How are Trailer Cameras Normally Powered

Updated 03/23/2021 | Published 03/22/2021

Question:

I use a remote camera facing rearward in my towed vehicle when driving my motor coach. It uses a 6 to 6 pin connection with a charge line. I want to connect the camera to the charge line but only receive power from the coach and not backfed from the towed vehicle batterybecause I want it to turn off when not connected to the coach. Can I put a diode in the charge line between my camera connection and the towed vehicle battery? Thinking about the Roadmaster park light diode you sell. Dont have much experience with Diodes.

asked by: David C

Expert Reply:

You can use a diode like the part # RM-690 to prevent backfeeding between the battery like you mentioned but what most people do for a simpler solution is use the running light circuit of the trailer wiring as the power circuit for the camera so that when you want to use it you'd just turn on the running light circuit and when not in use just turn them off to prevent drain like you mentioned.

expert reply by: Jameson C