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New dual rear and side cameras

March 28, 2016, 02:41:06 am

Here are 4 of my new cameras installed and viewed through 2 - 9" Quad split DVR screens (dash mount). I will be putting in the other cameras as soon as the weather gets better and I have time. I'm replacing the Javelina monitor with a 7" reverse image screen for all my Audit readings but for now they are routed through one of the 9" (backwards) since the DVR does not have the reverse image capability that I would like nor was it stated in the write up when I bought the system that that option was deleted when the DVR option was selected. I did have to open up the camera hole for the dual camera setup but that was easy with a jig saw and a die grinder. I used a Lexan cover and painted the perimeter that was not blocking the cameras views. I used the RV caulking to put it in place and it does not distort the views in any way. For now, only one side is hooked up as I need to run another cable from front to back as my crawling abilities have been limited by knee surgery a few years back. The one distance camera covers quite a lot of real estate to about 150 - 200 yards out from about 10 feet behind the coach. Both cameras are 120 degree FOV. The side cameras are too 120 degree FOV. I will be putting 2 forward facing cameras in as well and on hitch camera that the upper cameras don't cover should the need arise. I may put one under the front chassis just for fun but that is not really needed. I have made a temporary mount on the dash center console I made from1 1/2" thick Zebra wood with cup holders cut into it, just some scrap I had laying around. When I finish it I'll do some more photos and updates. It sure is nice having a colored image that is clear and with the side cameras I don't have to bother the dw when I need to change lanes because of our large blind spot on the right side. Doing this also afforded me the opportunity to cut and wax as I go, even if it does slow me down a little. Tadi Brothers was the main supplier of equipment but that was not without headaches and months of work to resolve the issues. Best to put it in writing what you want as over the phone is not that reliable to go back on when the wrong stuff gets sent. At least they did try to work with me lately to get it all sorted out. I know that I could have done it for a lot less but figured that I would give them the business hoping it would be smoother. I'm happy with the system but the headaches rectifying associated, not so. I have found other HD cameras that I purchased afterwards that I'll be trying to get better quality pictures. We'll see how that works out. I had to relearn how to post photos all over again. Hopefully it will sink in this time!

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Re: New dual rear and side cameras

Reply #1 – March 28, 2016, 08:39:38 am

John, I'm looking to mount my side cams near the mirror.. just below giving me a higher view.

Tadibrothers makes a rear split view .. one on hitch, one wide.

I would be interested in seeing your monitor mount... I am putting mine in front of the idiot lights on the dash...

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Re: New dual rear and side cameras

Reply #2 – March 28, 2016, 09:08:15 am

Great looking work, John, and your photos posted just fine.      I'll be interested in seeing your final monitor layout - wondering where you will find the room in your dash for 2 screens.  I went with a overhead mounting position for my wireless monitor - have found it to be a very "natural" place to look for the "backup" screen.

I second your comments about Tadi Bros.  They sell a wide selection of decent video equipment, but their customer service dept. sucks.

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Re: New dual rear and side cameras

Reply #3 – March 28, 2016, 12:22:25 pm

John S, good photos and I too would like to see monitor pics. I love the condition of the body work and stripes on coach. If you ever come thru the S Okanagan  drop in .
John H

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Re: New dual rear and side cameras

Reply #4 – March 28, 2016, 09:45:15 pm

Thanks everyone for your kind comments. Yes, it is a labor of love and of course a few dollars but well worth the effort in the end. I'm working on the monitor mount tonight and hope that it will be as nice as I would like it to be. I'll take some pictures when it is complete and a few in doing it. This is for now a temporary mount but you never know how that goes if I should like it. I'm making it so that I can easily remove it to be replaced with my travel TV until I get the console redone. I want the safety first and esthetics second for the moment anyway. I was hoping to mount the monitors overhead but the size of 2 - 9" was just a little too much to overcome and my sun visors would cover partially one of the monitors when in use. Then too there was that cable thing to deal with as going cableless was not really a choice with the install of 7 cameras in the end. Just thinking about running that many cables to the overhead compartment was scaring me in what I might have to cover up. On the center console they are not in the line of sight out of the windows but easy to see at a glance. The mount was easy to make as I had a swivel and one piece of scrap 2" angle aluminum to play with. I'll let all you be the judge when I post the photos. I found a great deal on ebay for the Javelina replacement monitor that should fit nicely dimensional wise into the hole in the dash. It is listed as "BRIGADE 7" TFT LCD LED COLOR BACKUP REARVIEW MONITOR W/3 CAMERA INPUTS VBV-770DM
( 301197552668 )" if you might be interested. These are so called used items but with all the new parts and for a great price for a high end monitor with reverse image capability. Also, 3 inputs to play with so I grabbed one and may go for another to play with somewhere else in the coach.

I've been trying different products on the coach to bring out the real luster of a gel coat without the cost of a full repaint. Unfortunately, before I got the coach it had been left in the sun to bake in a few places as the decals have suffered in that respect but I'll try to keep them in tact until I can get them painted on properly in the future. I buy all my detailing products from Autogeeks out of Florida as they have quite good service and on the odd occasion free shipping with discounts mainly around Christmas. They carry just about every product available on the market plus have classes for those interested in really going overboard. For my wheel products I look to ZephyrPro40 in California as they are one of the best in aluminum polishing products for big rigs and their service too is great, you just need to learn, which is half the fun.

Thanks again everyone for your favorable responses and hopefully we will all cross paths out there at some point in time!
John

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Re: New dual rear and side cameras

Reply #5 – March 31, 2016, 02:40:13 am

Well, I'm almost done with the mount and it has not been without challenges in using Zebra wood. It does not like big holes saws and will try to rearrange your shop or do some physical harm if not careful. I had to use a different tactic by drilling a bunch smaller holes to get the larger opening and then hog them out using a jig saw,  power rasp, and sanding drums in the drill press. I am just finishing up the polyurethane top coats tomorrow and then get it into the coach for our departure at 1 or 2 pm. Yup, cutting it close but if we didn't have something exciting then where is the fun in all of it. I already see some minor changes that will get made to it when I return but as I mentioned they are minor. I'm using thumb screws to attach the monitor articulated mount so it can be disassembled in less than 2 minutes or reassembled. I hope it spurs the imagination of someone to do what they want. It was a learning experience for me but as I said, that is part of the fun".

I'll let you know how it works out after we get a few miles on the coach in traffic. Thanks for all your support.

John

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Reply #6 – March 31, 2016, 08:22:59 am

A very innovative solution to mounting multiple monitors.  As you say, the proof will be in the...trying.

One problem I have is the rapid transition from looking out the bright windshield to looking at my overhead monitor.  My eyes don't accommodate the quick change in lighting levels very well (they are getting old).  If I wear sunglasses, I see outside better, but makes it hard to see the monitor.  If I wear clear glasses, opposite problem.  Haven't found a perfect solution, but keeping the monitor set on the "brightest" setting seems to help.

Let us know how it works!

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Reply #7 – March 31, 2016, 11:37:26 am

I may co-op your wood insert idea. Looks like a great solution for a drink holder. 

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Reply #8 – March 31, 2016, 12:13:56 pm

Like I mentioned it is too, to spur the imagination of others as I know someone will come up with a better idea. I too think about the sun's reflectivity on the screens and that is partially why I put it on an articulated mount so it can be adjusted hopefully deminishing the sun's effect. Chuck is not the only one to encounter the effects of aging eyes. For the base I put it on non-skid shelf liner so it does not slide nor mar the finish of the wood under it, my cat does a good enough job of that. He aims for the part in the curtain to look out the windshield at night and is very good at opening the tambored doors up top. He likes sleeping on my clothes at night and when I put them on it sometimes looks like my toupee fell off, as if I wore one. In case you were wondering the wood is 1 1/2' thk. that was a counter end cut. I would not want to pay for a Zebra counter top as it will easily double the price of granite. 

Later today I'll put it to the test on the road to Oregon and will keep you updated as to the addition of other cameras, good or bad, plus the addition of the 7" monitor I just received for the systems monitor.

John

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