Eclipse BE 106 Install process for Eclipse AVN5495

This weekend, I received a backup camera for my birthday, and like a true techy, I wasted no time in installing it. I took a few pictures, and since I am home sick today, I decided to make good use of my time, and post this information here.

The process:
I wanted to install my backup camera, and I could not find a concise demonstration for the tapping into the reverse line, so I spent a few hours investigating, and finally found the the reverse wire. The problem is that others describe it as the Green wire, but w/o a picture, there are three solid green wires in the relay harness, so here it is, but more important, if you want to find a great way to mount the eclipse BE-106 backup camera, here is what I did.

all of the picture be be seen on google at http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall"]image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall)

There are a few steps necessary to get to the reverse wire on the relay block not shown here, but available in the google album. the Reverse wire is the only green wire in the top green block shown here:
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743632798541458)

image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743641388476066)

To make the install easier, I traced this wire to the wire bundle just behind the fuse block, and spliced into it there. Be carefull, as there is more than one green wire at this point, however, I found mine as the skinny green wire, next the the fat green wire, in the front of the bundle.
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743649978410674)

you can see here, that I used a cheap and simple to use wire tap/splice. It is attached to the solid green wire of the ridgeline, and the then green/white wire from my navigation unit.

the next step was to route the wire to the tailgate. this is easy, but very time consuming. I ran my wire under the floor molding and removed my back seat which is where I ran my wire to. this camer comes in two pieces, the camera with a 10ft. wire, and then another 10ft wire the attaches to the camera wire, and the navigation system. So I connect the two camera wires together behind the rear seat, and I tucked the extra wires behind insulating panel. the camera wire, that comes from the camera, is fed into a vent hole, and then down to the vent slots where it comes out for easy access.
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743658568345282)
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743662863312594)
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743671453247202)

If you choose to feed your camera wire out this way, make sure that wire is held in a downward position as mine is, so that any water that slips behind the composite wall will drip down the wire and out the bottom of the truck, instead of into the cabin.

Also, realize that the empty space between the truck body, and the composite truck bed leads to the ground below, so be sure to use wire guides to secure the wire so it does not fall under the truck and get damaged.
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743675748214514)
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743684338149122)
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743692928083730)

from here, you are on your own to remove the tailgate panels, and route the wire, as I neglected to take pictures of the process, but essentially, the tailgate rail pops off, just pull it. Most the the rail is rubber, and hardenned rubber, so it does flex, and the rail is secure using typical pressure clips as shown here.image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743697223051042)

to mount the camera into the rail, you will have to cut the rail, which comes in two parts. I removed the two parts by prying off of the metail retaining washers, and rubber clips. Once seperated, you get the following two pieces.
image (http://picasaweb.google.com/armand.welsh/RidgelineBackupCameraInstall/photo#5085743705812985650)

to mount the Camera, I used a typical utility knife/razor blade. I simply cut a rectangle the size of the camera into the rubber cover, and then removed an appropriate amount of railing material from the insert piece. To affix the camera, I used 3M double backed tape, but in the future, i will use some black epoxy to permenantly secure the camera, and fill in some of the rubber that I over-cut.

http://lh4.google.com/armand.welsh/RpQw9nupZ0I/AAAAAAAAACk/YygyQDOnjsk/s400/P7100015.jpg

Here is the finished product:
http://lh3.google.com/armand.welsh/RpQw-XupZ2I/AAAAAAAAAC0/y8_fVFzd9rY/s400/P7100017.jpg
http://lh4.google.com/armand.welsh/RpQw-nupZ3I/AAAAAAAAAC8/rbHHakZX7-Y/s400/P7100018.jpg

And here is a picture of how I ran the wire from the tailgate to the truck bed
http://lh3.google.com/armand.welsh/RpQw_XupZ5I/AAAAAAAAADM/IwPtNcBFEsk/s400/P7100020.jpg

next I will locate my VSS wires, that I heard are available in the right front kick panel (1 per wheel), and I will post a picture of it when I have time to make it easier for others. I also have a bluetooth adapter to install, and I can post the solution for that too if others are interested.

Regards,
Armand

I ride an Amazon Green '06 Ridgeline RTL, which I use to haul my '04 Honda CRF-450 to MX track... Ride Red!!

Good Job!

I wanted to get a camera too but was afraid of all the dismantling needed. Maybe it can be routed underneath the truck.

I see you got an 8 gauge wire around the dash area, is that part of the camera install?

The thick red wire is not 8 gauge wire, it's cheap video/RCA wires for my headliner mounted DVD system. The wires run to the navigation unit to allow me to see what the kids are watching, or to use the stereo speakers for sound, and I also have another pair to send the video from my eclipse unit's DVD player to the rear screen. I essentially have two DVD players in my truck, and two screens. Each screen can view either DVD player.

Thanks for the complement. I am frankly surprised that no-one else was interested in the install. Everyone out here that sees it, is shocked that I was able to run the camer wires, and hide the lens so well.

Regarding mounting the camera under the truck, I don't recommend it. when it's up looking down, the camera actually sees the bumper, so you can back right up to within milimeters of other objects. under the truck, you won't see much except the front of other vehicles.

Another bonus on the way I installed mine, when my jetski is hooked up to the hitch, I can see the ball, which makes backing into the trailer a piece of cake, and I can the entire jet ski...