The Car8000 Jensen backup camera stays on while driving only if you change its default wiring setup
The Car8000 Jensen backup camera is designed to turn on automatically when you shift into reverse and turn off when you shift out of it. This is the factory behavior for most aftermarket cameras. If you want the camera to stay on continuously while you're driving your RV — so you can monitor the road behind you or a towed vehicle — you need to rewire the camera's power source so it doesn't depend on the reverse gear signal.
The key is disconnecting the camera from the reverse light wire (usually white) and instead connecting it to a constant 12-volt power source. This takes about 30 minutes and requires basic tools: a wire stripper, crimpers, electrical tape, and a multimeter to verify power. You'll also need to decide whether to run the camera continuously all the time or to wire it through a switch you can control from inside the RV.
Key Takeaways
- The Car8000 Jensen camera turns off by default when you're not in reverse because it's wired to the reverse light circuit, which only powers up in reverse gear.
- To keep the camera on while driving, you must disconnect the white reverse-signal wire and connect the camera's power wire to a constant 12-volt source instead, such as the battery or a fused power line.
- Running the camera continuously drains your RV battery slightly, so many owners wire it through a manual switch or relay so they can turn it on and off as needed.
- The camera's video output wire (usually yellow) connects to your monitor or head unit regardless of how you wire the power, so changing the power source does not affect the display.
Locate the camera's power and reverse-signal wires
The Car8000 Jensen camera has three main wires: power (usually red), ground (usually black), and reverse signal (usually white). The reverse signal wire is what tells the camera when to turn on — it draws power from your vehicle's reverse light circuit. When you shift into reverse, that circuit powers up, and the camera activates. When you shift out of reverse, the circuit powers down, and the camera goes dark.
Trace the camera cable from the back of your RV to where it connects to your monitor or head unit. Follow the wires backward to find where they connect to your vehicle's electrical system. You may need to remove trim panels or access the interior wall of your RV to see the connection point. Take a photo of the current wiring before you disconnect anything, so you can reference it if you need to undo the change later.
Disconnect the reverse-signal wire and prepare for rewiring
Once you've located the three wires, use a wire stripper to carefully remove about half an inch of insulation from the white reverse-signal wire. Do not cut it off entirely — you may want to restore the original setup later, so leave it long enough to reconnect if needed. Wrap the exposed end with electrical tape so it doesn't accidentally touch other wires and cause a short circuit.
The red power wire is what you'll now connect to a constant 12-volt source. Before you do, use a multimeter set to DC voltage to confirm that your chosen power source actually delivers 12 volts when the RV is running and when it's parked. This step prevents you from connecting the camera to a wire that only powers up in certain conditions, which would recreate the same problem you're trying to fix.
Choose between continuous power or a switch-controlled setup
You have two main options for how to wire the camera's power. The first is to connect it directly to a constant 12-volt source — typically the RV's auxiliary battery or a dedicated fused line that runs from the battery. This means the camera draws power whenever the battery has charge, even when the RV is parked and off. The drain is small (usually less than 1 amp), but it will slowly discharge your battery if the RV sits unused for weeks.
The second option is to wire the camera through a manual switch or a relay that you control from inside the RV. This lets you turn the camera on only when you want to use it — for example, when you're towing a vehicle or backing up. You'll need to run an additional wire from the battery through a switch to the camera's power input. This setup takes longer to install but gives you full control over when the camera draws power.
Connect the camera to a constant 12-volt power source
If you're going with continuous power, locate a fused 12-volt line that runs directly from your RV's auxiliary battery. Many RVs have a fused distribution block near the battery where you can tap into an unused circuit. Strip about half an inch of insulation from the red power wire on the camera cable and from the 12-volt source wire. Twist the exposed copper together, then crimp a butt connector over the joint to find it. Wrap the connection with electrical tape for extra protection.
If you're installing a switch, run a new wire from the positive terminal of your auxiliary battery through a 15-amp fuse holder, then to a manual switch mounted somewhere convenient inside your RV (such as the dashboard or a cabinet near your monitor). From the switch, run another wire to the red power wire on the camera cable. Use the same crimping and taping method to find all connections. Test the setup by turning the switch on — the camera should display an image on your monitor when ready.
Verify the camera works and find all connections
Turn on your RV and shift into reverse to confirm the camera still responds to the reverse gear signal if you've left the white wire connected. Then test the new power source by turning on your switch (if you installed one) or by checking that the camera stays on while you're driving forward. The video feed should appear on your monitor without any flickering or loss of signal.
Once you've confirmed everything works, find all loose wires with cable ties or conduit so they don't rattle or get pinched as the RV moves. Double-check that no bare wire is exposed and that all crimped connections are tight. If you used a switch, label it clearly so you remember what it controls. If you ever need to restore the original reverse-only behavior, straightforward disconnect the new power wire and reconnect the white reverse-signal wire to its original location.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will keeping the camera on all the time drain my RV battery?
Yes, but slowly. A Car8000 Jensen camera draws roughly 0.5 to 1 amp of current, which means it uses about 12 to 24 amp-hours per day if left on continuously. Most RV auxiliary batteries are 100 amp-hours or larger, so the camera alone won't drain the battery in a day or two. However, if your RV sits parked for weeks without charging, the camera will contribute to battery discharge. A switch gives you control to avoid this.
Can I wire the camera to turn on only when the RV engine is running?
Yes. Instead of connecting to the battery directly, connect the camera's power wire to a 12-volt source that only powers up when the engine is on — such as the ignition circuit or a powered accessory line. This prevents battery drain when the RV is parked. You'll need to identify which wire in your RV's electrical system carries this switched power, which varies by RV model.
What if I want the camera to turn on automatically when I shift into reverse and also stay on while driving?
You can wire the camera to a relay that accepts both the reverse-signal wire and a constant power source. The relay turns the camera on whenever either signal is present. This requires a relay module (available at auto parts stores for $15 to $30) and additional wiring, but it gives you both automatic reverse set up and manual continuous operation.
Do I need to disconnect the monitor or head unit to rewire the camera?
No. The video output wire (usually yellow) stays connected to your monitor regardless of how you rewire the power. You only need to access and modify the power (red) and reverse-signal (white) wires. The monitor will display the camera feed as soon as power reaches the camera, regardless of which power source you've connected it to.
What size fuse should I use if I'm wiring the camera to the battery?
A 15-amp fuse is standard for a Car8000 Jensen camera circuit. The fuse protects the wire from overheating if there's a short circuit. Install the fuse holder as close to the battery as possible, within 18 inches if you can. This placement ensures the fuse can interrupt power quickly if something goes wrong, rather than waiting for a problem to travel down a long wire first.