I have been looking at my rear view camera to see why it isn't working. It is a Computar series 3500 camera. I checked and I have power on the 12 source at the camera so I am thinking the camera itself is toast. I have the audit 700 monitor up front and the tank level display works fine do I need a new camera or is there another check I should do?
Just a couple of ideas:
1. If you rig up a cable, you could feed the video output of the camera to the bedroom TV input.
2. And then to check the cable feed to the dash, you could send a video output (like from a VCR, DVR or another camera) into the cable and see if it shows up on the dash monitor.
Excellent quality color cameras from either HK or the mainland cost about $25 delivered. Ours has been installed for about four years and works well, day or night. Waterproof. No advantage to paying more.
Pierce
Even with a new camera you'll still have fogging in the little window, which is the problem I have in cold weather. I have to take the camera out, wipe the condensation off the inside of the little window, then put the camera back in. I can't see anything through the fogged up window. Also you'll still have a black and white monitor even with a new camera... so I think I'll just keep my old camera, just saying.
Funny--- My 1990 U280 camera still works great, while my 1996 U320 is toast. Go figure.
Since our replacement camera is waterproof, it extends outside a bit. No fogging at any time. Night vision is excellent. You do need a color monitor to take advantage of the resolution and color but those are also very inexpensive.
Pierce
I got one of these wireless or wired color rear view camera and 7" monitor as suggested by Pierce Stewart. It was like $62. I am amazed at the performance. Not high definition but way better than looking at gray shadowy things in the incumbent backup camera and monitor.
Thanks for the link, Pierce.
7" TFT LCD Car Rear View Backup Monitor Wireless Reverse Night Vision Camera... (http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-TFT-LCD-Car-Rear-View-Backup-Monitor-Wireless-Reverse-Night-Vision-Camera-Kit-/171395056526?pt=US_Rear_View_Monitors_Cams_Kits&hash=item27e7f1038e)
Roger
Thanks for the input guy's, I took out the camera and connected it to a 12 v battery to see if it would do anything and nothing happens,the lens dosn't do anything, the aperture opening does not move, etc,so I think it died,I called the place in Baton Rouge La that is on Barry Beams site and talked to a guy but needed to talk to Tim and he wasn't in.It;s not a big deal right now, My Peterbilt has had a vibration I have been chasing and it finally surfaced last week in Nashville,Tn when the flywheel wrung off all the bolts in the crankshaft pulling a hill on I-24W ,So after a 700.00 36 mile tow it's in the shop out there getting the bolts drilled out of the crank a new flywheel and clutch put in and hopefully will be ready sometime today, I'll drive the rental car back out there and pick up my truck and lick my wounds after I pay their bill. ''ouch'' I"m sure I'll have some hip displacement after my wallet is thinned out!!