CAN bus interfaces

What is a vehicle CAN bus interface?

A vehicle CAN bus interface is a small module that reads signals off a vehicle's CAN data bus, such as road speed, reverse, indicators or ignition, and turns them into switched outputs. It lets you add equipment like cameras, parking sensors, trackers or lighting without splicing into the vehicle wiring.

If you are adding equipment to a modern vehicle, you will quickly find that the signal you need is no longer a wire you can tap. Reverse, road speed, indicators, ignition and dozens of other functions travel as messages on the vehicle CAN bus (Controller Area Network), the data network the vehicle uses internally. A CAN bus interface is the module that reads those messages and turns them into switched outputs you can actually use.

How it works

The interface takes a two-wire connection to the CAN bus, reads the message you need, and drives a configurable output when that condition is met. Put it in reverse and the interface can switch a camera on. Pass a set road speed and it can arm or mute a system. Because it reads the bus rather than cutting into the vehicle wiring, the native loom is left intact, and on vehicles under warranty it can read the bus with a no-cut inductive connection.

When you need one

You need a CAN bus interface any time you are fitting equipment that has to react to what the base vehicle is doing:

  • Reversing cameras and monitors that switch on with reverse gear
  • Parking sensors that arm at low speed and mute once you pull away
  • Trackers, tachographs, taxi meters and limiters that need a road speed feed
  • Beacons, chevrons and lighting that follow ignition, speed or indicators
  • Runlock, start-stop and power control for auxiliary equipment

One configurable platform, not a shelf of parts

A traditional approach uses a separate single-function box for each job, often split again by voltage. A configurable CAN interface reads the bus and drives its outputs to whatever the job needs, on 12V and 24V, so one module covers what used to be several part numbers. The CAN KONTROL range works this way: the module is named by the function it is configured for, so you can find the interface you need by what it does. If you are switching from a specific part, the cross-reference shows the equivalent.

Every module is designed and manufactured in the UK by Intellitec, part of Scorpion Group. Tell us the vehicle and the signal you need, and we confirm the module and configuration for the job.

What it readsVehicle signals on the CAN bus: road speed, reverse, indicators, ignition, lighting, RPM, doors, handbrake and more
What it outputsSwitched outputs your equipment can use, configured to the job
How it connectsA two-wire connection to the CAN bus, or a no-cut inductive reader on vehicles under warranty
Why use oneAdd equipment without cutting into the loom; one configurable module instead of a shelf of single-function parts

Frequently asked questions

What is a CAN bus interface used for?
It reads a signal the vehicle already carries on its CAN bus, such as reverse gear or road speed, and switches an output so you can trigger added equipment: a reversing camera, parking sensors, a tracker, a beacon, lighting or a safety system. It does this without tapping into the vehicle's own wiring.
What is the CAN bus on a vehicle?
The CAN bus (Controller Area Network) is the data network a modern vehicle uses to let its systems talk to each other. Functions like reverse, road speed, lighting and ignition travel as messages on this network rather than as individual wires, which is why you need an interface to read them.
Do I need a CAN bus interface or can I splice a wire?
On older vehicles you could often find a wire to tap. On modern vehicles the signal usually only exists on the CAN bus, so there is no wire to splice. A CAN bus interface reads the signal off the bus instead, which is cleaner, more reliable and safe for vehicles under warranty.
Will a CAN bus interface affect the vehicle warranty?
A properly fitted interface reads the bus without cutting into native circuits, and on vehicles under warranty it can use a no-cut inductive connection that leaves the loom intact. Tell us the vehicle and we confirm the right connection method.
Does one interface work on any vehicle?
The hardware is common across the range, but it is configured to the specific vehicle and the job. One configurable module covers many vehicles on 12V and 24V; you tell us the make, model and the signal you need, and it is set up for that.

Other CAN bus guides

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