RVCAMS model CHNV install

Topic: RVCAMS model CHNV install (Read 1641 times) previous topic - next topic

RVCAMS model CHNV install

April 23, 2011, 05:01:16 pm

The writeup Tim made for this camera and the price (1/2 that of the Voyager) made me go for it. Always listen to Tim! My 93 didn't have a BNC connector - the 95 did. So I had to scamper to Radio Shack to pick an adapter up.
I decided to not remove the old camera and mount this one under it. The old camera actually has slightly better picture quality but less wide angle - mainly due to the mounting depth. But the night vision just sucked!. I may remove it and blank it off in the future.
I added a stiffener behind - there's a pic of that too. Overall, very easy install. I know many want to mount theirs internal, but its actually still open to the environment, and the esthetics at 9 feet in the air aren't much of a concern to me.

More pics are in the album smg id=253 type=album - I couldn't figure out how to attach it!
Got a picture of the 'comin soon' furball in there too!

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #1 – April 23, 2011, 05:08:30 pm

pictures?

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #2 – April 23, 2011, 05:31:17 pm

Quote from: Tim Fiedler – April 23, 2011, 05:08:30 pm

pictures?

I think Dave and I were both trying to edit his post at the same time to fix the picture link, and they ended up getting cut off the original post. His photos are here

The selected media item is not currently available.

Michelle

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #3 – April 23, 2011, 05:35:55 pm

Thanks!
Here is another pic of the new camera - shows the improved width and depth of field. I will post a night pic later on.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #4 – April 23, 2011, 06:43:06 pm

What size is the monitor? Did you cut the hole in the dash to a larger size? It appears to be mounted in the dash with the bezel up tight against the dash. Is that indeed the configuration? Do the tank/voltage monitors display on the same unit?

The dash looks very similar to the dash in our 1997 model. Our camera system is getting pretty tired and it looks your upgrade would be a model for our system.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #5 – April 23, 2011, 09:33:24 pm

It is a larger ebay monitor - I cut a hole in the lower left corner to allow the cable to properly route. It's not properly 'indent' mounted - rather its 'clamped' to the panel. Here are two pics that show how it sticks out. It looks great this way.
The problem with all of these panels is that the panel is at the wrong angle for the driver to get a good picture.
I'm going to try fabbing a tilt mount to 'skew' the bottom and right side out up to an inch to angle the monitor correctly. I will probably try some high density foam I can carve and then cover with some green Naugahyde. There's very little room to manuever.
As promised, here's the night pic to make all the Javelina camera owners nuts. Since I mounted the camera below the original, I was able to run the cable in 'beside' the original camera. That means only two small mounting holes. Everything else was plug and play. Even the 12V power plug was the same.

Oh, and in this night pic I parked the car just about where the Tahoe would be if we were towing. So it should be angled a bit more to pick up the tow bar. This really is a great camera. When I asked Tim the difference between it ($154.00 shipped) and the Voyager ($299.00 plus shipping) he said the Voyager was built tougher.
I'm satisfied...

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #6 – April 23, 2011, 10:54:34 pm

Does it have the IR and does it have a switch for either straight or reverse image like the voyager?

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #7 – April 23, 2011, 10:55:19 pm

Sorry...I see it does have the IR.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #8 – April 23, 2011, 11:09:43 pm

It has IR, But needs a 'reversing' monitor - which mine and the Javelina do.

RVCams Backup Cameras and Rear View Systems: Color Backup Camera with IR and

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #9 – April 24, 2011, 12:07:26 am

Won't work for me. I bought the totevision but I bought the series without the dipswitches so reversing in on channel B which means that whenever you turn it on it is a blank screen and you have to push B to get either the camera or the Audit depending on the dash switch. I want to have the camera on channel A so that it is always on unless I push channel B for the Audit.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #10 – April 24, 2011, 08:16:27 am

What a timely post! Was going to speak to Tim about this system next week.

I'm in the same boat as Dwayne - don't have a reversing monitor on my 91 U225. The Totalvision monitor, while ideal for my setup, is about the same price as the camera/monitor package Tim is offering. If there was a way to reverse the Javalina Audit video, it would work, or alternately, get a dedicated tank level display monitor and ditch the Audit altogether. Going to get with Tim next week.

Thanks for sharing Dave.

Steve

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #11 – April 24, 2011, 09:43:12 am

On mine the Audit tank/compass and Camera inputs are still switched by the factory switch - so they both remain on AV1. The output from Audit is reversed for both signals and the monitor flips it back.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #12 – April 24, 2011, 09:49:42 am

You earlier coach doesn't have a switch to flip change audit inputs to the monitor? Both my 93 and my 95 did.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #13 – April 24, 2011, 02:00:54 pm

I ordered a camera/monitor a couple of weeks ago. They are from the same vendor as Pierce Stewart's, from Hong Kong. I paid about $100 for both the camera and the monitor in one package. I will let everyone know how they work as soon as they get here. I am pretty sure that the Javelina camera on the Grand Villa is completely different from the photos from Dave. I will probably follow Pierce's installation pattern.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #14 – April 24, 2011, 06:03:03 pm

Thanks for the credit, Kent! Here are photos of what Kent ordered after installation on my U300. The last photo shows my old Vanagon and the ladder I climbed up to make the installation. The camera installs from outside with the exception of the 12V and video connection. Please contact me with any questions. I will make a detailed installation post to the tech section in a few days. Stuff a towel into the camera compartment when grinding to countersink the tabs so they won't interfere with the cover plate. I spent 30 minutes cleaning Fiberglas dust out of the storage compartment and have to wash the bed linens now.

Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #15 – April 24, 2011, 06:32:08 pm

On my 92 there is a dash switch to toggle between audit and camera. There is an on/off switch also. The totevision I bought doesn't have dipswitches to set for straight or reversed view. There are "control wires" but Tim said not to use them. There are two inputs, A & B. A is always straight and B is always reversed (or visa versa). A is default setting when powered on. To use the dash switch with everything going through the Audit, you must hook up to input B. Then it works just like the old system. To turn the monitor on, the dash switch has to be on...then the power button on the totevision, which brings you to the default A input with a blank screen. Then you can push B on the totevision and toggle between camera and Audit from the dash switch. Once I get the correct camera for correct view as default when the system is powered up (on A), the dash switch to toggle between the camera and Audit will then be useless as the camera will no longer be running through the Audit on B. I may buy another camera at some point for the side view and run it through the Audit.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #16 – April 24, 2011, 09:21:51 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – April 24, 2011, 09:49:42 am

You earlier coach doesn't have a switch to flip change audit inputs to the monitor? Both my 93 and my 95 did.

Yes, I have the on/off switch for the monitor and the select switch for camera/tank levels. I don't have the compass or outside temp, although it appears I do have a temp sensor mounted at the bottom of the passenger side mirror.

Am trying for a low cost solution, but the monitor has to fit the available space in the dash, hence a 5.6 inch flush mount monitor. Trying for a setup like Dwayne's, but also trying not to spend any more than I need to.

Torn between name brands and offshore low cost stuff. My past experiences have shown you often get what you pay for, and I don't want to do it again in a few months time. Still trying to decide...

Steve

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #17 – April 24, 2011, 09:43:30 pm

Depends - mine had already had the color upgrade.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #18 – April 24, 2011, 09:51:07 pm

Quote from: Merle Hench – April 24, 2011, 09:21:51 pm

Quote from: Dave Head – April 24, 2011, 09:49:42 am
You earlier coach doesn't have a switch to flip change audit inputs to the monitor? Both my 93 and my 95 did.
/
Am trying for a low cost solution, but the monitor has to fit the available space in the dash, hence a 5.6 inch flush mount monitor. Trying for a setup like Dwayne's, but also trying not to spend any more than I need to.

Torn between name brands and offshore low cost stuff. My past experiences have shown you often get what you pay for, and I don't want to do it again in a few months time. Still trying to decide...

Steve

Steve, from my experience there is a huge price difference between the stuff specifically designed for RV's vs. the Chinese stuff. I bought mine, the Chinese stuff, from ebay about 2 years ago and used the old black and white Javelina camera on my U225. It worked well for me.

You can also mount the monitor in many other places than where the current CRT screen is. There are numerous posts on alternatives for backup systems and tank level gauges. Just search the archives and keep asking questions here on the Forum. The information you can get from this Forum can save you lots of bucks.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #19 – April 25, 2011, 06:29:36 am

Thanks Kent.

You're right - there is more than one solution to most any issue. Need to slow down and think it through - and search the archives further. Planning to add a trucker GPS soon, and trying to avoid screens all over the place. Would like to end up with a "factory installed" look as much as possible.

So much to learn, so little time.

Steve

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #20 – April 25, 2011, 10:56:40 am

Steve,

When you speak of "offshore" stuff, whether it has a name brand or not, 99% of the time it is made outside our country. Iphones, Macs, most PCs are all made in China. So it is very unlikely that a name brand video camera has an origin outside of Japan or China. Please don't take this as a personal jab, you have just given me a chance to stand on my soapbox. We all remember when Zenith, Motorola, RCA televisions were made right here. If we cut some of the tax credits for offshore sourcing, we might start to see "Made in the USA" on more products. And with a strong dollar, diesel might not cost $5/gal.

Pierce & Gaylie
93' U300/36

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #21 – April 25, 2011, 06:51:30 pm

Just received my $97, 7" LCD Monitor and Backup Camera. After hooking it up just to test it I can't believe the picture quality. Pierce, the camera looks identical to the one you used. The monitor appears to be a little different but it does do reverse picture and is crisp and clear. The whole shebang was $97 including shipping on eBay. It took 13 days to make it to Oklahoma from Hong Kong. I am getting my house ready for selling so I won't install it for a couple of months but it looks like a real bargain.

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #22 – April 25, 2011, 07:19:11 pm

Kent,

You with a new toy and not going to hook it up for a couple months....

Now, that's a bet I will take....You'll have it installed in less than 4 days...

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #23 – April 25, 2011, 08:02:02 pm

Jeffy, don't you remember the state of mind Carol was in last year when you were getting the house ready to sell. Do you really think I will risk the RATH of Peggy just to install a stinking camera?

Re: RVCAMS model CHNV install

Reply #24 – April 25, 2011, 08:03:46 pm

Kent,

YES

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