ground via cameras - isolation needed?

[ian27]

today I've been installing these wireless cameras from aliexpress which I am very pleased with . I discovered an interesting fact when I did a negative disconnect on the temporary wiring that I'd done to test them, and found they carried on working!
I believe the casing on them has continuity to the -ve side supply cable, and as I have a couple of metal screws from the casing into a metal part of the vehicle skin, there is a path to vehicle ground via the camera's supply cable.

anyway this doesn't seem like a good idea...as the cameras would form a viable alternative path to ground if I did a negative disconnect at the battery .. and of course they are only thin supply cable ...so would not be a good plan for them to accidentally carry to ground for anything significant.

I'm pondering whether 2x small (1 amp or so) fuses on each of the -ve and +ve lines to each camera would suffice to protect things, or do I need to go find a fully (12v and gnd) isolated small 12v to 12v supply for them?

 

[pappajohn]

I thought you said wireless.....I assume you mean WiFi.

 

[ian27]

they are wireless signal transmission from camera to monitor. Not technically speaking WiFi. But require 12v supply to camera, which is the reason behind the question.

 

[Figaro]

Can't help with the question, but how does aliexpress compare with temu ?

 

[ian27]

Can't help with the question, but how does aliexpress compare with temu ?

I don't use temu. I do buy stuff on aliexpress. I'm cautious and do a lot of research. I would not buy anything safety critical there - all my inverter gear, batteries, cabling , fusing etc will be coming from uk suppliers. But something like these cameras - 180 quid for 4 wireless HD cameras and a 10 inch monitor - uk suppliers prices just don't compare. Stuff like memory cards do not buy either - they will be fake. You can find stuff that uk suppliers just don't bother with as well - e.g I found some extra long (70cm) gooseneck reading lights there - all the uk 'van conversion suppliers stop at 30cm. Shipping is often quicker than within the uk !

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}