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Backup Camera Modification

November 27, 2016, 10:35:14 pm

Day 1
I removed the old Javalina monitor.  It was a challenge.  I used the Javalina mounting studs to hold the new monitor via a mounting base plate I made from the Javalina mounting bracket.  I also utilized the hole from the old monitor dimmer to run a audio cable from my GPS to the Voyager audio input.  I made the hole a little larger and put a grommet for the audio cable.

Day 2
Well today It was part 2 of the backup camera install. I removed the camera holder plate through the access panel in the bedroom.  I had to basically cut the old camera mount from the plate and knocked out the glass.  I then punched out the hole using an electrical panel punch and die set, cleaned up the weld and installed the camera.  Everything works and looks great!  Simple but time consuming installation.

Everything was purchased from RVCams.com, Tim Lazaroe.  They are familiar with our Foretravels and the Javalina System and supplied me with everything I needed to install the entire system.  Initially they had offered me a 7" monitor but I decided to use 5.6" monitor because it was not going to interfere with any of my dash switches.  The Monitor is AOM562HD Heavy Duty Voyager 5.6" LCD Monitor w/Audio.  The Camera is VCCYL37 Voyager Color Keyhole Camera w/CCD Image Sensor and Mirrored Image.

Very happy with the entire install. Sorry the pictures are not in correct order.

John M.

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Re: Backup Camera Modification

Reply #1 – November 27, 2016, 10:55:40 pm

Thanks, John.

Nice job.

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Reply #2 – November 28, 2016, 10:47:36 am

I learned that the existing CRT monitor is actually color if one hooks a color camera up to it.  Need a reverse image camera though.

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Reply #3 – November 28, 2016, 11:09:11 pm

Good looking job, John. Your post makes the upgrade look almost possible and encourages the novices like me to try it out. Very well said and easy to read. Thanks. P

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Reply #4 – December 01, 2016, 10:38:35 am

John, question:

I disconnected the camera housing today and found my camera was plugged in by a 3 pin connector that I've never seen before.  It looks almost like a mini microphone XLR connection.  I assume you had the same connector?  Pictures of the wire and housing are below.

Did your new camera from Tim come with this same female 3-pin connection that the old one had (see picture #2, below)?  If not....did Tim provide you with an adapter, or did you splice the wires?

I would like to find an adapter to a new camera, if possible - but I've been unable to figure out what this 3-pin connector is called to look it up.  Does anyone have any idea?

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Reply #5 – December 01, 2016, 01:07:31 pm

James,
When you remove the old monitor it will be connected to the Javalina system via a BNC cable connection.  You will connect the new monitor video there with the connectors Tim supplies and the monitor power to the 12v connection of the old monitor after you remove the power supply. 

On the Javalina you can cut the BNC cable off and save it.  You will use that in the rear.  If you follow the cable from the camera down to where they split you will see the connections where it is spliced.  I cut each individually. The print identifies your wire colors.  You have a shield going to chassis ground and a red, those are the camera power and ground, then you have a coax shield and a white and those go to your camera input. I spliced the BNC cable wires at those connections.  Tim will give you the needed connectors for that cable, a BNC to RCA adapter and the you plug the the yellow camera video output there. You won't need the old plug.

What camera and monitor are you using?
John M.
P.S.  You can call me at 7794355034 for further questions.

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Reply #6 – December 02, 2016, 06:59:22 am

That is great to know, thanks!  I didn't follow the three pin connector more than foot, I was just going to cut/separate/splice right from that 3-pin connector wire, so it's good know that the wires are already separated a little further back.  Do you know about how many feet of wire it is until they split?

I actually haven't purchased a camera yet:

When I purchased the coach in October, I wasn't sure if the Javelina computer was still working because the original monitor was burned out / grey-screened.  So I bought a cheap $30 TFT LCD 5" Monitor (what an ordeal to get that original monitor removed!) and found that the computer was still working, but the tank levels would only display for 15 seconds or so before the javelina computer 'got too hot' and these faded out.  So it looks like the computer is on its last legs.  Similarly, the backup camera works but I found the day/night picture difference in the camera was extremely poor - looks like 'sun burn out?' - so I think I will buy a cheap camera to see if that's the problem, and leave it there until the Javelina computer burns out.  At that point I'll be replacing the tank level sensors too and it would be a good time to install a more permanent monitor/camera solution.

And just as importantly, there are still other fish to fry that will require some money thrown at the problem (Read: Bad house batteries, aftermarket wiring that appears to be far too thin, etc.), so a permanent solution here will have to take a back seat.

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Reply #7 – December 02, 2016, 08:06:38 am

The cable from the camera isn't very long.  You can see it from the inside of the cabinet in the bedroom.  In the cabinet you have to remove a center cover at the base of the cabinet which has a screw at every corner and the the back panel to the camera area the you will have a good view of all the connections at the base of the cabinet.  I don't know if you removed the access panel at the base of the cabinet which is over all of the accessories over the head of the bed.  Hope this helps.

John M.

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Reply #8 – December 02, 2016, 08:28:45 am

Ah yes I see, I only removed the back wall camera access panel, not the base access panel.  I will do that today and take a closer look before I buy the camera.

Thanks for your help, John.

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Reply #9 – December 02, 2016, 04:01:23 pm

Great info. Clean install.
I have done two, mine and a friend's U270. I have also converted several other coaches too.We took the cheap route. Bought a color camera on Ebay for $30.00 delievered, just mounted it outside over the old one. Ran the wires through the vents. Cut the wires, trimmed back and spliced them. Most camera's have RCA's on the end. I just took an old RCA video cable, to splice on. You can get the camera's from Amazon too.
In the cab, I left the old monitor in, and Velcro'd a new 7" LCD over it. I also got that on Flee Bay for $30.00 delivered. Same deal, cut the plug off, and spliced a RCA on, used the old switch and power wires to work it. Looks factory, and is awesome in color. Only issue is, the monitor can be changed to correct the camera for the correct direction, but then the tank gauges have to be switched when you look at them. No worries, I can read them backwards!
The LCD monitor has 2 video inputs with audio. On our old coach I ran RCA's from the satellite receiver. I could switch inputs, then I could glance at stuff going down the road. Our satellite is in-motion. But I think I am going to hook another wireless camera to the back of our race car trailer, so I can see what's going on back there when we tow it. Normally the wireless camera's have a crappy picture, but for tempory use it should be fine.
Amazes me how cheap all this stuff is on Ebay now.
Cheers
Chris

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Reply #10 – February 01, 2017, 12:54:40 pm

I replaced the Javelina Monitor years ago, and now am replacing the rear view camera with a Voyager VCCS 150, which was recommended by Brett. The Voyager is colour, has night vision and sound, while the OEM camera, which is the same as the picture in reply #4, does not. The OEM camera is sealed into a 1.5 inch aluminum square tube, which is welded to the engine air supply cover. Has anyone dismantled and re-used the OEM camera? I would like to use it as a passenger side view camera. Perhaps, with inexpensive cameras available today it would be better just to buy a new camera!

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Reply #11 – February 01, 2017, 01:31:31 pm

Wyatt, the best I could see from the OEM camera was gray and a bit lighter gray.  Tried it on my new monitor and it was about the same,  cut the old camera off the vent plate and mounted my new camera to the vent plate on the outside.  I got a side camera from Tadi Bros.  Works well, infared, HD.  White body costs more than black ?

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Reply #12 – February 01, 2017, 01:33:01 pm

I actually used an angle grinder to cut open the sealed aluminum box - but the camera's mounting to the wire connection points had been there so long that a nice firm mechanical weld was in place.  When it didn't come lose after 10 minutes of liquid wrench and gentle prodding, I grabbed the angle grinder and removed the camera the easy way.  Needless to say - did not re-use.

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Reply #13 – February 01, 2017, 02:18:50 pm

Roger:
My OEM camera works fine and I have been using it, however, it does not have colour, sound or night vision. I wonder why yours failed, perhaps the seal was leaking and let moisture in. When I pressed the schrader valve there was a pisst, so mine was still sealed.
I will cut the welds with a saw and see what happens.

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Reply #14 – February 01, 2017, 06:19:29 pm

No idea Wyatt, we bought the coach from the original owner who had it for 10 yrs in CA. It never worked.  If the light was just right you could see a ghost image of the Jeep behind us. Played with all of the wires but nothing seemed to work.  So we put  in a dual rear camera, one looking more down and the other back and the rt side camera. All Color, all hd, works at night, there is an audio cable but I didn't hook it up.  The long rear and ft side cameras come on in reverse or when the rt turn signal is on.  They make a forward looking camera as well.  Might be interesting for parking.  I still depend on Susan for the final say maneuvering in campgrounds.

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Reply #15 – February 01, 2017, 06:54:11 pm

I used a mitre saw and cut the welds, then chisel + hammer and camera inside the sealed piece of aluminum square tubing was free in 10 minutes. I experimented with hanging it on the back and may use it for a view of the hitch and latter for backing up. 

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