Uninterrupted live for indicators

[Jersey]

I'm fitting a 360 degree 'birds-eye' camera system to my '09 E89. One of the inputs it can take is from the left and (separately) right indicators. What it wants though is a live input... rather than intermittent (which is what I'd get if I took it from the bulbs themselves). Does anyone know where in the loom I might find one... or maybe it doesn't exist?

Regards, James

 

[clarker63]

depends where you're looking to connect to the loom. There's plenty of options in the fuse box (behind the passenger glove compartment) but its a bit of pain to get to!

Where are you placing the camera? the fact you're talking about connecting to the indicator circuits seems rather strange, to me at least!

 

[Jersey]

Hi Clarker and thanks for your message. It's a 4-camera setup. No, I'm not looking for a permanent live to power the system... I'm looking for a 'signal' live from each indicator (and reverse light, although that one's easy). This is so that the system can switch its output image to the correct side of the car when you're indicating/turning.

 

[Jersey]

Anybody?

 

[flybobbie]

https://z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=95398
Link still live to manual and wiring diagrams.

 

[mcbutler]

you could just fit two normal dash cams with rear view modules i.e nextbase 522GW.
You could have one looking to the right front/rear left and the other looking front left/rear right.
Position them so the images slightly overlap on the front.
A lot easier and probably cheaper than what you are proposing!

 

[mcbutler]

you could just fit two normal dash cams with rear view modules i.e nextbase 522GW.
You could have one looking to the right front/rear left and the other looking front left/rear right.
Position them so the images slightly overlap on the front.
A lot easier and probably cheaper than what you are proposing!
You would also get the benefit of parking protection!

 

[Jersey]

@flybobbie. Many thanks. I’m starting to wade through that doc.

@mcbutler. Well, yes, could do, but it would kinda defeat the point. A 360 system gives you a live ‘birds-eye’ view as if from above the car. This particular one also offers parking protection. Very cool. I’m 90% through the not-insignificant install!

 

[clarker63]

@flybobbie. Many thanks. I’m starting to wade through that doc.

@mcbutler. Well, yes, could do, but it would kinda defeat the point. A 360 system gives you a live ‘birds-eye’ view as if from above the car. This particular one also offers parking protection. Very cool. I’m 90% through the not-insignificant install!

Hi jersey, if you use the quote button (top right of the persons post, like I have), you'll notify the person you responded to that you've put another item in the thread and you're more likely to get some additional info. Helps us see the wood from the trees!

I'm just interested where you're mounting the indicator cameras?

 

[Jersey]

@flybobbie. Many thanks. I’m starting to wade through that doc.

@mcbutler. Well, yes, could do, but it would kinda defeat the point. A 360 system gives you a live ‘birds-eye’ view as if from above the car. This particular one also offers parking protection. Very cool. I’m 90% through the not-insignificant install!

Hi jersey, if you use the quote button (top right of the persons post, like I have), you'll notify the person you responded to that you've put another item in the thread and you're more likely to get some additional info. Helps us see the wood from the trees!

I'm just interested where you're mounting the indicator cameras?

Thanks Clarker63. Will do. ;-)

The side cameras go under each wing mirror (VERY awkward to get them in, as far out as possible and as level as possible (from a front-to-back perspective) without them being too obvious from the eye-line perspective.
I've put the front one just above the number plate between the kidney grills (where they are on modern BMW's that have 360). I would have put it below the plate but the particular kit I have dictates all cameras must be 40+ cm's above the ground.
The rear one has gone between the number plate lights just above the middle of the plate.
Someone makes an awesome camera-in-badge/boot-lid-lever.... which would be great for a simple reversing cam but no good for a 360 as the cameras are always on/recording.

I'll post pics when done. Very challenging install (if you wanna do a good/neat
job) but hopefully worth it in the end.

The feed from the indicators is kinda optional and enables and changes the screen output to a view of or down the side of the car on the side that you're turning. TBH, I'm not sure I'll actually want to use it all the time but it's turn off/on-able in software so I'm going to wire it in if I can while the car is in bits.

 

[clarker63]

Thanks Clarker63. Will do. ;-)

The side cameras go under each wing mirror (VERY awkward to get them in, as far out as possible and as level as possible (from a front-to-back perspective) without them being too obvious from the eye-line perspective.
I've put the front one just above the number plate between the kidney grills (where they are on modern BMW's that have 360). I would have put it below the plate but the particular kit I have dictates all cameras must be 40+ cm's above the ground.
The rear one has gone between the number plate lights just above the middle of the plate.
Someone makes an awesome camera-in-badge/boot-lid-lever.... which would be great for a simple reversing cam but no good for a 360 as the cameras are always on/recording.

I'll post pics when done. Very challenging install (if you wanna do a good/neat job) but hopefully worth it in the end.

The feed from the indicators is kinda optional and enables and changes the screen output to a view of or down the side of the car on the side that you're turning. TBH, I'm not sure I'll actually want to use it all the time but it's turn off/on-able in software so I'm going to wire it in if I can while the car is in bits.

Sounds very interesting - will enjoy seeing the photos!

 

[Jersey]

The issue was solved by just using the feeds to the bulbs. Maybe it was deliberate by the manufacturer but the 'off' time of the power to the bulbs is not enough for the system to think you've turned the indicators off... hence the intermittent signal is good enough.

The install is 95% done... and pretty good so far...

I'm a bit stuck on another part of this install however and wondered if anyone might be able to help. The system takes an input from the OBD port via an interface device for steering trajectory data. The interface has dip-switches on it which allow you to select the car make and model... but of course a Z4 isn't on the list. Does anyone know what main other BMW model would have the most similar output at the OBD port to a 2009 Z4 35i and I'll try the dip-switch setting for that model. The choices (written in Chinese so some, hard to translate) are thus as far as I can make out...

5 Series (18)
7 Series (17-18)
------------------
14 Mini
6 Series (13)
3 Series (13-18)
3 Series GT (13-18)
X1 (16-18)
1 Series (16-18)
X3 (Evo) (18)
------------------
7 Series (09-12)
5 Series (11-12)
X3 (12)
------------------
X5 (14-18)
2 Series (15-18)
1 Series (14 10)
X6 (17)
15 Mini
------------------
X1 (12-14)
3 Series (10)
Mini (11-12)
X5 (11)
5 Series (05-10)
X6 (10-13)
-------------------
5 Series (13-17)
7 Series (13-14)
X3 (13-16)
5 Series GT (14)

 

[clarker63]

well as far as I know the Z4 is based on a 3 series, so I'd expect it to be a pre-09 one, which is not on your list.. :x

 

[Jersey]

I was thinking the same clarker63. Possibly the '3 Series (10)' might be the closest option.