Backup camera

Topic: Backup camera (Read 1429 times) previous topic - next topic

Backup camera

April 01, 2015, 03:42:23 pm

Working on the coach today to replace the backup camera, after getting to the camera the wiring has been spliced ti a camera with a tiny 3 pin connector, the camera has been welded to the rear intake grill, has anyone seen this, I guess a call to RV Cam's is next.
Bill and Doris 97 u270

Re: Backup camera

Reply #1 – April 01, 2015, 03:58:03 pm

Take pictures as you go if possible? This is on my soon-to-be-tackled list, so anything you can share in terms of what the problems/solutions are, would be greatly appreciated. :-)

Re: Backup camera

Reply #2 – April 01, 2015, 04:43:37 pm

Doesn't sound OEM to me.

Craig

Re: Backup camera

Reply #3 – April 01, 2015, 04:50:25 pm

It sounds like you have the original camera / rear air intake that many including our coach have. There are few that have re-engineered a new camera to the rear side of the air intake, with details explained on BeamAlarm or Foreforums. Many others have mounted a new camera to the outside of the air intake.

Re: Backup camera

Reply #4 – April 02, 2015, 01:11:21 am

Hi Bill. I am also replacing my camera and the monitor as well, with color capable equipment. The existing camera on my unit was also welded to the intake grille. I removed the camera using a dremel tool with the thin cutting disks. The materials are aluminum and they cut and filed easily. The photos show what I did.

1. After measuring the new camera, I marked the desired new opening pattern on the face of the grille.
2. I cut through the grille, from the finished side, on four sides of the opening, following the pattern.
3. I filed down the corners of the welds on the back to meet the saw kerfs. The camera housing was welded on the sides only.
4. The camera housing, with camera, easily popped out.

The first photo shows the way the original camera was mounted in the grille. The second photo shows the weld and the saw kerf coming through from the finished side. The third photo shows the existing camera positioned above the new opening in the grille. The fourth photo shows the new camera inserted in the resized opening in the grille.

Note that the new camera lens is surrounded by 18 LEDs. I temporarily installed the system for testing. It works great. The LEDs, though barely visible at night, put out enough light to show an amazing image on the monitor. The night time image is well defined for about 40 feet behind the motor home.

The test revealed that the camera angle that I was going to use is to low, so I will have to reshape the openings in the grille so the camera can be aimed about 30 degrees higher, like the original camera. (Note the original camera is mounted at an angle to the backside of the grille.) I will have brackets welded to the back side of the grille to screw the new camera to.

Gary

Re: Backup camera

Reply #5 – April 02, 2015, 10:04:41 am

Nice write up, thanks Gary!

Re: Backup camera

Reply #6 – April 03, 2015, 10:15:19 am

Great write up Gary, what is the best and easiest way to remove the monitor from the dash. let me know how you repaired the camera wiring in the back.
Thanks Bill

Re: Backup camera

Reply #7 – April 03, 2015, 03:29:39 pm

My first thought was to replace the existing monitor with the new one (for esthetics), which would require either surface mounting over the existing monitor dash opening or cutting a larger opening in the dash to enable flush mounting. After receiving the new monitor and camera I experimented with placement of the monitor and decided that I preferred mounting the monitor elsewhere. I never liked the location of the existing monitor anyway. It is low in the dash and, in my case, behind the right side of the steering wheel. I had to move my head to the right and look down to see the monitor. I have not decided on the best location for the monitor (I tried in the dash, various locations on top of the dash, and a couple of locations above the windshield). I have the monitor temporarily mounted above the windshield, centered on the steering wheel, because at this time that seems to be the best location. Therefore, I have not removed the original monitor. For now it will serve its original intent, minus the review camera function. I will post a photo showing the location of the monitor later. The coach will be in storage until I have the parts to complete the camera installation.

I do not believe that it will be difficult to remove the existing monitor. I had to remove the right dash panel last year to repair damage done by a thief that broke into the coach and, among other things, stole the dash radio. He bent the panel while removing the radio. It would be easy to extricate the monitor with the dash panel removed. However it, may be possible to remove the monitor without completely removing the dash panel.

My monitor/camera system came with a length of cable which I used for testing but will not be installed at this time. I ordered another camera (to serve as a passenger side rear view mirror) and splice kits from the equipment manufacturer. The splice kits will be used to adapt the existing wiring to the new camera. The splice kits will have a bayonet connector on one end (to connect to the camera) and plain wires on the other end to be soldered to the existing conductors. There are four connections to be made.
1. The 12 volt dc power supply. (On my coach this is a separate white wire that runs parallel to the coax cable.)
2. A chassis ground. (On my coach this is a short uninsulated wire that is attached to the chassis near the camera location.)
3. The video signal wire. (The center wire in the existing coax cable)
4. The coax cable shield. (Also a ground)

My camera has 5 wires. The fifth is for an audio signal. The camera has a mike and the monitor has a speaker. It worked well during testing; I could hear my wife's voice from the monitor when she was standing behind the coach, but there is no fifth wire in the existing system so that function will not work at this time. However, there are some extra wires that run from the engine compartment to the dash. I have already used one to operate the toad brake light that I added to the dash. As time permits I may find a way to get one of those spare wires up to the camera area. Although not necessary, it would be nice to have the speaker function.

Gary

Re: Backup camera

Reply #8 – April 03, 2015, 04:48:02 pm

Thanks Gary, I will report back when I get the new camera kit from RV Cams.

Re: Backup camera

Reply #9 – April 03, 2015, 08:56:38 pm

I finally decided to leave the old monitor for the audit system and add a larger one from RV Cams to use with the replacement backup camera. With this one I can split the screen between the rear camera and the Silverleaf display. Also there are two more ports so I can add side cameras if I ever decide to.

As you can see I used a "rural Grady County" method to attach the new monitor to the mount that formerly held the original navigation monitor.

I've been real pleased with the location and the size of the monitor.

Re: Backup camera

Reply #10 – April 04, 2015, 01:33:39 pm

Quote from: Johnstons – April 03, 2015, 08:56:38 pm

As you can see I used a "rural Grady County" method to attach the new monitor to the mount that formerly held the original navigation monitor.

Rick

I love your 'rural Grady County' sense of humor....

Mike

Re: Backup camera

Reply #11 – April 04, 2015, 03:04:43 pm

Mike, you guys need a trip to Chickasha

Re: Backup camera

Reply #12 – April 04, 2015, 03:56:04 pm

OK camera Guru's when changing the camera and monitor, will the dash switch to switch between tank view and camera still work.
Thanks Bill

Re: Backup camera

Reply #13 – April 04, 2015, 04:11:57 pm

If your camera coax is still plugged in to the Audit Monitor brain which switches between the tanks and the camera, it will. The coax comes from the camera directly to the Audit control unit and then there is a short piece of coax that runs to the monitor. At least that is the way it was on ours before I engineered the system

Don
edit: I should add that the writing and camera directions will be reversed unless your monitor has reverse image function and it is switched on. Cameras also often have the image reversal function, so that has to be set correctly as well.

Quote from: Bill Willett – April 04, 2015, 03:56:04 pm

OK camera Guru's when changing the camera and monitor, will the dash switch to switch between tank view and camera still work.
Thanks Bill

Re: Backup camera

Reply #14 – April 04, 2015, 04:31:55 pm

I replaced the monitor on mine, much better picture. The only problem I have is that reversing the picture for the backup camera also reverses the display for the monitors. Since I'm dyslectic, it looks ok to me !

Re: Backup camera

Reply #15 – April 04, 2015, 08:34:57 pm

Thanks everyone and Happy Easter.
Bill and Doris

Re: Backup camera

Reply #16 – April 18, 2015, 11:52:18 pm

Hi Bill,
I finally completed the installation of the replacement back up camera, a passenger side rear view camera, and a new monitor. I thought that you might be interested in looking at some photos showing the work. The photos show the the backside of the back up camera taken from the overhead cabinet above the bed, an exterior photo of the new camera installed in the air intake grille, the new passenger side rear view camera, and the new monitor located above the helm. The photo shows the monitor where I first mounted it. I subsequently lowered the monitor about 3 inches.

The control buttons on the monitor are just out of reach, but a small remote control was furnished with the monitor so I don't need to push the buttons. The remote will sit on the dash within easy reach. I can switch the image from back up camera to passenger side camera without taking my eyes off of the road.

The side camera provides an excellent image. I will no longer be concerned about not seeing a small car or motorcycle in the right hand lane.

Gary

Re: Backup camera

Reply #17 – April 19, 2015, 10:04:33 am

Great job, Garry.

Re: Backup camera

Reply #18 – February 06, 2023, 09:23:58 pm

Gary
Assuming you still own the 98 foretravel I would be interested in your camera build upgrade. I have a 98 and am installing a backup, two side view camera and new monitor

Re: Backup camera

Reply #19 – February 06, 2023, 09:47:42 pm

Quote from: dicksop – February 06, 2023, 09:23:58 pm

Gary
Assuming you still own the 98 foretravel I would be interested in your camera build upgrade. I have a 98 and am installing a backup, two side view camera and new monitor

Just FYI, Gary (GLV) was last active on the forum June 2022. You might try a PM to see if he responds.

Re: Backup camera

Reply #20 – February 06, 2023, 10:21:06 pm

Quote from: dicksop – February 06, 2023, 09:23:58 pm

Gary
Assuming you still own the 98 foretravel I would be interested in your camera build upgrade. I have a 98 and am installing a backup, two side view camera and new monitor

Quad Camera install
When I installed mine it took me several nights to figure out were they didn't work and were they did. Down low was a failure for me do to headlights completely blinding camera, I ended up mounting much higher with really good results. If you are using IR infrared cameras (and I do recommend) they cannot be ahead of anything because the IR will reflect into the camera and make it useless at night. Also incorporating a security system into the camera was also a home run. I ended up powering with the salesman switch so if I'm using the coach and the cameras are active and recording. Overwrites old recordings. Very pleased. Being hardwired was my preference. I added a second hitch coax during install and eventually plan to use for a hitch camera for docking trailer. My single only recommendation is to view the picture in the dark and with additional headlights to simulate traffic. I was totally wrong with my initial placement position but was able to resolve before I mounted anything
Scott

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