Aftermarket parking sensors

[D1cey]

Can anyone advise if it is possible to use the reversing light feed on a 2018 T6 Ocean 150 DSG to supply an aftermarket parking sensor? Not sure if the supply is derived from a gearbox switch or via a Can bus control unit. Gearbox switch supply would be okay, not sure about the latter. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

 

[WelshGas]

Can anyone advise if it is possible to use the reversing light feed on a 2018 T6 Ocean 150 DSG to supply an aftermarket parking sensor? Not sure if the supply is derived from a gearbox switch or via a Can bus control unit. Gearbox switch supply would be okay, not sure about the latter. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

I think there is a Gearbox switch to the Canbus that controls the Reversing Light. Some members have fitted 3rd party reversing cameras that use the Reversing light feed to trigger the camera.
I suppose it depends how much power the aftermarket sensors etc: require.
Worse comes to worse you could use the Reversing Light to trigger a relay that would switch an Ignition live feed to run the sensors etc:.

 

[D1cey]

I think there is a Gearbox switch to the Canbus that controls the Reversing Light. Some members have fitted 3rd party reversing cameras that use the Reversing light feed to trigger the camera.
I suppose it depends how much power the aftermarket sensors etc: require.
Worse comes to worse you could use the Reversing Light to trigger a relay that would switch an Ignition live feed to run the sensors etc:.

Thanks for replying. My concern is that if it is a monitored supply any additional load will result in warning lights/fault codes, etc. Not an issue in a manual gearbox T5 for example, straightforward reverse gear actuated switch on gearbox, T6 with a DSG box is another matter. Seems to be very little info available on T6 wiring diagrams or Canbus architecture in general. Would prefer to bite the bullet and pay for VW genuine retrofit but haven’t found anyone in Scotland who would do this as yet.

 

[andyinluton]

Thanks for replying. My concern is that if it is a monitored supply any additional load will result in warning lights/fault codes, etc. Not an issue in a manual gearbox T5 for example, straightforward reverse gear actuated switch on gearbox, T6 with a DSG box is another matter. Seems to be very little info available on T6 wiring diagrams or Canbus architecture in general. Would prefer to bite the bullet and pay for VW genuine retrofit but haven’t found anyone in Scotland who would do this as yet.

Do you have a towbar fitted ? if so the reverse light feed to the trailer socket may be the easiest to tap off of.

 

[D1cey]

Do you have a towbar fitted ? if so the reverse light feed to the trailer socket may be the easiest to tap off of.

Good suggestion, but no tow bar I’m afraid. Thanks anyway.

 

[WelshGas]

Good suggestion, but no tow bar I’m afraid. Thanks anyway.

Something on here might help T6 Forum.

Do a Google search for:

site:t6forum.com park assist retro fit

 

[D1cey]

Thanks for that suggestion WelshGas, I did indeed find info there.
It appears the reverse light feed on a T6 is derived from the body control module (BCM) and because this is not a “clean” 12v supply, can be a problem if used to power aftermarket add-ons, although most of the issues reported seem to relate to reversing cameras.
Back to the drawing board I guess!

 

[Legin]

Just put a relay in and your away. Its how the cheapo tow bar electrics are done on can bus.

 

[vbk1975]

Thanks for that suggestion WelshGas, I did indeed find info there.
It appears the reverse light feed on a T6 is derived from the body control module (BCM) and because this is not a “clean” 12v supply, can be a problem if used to power aftermarket add-ons, although most of the issues reported seem to relate to reversing cameras.
Back to the drawing board I guess!

I think it is a depends answer.

If the reverse lights are voltage regulated (to improve bulb life or drive LEDs), then the BCM output with be switched on and off very quickly, to average the voltage down rather than truly reduce it . (this is called PWM), this isn't visible by the human eye, (it is by high frame rate cameras, which is why some car LEDs lights on TV appear to flash) but a relay or ECU would see the pulsing, a relay would buzz and it might or might not affect an ECU. The little Trailer light aftermarket relays have capacitors in them that smooth out the pulsing and stop their relay buzzing, so this could be an option to give a clean stable reverse output.

 

[Legin]

Something like this and just use the reverse connection

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003H5FX6Q/?tag=eliteelect-21

 

[reserves]

I've always assumed parking sensors were standard on an 2018 Ocean?

Definitely a missed checkbox on someones order list if they weren't

From the research I did when I wanted to fit a tracker there was no perfect way to get a 12v ignition feed.

My advice would be to ask Jason at Absolut 5, pretty sure you could take one from the stereo can bus and what Jason doesn't know about the can bus probably isn't worth knowing.

 

[vbk1975]

I've always assumed parking sensors were standard on an 2018 Ocean?

Definitely a missed checkbox on someones order list if they weren't

From the research I did when I wanted to fit a tracker there was no perfect way to get a 12v ignition feed.

My advice would be to ask Jason at Absolut 5, pretty sure you could take one from the stereo can bus and what Jason doesn't know about the can bus probably isn't worth knowing.

You can buy interface boxes like this that read the CAN BUS signals and give an 12v output, they do a version for T5 and T6.

Parking Control Interfaces

Our range of Parking Control Interfaces are designed to support the installation of after-market parking sensors. A wide variety of interfaces are available for both front and rear parking sensor installations. Installation time can be drastically reduced as a simple two wire connection to the...

www.ncs-systems.com

But the costs start to build and it might be worth starting to look at what it would cost to retro fit VW parts using ebay sourced parts.

 

[D1cey]

Thanks to everyone for sharing some very interesting and useful information.
Just to address the point made about parking sensors being standard on a 2018 Ocean - I assumed so as well. It was bought by the previous owner as a brand new main dealer stock vehicle, I’m not sure if VW sometimes put Californias with odd specifications to dealers for some reason best known to themselves. It was only when I arranged to view it after I saw it advertised for sale that it became clear it didn’t have sensors , but I assumed aftermarket parking sensors would be fairly straightforward to install.
Thinking now a professional retrofit of VW OPS is the way to go, if I can find someone fairly local to do it.

 

[reserves]

Thanks to everyone for sharing some very interesting and useful information.
Just to address the point made about parking sensors being standard on a 2018 Ocean - I assumed so as well. It was bought by the previous owner as a brand new main dealer stock vehicle, I’m not sure if VW sometimes put Californias with odd specifications to dealers for some reason best known to themselves. It was only when I arranged to view it after I saw it advertised for sale that it became clear it didn’t have sensors , but I assumed aftermarket parking sensors would be fairly straightforward to install.
Thinking now a professional retrofit of VW OPS is the way to go, if I can find someone fairly local to do it.

Not sure where you are but I’d trust these https://www.advanced-incar.co.uk/

or a company who used to trade as “Happy Dayz” but believe they have changed their name. They both specialise in retro fits for VW.