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Topic: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach) (Read 871 times) previous topic - next topic

Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Just finished the install of new CHNV camera kit.
Recommended and bought from Tim at RVCams for $165.
After running new cable and remounting camera I enlarged the camera hole to eliminate the corners showing on the monitor.
Plug and play after that.
Used the Cable adapter under dash.
Yellow to monitor and run 2 wires to P/S relay compartment and picked up the 12VDC
I bought it for a better color resolution.
I dont drive at night but it has night vision in case.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #1 –
Regarding pulling new cable for your backup camera, I was wondering if you used the same path that the original cable used, and if so I would like to find out where it goes from inside the coach to down underneath. The original cabling in our coach for some reason comes out from below the driver's area  somewhere and goes up through the cable chase beside the driver's seat to the overhead through the cabinet into the TV area and then back down along the windshield into the dashboard area. I see no reason the cable should run up over the drivers side window and then back down along the windshield to get into the area of the monitor unless it was to avoid something which scrambles the video signal. I haven't been able to figure out exactly where the cabling exits the front of the coach and enters the cable tray down below yet, but I'm pretty sure that goes down the center of the through the cable tray to get to the rear of the coach. I have pulled in flex conduit all away from the camera area through the cable tray and have about 5 feet coiled up in the nook next to the diesel tank. I guess next I have to feed it over the diesel tank and propane tank area to get it to the front bulkhead area, but I haven't spotted where the various cable bundles enter up into the area underneath the instrument panel yet. Any clues?
Thanks, Don
Quote from: Barry Beam –
Just finished the install of new CHNV camera kit.
Recommended and bought from Tim at RVCams for $165.
After running new cable and remounting camera I enlarged the camera hole to eliminate the corners showing on the monitor.
Plug and play after that.
Used the Cable adapter under dash.
Yellow to monitor and run 2 wires to P/S relay compartment and picked up the 12VDC
I bought it for a better color resolution.
I dont drive at night but it has night vision in case.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #2 –
Quote from: acousticart –
Regarding pulling new cable for your backup camera, I was wondering if you used the same path that the original cable used, and if so I would like to find out where it goes from inside the coach to down underneath. The original cabling in our coach for some reason comes out from below the driver's area  somewhere and goes up through the cable chase beside the driver's seat to the overhead through the cabinet into the TV area and then back down along the windshield into the dashboard area. I see no reason the cable should run up over the drivers side window and then back down along the windshield to get into the area of the monitor unless it was to avoid something which scrambles the video signal. I haven't been able to figure out exactly where the cabling exits the front of the coach and enters the cable tray down below yet, but I'm pretty sure that goes down the center of the through the cable tray to get to the rear of the coach. I have pulled in flex conduit all away from the camera area through the cable tray and have about 5 feet coiled up in the nook next to the diesel tank. I guess next I have to feed it over the diesel tank and propane tank area to get it to the front bulkhead area, but I haven't spotted where the various cable bundles enter up into the area underneath the instrument panel yet. Any clues?
Thanks, Don
Don,
I don't know how the original camera cable was run.
I ran mine down the center cable trough coming out at the front and rear bulkhead areas.
from the front I tie wrapped it past the air tanks to the drivers side 1st bay door. I fished it up to the dash by removing the panel to the left of the pedals. In the rear engine compartment I ran the cable to the rear P/S tail light area. I found an opening going to the roof. I used a flexible rod to push up and the curvature of the roof allowed the rod to push it to the center where the camera was.

PS; The CHNV camera kit that I installed was reflecting the LED's back to the camera lens causing a Halo effect. I called Tim at RVCams and he promptly sent me another which did the same thing. He checked a few from that lot and determined he got a bad lot as all were doing it.
He has been very accommodating offering any solution I wanted including a different camera at a reduced price. But I am waiting to see if he can get a working one as I want this particular camera. Works great during the day.
 
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #3 –
Quote from: acousticart –
Regarding pulling new cable for your backup camera, I was wondering if you used the same path that the original cable used, and if so I would like to find out where it goes from inside the coach to down underneath. The original cabling in our coach for some reason comes out from below the driver's area  somewhere and goes up through the cable chase beside the driver's seat to the overhead through the cabinet into the TV area and then back down along the windshield into the dashboard area. I see no reason the cable should run up over the drivers side window and then back down along the windshield to get into the area of the monitor unless it was to avoid something which scrambles the video signal. I haven't been able to figure out exactly where the cabling exits the front of the coach and enters the cable tray down below yet, but I'm pretty sure that goes down the center of the through the cable tray to get to the rear of the coach. I have pulled in flex conduit all away from the camera area through the cable tray and have about 5 feet coiled up in the nook next to the diesel tank. I guess next I have to feed it over the diesel tank and propane tank area to get it to the front bulkhead area, but I haven't spotted where the various cable bundles enter up into the area underneath the instrument panel yet. Any clues?
Thanks, Don

Don,

I ran a 30' hdmi from the front to the salon wall on the passenger's side to where the new TV is. I went forward a couple of inches from where the old TV was up front and then drilled down with a hole large enough to get the hdmi cable end through it. It helps to have someone in the cockpit to feed it. A cable with a mesh outer layer feeds the best. Once you get the cable down underneath, you have to really be a contortionist to reach it and then feed it through the cable tray. You will need a pretty good light source, more than just a flash light. I used a welding rod with the cable taped to one end to push through some areas. Your body is different than mine so access to underneath will probably be a little different. Coax should be about the same.

I have run wires through the aluminum channel above the windows but wish I could see a cutaway to see exactly how it goes, etc.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #4 –
Thanks Barry! That's very helpful as usual... That picture of the cable bundles running up looks like what we have in our coach so I will check that out. Regarding the LED reflections, it must be a fairly common problem... Our new camera does it slightly and it's much more noticeable if the focus is off. It only affects the night mode, and when I turn the LED's off, the streetlight which is behind the coach is enough to give me good color rendition without any extra lighting. I figure while driving on the highway at night, the headlights of the cars behind will provide all the light necessary, but when backing into a dark campground spot at night, I believe the LED lights will be invaluable. The reflections from the LEDs are just barely noticeable when the camera is in focus, so I think I will probably just let it be. I bought the camera from Chinavasion at a great price and I have no idea what the support would be, but I doubt it would be equivalent to what you're getting!

Pierce,
I'm not quite the contortionist that I used to be many years ago, but I know what you mean! I have often found myself wishing on this project that my arms and hands were a lot skinnier... ::)
Here are a few pictures of the conduit and it's route from the rear of the engine compartment on up through to the cargo bay. I plan to pull some cat five wire from front to back as well as the HD-SDI COAX cable and some miscellaneous wires for future use. Though I will make use of a couple of the wires from the extra bundle discussed in another thread to control the cameras up-and-down movement. I am waiting on the arrival of a linear actuator from China so that I can wrap that project up... In the first picture on the left you can see a separate conduit run that goes to the overhead area where the camera is. I did this because the extra wire bundle is in that location and that's where I'll be sending wires up through to the camera and I'll be pulling the COAX and Cat 5 all way from the front on through that as well.
Don

Quote from: Barry Beam –
Don,
I don't know how the original camera cable was run.
I ran mine down the center cable trough coming out at the front and rear bulkhead areas.
from the front I tie wrapped it past the air tanks to the drivers side 1st bay door. I fished it up to the dash by removing the panel to the left of the pedals. In the rear engine compartment I ran the cable to the rear P/S tail light area. I found an opening going to the roof. I used a flexible rod to push up and the curvature of the roof allowed the rod to push it to the center where the camera was.

PS; The CHNV camera kit that I installed was reflecting the LED's back to the camera lens causing a Halo effect. I called Tim at RVCams and he promptly sent me another which did the same thing. He checked a few from that lot and determined he got a bad lot as all were doing it.
He has been very accommodating offering any solution I wanted including a different camera at a reduced price. But I am waiting to see if he can get a working one as I want this particular camera. Works great during the day.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #5 –
Hum...I wonder if a remote (wifi routed) camera system might be easier to install. Assuming there is such a thing
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #6 –
Certainly there are wireless backup camera systems available that include the cameras and monitors. They do not use Wi-Fi however, or net cam technology in general because that would induce too much latency in the image. I have had a fair amount of experience with wireless technology, and I much prefer the reliability of wired systems over wireless whenever possible. Obviously, installation is much easier with the wireless systems though... Which continues to make them an attractive choice for somebody who needs that.
Don
Quote from: Jim Frerichs –
Hum...I wonder if a remote (wifi routed) camera system might be easier to install. Assuming there is such a thing
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #7 –
I have replaced the rear camera on my 2001 U270,  routed the cable in the channel below the roof on the drivers side  that the original cable is routed thru, This is the curved aluminum extrusion that is molded into the roof assembly.  access at the rear is a pain, it is behind the engine air inlet.  at the front the opening is forward and to the left of the corner tv cabinet.  A long fiberglass fish tape will snake from the front to the rear.  After pulling the cable from the rear to the front, route it back under the upper compartment false floors and down the side wall channel that is to the rear of the drivers seat, then forward under the left console to the new screen. 

Al
No Photos, I was in a rush to get out of town
Leisure Travel
Unity (MB)
2009 Smart Car

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #8 –
Thanks for the info! I'm not sure if our coach shares that same construction feature, but I can't imagine that they made that major a change between 1999 and 2001 so I will definitely check it out! Definitely worth a karma... ^.^d
Don
Quote from: Westwinds –
I have replaced the rear camera on my 2001 U270,  routed the cable in the channel below the roof on the drivers side  that the original cable is routed thru, This is the curved aluminum extrusion that is molded into the roof assembly.  access at the rear is a pain, it is behind the engine air inlet.  at the front the opening is forward and to the left of the corner tv cabinet.  A long fiberglass fish tape will snake from the front to the rear.  After pulling the cable from the rear to the front, route it back under the upper compartment false floors and down the side wall channel that is to the rear of the drivers seat, then forward under the left console to the new screen. 

Al
No Photos, I was in a rush to get out of town
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #9 –
Quote
Just finished the install of new CHNV camera kit.
Recommended and bought from Tim at RVCams for $165.
After running new cable and remounting camera I enlarged the camera hole to eliminate the corners showing on the monitor.
Plug and play after that.


Barry,

Sorry, think I missed something. Why the new cable? What was wrong with the old cable?

Bob

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Bob McGee –
Barry,
Sorry, think I missed something. Why the new cable? What was wrong with the old cable?

Bob

Different connections on the ends and I don't like to splice. It was also suggested by Tim at RVCams for the best picture. Since I was running some others I just did it at the same time.
Me and the underbelly of this coach have become quite attached.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #11 –
We ran a dozen different types of new wires from the front street side corner to the rear engine area to connect to a variety of new items. When we added a second rear camera we needed to run a new cable from engine area up to top of rear cap.

Our method was to open the bedroom camera access, tie a large nut to the end of a long string and maneuver the nut to the top of the vertical air intake tube in the street side rear corner. Letting the weighted string end drop down, we recovered it at the bottom of the air tube and pulled up a new cable.

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #12 –
I happen to have a 50' x 3/16" nylon fish tape. Unfortunately, even after numerous tries, I couldn't get past about the 25 footmark... just curious, did you pull out the old cable first before you did that? Also, did you pull cable that already had connectors on it? All my stuff is using BNC's and if I can't get even the fish tape through there, I don't think BNC would survive the trip. Of course, I could always cut the connector often put a new one on but that would necessitate me buying a tool that fits the miniature hi-res COAX cable. The size of that aluminum extrusion would make it seem that there is plenty of room to get any number of cables through there, however I suspect there are bolts which hold the aluminum superstructure to the steel side framing. I did verify that the original cable does run through that route along with the wire from the switch in the dash, before I had mistakenly believed it went alongside the windshield along with the CD changer cable. And looks at this point like I may end up taking the low road through the conduit which I have already run. At least I know I can get my fish tape through that!
Don
Quote from: Westwinds –
I have replaced the rear camera on my 2001 U270,  routed the cable in the channel below the roof on the drivers side  that the original cable is routed thru, This is the curved aluminum extrusion that is molded into the roof assembly.  access at the rear is a pain, it is behind the engine air inlet.  at the front the opening is forward and to the left of the corner tv cabinet.  A long fiberglass fish tape will snake from the front to the rear.  After pulling the cable from the rear to the front, route it back under the upper compartment false floors and down the side wall channel that is to the rear of the drivers seat, then forward under the left console to the new screen. 

Al
No Photos, I was in a rush to get out of town
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #13 –
For getting up from the engine to the camera area, I was able to use a metal fish tape from the top and work it down through to the bottom by the air cleaner, then I just push fed up some half-inch plastic flexible conduit over the metal fish tape. The metal fish tape worked to guide the flex conduit up the chimney of the intake (outside of the actual air intake piping of course) and around the corner all the way up to the camera area. I have used that nut trick, or alternatively a short lengths of chain to run pull string in old walls.

I also ran some conduit from each side of utility compartment up through to the front of the cargo area just past the front of the cable tray. The curbside one will be to run wires from the sensor to where I want to mount the inside monitor for the Seelevel tank gages. There is also conduit that goes across from the curbside to the street side in utility compartment for the second sea level monitor. Running wires through that area is certainly much easier with the tanks removed... ::) though with conduit in place and it a pull string left behind, future upgrades should go much faster even with the tanks in place. I plan to add a second rear camera down low at the bumper level (not an HD camera like the main one) for tight spaces, what do you use your second camera for? Is that one of the recording drive cams?
Don
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
We ran a dozen different types of new wires from the front street side corner to the rear engine area to connect to a variety of new items. When we added a second rear camera we needed to run a new cable from engine area up to top of rear cap.

Our method was to open the bedroom camera access, tie a large nut to the end of a long string and maneuver the nut to the top of the vertical air intake tube in the street side rear corner. Letting the weighted string end drop down, we recovered it at the bottom of the air tube and pulled up a new cable.
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #14 –
All of our new cables were not terminated, except for two small diameter coax with RCA male ends, We laid all of the cables on the ground and put them in one long split loom and then went to work pulling by hand from the rear. Cables were a mix of twisted pairs, jacketed, coax, etc. Some had a planned use, but most were spares.

We ran the wires and did the 2nd camera about 8 years ago. Original factory camera looked down on tow car and we wanted a rear driving view of the road behind us. So we found an inexpensive camera, put it into a homemade PVC pipe and attached to roof railing and aimed over car. I used a DPDT switch to switch cameras to dash monitor, then covered the switch in grounded aluminum foil to create a shield around the insulated & soldered switch connections.

We may replace the rear cameras with a motorized camera someday. But maybe your idea is better to have a rear facing drive cam? I have heard of mobile DVRs that can record video, date & time from several cameras that could be placed all around the motorhome, but we probably will not go that far.
 

Re: Wire routing for new backup camera (split from Re: What did you do to your coach)

Reply #15 –
Don
I left the old cable in the extrusion.  If your fish tape will not go all the way, try the right side extrusion.  The bedroom tv cable is routed in the right side extrusion.

Al
Leisure Travel
Unity (MB)
2009 Smart Car