How To Install a Backup Camera in a Car In 10 Simple Steps
It’s always important to be safe on the road. However, with statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicating that more than 15,000 injuries occur on our roads annually, clearly, it’s important to exercise extra caution on the road. As a car owner, investing in a backup camera for your vehicle can go a long way in helping improve your safety on the road.
From eliminating blind spots to preventing your car from accidentally backing into property or people, these cameras are indeed a must-have. However, owning such a camera is one thing – getting it to work on your car is another issue altogether. Luckily, for you, in the following quick lines, we’ll discuss the whole process on how to install a backup camera in a car. Ready? Read on.
How To Install a Backup Camera in a Car: Steps by Steps
Step 1: Get the Right Camera & Monitor
It is ideal to purchase a high-quality camera. Preferably you should go for one retailed by reputable consumer electronics stores.
Besides the camera, you’ll need to get yourself an external monitor which will help you keep your current rear-view mirror free. You’ll also need to buy power and video cables.
Step 2: Installing the Cables
Begin by removing your license plate from its usual position. You can do this easily using a screwdriver and by making sure you remove each screw that’s holding your license plate in its place. Then simply pull the plate out and store it in a safe place together with the screws so you don’t lose them.
Step 3: Remove the trunk interior panel
Simply open your trunk and go for the interior panel that borders your license plate from the inside.
You can remove it by inserting a trim removal tool or any other thin device that can fit in between it and the body of your car. Removing this panel will help expose a variety of rear wiring chambers.
Step 4: Making the Way for Cables
You’ll need to drill a tiny hole from the license plate area of your car leading into the interior panel area. This will create access to the rear wiring chamber already mentioned above.
Remember, this hole shouldn’t be too small as it should fit your power and video cables. In most cases, a 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch will suffice.
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Step 5: Getting Your Cables in Place
Start off by placing a rubber grommet on your camera’s cable. This non-slip feature will help keep the wire perfectly in place and also prevent accidental leaks.
Once this is done, simply run the camera cables via the allowance created. Pull the cable in such a manner that the rubber grommet fits firmly next to the drilled hole (you basically want the wire to run from the outside to the inside of your car’s trunk and not vice versa).
Step 6: Connecting the Power
The best way to get power is by tapping into the reverse light wires of your car. These are located on the rear side of your car although their placement may vary so be sure to refer to your car’s manual. Once spotted, use a pair of pliers or wire stripper to peel the rubber to expose the live wire (make a slight trim, just enough to connect the wires).
Be sure to have your car TURNED OFF when doing this. Lastly, attach the camera’s wires with the wire leading to the reverse lights and then wrap with an electrical tape.
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Step 7: To the front of the car
The only major step remaining entails routing the camera’s cable to the front end of your car. What you need to do is connect the RCA cable to your camera’s video connection port.
Then take the RCA cable and run through the interior of your vehicle. You can peel back the side panels or headliner for his specific task (refer to your manual if unsure).
Step 8: Putting the monitor right in place
Start off by installing the mount of your monitor as directed on the manufacturer’s instructions. The once this is done, simply mount your external monitor on it.
If you prefer to use your rear mirror for this task instead, start by taking off the mirror and then slide the monitor onto that position.
Step 9: Fixing the Cables
Start by running the monitor’s splitter cabling to the fuse box, then connect your monitor’s camera cable to the RCA cabling.
Note: In case your video and RCA cables have the same endings, you may need to purchase a converter cord in order to have a male to female combination of endings. Luckily, these converters are available in most stores. Then attach the power cable to your fuse tap prior to plugging it inside the fuse box.
Step 10: Mounting the Camera
Fix your backup camera at the rear of your car by connecting it to the video and power cables from that end.
By this time, these two cables should be sticking from the hole drilled earlier. Once this is done, go ahead and re-attach your license plate before fastening the screws. Once this is done, you’re almost ready to start using your backup camera.
But before you do that, be sure to test it just to make sure everything is working as it should. For instance, you can place a huge obstacle behind the car to see the quality of the image transmitted to your monitor.
If no image appears or the image seems distorted, you may need to check for loose cables or an improperly placed camera head.
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Final Thought
Just like that – and in 10 simple steps, you can equip your car with this all-important gadget. Most importantly, you can save yourself the trouble of having to visit the mechanics shop and probably pay a few hundreds of dollars for this simple process.
In this case, all you need to do is purchase the right kind of materials as detailed in this step-by-step guide, dedicate an hour or two of your time and have immense fun adding an extra safety feature onto your car.
Once this is done, you can enjoy a better view of what’s happening around your car and be in a position to drive in a safe manner.
