Aftermarket Backup Camera

String Bender · Mar 3, 2020

Hello! I'm new here and would like to see if I can get some assistance with an issue I'm having with installing an Aftermarket Backup Camera. I'm about to throw in the towel on this one but thought I would see if this forum could offer any assistance. I purchased a Wi-Fi backup camera on Amazon from LASTBUS. It had decent reviews and appeared to be easy to install. What was supposed to be a 30 minute installation has turned into 3 days of troubleshooting. The bottom line is when I START the ENGINE on my 2016 Dodge Ram there is a slight dip in voltage to my tail lights where I had planned on taking power for the camera. I had previously tried the license plate lights and experienced the same. If I simply turn on the running lights to power the camera it works as intended. When I START the ENGINE the voltage drops to approximately 11.4V which is apparently beyond the tolerances of the camera and the Wi-Fi network being advertised by the camera immediately drops. I wanted to know if there was anything that I could adjust to keep the voltage from dropping below the threshold of that required by the camera?

Update: I found a 12V Rectifier/Capacitor online cheap. It apparently has worked to eliminate distortion lines on the picture on some vehicles by providing a constant 12V source. I don't think that will work with what I am experiencing but welcome your opinions. What puzzles me is why the voltage drops once the engine is started. This is apparently the normal operating mode as everything works fine. It's only the aftermarket camera that has an issue.

DPG · Mar 3, 2020

I would check your alternator output voltage at tickover and with a few revs on. See what voltages you get.

ruston · Mar 3, 2020

Yes 11.4 volt is very low . Is that at tick over? I would expect a tick over voltage of above 12 volts with no load in daylight.
Your vehicle is relatively young , but are all the connections ( especially the lighting) good and free from corrosion.
PS. Check the tension of your alternator belt drive.

davesparks · Mar 4, 2020

Is this voltage dip momentary or does it stay at 11.4V whilst the engine is running?

String Bender · Mar 4, 2020

davesparks said:
Is this voltage dip momentary or does it stay at 11.4V whilst the engine is running?

No, this appears to be the normal operating voltage after the engine is started and everything works like it is supposed to. It's just the aftermarket camera requires 12V and won't operate at the lower threshold.
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ruston said:
Yes 11.4 volt is very low . Is that at tick over? I would expect a tick over voltage of above 12 volts with no load in daylight.
Your vehicle is relatively young , but are all the connections ( especially the lighting) good and free from corrosion.
PS. Check the tension of your alternator belt drive.

Everything works so I'm assuming this is normal. It's just the Aftermarket camera that has a problem with the lower voltage. I'm trying to determine if there is any adjustment that can be made.

DPG · Mar 4, 2020

String Bender said:
No, this appears to be the normal operating voltage after the engine is started and everything works like it is supposed to. It's just the aftermarket camera requires 12V and won't operate at the lower threshold.

I disagree - it should be higher. Again, does it not get any higher when you raise to a few thousand revs? If not then I would get your alternator (and battery) tested properly.

String Bender · Mar 4, 2020

DPG said:
I disagree - it should be higher. Again, does it not get any higher when you raise to a few thousand revs? If not then I would get your alternator (and battery) tested properly.

Just the kind of feedback I was hoping for!
Thanks, I'll give it another look.