The backup camera in my coach was a low resolution camera (Panasonic) connected to some $100 radio using the Aux input for a camera. It was pretty bad in the daylight and useless at night as it had no IR lights to illuminate anything. While the original camera was hard wired from back to front, I was hoping to avoid running wires, so I thought I'd give a wireless system a try. I read good reviews about this system on Amazon, so it's the one I picked:
Amazon.com: AMTIFO A11 HD 1080P RV Wireless Backup Camera 10 Inch Monitor... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MJCJJJ5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
It has a large 10" 1080p monitor (with TF memory card slot for recording) and can view up to 4 wireless cameras. I chose the single camera setup above, to use as my backup camera, then I also purchased this license plate camera to be used for my hitch camera:
Amazon.com: AMTIFO H28 Wireless Licence Plate Camera compatiable with... (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B092Z7YFK9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Here's all of the parts that showed up 2 days later:
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109710;image)
The install manual tells you to check everything first, which I did. It all worked and the picture was very good. I even turned off the lights in the garage to see the picture with IR and that looked great too.
I installed the license plate camera on the license plate and ran the wire through the hole for the license plate lights. I made a notch for the wire in the corner of the license plate light hole, to be as unobtrusive as possible.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109712;image)
I wired the power/ground to the license plate light circuit, so to energize the camera, I just need to turn on the running or head lights.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109714;image)
[imghttps://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109716;image[/img]http://I then removed the intake grate where the stock camera was mounted.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109718;image)
I needed to open up the opening for the larger camera and IR leds to shine through.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109720;image)
Once again the trusty aluminum angle came into play as I made a mount for the new camera. I did have to squish the camera mount, to get the camera closer to the base for the smallest opening possible.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109722;image)
Installed the intake grate and dropped the power wire down the back of the coach into the engine compartment. For power, I chose to tap into the constant hot chassis power for the engine bay light. I put a 5a fuse inline and will likely remove the fuse if the coach is going to sit. I don't think there will be an issue with it being powered all the time, so while on a trip, I won't bother pulling the fuse.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109724;image)
Here it is poking out of the intake grate:
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109726;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109728;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109732;image)
I have not yet installed the monitor as I have a Ram Mount suction cup mount and arm on the way. I've decided to hang this from the front cabinet above the driver for easy viewing.
The screen can be set to display one camera, both cameras, 3, 4, scroll through, etc. In my application I'll leave it on the rear view until I need camera 2 to line up with a trailer.
One other thing...when the unit arrived, there was a bit in the manual that says if you email them with your Amazon order number and the link to the system you purchased, they will send you a free item of your choice. This can be a suction cup mount, 32GB TF card, cigarette lighter 3-way adapter or ANOTHER CAMERA. Needless to say, I believe my second camera is on the way. I'm thinking I may use that on the back of my camera for a way back view.
I'll post an update once I get the monitor installed.
Looks good. Looking for use feedback once it's finished.
Scott
Very interested in the process, but Keith's post does not show any pictures on my screen?
Am I missing something?
Regards
Klaus
Mine has several pictures in the body of the post
Very odd,
how do I get the post with pictures?
Regards
Klaus
Edited the original post.
Thank you, Keith
Thanks Keith as I have the same problem as Klaus
Pamela & Mike
Not sure what, but Steve will look at the issue later this evening. I also cannot see the photos.
OK, issue found and being worked on.
The problem is that the photos are hosted on an unsecure (http) site instead of a secure (http
s) site. Most browsers won't allow them to display since unsecure means the hosting site can be easily hacked. (I guess for some folks this might be a good time to upgrade your browser ;) )
Steve is working on a secure work-around for the forum software for those who prefer photo hosting sites to attaching or uploading photos directly.
I've edited my post and attached the pics instead of linking them. I'm not sure what the issue was originally, but the first post I made on the forum, when I attached pictures, they came up with green pixelation in them so I hosted them myself and linked them instead. All seems to be normal now, so I'll use the attachment feature instead.
As promised, here are the pictures of the monitor, now installed. I used a Ram Mount suction cup and arm, and purchased a mount off Amazon that would connect to the I-grip 4-prong style mounting slots in the back of the unit.
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109734;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109736;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109738;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109740;image)
(https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=42377.0;attach=109742;image)
We've seen that pixelation on some attached photos and haven't figured out what's causing it. Re-upload of the exact same file seems to go fine.
Thanks for re-attaching them (and now we have a new forum feature for future linking to hosted photos on http instead of https sites :) )
Just a bit of followup after 2 months.
- The main camera that came with the kit had issues after about 2-3 hours of drive time during our first trip after install. It would intermittently go off and come back on. On our return trip, it had the same issues after about 2-3 hrs of drive time. By the time we got home (about 5 hrs of constant use while driving), it had quit altogether. I informed the seller and they sent out a replacement camera at N/C, which was installed that week and has worked flawlessly ever since. This was the same design and mounting bracket as the free camera they had sent as a "gift", slightly different than the original that came with the kit (16 IR LED's instead of 4 larger ones, single screw hole for camera to bracket mount). I guess when it's coming from China, it's hit or miss.
- Hanging from just the suction cup mount was not good enough. There was some bounce to it when going over bumps, since the monitor was held off axis from the suction cup. I added a thin strip of 3M VHB double sided tape across the top of the monitor and stuck it to the cabinet above and have had no issues since. It's solid and doesn't move.
- Using the hitch camera takes a little getting used to. It seems there is about a 1-2 second delay in the picture, so you have to go slow to not overshoot your stop point. Works great otherwise.
- I decided to install a power switch to the camera. I did not want to have it wired to ignition so that I could use it at any time, even sitting still in a campground to see what is going on around me. I had originally wired it from the constant hot wire of the engine compartment light. Since the camera used the round 5.5mm x 2.1mm barrel connectors, I bought this switch from Amazom and mounted it in the closet, just below the camera. Now I can turn it off or on from inside the coach at any time. DC 12V Inline Switch - iCreating 2PCS Inline Toggle Rocker On Off Switch... (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0782JXQNP/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
Overall I'm very happy with the purchase. The hassles saved by not having to run wire the length of the coach is worth the slight lag in picture to me.
I am also planning to install that spare camera they sent me, on the back of my enclosed trailer, so I can see behind it while it's attached. When I get that done, I'll update the thread again.