Front parking-camera project

I've done a bit of research and located a wiring harness which will allow me to enable a new video input for the LCD display on the head unit of my PIP. I destroyed the front spoiler on my previous car because it was impossible to avoid hitting parking blocks which were higher than the spoiler. I'm looking for a front video camera which I can mount discretely under the front bumper, which will give me a clear view of obstacles in front of the spoiler. I should be able to select the auxiliary input from the main menu once it's installed, and see what's going on in front of the car.

I'm interested to know if anyone else has attempted to do this.

 

I'm willing to bet you also have a four-plex lighter socket array like I do.

 

The 4- way cameras on Nissan products inspired this idea.

 

I suspect that the bean-counters made the decision to go low-res, even though there's no sound technical reason to do so.

 

I ordered the cable now, and I have also ordered the camera I plan to use on the front:
Wholesale Product Snapshot Product name is Mini CCD Coms HD Night Vision 360 Degree Car Rear View Camera Front Camera Front View Side Reversing Backup Camera
I plan to supply power and trigger the camera by using the front driving lights. When I turn the lights on manually, and select the "vtr" input, I should be able to get a view of what's directly under the front bumper.

 

In addition to the camera in the link above, the other component was discussed here: For Sale - Beat Sonic TV & Nav Controller Bypass Unit NT6122 -Toyota Pirus 2012+ $200 free shipping in USA | PriusChat

 

Got it working. Now I have a good front view what's directly in front of my car. I still need a proper switch to power the camera. For now, I have it wired to a lighter-socket plug. All I have to do is put the head unit into "VTR" mode, power up the camera, and tap the parking brake pedal a little.

It's not so onerous as it sounds; it works quite well. I'd rather touch the parking brake pedal than buy the $200+ bypass module that over-rides the lockout which requires the parking brake to be engaged before you can view external video on the head unit screen.

I was a little worried that slow forward motion might disable the video, but it stays on when I'm rolling the car forward, with light pressure on the parking brake pedal. Now I can park without fear of breaking my front spoiler. Cost me $200 to get the last one fixed.

 

I've described all the components earlier in this thread. I got a small camera mounted in a rubber housing, that rotates in the socket like an eyeball, very easy to adjust any time. I needed a special harness from Japan to allow external video inputs to the PiP head unit display.

Originally, I wanted to power the camera from the driving lights, but I found it easier to run the power wires through the firewall along with the video cable. it's very hard to get at the main grommet, so I taped a sharp knife to a stick, and cut a slit in the grommet. It was still very hard to push the wires through, so I taped then to a stick. Still no luck, so I taped a cap from a Bic pen in the end, which still didn't go through. Then I sprayed a shot of WD-40 on the rubber, and it went through. I pushed it all the way, until I could see it on the floor-mat.

So far, I've connected temporary power wires for the camera, but I plan to find the right switch to fit in the square hole next to the steering wheel. As I said before, the system prevents you viewing video unless the parking brake is pressed, and the car is not traveling more than a few MPH. I have to tap the parking brake to display the video.

 

I have another question:

First some background: I've decided to mount another camera under the passenger-side mirror, in addition to the one under the front bumper. I plan to tee both composite video cables into the one composite VTR input of my head unit video display, but theoretically, only one camera at a time will be sending a video signal to the head unit, because only one will be getting power. The power will be controlled by a 2-way rocker switch. Since I couldn't find such a switch of that size with a center-off position, I will need another main power control. I plan to do this through the parking brake pedal, which needs to be slightly depressed anyway, to enable the video display on the head unit. This would be much simpler to operate than installing another power switch.

My question is whether the power wire that turns on the parking brake light is heavy enough to run a small video camera. Since the power to the selected camera will be getting all it's power from the switch in the parking brake pedal that activates the parking brake light, I need to know if I can tap this wire, or whether I need to install a relay.

Thanks in advance.