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Curt 7 pin Brake Controller and Furrion 7 pin Power Adapter for Trailer Rear Camera

Chele
Chele Member Posts: 18
edited August 2024 in Trailer & Towing
Turning to you all for help again. I have just picked up my 2025 T@B 400, and my TV is a 2024 BMW X5 m60i. Prior to adding the Furrion rear view camera, I used a Curt BT Brake Controller attached to my TV's 7 pin connection, then connected the trailer power to the Curt Controller. Easy peasy.

There's a problem with many newer tow vehicle's power at the 7 pin connection. It will not properly provide power to Furrion Vision S cameras. An adapter must be used. UGH. The camera does power up, the LED indicator light is lit, and the monitor powers up inside the vehicle, as well. However, without an adapter, the camera and monitor cannot connect.

Here's my problem: The Curt brake controller and the Furrion camera adapter both need to be between my TV and my trailer 7 pin power connection. Has anyone else had this issue?! I feel it's terribly risky to piggy back the Curt, the Furrion adapter, then connect the trailer power. What do I do? I really would prefer to continue using the Curt BT brake controller, it's effective and so easily connected. I also really need to take advantage of the hard wired camera installed on the rear of my T@B. Any advice?
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Comments

  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,934
    You are saying that the Curt Controller (trailer brakes & trailer lights) all work correctly.
    You have since added a Back-Up Camera and need a 12VDC power source for the camera.

    Disclaimer:  No direct experience with this vehicle, camera combination.

    With the Curt working; that is you have trailer brakes and all trailer lights (stop, turn, running).  So the BMW X5 already has the components and wiring that most likely are included in the extra camera Adapter Cable.

    Suggest you set-up rig for towing TV+Curt+trailer and test to see if camera works when you tap trailer power from the running lights circuit (recommended by Camera) . . . TV & Trailer Lights must be on of course.

    For testing you could tap the Running Lights power at the trailer junction box . . . or just splice into the trailer rear running light wire if the camera is already mounted.
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • Chele
    Chele Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2024
    Thanks, @MuttonChops. You're right, my set up is exactly as you describe. The camera is already installed, and does indeed tap into the running lights circuit. The issue is I must use an adapter at the 7 pin connection to provide unrestricted 12V power to my camera, bypassing the restrictive power management system on my vehicle. Why they've decided to add this power saving feature at the 7 pin connector in newer trucks and SUVs is beyond me. There's absolutely no way the camera will work properly without the adapter.

    So now I have a brake controller that uses the TV 7 pin connection, and a camera power adapter that also uses the TV 7 pin connection. Is it risky to plug the brake controller into the TV 7 pin, then the camera adapter into the brake controller (where the trailer would normally connect), then connect the trailer to the camera adapter? I feel piggy backing in this way is a bad idea, but I don't know enough about the power to know for sure, and can't figure out a work around. 


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  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,934
    Just to be clear - - - - - Have you tested the camera operation or are you relying on the Camera Literature.

    If you have tested the camera,  use a voltage meter to read the voltage level on the running lights circuit.

    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • Chele
    Chele Member Posts: 18
    edited August 2024
    Camera LED indicator lights up, so there's power to the camera. Monitor inside the vehicle powers up, as well. When trying to pair the monitor to the camera it displayed "no signal", and that prompted me to do the research. That's how I found out the newer vehicles restrict full power at the 7 pin connector, and Furrion camera owners must have the adapter for it to operate properly. "Restrict" may not be the proper word, as it's described as "power saving".
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  • Chele
    Chele Member Posts: 18
    Here's the adapter https://www.lippert.com/furrion-camera-system-7-way-adapter-with-power-switch-2021132201?gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADMepyD74z5f07EFmnttKjPkfZnZE&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrsGJnvHZhwMVTC-tBh3BFzFjEAQYAyABEgLQP_D_BwE


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  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,934
    Okay.
    BMW vehicles use a PWM (pulse width modulation) voltage system and apparently the Curt Brake Controller is not correcting/modifying as first hoped.

    PWM sends a series of power on, power off pulses. How wide the pulses are defines what DCV Level is available and generally that voltage level is too low for many camera brands.

    There are "adapters" that splice in-line on the power source wires . . . instead of being plugged into the 7-pin . . . These adapters have a capacitor that smooths the PWM voltage and in the process increases the available voltage at the camera.

    For your situation consider an in-line adapter,
        One Available Brand

    Overview video
         First few minutes explain the adapter
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • Chele
    Chele Member Posts: 18
    Thanks so much @MuttonChops! The Furrion power adapter arrived today.

    Here's a couple photos of the piggy-back I've been discussing. TV>Curt brake controller>Furrion camera adapter>Trailer power connection. After hooking it up this way (parked at my house), both the brake controller and the camera operate beautifully. What I don't know is if it's safe to do it this way. While I know 120V extension cords attached to extension cords is a bad idea, does the same apply to 12V? My first tow with this set up will be local, leaving day after tomorrow. Do I chance it? THANKS!



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  • MuttonChops
    MuttonChops Member Posts: 1,934
    @Chele ;

    If this were my rig, I would tie-wrap the TAB Cord to the jack post
    with enough slack for trailer turning but tight enough to keep the doubled up Curt + Adapter from wanting to drop/drag on road.

    Expect this set-up will be fine for your upcoming trip
    . . . re-consider the "in-line adapter" when you return . . .
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    TV: '25 Canyon AT4
    Adventures:  58   Nights:  405  Towing Miles 50,180
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  • Chele
    Chele Member Posts: 18
    Thanks again @MuttonChops!
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