Rear View Camera

[Gagakev]

Thinking of installing said camera, my reason being is my last van (old I Know) but it had windows front and rear and I could see right through it, so
A Few questions;
Does any one use one?
Any recommendations?
Is there a wireless version suitable for rear of van?
Can you legally have it on all the time whilst driving? ( like a sat nav)
Where would be the best place to locate it, perhaps the roof, higher the better to eliminate traffic film/dirt?
Any help/suggestions welcome.

 

[Mike_S]

Not sure whether I should admit to this but on page 96 of the current (summer) issue of Caravan magazine there is an excellent article covering this subject - written by someone I know very well!!
Mike

 

[johnandrew70]

Hi Kev
I have a reverse camera on my towcar connected to the headunit cant fault it and its brilliant when reversing back to hitch the van up, now mine is connected to the reverse light to power the camera which is how it should be done, If you had it on all the time while driving there might be a problem as the camera can overheat if powered continuously also make sure you buy a good noise filter i had problems with lots of lines on screen.
a lot of people have located there cameras on the roof of there vans its down to the individual i guess.
Have a look on Ebay to get an idea of what wireless cameras are out there.
John

 

[Gagakev]

Thanks Mikes will pop to the newsagent tomorrow

John been looking at Tinternet and like you said think most of them are just for reversing and connect when put into gear.
The problem I have is the van is 2.3m wide and although the mirrors are set as recommended i;e See grab handles and rear wheel arch's
when, say, travelling on motorway and I am going around a left hand bend I cant safely see to overtake so have to stay behind and wait untill I am either going straight or taking a right hand bend.
So thinking a permenant vision to the rear.

 

[Lutz]

I have a camera on the back of my caravan with a wireless connection to a monitor in the car and it works fairly well although the maker claims to only have a range of 10m (from the back of the caravan to the monitor is the car is a fraction over that). I've wired it up so that the monitor only comes on when I engage reverse gear. That way I avoid any potential legal issue with having a monitor on all the time.

 

[johnandrew70]

Thanks Mikes will pop to the newsagent tomorrow

John been looking at Tinternet and like you said think most of them are just for reversing and connect when put into gear.
The problem I have is the van is 2.3m wide and although the mirrors are set as recommended i;e See grab handles and rear wheel arch's
when, say, travelling on motorway and I am going around a left hand bend I cant safely see to overtake so have to stay behind and wait untill I am either going straight or taking a right hand bend.
So thinking a permenant vision to the rear.

I see what you are saying you would have to find a camera that would be ok to be permanently live when ignition is on, or use a spare pin on the trailer 12s or 13 pin to wire a switched feed to the camera then have a switch on the dash. i think that would be too distracting though.
You could do what i do, put your indicator on and just slowly pull out you will either here someone honking on there horn or they will back off and let you out haha. only jocking.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I,ve been using various trear view cameras for about 20 years and use them so that they can be on permanently with no camera problems
There is a lot here
http://www.caravantalk.co.uk/community/topic/72808-rear-camera-mirror-monitor/?hl=%2Brear+%2Bview+%2Bcamera
My posts are #9 and#11
Hope that helps

 

[johnandrew70]

The guys on the VW forums were saying that powering the rear view camera permenantly will cause the camera to get hot and go blank, and in fact i have found this to be true when leaving the car in reverse for any lengh of time. i guess its down to what camera you are using the type i have is a number plate light replacement that has a camera built in, very small in size.
have a look at the picture below see the camera just above the number plate.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That's interesting
I have used ex CCTV cameras and different made for caravan etc rear view and never had that problem
I bought the Maplins reversing camera and after seeing the very neat number plate light cameras I fitted one of them instead and used the Maplins camera in the car front grill with a phono change over switch unit
The Maplins camera has a picture left/right change over switch
The number plate camera is powered from the reverse light on the Kuga which is only on when the car is in reverse gear and ignition on but its good to be informed of potential problems
Thanks

 

[chrisbee1]

I have a hard wired camera fitted to my caravan after experiencing problems with my old wireless model. It is fitted to an L shaped bracket which is attached with mastic to the body behind the number plate. The white cable drops 6 inches then runs under the van to a dedicated mini suzie plug at the A frame similar to the one in the aforementioned article in Mike's post. I don't have any problems with spray or overheating of the camera even after 8 or so hours constant use and the system is perfectly legal under the C&U regulations. Even though I have a 4x4 and use Grand Aero mirrors, the extra rearward vision is invaluable.

 

[johnandrew70]

I have a hard wired camera fitted to my caravan after experiencing problems with my old wireless model. It is fitted to an L shaped bracket which is attached with mastic to the body behind the number plate. The white cable drops 6 inches then runs under the van to a dedicated mini suzie plug at the A frame similar to the one in the aforementioned article in Mike's post. I don't have any problems with spray or overheating of the camera even after 8 or so hours constant use and the system is perfectly legal under the C&U regulations. Even though I have a 4x4 and use Grand Aero mirrors, the extra rearward vision is invaluable.

What type of camera are you using?? the type i am talking about overheating are the ones i have built into the number plate light.
i do like the idea of having a camera on the van but cant be bothered to go to the trouble of feeding yet more cables in through the car and yanking the head unit out of the car again, its very tight behind the head unit on the passat and i already have too much there, what with reverse camera ipod connection navigation gps cables pre outs for amp and usb connection i think i will carry on with the mirrors and stay in the slow lane that way i wont get moaned at by the other half or other road users.

John

 

[Dustydog]

Mmm A few schools of thought here.

What's wrong with your door mirror extensions?

What is it you want to see.

We have a camera on our MB Minibus. Most of us drivers feel it is secondary to our driving problems when reversing.
The field of vision is not what you think it is!

If backing up to a parked car or wall , fine ; you can see how close you are, but beware if you don't use your mirrors.

Honesty I don't think they are worth the money on a caravan and in truth they won't improve your reversing capabilities.

 

[johnandrew70]

Mmm A few schools of thought here.

What's wrong with your door mirror extensions?

What is it you want to see.

We have a camera on our MB Minibus. Most of us drivers feel it is secondary to our driving problems when reversing.
The field of vision is not what you think it is!

If backing up to a parked car or wall , fine ; you can see how close you are, but beware if you don't use your mirrors.

Honesty I don't think they are worth the money on a caravan and in truth they won't improve your reversing capabilities.

I am under the impression that Kev wants it to see whats coming up behind and beside him when on motorways etc i have to admit, i have aften thought the same when on dual carraigeways going round slight bends no matter how you set your mirrors you just cant see. The camera i have on the car is very good and clear, there can be a slight lag tho so you need to reverse back slowly what this would be like when watching overtaking vehicles.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

This is the kind of camera commonly used on caravans and motor homes
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/REAR-VIEW-CAR-BUS-LED-NIGHT-MODE-REVERSING-SECURITY-CAMERA-WATERPROOF-/120866756425?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item1c24385749

 

[chrisbee1]

That's the one John, but in white. As I said previously, I have grand Aero's fitted, the camera is a secondary aid. It does however show you things the mirrors can't, like the small car or motor bike right up your a**e, and when there's lots of spray about it clearly shows when it's safe to pull back in after overtaking, something that is a bit hit and miss using mirrors.

 

[Gagakev]

Not sure whether I should admit to this but on page 96 of the current (summer) issue of Caravan magazine there is an excellent article covering this subject - written by someone I know very well!!
Mike

Hi Mike_S, got the mag today and feel I now know who wrote it,

Very informative although it is the wired system (the article like other research are not fond of the wireles system.)
So think I wouldnt mind going for the wired system, however the ones I have looked at here all state reversing camera
am I looking in the right place? Or is this the one the man in the mag fitted

I dont have a window in the back so would have to look at an alternative,
but sure I could come up with something as the van is not under warrenty.
Thanks for your help, Kev

 

[Gagakev]

Mmm A few schools of thought here.

What's wrong with your door mirror extensions?

What is it you want to see.

We have a camera on our MB Minibus. Most of us drivers feel it is secondary to our driving problems when reversing.
The field of vision is not what you think it is!

If backing up to a parked car or wall , fine ; you can see how close you are, but beware if you don't use your mirrors.

Honesty I don't think they are worth the money on a caravan and in truth they won't improve your reversing capabilities.

Hi Dusty, nothing wrong with the door mirror extension except as stated previously it's going around bends on motorways and dual carrige ways there is a blind spot this I want to eliminate, and see what is behind me before pulling out to overtake, really want to see what is approching behind me as the offside mirror does the job of the middle/outer lanes , not really wanting to use it for reversing.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

That's the one John, but in white. As I said previously, I have grand Aero's fitted, the camera is a secondary aid. It does however show you things the mirrors can't, like the small car or motor bike right up your a**e, and when there's lots of spray about it clearly shows when it's safe to pull back in after overtaking, something that is a bit hit and miss using mirrors.

I find that I can look down both sides of the caravan via the mirrors but on the camera screen there is a vehicle that is not showing in the mirrors
The mirrors are fully extended and the car is quite wide ---about 1cm each side through the garage doors with the normal car door mirrors
Agree also about pulling in
If the camera can see the front of the vehicle you must be in front !!

 

[johnandrew70]

Hi Kev
After thinking about this posting i have been looking on Ebay for a kit,
I thought about hard wiring through to the car but thought its just too much hassle so thought i would go the wireless route having the reciever in the boot of the car with a video cable going to a seperate screen sat on the dash and the transmitter in the front locker or under the A frame of the caravan then a long video and power cable back to the camera.
The Transmitter wouldbe powered by the switched power from the 13 pin on the car and the reciever in the boot would be powered by the 12v socket feed in the boot.
The way i am hoping to do this will mean that the transmitter and reciever will be no more than 2.5m apart.
the kit i am going to fit is,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121087664604
and extension cable,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171000774838?var=470237757966
The good thing about the monitor is that it can take 2 inputs so at some point i could add another camera, i didnt want to connect it all up to the headunit as i said before i already have way too much connected to it.
The camera is going to be just under the van at the back as its going to be used as a rear view cam instead of a reversing cam so only need to see whats caming up behind me rather than seeing the back of the van.

Let me know what you think guys
John

 

[Gagakev]

Hi Kev
After thinking about this posting i have been looking on Ebay for a kit,
I thought about hard wiring through to the car but thought its just too much hassle so thought i would go the wireless route having the reciever in the boot of the car with a video cable going to a seperate screen sat on the dash and the transmitter in the front locker or under the A frame of the caravan then a long video and power cable back to the camera.
The Transmitter wouldbe powered by the switched power from the 13 pin on the car and the reciever in the boot would be powered by the 12v socket feed in the boot.
The way i am hoping to do this will mean that the transmitter and reciever will be no more than 2.5m apart.
the kit i am going to fit is,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121087664604
and extension cable,
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171000774838?var=470237757966
The good thing about the monitor is that it can take 2 inputs so at some point i could add another camera, i didnt want to connect it all up to the headunit as i said before i already have way too much connected to it.
The camera is going to be just under the van at the back as its going to be used as a rear view cam instead of a reversing cam so only need to see whats caming up behind me rather than seeing the back of the van.

Let me know what you think guys
John

So John let me see if I follow this

You are to hard wire camera from rear of van to locker/A Frame
Transmitter in front locker
Receiver in boot
Hard wire from boot to monitor on dash

surely all you are missing is the flexi cable between the car and caravan,
this would eliminate the transmitters which reveiws show are prone to interference.
Plus John I am still not convinced the Reversing camera is up to the job of a Rear Veiw Camera.
A long standing member on here is Dehi Dave who has one fitted, (but is away at the moment) will give us further info and clarify what we need when he returns. I have his email so will contact him on his return.

 

[johnandrew70]

Ok kev let me know what he says, have you any idea when he is returning?? i want to order it and install it before i go away next month.
The reason for going down the wireless route is because its the cheaper option, the curly connection between the car and van is more than the camera kit itself.
They do say that the camera lasts longer without overheating so it can be used all the time, wether its sales talk or what i dont know.
John

 

[WatsonJohnG]

I wouldn't use the wireless system
If you look at the link I posted earlier it relates problems with interference
Its easy to just plug together a phono plug and socket from caravan to car in the car boot and its cheaper and less to go wrong than a wireless system
I have used my camera as a rear view rather than reversing but with the option of switching between sat nav and rear view on the screen for several years and its usually left powered up when at home for long periods
On site the same camera like the one posted is in use to show the view behind the caravan all day sometimes and the cameras have never failed for that reason

 

[Mike_S]

Hi Kev
Been away for the weekend hence the delay in replying.
I used sys111 from parking cameras. I think the reason why they refer to it as a reversing camera is that one of the wires going to the monitor (blue if my memory is correct) is normally used for connecting to the car's reverse light to switch the system on when reverse gear is selected. I simply connected this wire to +12v so effectively switching the system on all the time.
Before buying the system I spoke to someone at Parking cameras about using the system as a rear view setup (ie on all the time) and was assured there would be no problems. This has proved to be the case.
Mike

 

[Gagakev]

Ok kev let me know what he says, have you any idea when he is returning?? i want to order it and install it before i go away next month.
The reason for going down the wireless route is because its the cheaper option, the curly connection between the car and van is more than the camera kit itself.
They do say that the camera lasts longer without overheating so it can be used all the time, wether its sales talk or what i dont know.
John

There you go john the above two replies confirm we can use full time, I'm happy with that
Thanks to both John(Watson) and of course Mike-s.

 

[johnandrew70]

Ok kev let me know what he says, have you any idea when he is returning?? i want to order it and install it before i go away next month.
The reason for going down the wireless route is because its the cheaper option, the curly connection between the car and van is more than the camera kit itself.
They do say that the camera lasts longer without overheating so it can be used all the time, wether its sales talk or what i dont know.
John

There you go john the above two replies confirm we can use full time, I'm happy with that
Thanks to both John(Watson) and of course Mike-s.

Hi Kev
I have gone ahead and bought the system below as you can see its hard wired and has 2 cameras

i just need to find a way of mounting the camera now without making any holes

i was thinking of mounting under the van at the back but am now thinking it could be too low has anyone got any ideas or pictures to show there cameras??

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120978020010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649