Drove in the other night from New mexico arriving about 10;30. Noticed the the driving lights are really bad but what I noticed the most was that the rear camera was black and I could not see the tow car except when a street light was present. Is this right? or should this camera have night vision??? I thought I could see the tow car at night but not on this coach. Tks DAN
I replaced our original camera (and monitor) with one that was IR equipped. Can see the toad very well at night.
Dan
Take a look next to the lens. It should have somewhere around a dozen/two dozen LEDs close to it. Our $35 color camera from Hong Kong has an even better image of the RAV at night than it does by day.
Pierce
I am going to take a look at replacing the camera and monitor. suggestions?? TYks DAN
Dan,
Probably the most knowledgeable about both cameras and monitors:
RV.cams. Tim Lazaroe. 877-378-2267. Tim@RVCams.com
RVCams Backup Cameras and Rear View Systems Backup Camera Systems (All) (http://www.rvcams.com/Default.htm)
Dan, if you have a Javellina System there should be a rheostat, a little knob, that lightens and darkens the picture on your dash next to the controls. Both of my 93's have provided an adequate picture of the towed even on very dark nights. If the knob doesn't lighten it, it may just need a new rheostat for under $10.
Dan,
Here is the monitor/camera I used. Less than $100 delivered. Takes a couple of weeks for delivery. Have used it for a couple of years now. U.S. companies put their own stickers on the same cameras and charge a lot more. Mine took a couple of hours to install and a couple more to get the mount and external plate designed and painted. I used the existing wiring instead of the wires shown in this particular item.
CAR REAR VIEW 7" TFT LCD MONITOR + CCD IR REVERSING CAMERA BACKUP SYSTEM | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/CAR-REAR-VIEW-7-TFT-LCD-MONITOR-CCD-IR-REVERSING-CAMERA-BACKUP-SYSTEM-/221117979752?pt=US_Rear_View_Monitors_Cams_Kits&hash=item337ba89c68)
Pierce
I bought the same setup as Pierce. I haven't installed it yet but I have tried it. I seems to work great. The one caution is that if the camera has LED night vision enhancement, don't place it behind a plexiglass panel as the light will reflect back into the camera lens.
The IR lighting took me some getting used to, I thought there was some extra lights on the rear of the coach the first time I backed it into my garage at night, had to get out and look where the light was coming from :o Nothing visible, wow!
Love the night lighting with color too. Amazing stuff.
Dave M
Kent makes a good point about plexi. The camera is sealed and needs nothing to protect it. As you can see from the post, mine sticks out about a quarter inch past the white plate.
Yes, you get a lot of weird effects from the camera at night. A bit like wearing night vision goggles.
Pierce
I had the OEM system that came on the 1999 and 2000. Seemed pretty good.
MOT put on a new camera and moniter last year (they got the parts from TIm at RVCAM) WOW!!!! night and day. should have done it far earlier. In the day time, I can see the chairs I hang on on my ladder, the complete tow hitch, althe way back pst the toad so I can easily tell when I am past anyone I am passing (i know.....) plus about 3-4 feet either side of toad. And at night, with the IR, it seems like day.
Sooooo much beter than OEM. right up there with flat tv upgrades, headlight conversions, and Koni's, but not a lot of $$$
As Nike says, "Just do it"
Now, if I can just find a place to put on a resonator.........
We have purchased systems twice from Tim in the past for our previous motorhomes. Nice products and great customer service.
D&D
Now, if I can just find a place to put on a resonator.........quote from Tim
Tim, it goes on the exhaust pipe after you have taken the old muffler off :P :P :P
John H
OK, finally I can go do this!
looking foe someone to work on 5" truck exhaust - this year it is resonator and MCD shaes for front and entry door, maybe step.
Tim, You can use doing the resonator for a reason to come to Miami. My local shop did a great job on mine. He looked at it one afternoon called me the next day with a quote. for 550.00 and did it the next day. It was ready in about 2hr.s.
Phil
I may be down that way for the Homestead NASCAR race - If so I may need that shops name and address, could you provide?
Thanks!
Let me know if your are headed down. I will be happy to give you the info and may be able to park you for a few days. We are about 20 min. from the speedway.
Phil