HitchCAM sent me this photo...but this isn't the cable.

 

I am still in search of the mystery hitch power wire (in the engine compartment). However, here is the monitor using the magnetic vent mount. The cable looks a hair better than in this picture, but it is still a bit difficult to hide the bad boy...unless I drill a hole.

[IMG]local://upfiles/1274/6BC21FA28A074C819209667297986748.jpg[/IMG]

 

Easiest way to do it is to cut the hitch wire plug off and wire a flat 2 wire plug to the power negative of the hitch cam. Then wire the other end of the 2 wire plug into a good ground and into the back up light wire in back of your hitch plug. I just wired a back up cam last night and used this method, took about 30 minutes to finish the entire install.

 

Don't think I want to go hardwiring the HitchCAM. The camera, the cable, and the monitor are all installed. If I can find the one single wire in the engine compartment, I can have the relay installed in probably less than 15 minutes. Worse case I install the relay at the hitch end. I was trying to avoid this do to the elements. Look in your Helm manual, I bet you a quarter you don't find it -LOL.

In this...

[IMG]local://upfiles/1274/DC499F0F60074381BC5904445B09679A.jpg[/IMG]

Here is what we are looking for...

[IMG]local://upfiles/1274/460C1537C58B4BBEA9EE8C54BD66F5A4.jpg[/IMG]

 

umm....you wouldn't be "hard" wiring anything...you would still have a plug to unplug and remove the unit, you just won't need to run a relay or tap into any wires under the hood....just trying to give you the easiest way.

 

Thank you all for your ideas. Unfortunately, the only solution I am looking for is the wiring of a relay in the engine compartment. (If I don't locate the wire eventually, then I'll simple add the relay at the hitch end.)

LOL- I think I should have created a more bare bones post entitled:
Where does the 12 volt red wire from the hitch go into the engine compartment?
The discussion of the HitchCAM, etc. is confusing the ultimate goal of simply locating a single red wire.

Background: The HitchCAM has a multiple function display allowing it to be on (1) all the time (the way I prefer as I like watching the faces of tailgaters) or (2) only during backup. The camera and monitor receive their power from the hitch connector's 12v red wire. The connector at the hitch end is removable and not hard wired like some of their other models. Because the hitch connector on the H3 (a feature of GM vehicles), the hitch is constantly powered. Therefore, if the camera and monitor are attached, they will continue to draw power when the vehicle is turned off. The simple insertation of a relay will turn off this power when the ignition is off. Simple if you can find the red wire (and it wasn't so frigging cold out).

Steve - San Jose apparently has the same model HitchCAM that was installed by someone. Therefore, he should have the relay present in his install. I am hoping someone like he or other person with a HitchCAM install can point me to the correct wire loom housing the wire.

Here's the wire we are looking for near the battery and master cylinder:

Does this look familar in your engine compartment?