Hard-wire my backup camera monitor - Where to grab power from?

Craig Stensgaard · December 31, 2019

I would like to hard-wire my backup cam monitor into the dash, rather than use the power plug. Two reasons, I think it would look cleaner and I would like the power plug available for other items. I have a 2013 Silverado LT Extended Cab.

Tech at the local dealership said to steer clear of the fuse panel on the driver's side dash because that fuse panel can backfeed into the system and wreak havoc with the computer. He said to use the fuse panel down by the left foot area under the dash. But I'm not really understanding which plug to tap into and it seems that is more of a junction box than a fuse panel.

Any help or ideas?

Thanks in advance

Mikebtte · January 1, 2020

I grabbed power from the back up light. It's enough to activate the back up camera and is close by.

Ran the wires out of the bottom of the tail gate. Into the loom and soldered it in right ne'er the tail lamp plug. Tucked it all away into the loom and looks and works nice.

davester · January 1, 2020

...the o.p. mentioned his backup camera monitor, which presumably is being mounted in the cab...

Personally, I would just run a separate wire to an unused spot in either the fuse box in the cab or the underhood one.

Mikebtte · January 1, 2020

1 hour ago, davester said:

...the o.p. mentioned his backup camera monitor, which presumably is being mounted in the cab...

Personally, I would just run a separate wire to an unused spot in either the fuse box in the cab or the underhood one.

It has to be a power spot triggered by the reverse and nothing in the fuse box or under the hood is going to reflect that power source.

davester · January 1, 2020

Well, to me, that's something different.

I would not power the monitor by splicing into the wire going to the backup lights.

I would power the monitor off the battery, and, depending on what inputs the monitor has, perhaps run the power line through a relay that was controlled by a splice into a wire to the backup lights, or a similar wire in the dash.

Offhand, I don't know if there is one, or where it would be, as when I installed a Pioneer avh4000nex with a backup camera, I used a wiring harness adapter that plugged into the oem radio plug, and the adapter had a wire indicating when the truck was in reverse.

Contra · January 1, 2020

8 hours ago, Mikebtte said:

I grabbed power from the back up light. It's enough to activate the back up camera and is close by.

Ran the wires out of the bottom of the tail gate. Into the loom and soldered it in right ne'er the tail lamp plug. Tucked it all away into the loom and looks and works nice.

I have done that in past vehicles as well.

Ianf · January 1, 2020

go to gmfitter website and lookup the SEO upfitter connections sections. There is already RAP fused in that junction. I used it to power my backup mirror monitor. There is also a backup wire under the dash that is blunt cut and fused for the trailer brake controller if you do not have the factory trailer brake. I believe it is the orange wire in that bundle and should be marked.

Craig Stensgaard · January 3, 2020

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, really appreciate it. I'll be taking a look tonight and see what I can find under the dash. I'll try and take a couple pics and respond with how it goes.

Craig Stensgaard · January 4, 2020

I found the orange wire in the trailer brake bundle, but according to the GM Upfitters site, that is for the above cab brake light. I tested it, and of course it worked when in reverse...because my foot was on the brake! Ha,ha. Anyway, I've attached a PDF that I found that has some new info.

IanF - Do you think I testing the same Orange wire you were referring to?

Also another question for the masses: If I use pin 8 in block X10, will I need to use a step-down in the line so I don't fry the monitor? I'm thinking that wire will be 12V and my accessory plug has 12/24V DC 0.3A stamped on it.

Here is the text from what I found:

"Here is where I tapped into for my backup camera. It is called the MBEC box. You can use the "Reverse" connection (pin 8 in block X10) for the backup signal. Then you can use the ignition or accessory (pins 7 and 8 in block X14) for the power on the camera itself. The MBEC box is located under the drivers side of the dash on the firewall, just above where your left foot would rest to the right of the parking brake. It has a black cover on it that you simply pull off. If you click on the graphic, it will zoom in so you can see it better."

Ianf · January 4, 2020

Sorry you are correct on the orange wire it is for the CHMSL (brake light) It was too early for me that morning. I took my backup feed for the camera off of the seven pin trailer connector for the camera itself and hardwired the monitor so it is constantly on so there is no delay when I go in reverse. You will not need a step down for the monitor, you could use a 1amp inline fuse but it is not necessary as your monitor will only draw what it needs.

Craig Stensgaard · January 4, 2020

Thanks IanF, really appreciate it! Headed to get some connectors now.

Craig Stensgaard · January 6, 2020

Finished it up yesterday. Used the Accessory and Ground in block X14 with .110 female spade connectors and it works like a champ. Really hard to get those .110 connectors on the tabs, but took my time and finally they slid on. Nice thing about using the Accessory tab is that the camera acts like a factory dash component and doesn't turn off until you open the doors, so that's a nice touch.

Thanks for the help, really appreciate it.

dwnjr0306 · May 18, 2021

Craig,

Getting ready to setup a backup camera in my truck and came across your post. Did you hook your monitor up to those tabs or just the camera? Thanks for doing the leg work