Electrics for a luddite

[ymfb]

Please answer in words of one syllable or at least in layman terms.

I am trying to install a Bullet HD Biker camera, https://bullethd.com/en/cameras/78-biker-pro-plus.html.

It comprises

Bullet cam with potted cable

Power controller with USB output

Main unit which connects both of the above.

The power controller has two potted wires, one red with an in-line fuse and a black.

I asked the dealer to fit the two wires with bullet connectors on a switched supply so the camera starts/stops with the ignition. They told me that it needed a relay and have fitted one with my two flying leads which I connected to the Power Controller when I git home.

The power controller should have an illuminated LED, which is not lit even when the engine is running.

My questions are

do i really need a relay ?

If I find my multimeter, should it read 12 V dc across the two flying leads ?

Am I a muppet and doing something stupid, if the answer is yes, what is it I have or have not done.

TIA

 

[Moose]

The relay is used to switch in 12V taken from an always on supply e.g. from the battery. The ignition controlled feed will activate the relay and thus completing the circuit to power the camera when the relay is activated.

I installed a Roadhawk Ride camera without a relay and it worked fine with the feed taken from the rear light lead. I then added a second camera (facing rearwards) to the same feed and although it worked originally, the next time I powered it on the warning symbol came on the dash, indicating a fault with the rear light.

HTH

 

[MrMcNamara]

Please answer in words of one syllable or at least in layman terms.

I am trying to install a Bullet HD Biker camera, https://bullethd.com/en/cameras/78-biker-pro-plus.html.

It comprises

Bullet cam with potted cable

Power controller with USB output

Main unit which connects both of the above.

The power controller has two potted wires, one red with an in-line fuse and a black.

I asked the dealer to fit the two wires with bullet connectors on a switched supply so the camera starts/stops with the ignition. They told me that it needed a relay and have fitted one with my two flying leads which I connected to the Power Controller when I git home.

The power controller should have an illuminated LED, which is not lit even when the engine is running.

My questions are

do i really need a relay ?

If I find my multimeter, should it read 12 V dc across the two flying leads ?

Am I a muppet and doing something stupid, if the answer is yes, what is it I have or have not done.

TIA

Best not to attempt if you are not too hot on electrics, phone a freind to identify / splice into the rear light feed, use this feed to switch a fused relay connected to the battery live. if in doubt leave well alone

 

[Daffy]

You can cut into the rear light (or front light or indeed any ignition controller consumer) but I wouldn't, why not go not the back of the accessory socket and power it from the protected accessory supply (with or without a relay)

I'm in Totton and happy to lend a fellow muppet a hand if your not in too much of a rush (but I am away until the 7th Sept and then every weekend until the end of sept)