Reversing Camera & Parking Sensors Installation
Once the luxury of only the most expensive vehicles, reversing cameras are becoming standard on many cars today. One of our members decided to install one on his Figaro and documented where to buy the parts, and how to install it. The costings are very appealing too, all the parts coming to less than £50!
PARTS REQUIRED
A – Reversing camera and mirror where the centre section shows the rear image when in reverse – £18.99
The clip-on mirror must be carefully masked off and painted with the interior paint colour because it comes in black and clips onto the existing mirror. The price for the paint is not included. The reversing camera will work on its own – The price is £18.99p plus interior paint if you don’t already have it.
B – Reversing sensor kit – £19.99
I positioned the buzzer in the top O/S boot upper area and the audible buzz is loud enough in the cabin. I am almost certain that these reversing sensors are the same ones being sold elsewhere at the cost of £47.99p plus around £6 for postage = approx. £54!
The reversing sensor setup will also work on its own without the delay unit “C”, but you will get a quick beep every time you go past the reverse position – Price £19.99p.
BUY HERE Order the Silver colour
C – 12V Delay on timer – £9.80
In my opinion, you need this timer to delay the power going to the reversing sensors when you go from park to drive, this is because when you pass through the reverse position, the reversing signal power supply momentarily flicks on. This short power pulse causes the reversing sensors to power up and produce a short beep, it would also power spike the reversing camera.
The same short beep scenario occurs when you go from drive to park.
Adding this 1 to 20-second delay unit will allow the gear stick to move through the reverse position without beeping, but then when reverse is selected, the reversing sensors (and reversing camera) will become active after a short delay, I have set this power on delay for 2 to 3 seconds.
The delay unit, you do not need this, it’s just nice to have and it gets rid of the annoying beep – Price £9.80p. Note, I chose a 2 to 3-second delay before the reversing sensors and camera are powered up.
Total for the A, B & C = £48.78p (plus interior paint for the mirror if you don’t already have some). I might measure the current when all the items are installed and fit an inline fuse (probably not). If you already use one of the original reversing lights with a red bulb as the rear fog lamp which most cars do, the total power consumption for the now single reversing bulb, the reversing camera, and the reversing sensors will be slightly less than the original power consumption when the Figaro had two reversing lamps.
HOW TO WIRE IT ALL UP
Option 1 – Circuit diagram for the Reversing Camera, the Reversing Sensors, and the delay timer.
Option 2 – Circuit diagram for the Reversing Camera, the Reversing Sensors without the delay unit.
FINISHED PICTURES
Lower boot external
Lower boot internal
