Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Topic: Power Tilt Back Up Camera (Read 1009 times) previous topic - next topic

Power Tilt Back Up Camera

March 16, 2013, 11:22:14 pm

Finally got the switch wired in to provide tilting the HD Back up camera. The project is far from over, because I still have to seal the area up and finish putting everything back together. But I put a little video on YouTube of the power tilt mechanism which I thought some might enjoy... I am using a linear actuator that I got from a guy in China that has a 2 inch stroke which seems to work just about perfect for this application. I made a piece of linkage on which I can adjust the angle and therefore adjust the actual stroke length of the camera movement. I am using a power window momentary rocker switch which reverses polarity to the linear actuator motor and therefore allows it to stop in any position. The actuator has a limit switch which stops at the end of each stroke and turns it off but you can stop at any place in between with the momentary switch. I will post more details pictures of the fabrication and install and do a write up on the project at a little later date when it's finished. I'm busy preparing to put the bottom skin on the utility compartment and that should happen tomorrow!
Power Tilt HD Back up Camera in 99' Foretravel
Don

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #1 – March 17, 2013, 07:01:13 am

Don,

That is just too cool!! I can see this being a future addition. What kind of $ are you talking about, and where did you locate the actuator?

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #2 – March 17, 2013, 07:23:53 am

I like it!.

Next you will have to figure out how to make it sweep side to side.

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #3 – March 17, 2013, 08:00:04 am

Side-to-side wouldn't be all that difficult, at least in theory. Mount everything to a frame on a pivot and add another actuator.

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #4 – March 17, 2013, 10:40:49 am

Terrific!!! How about source and pricing? Nice to have a lens with an optical zoom on it too. Great job. My garage is part way up now. Might be time to quit your job and team up for high end RV mods.

Pierce

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #5 – March 17, 2013, 11:33:07 am

Don. how does this vary to what some of us have now as far as tiltable cameras (other than the system for tilting).I can go from looking at hitch to over top of towed, and have sound too.
Now to finish it off you should make and put on the "Air Deflector" I have on mine as you want to keep that picture nice and clear and dry in the rain etc.
Nice job.
John H

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #6 – March 17, 2013, 01:23:51 pm

John I'm not sure of the differences because I've never seen a factory two position camera since ours did not come with that option. What I can say however, is that it looks like yours can see closer to the coach than mine can. Mine and see you within about 3 feet of the back of the coach or a little less and you can see in one of the pictures a trashcan that is about arm's length behind the coach with the camera in the down position. This will allow me to see where the towbar hooks up to the toad though not the hitch itself. However, with the zoom all the way out, you can see a section of the ladder and the entire cul-de-sac that the coach is parked in front of (pictures in another post). The other differences don't really have anything to do with the power tilt function of this camera, so much as just the nature of the camera itself and the resolution of the monitor which all ties into the "Forecomputer" part of this project. This camera features a native 1080P resolution, power zoom and one touch autofocus, 50 IR LED's for night vision, On Screen menu system for set-up, IP66 waterproof. These are all nice features, the only downside is that the camera is much larger than the stock cameras and so the mounting is a bit problematic, but I think I solved the issues well enough using stuff laying around. I have jury rigged a deflector/shade made made out of some roofing drip cap (this was a 2' piece that I cut off the trim for the bottom skin at the front bulkhead joint). What I would like to do eventually is have extreme fabricate a deflector out of fiberglass molded right into the rear cap.
Don

Quote from: John Haygarth – March 17, 2013, 11:33:07 am

Don. how does this vary to what some of us have now as far as tiltable cameras (other than the system for tilting).I can go from looking at hitch to over top of towed, and have sound too.
Now to finish it off you should make and put on the "Air Deflector" I have on mine as you want to keep that picture nice and clear and dry in the rain etc.
Nice job.
John H

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #7 – March 17, 2013, 01:38:11 pm

Thanks Pierce,
Here is a bit more info and some links;
Some more info and pricing;
Here is a link to the camera which currently sells for $239.85. The price seems to fluctuate a bit on the site... I think it was a little less when I bought it a few months back. This outfit seems very good to deal with providing great tracking & quick shipping. Initially I tried another outfit whose website doesn't even exist anymore, and they never sent the camera. Fortunately PayPal gave me a refund though it took a week or two.
Wholesale CCTV Security Camera - 1080p Surveillance Camera From China

The next link is the outfit which I bought the actuator from, also from China. You can find retailers on the Internet selling these in the states, although the price is a bit higher (and most if not all are still made in China). There was a hold up on the shipping from this guy as the container was seized in customs because of contraband that was also in the shipping container. Even so, it only took about 2 1/2 weeks to get here from the time I ordered it. This guy did respond to my queries and provided tracking information although it took a few tries to get the right number.
50mm (2 inch) stroke Mini Linear Actuator RYLA04A Linear Actuator [] - .50 :

The last link is the switch that I finally ended up using from Amazon. I actually purchased a few others on eBay but I didn't like the form factor or action of the momentary mechanism. This one seems perfect... Only downside is that it doesn't fit the knockouts for the other switches and I had to fabricate a plate to mount it in. I made the plate from an old miscellaneous piece of door lockset striker plate. In the picture of the switch you can see the retarder Joystick next to it. I also made a mounting plate of similar stock for it because I didn't like the wobbly mount of the original installation.
Power Window Rocker Switch 5 Wire Motor Reversing Control : Amazon.com :

I've taken some pictures which show the camera mounting a little more clearly. Realize that some of this is still provisional and as I finish the project I will likely make some changes. There is also a picture of the power tilt switch, and some shots that show the screen with the camera zoomed out in various degrees of tilt. As I mentioned to John and my previous post, you can see to within a little less than 3 feet of the back of the coach although it's a bit difficult to tell right now because of the slope behind where the coach is parked (it drops off close to 3 feet in 20'). In the photo with the camera set at the widest zoom and tilted down as far as it will go, you can see a portion of the ladder to the right (which is of course actually on the curb side). Of course the camera set for mirroring...
Don

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #8 – March 17, 2013, 02:33:38 pm

nice, mine is an add on by PO and is a "Voyager" with wide angle and sound. The colour pic is very clear on the 7" panel.
Nice to see you have something up on the back to deflect. It really does make a huge difference on both the camera and mainly keeping filter clean and dry. I had considered moulding one out of fibreglass etc but as clearance between lights and recess for this area is so small I opted for aluminum. May remove it and make out of polished stainless at some time.
John H

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #9 – March 17, 2013, 02:41:02 pm

Don,
Real nice and creative application. Did you use a 3M type double sided tape or screws & caulk to affix the rain deflector?

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #10 – March 17, 2013, 04:18:15 pm

I haven't actually installed as yet, it's just being held under the lip of the three clearance lights up there so I could assess whether or not it would be in the field of view and help with some reflections in the late afternoon sun. The dark section right above the camera is just some gaffers tape that I put there because it was reflecting the infrared LEDs back into the lens creating an issue with the night vision function. As it turns out since there is a streetlight right there, I just turned the night vision off and can see perfectly well at night in color. The drip edge will do the job in a pinch and doesn't look too Disney engineered, but I'm still considering other options as I move on other projects at the moment. I am convinced that there needs to be something up there performing that function. I am considering the 3M double-sided tape and or a couple of screws and some polyurethane but I haven't gotten there yet.
Don

Quote from: Peter & Beth – March 17, 2013, 02:41:02 pm

Don,
Real nice and creative application. Did you use a 3M type double sided tape or screws & caulk to affix the rain deflector?

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #11 – March 17, 2013, 04:21:10 pm

John, thanks for the info. Have you posted any pictures of your backup camera? I am curious about the tilt mechanism. Does it have just two positions, or can you stop at any point and it's travel? Mine can't see quite as close as yours, but at the top oh it's travel, it can go all way to the horizon no problem.
Don

Quote from: John Haygarth – March 17, 2013, 02:33:38 pm

nice, mine is an add on by PO and is a "Voyager" with wide angle and sound. The colour pic is very clear on the 7" panel.
Nice to see you have something up on the back to deflect. It really does make a huge difference on both the camera and mainly keeping filter clean and dry. I had considered moulding one out of fibreglass etc but as clearance between lights and recess for this area is so small I opted for aluminum. May remove it and make out of polished stainless at some time.
John H

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #12 – March 17, 2013, 04:34:48 pm

never posted anything as it is available online/stores etc so really did not see reason but will post a picture asap. Right now I am just finishing installing a16' x 9' powered screen at our commun' hall and high end projector for Family movie nights here. Have got our licence now (copyright law) and played Mama Mia for myself yesterday, fabulous, just like in the movie house.
Back to posting.
Yes it stops anywhere you want thru the arc it travels from hitch to above horizon + sound. Ideal if someone behind is directing you.
John H

Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches September 16, 2025 ...

Power Tilt Back Up Camera

March 16, 2013, 11:22:14 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #1 – March 17, 2013, 07:01:13 am

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #2 – March 17, 2013, 07:23:53 am

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #3 – March 17, 2013, 08:00:04 am

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #4 – March 17, 2013, 10:40:49 am

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #5 – March 17, 2013, 11:33:07 am

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #6 – March 17, 2013, 01:23:51 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #7 – March 17, 2013, 01:38:11 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #8 – March 17, 2013, 02:33:38 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #9 – March 17, 2013, 02:41:02 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #10 – March 17, 2013, 04:18:15 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #11 – March 17, 2013, 04:21:10 pm

Re: Power Tilt Back Up Camera

Reply #12 – March 17, 2013, 04:34:48 pm

Affiliate Notice