Hello everyone,
We are looking to replace the original rear monitor/audit display and camera system in our 1993 U280. I would like to mount it in the same locations as the old monitor. Any recommendations?
Contact Tim at RVcams. He is mentioned several times on the Forum here. On my 1990 he made it a plug and play operation. Worked perfectly and in HD color. Monitor, camera and all the correct cables and adapters.
Yup, Tim is THE MAN. Very familiar with Foretravels as well as monitors/cameras, etc.
Ian, if you're up for a road trip, we're in Ellis for the next several weeks. I replaced the original monitor several years ago. I think there might be a picture of the new setup in the album in the ad for our coach in the Classifieds, but you are welcome to come visit us and see what we have.
I used Tim as a source for our new rearview monitor. He sent parts along that would have allowed me to use the old wiring for the new camera and monitor. But I chose to run a new cable. Works like a charm. I still use the Javalina display for our tank monitor.
Great view with that one, what model was it.
Jimmy... The camera is a Voyager VCMS20B with viewing angles of H 109 deg, V 93 deg and D 145 deg. Not sure what all that means, but it does give a very wide view. I find the mirrors still give the best view except when someone is very close. Then the camera comes in. Also a great view of the towed.
Thanks. I'll check with Tim. Is the VCMS 20B wired or wireless? It looks like it has antennas when I google it.
The VCMS20B that I have is wired. The camera came with a cable that carries the video to the monitor and power from monitor to the camera. Truly "plug and play." It gets more complicated if you want to use the Javalina wiring, but Tim provides everything to do that too.
George
Here's what I used to replace the old camera and monitor. The monitor looks pretty good mounted in the original location on the dash using velcro, camera was easy to install and the picture quality is superb, even looking into the sun as pictured.
Amazon.com: NATIKA Backup Camera with Waterproof HD Night Vision Rear View... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075ZPNL7J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Pyle PLHR79 7'' Widescreen TFT Headrest Monitor | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pyle-PLHR79-7-Widescreen-TFT-Headrest-Monitor/262633018318?epid=710130300&hash=item3d2625d3ce:g:Z~wAAOSw9r1V-xKZ)
Since I was asked, my setup is (mostly) wireless. The camera is a wireless model that uses the 12vdc power that the old camera used. The monitor is a wireless one that gets power from a cigarette lighter plug.
I need to replace mine including running all new cabling. I sure like the idea of wireless. Please keep us up to date as to how its working and what brand unit.
Lon, why do you need all new cabling? I used my existing wiring and the picture looks great.
We've had it for almost as long as we've had the coach (six years), so I'd say we've tested it pretty well. One time, shortly after we got it, it didn't work coming back from a shop. Other things weren't working, either, and eventually I figured out that someone had turned the salesman's switch. The other time was a few weeks ago, when the monitor's power cord wasn't tight in the outlet.
Last year we traded our 2012 Jeep Liberty for a 2015 Lincoln MKT, which is the first car I've owned with a backup camera. I've noticed that both cameras have the same issue - poor picture when the sun is shining on the camera.
As for how I mounted the monitor, well, I'm cheap. Part of the package was a suction cup mounting bracket. I used that for a while as a stand while I tried the monitor in various places. I finally decided that putting it where the original monitor was located was the best solution. I removed the old monitor and discovered that it was mounted in a sloped aluminum stand. Hmm, would the suction cup work on that? Not really, but it told me I was on the right track. A few cable ties later the monitor was mounted. If I think I'd like it somewhere else it will take less than two minutes to remove it.
My coach suffered a refrigerator fire before I bought it, All the wiring behind and under it burned up including the rear monitor cabling. The rear monitor replacement was put on the back burner, but now has moved up to pretty soon/one of these days.
Though a few have reported problems with running the new cable all the way in the "D" channel at upper outer roofline, it has worked for many of us. Just use a fish and try from front to back.
Does that mean:
A. insert the fish from the front end, and pull the cable from the back end
OR
B. vicey versy
Could work either way, but on your vintage coach, access from the front is easier.