Review on 📷 Universal Car Rear-View Backup Camera Kit + Waterproof License Plate Camera & 4.3" LCD Monitor by Charles Lewis

Some electronics and automotive knowledge required (wiring, drilling holes, soldering etc) but relatively easy weekend work. for do-it-yourself. I wouldn't attempt this unless you're good at working with cars, soldering wires, crawling under cars, etc. Instead of trying to find your way to the taillight in my van, I just went with an electric trailer. Jack that was under the rear bumper. I found the correct part on etrailer.com, hooked up the wiring harness (see image), checked the wires to see which had power (white and brown) when the car's headlights were on, and used it to power the backup camera. Another alternative would be to hook up to an easily accessible license plate light (easier than trying to find a way to the backup lights), but my method of lifting the trailer didn't require me to cut any existing wiring. This means that I have to turn on the lights (even just the parking lights) to activate the reversing camera. I like it because I can turn on the camera at any time, even while driving or parking. And so the monitor isn't always on when the lights are on (like at night!), I installed a switch next to the parking brake knob to turn off the monitor. Another good tip: the red wire that is part of the video cable actually carries the power. The manual says it is "not in use", but another reviewer mentioned that it has power, so I plugged it into a power source on the camera side along with the camera. Then, on the dash, I was able to connect the monitor's red power cable to the video cable's red cable, and voila! The camera is powered without having to connect it to another power source from the front. You just need to connect the monitor's black power wire to ground, which I did by finding another wire that connected to the tin casing under the steering wheel, unscrew it and add my wire. Underneath the van, I encased the video cable in a 3/8 inch split conduit (available at auto parts stores) to protect the cable from overheating and wear and tear. As I was working on a large van (1994 Dodge Ram 250) there is enough room to route the cable underneath, connecting it to existing AC wiring and hoses where possible, avoiding hot spots like the exhaust and routing it through the So the installation steps are as follows: 1. Attach the camera to the license plate 3. Connect the camera's black cable to ground (screw it into any metal part under the car) 4 .Connect the red wire of the video cable to the same power source as in step 2.5. Connect the video cable to the camera and route it to the front of the vehicle and up the dashboard. Enclose the cable in a detachable plastic tube if it is underneath the vehicle. Read the power cord. 7. Connect the red power cord of the monitor to the red wire of the video cable.8. Connect the black power cord of the monitor to ground.9. Set the switch to turn off the monitor (only when connected to a non-reversing light source)10. test system.