin 4 or 15 for the 12v for the camera (the one to be killed by the reverse signal) which in turn returns to

Pin 28 to trick the reverse initiation or is it F131 pin 18 saying cam select?

F131

Pin 28+29 for the video feed.

Pin 15 for positive for the push button illumination

Pins 19+27 can they be used for powering the cam instead F129 pins I mentioned earlier?

Disclaimer: I'm not going to accuse you for any info or clarification you may provide. I'm not that kind of guy. I'm the guy WHO WILL DO IT on his own but I'm surely grateful for anyone advising on things they might know better than my guessing...😜😂🤣

Don't over thinking it, cam select is used for the 2 or 4 way camera park assist

Don't pull any powers and grounds from the radio.

F129, pin 28 may be software disabled edit. confirmed working that makes life easier

 

camera voltage needs to be 12v acc (switch live) aftermarket camera

[jimaros]

2 hours ago, Dutchrav said:

its needed to switch back to reverse camera when selecting the reverse gear while the front camera is activated by the rocker switch.

Anyway.. if its a test.. i will build it.. and let you know.. maybe i do know what im doing this time. 😉

I think @flash22 means that the relay that switches between the video signals is not needed provided that you use a relay that triggers when you put the car in reverse and it subsequently kills the power that goes through it to the front camera when it is in off stage. At least that's what I'm thinking 🤔 he is saying...

 

1 hour ago, flash22 said:

1. Don't pull any powers and grounds from the radio.

2. F129, pin 28 confirmed working that makes life easier

3. camera voltage needs to be 12v acc (switch live) aftermarket camera

1. Why shouldn't I pull from F129Pin 1+15 ground and ignition live? Honest question, is camera load so much that it might blow a fuse?

2. Your edit confused me a little. You mean that it does work the intended way? (if provided with power it turns the infotainment system screen to reverse signal input or which ever is sending signal at the moment)

3. Was hoping for a rather smooth installation. If the cables on those pins I mentioned earlier can't be used I'd be left stranded not knowing in nowadays cars where to steal power from.

[jimaros]

On 2/29/2024 at 4:49 PM, flash22 said:

@jimaros As I explained in another threads, 2017 onward touch2 and gen2 and 3 do not have the analog 12v input for reverse enabled, these radios get their reverse signals from CanBus

 

as for the  diagram, no need for a relay on the reverse signal to the radio just 2 diodes to stop it from back-feeding, with that relay in place it will not work anyway as the relay is powered by the reverse signal

 

I can knock up a simple diagram

Hi again. I'd like to take you up on your word and ask you for real for the simple diagram you talked about earlier.

I have gathered almost all of the components needed and a diagram would surely aid in the right direction of actions.

Thanks in advance.

[flash22]

sorry for the delay, I must have missed the notification

can you start a thread in the Yaris forum if there isn't one already