I have a 1998 F150 4.6 l Lariat 4x4. I want to add a back up camera with a dash mounted monitor. So far I can handle all of that.

This is where it gets more complicated - what I really want to do is add a back up camera with a dash mounted monitor WITH a toggle switch so it can operate as designed or with a flip of the switch be always on (just so occasionally I can check on the load on my trailer).

I've tried what I thought was a simple process and failed. Forget about what I have done. Please tell me from scratch how to do this.

 

You want just a switch to turn on your camera? You can run a hot wire to a relay from the battery (with a proper size fuse) Then run smaller wires from relay for your switch, mount where you want. Then finish the circuit of the relay for your camera. (Since you've done some electrical work I won't lay everything out but if I'm too general I can go into more detail)

Or run it like a stereo (depending on your voltage requirements and use either the acc or run wires.

Edit* if the concern is turning both camera and monitor on with one switch you can either run two hot wires from the switch to each relay (one relay for camera and one relay for monitor). Complete each relay circuit for each device. Or depending on voltage requirements you can run them in series. Don't see why that wouldn't work but I'd prefer their own circuits for easier troubleshooting down the road.

 

That may have been my problem - I only used one relay and wires when I actually needed two, one for the camera and one for the monitor the way that you described it. Thanks.