Apple CarPlay/Android Auto Retrofit

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

Thank you for the details. Did you have to wire a relay as others have mentioned or was the camera plug'n'play with the Carsara box?

No relay needed. Power to the camera comes from the yellow 12V wire on the Carsara box, ground I ran to one of the mounting screws on the chassis by the battery. No flicker or other issues.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

No relay needed. Power to the camera comes from the yellow 12V wire on the Carsara box, ground I ran to one of the mounting screws on the chassis by the battery. No flicker or other issues.

What is it using for a signal to know when you are in reverse?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

What is it using for a signal to know when you are in reverse?

The signal is the switched 12v power on that wire. When you go into reverse, it sends 12V down the yellow wire, that tells the camera to power on, and you get signal back from the RCA cable.

[icanturn]

Tried to install this camera today:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...4ee94c4deJqYMz

It just doesn't fit. The trunk release switch hits the trunk where the emblem is and it wont sit in flush. So I'll need to return it.

The carsara box uses an RCA cable, but some of the other camera options, like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3NV68D...ustomerReviews

use a different connector. How did you guys get around this?

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The signal is the switched 12v power on that wire. When you go into reverse, it sends 12V down the yellow wire, that tells the camera to power on, and you get signal back from the RCA cable.

Ah, ok I think I get it now but please correct me if I'm wrong. You ran three wires:

1. Yellow RCA cable from camera to Carsara RCA input
2. Red 12V wire from camera to yellow Carsara wire
3. Black camera ground wire to chassis bolt

Originally Posted by icanturn

Tried to install this camera today:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...4ee94c4deJqYMz

It just doesn't fit. The trunk release switch hits the trunk where the emblem is and it wont sit in flush. So I'll need to return it.

The carsara box uses an RCA cable, but some of the other camera options, like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3NV68D...ustomerReviews

use a different connector. How did you guys get around this?

If I understand correctly, the $65 camera comes with an extension cable that is RCA/12v/ground on one end and the smaller connector on the other end (the link below has a picture of this cable).

The camera that brettcp mentioned a little while ago seems to have the same smaller connector and 170 degree FOV for half the cost:
https://www.amazon.com/LIEBMAYA-Degr.../dp/B01GE7NQH6

Cyberdemon was this one of the ones you had tried and didn't like?

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by icanturn

Tried to install this camera today:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3298...4ee94c4deJqYMz

It just doesn't fit. The trunk release switch hits the trunk where the emblem is and it wont sit in flush. So I'll need to return it.

The carsara box uses an RCA cable, but some of the other camera options, like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3NV68D...ustomerReviews

use a different connector. How did you guys get around this?

How are you installing the camera and what body style? From my observation EVERY camera used the exact same plastic housing with silicone boot, the only differences were the cameras themselves that were glued/welded in. When you installed, did you install the outermost lip first then tilt it backwards? I did that and then gave it a very very hard push in and it worked fine, I had no interference on my E90. Make sure the latches are seated all the way, the first one I installed I never actually got the back latches to click in but it was so stiff it stuck in there pretty good. Probably would've fallen out eventually with vibration.

All of the cameras use an RCA cable on the car unit side, what you don't see in that item is there are two types of connectors in the middle. Some cameras just use the RCA cable + a red traveler wire for 12V Power, along with a DC barrel jack. The others use that skinny 4 pin connector. In that case RCA runs along two pins, power/ground runs along the other two.

The 4pin skinny connector makes it a lot easier to snake the wire through the rubber hose that connects the trunk to the inside of the car. I was able to get the RCA through as I mentioned but it did bend the outer shield a little along the way (But I bent it back fine).

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

Ah, ok I think I get it now but please correct me if I'm wrong. You ran three wires:

1. Yellow RCA cable from camera to Carsara RCA input
2. Red 12V wire from camera to yellow Carsara wire
3. Black camera ground wire to chassis bolt


If I understand correctly, the $65 camera comes with an extension cable that is RCA/12v/ground on one end and the smaller connector on the other end (the link below has a picture of this cable).

The camera that brettcp mentioned a little while ago seems to have the same smaller connector and 170 degree FOV for half the cost:
https://www.amazon.com/LIEBMAYA-Degr.../dp/B01GE7NQH6

Cyberdemon was this one of the ones you had tried and didn't like?

Yes you're right on the wiring the only difference is in my case there was a DC barrel jack. The DC barrel jack connects the 12V to the red traveller wire (which is inside of the RCA cable), then the ground goes to chassis. For the cameras which use the 4 pin connector, those two are combined.

Here are all the cameras I bought and didn't end up using with my notes. I believe the Libemaya is the same as the bottom one (not 720p) and mine had flicker issues on stable 12v.

If I had a perfect camera it would've been the 170 deg, 720P, AND 4 pin small connector. But I'm glad the one I ended up with used RCA or I would've had to re-run the entire wire through the interior so it worked out.

The $65 one was good in that regard, but I can't confirm the FOV since I didn't install it just tested it on the ground. I don't believe it was actually a fisheye. They advertise it as 150-170 degrees.

[icanturn]

if those are the ones you didn't use, which did you settle on?

[PACarGuy]

Originally Posted by Fooksdaddy

About how long it it take to arrive?

About two weeks (to East Coast US)

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by icanturn

if those are the ones you didn't use, which did you settle on?

He's using option D here:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3288...380b4c4dZL2lFp

[Iyzmi]

Well after patiently waiting for two years and trying to keep up with what has easily become the longest thread I have ever started, I went ahead and ordered the Carsara for $221 shipped. I'm planning on pairing it with the $65 Amazon backup camera as I'm not sure that I prefer the fisheye effect of the "Option D" cam and definitely prefer the smaller connector over full size RCA. In the spirit of going all out on this OEM+ upgrade, I'll also be ordering the Induktiv wireless charger from ECS once they're back in stock next week. If you can't tell, I was inspired by Cyberdemon's setup . Very excited for these three components to breathe new life into my car's 12 year old infotainment system. The sad thing is I hardly ever drive the M3 these days so will have few opportunities to enjoy it, but my mod list has run dry with all the big ticket items checked off so I don't feel too bad about spending the ~$450 all in.

Originally Posted by motoridersd

Thanks!

I wanted to give everyone a heads up about an issue I had with my Ali Express order when paying with a Chase Credit Card (Sapphire Reserve in my case). I found a long Reddit thread with people having similar issues with Chase Cards. (https://www.reddit.com/r/Aliexpress/...h_advance_fee/)

If you buy using PayPal on Ali Express, the transaction is processed as a Cash Advance, which unfortunately on Chase triggers a $10 miniumum or 5% (no max) Cash Advance Fee PER transaction. This also kicks off a 26.24% APR right away, so if you wait to pay your full balance on the due date (like I usually do), you'll have additional interest charges on that Cash Advance balance.

Chase was friendly enough to me in reversing the charges, and I submitted a payment right away to cover the full Cash Advance balance to avoid any future interest charges. So if you used PayPal and a Chase card, check your card activity!

I tried to heed your warning. Tried two different credit cards (a Visa and a Mastercard) directly through AliExpress and both failed. My only option to get my order through was to use PayPal. I'll keep an eye out for that cash advance fee, do you recall if it came up right away or after the payment had cleared? So far the pending charge looks normal and is made out to "PAYPAL *ALIPAYSINGA AL".

[motoridersd]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

I tried to heed your warning. Tried two different credit cards (a Visa and a Mastercard) directly through AliExpress and both failed. My only option to get my order through was to use PayPal. I'll keep an eye out for that cash advance fee, do you recall if it came up right away or after the payment had cleared? So far the pending charge looks normal and is made out to "PAYPAL *ALIPAYSINGA AL".

It must have showed up later, once it cleared, so keep an eye out for that.

[icanturn]

I just bought the Libemaya unit. If it turns out to be junk then I sacrifice my time in the name of science. lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BA31B1Q6&psc=1

I moved the antenna for the carsara box today to the inside of the dash where the trans tunnel is, kinda by your knee. Eliminated the interference I was hearing, but still seems to drop BT occasionally. I still haven't actually driven the car with it set up yet, im waiting on the backup cam to do final re-assembly.

[Cyberdemon]

The biggest downside of relying on this unit is it highlighted how crappy my cell phone reception is. I think I either need to upgrade my iPhone X or consider removing my tints. My windshield is tinted and I suspect it might be cutting down heavily on my RF, or AT&T coverage just really sucks in my area.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by icanturn

I just bought the Libemaya unit. If it turns out to be junk then I sacrifice my time in the name of science. lol.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...BA31B1Q6&psc=1

I moved the antenna for the carsara box today to the inside of the dash where the trans tunnel is, kinda by your knee. Eliminated the interference I was hearing, but still seems to drop BT occasionally. I still haven't actually driven the car with it set up yet, im waiting on the backup cam to do final re-assembly.

Nice. Looking forward to your review before I make my final decision on the camera.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

The signal is the switched 12v power on that wire. When you go into reverse, it sends 12V down the yellow wire, that tells the camera to power on, and you get signal back from the RCA cable.

Do you know if this would work for manual transmission? I'm looking through the Carsara instructions and for manual they say to connect the camera power wire to purple instead of yellow and connect the black wire to the reverse light negative. Would prefer to avoid tapping into the reverse light wiring if I don't have to.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

Do you know if this would work for manual transmission? I'm looking through the Carsara instructions and for manual they say to connect the camera power wire to purple instead of yellow and connect the black wire to the reverse light negative. Would prefer to avoid tapping into the reverse light wiring if I don't have to.

Not sure, you might have to use the purple wire instead. My suggestion is make sure you have a cheap multi-meter handy (I'm still using my $6.99 harbor freight one). I wired my camera before actually tucking the box away so I could test everything was working.

When the car is on and you put it in reverse, if the purple wire doesn't work, check to see if you get 12V on the yellow wire instead. I suspect the purple will serve the same function.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

Not sure, you might have to use the purple wire instead. My suggestion is make sure you have a cheap multi-meter handy (I'm still using my $6.99 harbor freight one). I wired my camera before actually tucking the box away so I could test everything was working.

When the car is on and you put it in reverse, if the purple wire doesn't work, check to see if you get 12V on the yellow wire instead. I suspect the purple will serve the same function.

I wonder if I can get away with grounding the black wire to the chassis like you did. Not sure why they specifically call out grounding it to the reverse lights for manual trans.

EDIT: It actually calls for tapping both positive and negative into the reverse lights. So maybe the purple wire does not act as a reverse signal like the yellow wire does for auto/DCT. Will do some testing with my multimeter during install, just worried that I'll need a relay after all since others have mentioned not getting a clean 12V from tapping directly into the lights. Has anybody installed one of these in a manual car yet who can confirm?

[pbonsalb]

Tying to reverse lights makes sense for a 6MT car since there is no other electrical signal the car is in reverse to use to trigger the backup camera.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

Tying to reverse lights makes sense for a 6MT car since there is no other electrical signal the car is in reverse to use to trigger the backup camera.

Yes, exactly what I was wondering - whether the 6MT cars have the same reverse electrical signal as DCT. If not, then tapping into the reverse lights would be necessary to get the signal and then the question becomes whether a relay is needed.

[Cyberdemon]

Originally Posted by Iyzmi

I wonder if I can get away with grounding the black wire to the chassis like you did. Not sure why they specifically call out grounding it to the reverse lights for manual trans.

EDIT: It actually calls for tapping both positive and negative into the reverse lights. So maybe the purple wire does not act as a reverse signal like the yellow wire does for auto/DCT. Will do some testing with my multimeter during install, just worried that I'll need a relay after all since others have mentioned not getting a clean 12V from tapping directly into the lights. Has anybody installed one of these in a manual car yet who can confirm?

A relay isn't the end of the world, just a little more work.

But I don't buy that the car has no way of sensing reverse because it has to for PDC correct? I don't know if this is a limitation based on having PDC. Either way every auto parts store will sell a relay and there are youtube videos that will show you the correct layout.

[Iyzmi]

Originally Posted by Cyberdemon

A relay isn't the end of the world, just a little more work.

But I don't buy that the car has no way of sensing reverse because it has to for PDC correct? I don't know if this is a limitation based on having PDC. Either way every auto parts store will sell a relay and there are youtube videos that will show you the correct layout.

I'm digging back through posts 20+ pages ago and a relay does appear to be necessary for 6MT cars; not sure why PDC can't be leveraged to signal the backup camera. Not a big deal, just have to add a couple more parts to the shopping list.