Pioneer ND-BC2 Universal Rear-View Camera

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Installed

  Pioneer AVD-W6210 Pioneer ND-BC2 Rear-View Camera
Pioneer AVG-VDP1 Vehicle Dynamics Processor Hide-Away Unit for Pioneer AVD-W6210 Pioneer ND-BC2 Rear-View Camera Control Box

Pioneer AVG-VDP1 & AVD-W6210 | Pioneer ND-BC2 | Canon EOS 5D Mark II Car Video Display

Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx BassLink Subwoofer Remote Gain Control Beltronics Driver STi Remove Mute and Warning Pioneer AVD-W6210 Touch Screen Display for AVG-VPD1 and ND-BC2 Karmann Badge to Credit Builders of Crossfire Switch for Manual Activation of Handbrake Signal Switch for Manual Activation of Rear View Camera Pioneer DEH-P980BT Head Unit Pioneer ND-BC2 - Display

2/17/09

4X4 ICON 2000 - 2008 The DVD! - Click here for details!

4X4 ICON 2000 - 2008 The DVD!

What's Back There...?

This car is very challenging to drive backwards.  It goes beyond normal things.  The rear view is fine for going down the highway and the mirrors give good view to the rear though the side rear three-quarter view isn't great.  I have resorted to putting little mirrors on the sun visors to help there.  But parking is still challenging if one must either back in, or when finished, back out.  The first week I had the car I got several wake-up calls about the extra need to pay attention to the backing up task.

Every time I went to Wal*Mart I looked at the cheap rear-view camera and every time I would leave it on the shelf, waiting for it to come down from $100 to the $20 it's probably worth.  It is one of the items that has never in my experience been "Rolled Back".  So eventually I stopped watching it but never stopped thinking about how nice it would be to have one.  Our Jeep Commander has one that came from the factory and it's very useful for spotting the curb before the rear juts past, for lining up when parking, and so on.

Once I installed the Vehicle Dynamics Processor (VDP-1), I had a video screen.  That's all that's necessary to use this unit, and provisions are there to plug it into it's own box and from there to the video screen box.  So when I installed the VDP-1 I left room on the component mounting board to install the control box for this device.  As it turned out the control box is the size of a box of Tic-Tacs, so the space I left was very generous...

Pioneer ND-BC2 Control Box and U.S. Quarter

I stalked the units online until I found one at rock-bottom price that was new and complete.  As presentation is often everything and some pay extra for the box, this unit was a decent bargain, shipping for a good bit less than the ones that had the box.  It arrived in like-new, never installed condition.

Ebay Auction Photo

It cost me little more than the Wal*Mart unit and far exceeds it's capabilities and quality.  The added bonus is that the camera is wired in rather than wireless and battery-powered.

Pioneer ND-BC2 Rear-View Camera

Pioneer ND-BC2 Rear-View Camera

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Camera and U.S. Quarter

Installation

The Vehicle Dynamics Processor (VDP-1) Installation made this install easy.  I had already implemented significant infrastructure to support those components and the addition of a camera was merely plug and play.  The only real considerations were cable runs, mounting the control box, adding the power, ground and reserve switch connections, and sticking the camera to the car.  The wiring diagram below is updated to show the addition of pin-outs on the connector, leads for power, ground and reverse signal.

I did have a false start with the bracket.  The "foot" that can be seen in the picture above is offset from the bracket that holds the camera.  The bracket hinges like a clam, with the foot on one side and the camera on the other.  When I first installed it, I placed the foot below the bracket and camera.  The result was the foot was visible below the camera, sticking out like a sore thumb on the car.  This may not matter to some folks but it wasn't as clean as I would like.  I went back to find a picture to show what I mean, but it appears it was so unacceptable I didn't even take a picture of it!

I keep a small supply of 3M adhesive trim tape on hand.  It was a simple matter to remove the tape from the foot of the bracket and replace it with new tape, then reinstall the camera.  If I had taken the time to look at what I was doing, I could have avoided this step.

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Installed

Number Plate Cover and Border

Number Plate Cover and Border

View from Pioneer ND-BC2

Night Shot (above)

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Display

Day Shot (above)

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Camera (Larger than Life Size)Pioneer ND-BC2 - Control Box with No Serial NumberPioneer ND-BC2 Camera

Rear-View On Demand

The rear-view camera comes on automatically when the car is put in reverse gear and the reverse lights come on.  But I wanted to take it one step further and have the rear-view camera available on demand without putting the car in reverse.  The rear view is not that great so there are times when being able to see better out the back comes in handy, and it's not always when the car is in reverse.  When I connected the switch to the reverse signal lead on the barrier strip, the camera only came on when I put the car in reverse.  I checked the leads and power from the switch I installed and everything seemed OK. 

I could not figure out why the switch would not activate the camera, but reasoned that perhaps something was going on to cause a side-effect.  I added diodes so the switch and reverse lights would not "know" about each other, and this cured the problem.  When either the reverse lamps come on (the car is in reverse) or the switch is activated (or both), the camera comes on and provides a rear-view.  Just what the doctor ordered.

The deeper details of the installation of the supporting equipment are below

Here's what Pioneer says about it.

ND-BC2 Universal Rear-View Camera

Owners Manual

Universal Rear-View Camera for use with Pioneer A/V and Navigation products featuring a Rear View Camera Input, including the AVIC-Z1, AVIC-Z2, AVIC-N3, AVIC-D2, AVIC-D3, AVH-P7800DVD, AVH-P6800DVD, and AVH-P5700DVD. Also Compatible with older Pioneer models such as the AVIC-N2, AVIC-D1, AVIC-N1, AVH-P7600DVD, AVH-P7500DVD, AVH-P6600DVD, and AVH-P6500DVD.

Features include:

  • Wider Viewing Angle: 135 Degrees (Horizontal) and 100 Degrees (Vertical)

  • 1/4" Color CCD with 270,000 pixel resolution (491 x 512 pixels)

  • 1.5 ~ 10,000 Lux Automatic Luminance Control (includes automatic low-light lux mode for higher detail and contrast in low-light conditions)

  • Compact Camera Unit: 1" (W) x 1" (H) x 1" (D)

  • Composite Video Output (6m cable included)

Pioneer ND-BC2 Specifications

 

Installation Plan

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Parts

 

There's really not much to this installation.  I already have the video controller with open terminals.  I already have the power connections and reverse signal on my component board.  My vehicle has a spot that is perfect for mounting the camera, and the cable snakes through a hole in the rear fascia.  The video screen was already mounted and cabled.  All the hard work was done when I put in the VDP-1.

Basically the power and reverse signal connections are made, the video cable is run from the camera to the display controller.  If a screen has not already been installed, that controller and power source would be connected and the screen mounted.

This augments the drawing that shows the AVG-VDP1 and AVD-W6210 components already installed.  Click to see the detailed drawing including car electronic systems.

AVG-VDP1, AVD-W6210, ND-BC2 Wiring

 

Pioneer ND-BC2 - ConnectionPioneer ND-BC2  - Figure 14

Pioneer ND-BC2  - Figure 15

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Figure 16

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Figure 17

Pioneer ND-BC2 - Figure 18

 

 

Video Screen Installation

One of the most difficult aspects of my install was already done.  The video screen I used (the Pioneer AVD-W6210) had a cumbersome bracket assembly.  I opted to remove it and use a compact swivel head meant for XM radio and other small electronics installations.  This reduced the complexity and size of the installation, and allowed me to put my screen on an existing bracket shared by my GPS, radar detector control, and sub-woofer remote.  It still is a bit ungainly.  My desire is to purchase a second glove box cover and customize it to integrate these items into the front panel.  The expense of all these elements has kept me moving at the pace of making purchases without a credit card - save and pay as I go.  So once the cost of this install is absorbed, I very well may move on to the glove box.  If I didn't care about returning the car to stock someday, or didn't think I would mess up during the customization, I might just go ahead and do the modification without the spare part...

Pioneer ND-BC2 Universal Rear-View Camera

Wiring Plan - AVG-VDP1, AVD-W6210, ND-BC2

The control panel itself was simply velcro'd to the space for this purpose left on the component board.

Rear-View On Demand

The rear-view camera comes on automatically when the car is put in reverse gear and the reverse lights come on.  But I wanted to take it one step further and have the rear-view camera available on demand without putting the car in reverse.  The rear view is not that great so there are times when being able to see better out the back comes in handy, and it's not always when the car is in reverse.  When I connected the switch to the reverse signal lead on the barrier strip, the camera only came on when I put the car in reverse. 

Dorman Conduct-Tite Green LED Rocker Switch 84883Dorman Conduct-Tite Blue LED Rocker Switch 84881

Dorman Products

(switches below are similar but with round instead of square edges)

Carefully measuring to make sure the structure of the panel would not be damaged, and to assure the space behind the panel was deep enough to allow switches, I marked the switch locations - carefully lined up with the window switches, and parallel to each other.

Pioneer AVG-VDP1 Real-Time Vehicle Dynamics Processor - Supplemental Switch-gear for controlling rear-view camera and menu access while moving

 

I checked the leads and power from the switch I installed and everything seemed OK.  I could not figure out why the switch would not activate the camera, but reasoned that perhaps something was going on to cause a side-effect.  I added diodes so the switch and reverse lights would not "know" about each other, and this cured the problem.  When either the reverse lamps come on (the car is in reverse) or the switch is activated (or both), the camera comes on and provides a rear-view.  Just what the doctor ordered.

Fuse Panels

Fuse Panel Wiring

Since this subsystem has so many elements, I decided to incorporate another pair of fuse boxes.  One fuse box takes a 12-volt (+) feed from the battery with a 30-amp circuit breaker providing protection between the battery and the firewall.  This lead supplies the power to the "un-switched" fuse panel. 

This power is fed through another relay that is activated by the same factory-original fuse panel feed that is activated by the key (and controls the stereo).  When the key is turned on, the 12-volt signal activates the relay, which makes the connection from the un-switched fuse panel and provides power to the "switched" fuse panel.

Component Construction

I previously constructed a storage compartment by creating a four-inch deep insert that goes into the cargo area.  I fabricated a heavy-duty cover and carpeted it to match the car.  To this I attached my sub-woofer.  The compartment is not easily detectible.  Here it is shown open.

Cargo Drawer under Infinity Basslink

For this set of components, I took a 1/4" piece of finish quality birch plywood.  I laid out the parts as described in the wiring plan above.  Then I attached the components to the panel.  I left some room on the right for the rear-view camera control box (I can dream, can't I?) and space between the components for airflow and wiring.

Using a variety of small hardware fasteners, I anchored all the pieces to the panel.  Then I added a border on the panel to give it rigidity, and to raise it up slightly off the floor of the compartment.

In order to be sure it would be easy to remove the components, I created a harness for the leads that go to various parts of the car, isolating the board and components so that only the harness connector need be separated to remove the entire unit.  This is necessary because the tire repair and jacking equipment lie under the compartment.

12 Position Interlocking Connectors

12 Position Female Interlocking Connector12 Position Male Interlocking Connector

 

The finished product is workmanlike, not something to open up and show off at a car show.  That's not what I made it for.  I just wanted the parts to be anchored down, easy to move as a unit, and with as few wires as possible.  I could have spent a lot more money and time to make it pretty - maybe someday...

Component Panel with AVG-VDP1 and AVD-W6210

Component Panel with AVG-VDP1 and AVD-W6210

Wiring Diagram AVG-VDP1 and AVD-W6210

 

Operation Manual

 

     

     

   

Pioneer Premier DEH-P980BT | Pioneer CD-IB100II iPod Adapter | Pioneer GEX-P920XM  XM Digital Satellite Tuner | Pioneer GEX-P10HD HD Radio | Pioneer CD-UB100 USB Adapter | Auxiliary Fuse Box | Infinity Basslink | Infinity 3022cf Rear Speaker Array

 

Crossfire Maintenance and Modification

Initial Purchase

Return to Crossfire

Shop for Jeep Toys and Books | See the Toy Jeeps | Off-Road Index 


Click or the [ BACK ] button on your browser to return to the previous page.

Photos, Layout and Design © 2007, 2008, 2009 Paul M. Provencher All Rights Reserved.
Contents of this Web Site may not be used without written permission

Hit Counter Visitors since 2/12/08

Last Updated 11/19/2009 09:45:13 PM -0500

Home