Rear View Camera

[johnandrew70]

Why did you have to post this on here Kev

, i am now thinking if my original plan of fixing under the van but would it be too low????
The roof is a no no for me as the cable on show would drive me nuts even if it is in the awning channel. also my cable is black

So you do all the hard work, tell me how its done, and I just copy

Think I will go with the lower down position as I am assuming I can angle the camara slighty upwards, after all all I want to see is what is behind me, Sprockets link to the chassis clips looks good.

i am thinking more along the lines of using the existing cables on the van with cable tie's, i have been trying to find pics of the views from high up and down below to see if there is anything to be gained either way with no luck. Dont worry though i will share it with you haha have you ordered your camera kit yet?? was expecting mine to come today but nothing

 

[xtrailman]

I've had a twin camera now for two years.
http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/home.php?cat=19
But don't but this one, as both camras are 90 degrees, 90 is perfect for a rear view camera, but not for a reversing camera, IF you want to see both back corners of the caravan.

In hindsight i would have bought a wider angle for the reversing.

This is the monitor i bought, look alikes can be bought of ebay, whether they are the same i don't know.
http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/product.php?productid=138&cat=0&page=1&featured

I actually bought a kit with the extension leads for around £200, no doubt it could be bought cheaper, but the sony ccd is very good.

Mine is roof mounted following advice, and i do think its the ideal place to fit it, it get no dirt on the lens from road spray.

Mounting wise i used some cut offs of upvc facia, i used a flat piece with six brass set screws 2ba, which point upwards once the plate is fitted, its invisible from ground level, its secured with sikaflex.
Onto that i've fitted a plastic junction box from toolstation, and a L shaped piece of upvc to mount the camera bracket too.

The two cables, which are only around 5mm in dia are then run down the awning rail, and held in place with little bits of plastic and tiny bits of clear silicon, the cables are only seen when going from the roof to the awning rail, due to it being a Alutech, i could have drilled the rear light panel, but didn't want to risk any warranty issues.

The camera supply is taken of the battery via a 1amp fuse, through a isolating switch fitted under the fixed bed, accessible from the external locker.
Coaxes are then tie wrapped under the caravan, and terminated into a 12s plug, a 12n would be ok, its just what i had handy.
On the car i've run the two coaxes from a 12s socket, (my other one is a 13pin), through the car sill trim to the front well, from here the monitor is connected, the monitor sits in the top centre dash locker (i have a xtrail), and takes its supply from 12v socket.

I would never want to tow without it now, once you have had one you realise how many cars and bikes are unseen through the wing mirrors.


The biggest problem todate is light reflection on the monitor, so i don't recommend the monitor for that reason, i did try it on the mirror, as thats what its designed for, but i seem to have trouble focusing on it, i do need reading glasses.

On my next car i will try the mirror position again, or a position available lower down, but on the dash mounting is ideal for just giving a quick glance, so gives the least distraction from the road ahead.

 

[Mike_S]

Hi Ray
One further modification I've made to my rearview system has helped with reflections in the monitor. I got a screen protector for an Ipad, cut it down with scissors and put it on. Reflections much reduced.
Mike

 

[Sproket]

I've had a twin camera now for two years.
http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/home.php?cat=19
But don't but this one, as both camras are 90 degrees, 90 is perfect for a rear view camera, but not for a reversing camera, IF you want to see both back corners of the caravan.
In hindsight i would have bought a wider angle for the reversing.

Ray,
They must have changed the camera viewing angle from 90deg x 90deg to 70deg x 120deg

Image Sensor: 1/4" Sony CCD
Pixels: 628*582
Resolution: 480TV
View field:
1x70 degree 1x120 degree

Waterproof IP66,

Shockproof,

DC12V

Size: 100mm wide, 87mm high, 50mm depth (diameter of camera body)

http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/product.php?productid=143&cat=19&page=1

 

[johnandrew70]

I recieved my kit today and i have to say wow its brilliant.
I paid £58 on Ebay and i got 2x Sony ccd cameras with night vision 2x 10 meters of video cable and a 7" monitor with stand and also has a back plate if the monitor is to be mounted into the dash.
i have a 12v battery home here so wireed it all up and tested it all and it works a treat.Another thing is you can mirror the picture and also flip the picture upside down why i do not know.
I know everyone has been singing the praises of a reversing camera company on here and other forums but they are selling the same items thats being sold on Ebay, The camera that i have is being sold on that site for £55 i bought 2 cameras and a monitor for £58, I know they have good customer service etc but at the prices they charge i would want them to come and fit the kit and stay with the outfit for at least 12 months

i mean £99 for a monitor is disgusting.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/120978020010?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

 

[Sproket]

Hope you don't have to send it back

Here is the sellers address, taken from the listing

 

[johnandrew70]

Hope you don't have to send it back

Here is the sellers address, taken from the listing

the return address i have is in wales

I have to say that in past experiance, the Chinese stuff is really pretty good, the head unit i have in my Passat looks just like the VW £1500+ unit but it does so much more, its running windows mobile and it cost me £200 its been flawless and came from China, The majority of LED lights are from China.
I even bought a bulk load of LED side lights last year from china direct from the manufacturer, sold them on ebay and made a few quid the salesperson i spoke to was courtious and helpful more so than a lot of company's in the UK. then people wonder why we choose to buy from the chinese.
As i said before the camera's i bought are the same offered on that website so if mine go wrong the chances are so will theres.
If that company wants to make a few quid fair enuff i am just pointing out that there stuff is the same as whats offered on ebay for a fraction of the price.
take this product for instance
http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/product.php?productid=142&cat=10&page=1
and this one
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/693923719/Twin_Lens_Rear_View_Reversing_Camera.html
Look the same to me and both 1/4 Sony CCD
Now the first is for sale for £99
Now contact the alibaba seller and enquire as to the price of the camera's for £99 you could get a box full and get them shipped over here.

 

[Sproket]

The one in your link from Mr Panda is for a 120deg x 120deg twin camera brilliant if you want to see the corners of your van when mounted on top, but not right good for distance viewing due to the fact that they are both wide angle cameras.

By the way what viewing angles are on the ones that you have just bought ?

 

[johnandrew70]

The one in your link from Mr Panda is for a 120deg x 120deg twin camera brilliant if you want to see the corners of your van when mounted on top, but not right good for distance viewing due to the fact that they are both wide angle cameras.

By the way what viewing angles are on the ones that you have just bought ?

120 degrees
I read a posting somewhere that 120 is better, because as you say it does give a wider view and to be fair thats what i want so that i can see what is coming up in the lanes either side of me and directly behind me thats the whole point of all

The camera on my car is 160 degrees which is too much for reversing.
The link i put was just a comparison i am sure if you search the alibaba website thay have that same camera.

 

[TINHUTONWHEELS]

Fitted my Maplin's remote CCTV last year... love it.I do get a bit of interference occassionally, but would'nt be with out it or a camera now

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/6262/20121021112050.jpg

 

[johnandrew70]

Fitted my Maplin's remote CCTV last year... love it.I do get a bit of interference occassionally, but would'nt be with out it or a camera now

]http://imageshack.us/a/img13/6262/20121021112050.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img13/6262/20121021112050.jpg[/quote
I wish we had a back window sometimes

 

[xtrailman]

Hi Ray
One further modification I've made to my rearview system has helped with reflections in the monitor. I got a screen protector for an Ipad, cut it down with scissors and put it on. Reflections much reduced.
Mike

Thanks mike i'll try that.

 

[xtrailman]

I've had a twin camera now for two years.
http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/home.php?cat=19
But don't but this one, as both camras are 90 degrees, 90 is perfect for a rear view camera, but not for a reversing camera, IF you want to see both back corners of the caravan.
In hindsight i would have bought a wider angle for the reversing.

Ray,
They must have changed the camera viewing angle from 90deg x 90deg to 70deg x 120deg

Image Sensor: 1/4" Sony CCD
Pixels: 628*582
Resolution: 480TV
View field:
1x70 degree 1x120 degree

Waterproof IP66,

Shockproof,

DC12V

Size: 100mm wide, 87mm high, 50mm depth (diameter of camera body)

http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/product.php?productid=143&cat=19&page=1

Perhaps they had some complaints?
It was my fault really as i just assumed the lens would pick up both edges of the caravan, as it is its just about 6" short either side.

 

[xtrailman]

The one in your link from Mr Panda is for a 120deg x 120deg twin camera brilliant if you want to see the corners of your van when mounted on top, but not right good for distance viewing due to the fact that they are both wide angle cameras.

By the way what viewing angles are on the ones that you have just bought ?

120 degrees
I read a posting somewhere that 120 is better, because as you say it does give a wider view and to be fair thats what i want so that i can see what is coming up in the lanes either side of me and directly behind me thats the whole point of all

The camera on my car is 160 degrees which is too much for reversing.
The link i put was just a comparison i am sure if you search the alibaba website thay have that same camera.

IMO who ever posted that 120 was better knows very little about cameras, yes you will get a wider view, but eveything will appear small and far away, personally i find 90 spot on for a REAR view camera, even a 90 lens makes objects look smaller than what they are, but you do see two lanes.

But i would think that its ok for a reversing camera, mounted on the roof.
These specs that sprocket posted look spot on to me.
"
Ray,
They must have changed the camera viewing angle from 90deg x 90deg to 70deg x 120deg

Image Sensor: 1/4" Sony CCD
Pixels: 628*582
Resolution: 480TV
View field:
1x70 degree 1x120 degree

Waterproof IP66,

Shockproof,

DC12V

Size: 100mm wide, 87mm high, 50mm depth (diameter of camera body)

http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/product.php?productid=143&cat=19&page=1"

 

[johnandrew70]

Right been a change of plan here, Went over to eye things up on the back of the van at the weekend looked behind the brake light and its molded to take the contour of the brake light so no room to drill holes behind, looked at the number plate light and it would obscure the plate too much to site a camera there under the van is just too low ( you would only see the car directly behind you.
So after much thought the camera will be sited on the roof screwed to a piece of upvc then the upvc will be stuck down with pu adhesive (i hope), The cables will come out of the camera straight into a cable entry gland (instead of having the connectors) then from there the cables will be cable tied to adhesive blocks to the edge of the van then down inside the awning rail, I have small foam blocks that will be fit into the awning rail to hold the cable tight.
The Cable will then be cable tied to the existing rear light cable to the front of the van, I did think of powering the camera through the sidelights but am having second thoughts as it would be nice to power it up and connect to the tv in the van (sometimes hear wildlife behind the van at night in some places so would be nice to see what it is).
Hopefully all this will be getting installed next weekend if its nice.

 

[Gagakev]

John just a thought, you say you are to screw the camera to the uPVC would it be possible to use a small nut and bolt, countersunk on the underside, maybe the vibration could work the screws loose.
Still havent ordered mine yet, family are so tight when it comes to prezzies

 

[johnandrew70]

John just a thought, you say you are to screw the camera to the uPVC would it be possible to use a small nut and bolt, countersunk on the underside, maybe the vibration could work the screws loose.
Still havent ordered mine yet, family are so tight when it comes to prezzies

Good idea Kev, A friend of mine works for a window/conservatory company so hoping he can get me a block of upvc.
I am hoping all goes ok, i will be wiring it to the car tempory until after our weeks holiday then will get some coiled 7 core cable and wire it up with a 12s plug and socket.

 

[xtrailman]

I used the foam backed cable holders on the roof, but added a little adhesive too.
the roof is the best place, just look how dirty the back of the caravan gets, on the roof its more difficult for a vadal to damage it, and more importantly you will get a wider field of view.

 

[johnandrew70]

I used the foam backed cable holders on the roof, but added a little adhesive too.

Thats what i meant Ray.
I managed to acquire a tube of PU adhesive sealer from work, its used to stick spoilers and bodykits to cars its not sikaflex its made by T Euro, i was going to get a tube of sikaflex but one of the lads said they use this T Ero stuff in the workshops so i thought i may as well give it a go.
if its strong enough to stick spoilers and body kits it will be strong enough to hold a lightweight camera.
http://www.tradegroup.co.uk/products/sealers/p-u-sealer-cartridges/

 

[DeliDave_]

I have fitted one using uPVC offcut,I used nuts and bolts from underside and it has stayed secure.I used the non setting sealant strip and a little silicon to fix it and it has been in place for probably 4 years now.I used a lead from Parking cameras with four pins and a waterproof cover to connect and ran the cable in the offside awning channel after applying silicon grease to aid sliding it in.I also have a camera fitted to the back of towing vehicle and unscrew the connector each time.I can post some pics if anyone is interested.The leads are now available on fleabay in different lengths much cheaper but when I fitted mine parking cameras only supplied them if you bought a camera from them.I use a clip on monitor over the mirror as a dash mounted one seemed to get more reflections.It has been very useful and people who have seen it seem to have been impressed.The monitor has 2 inputs so I have fitted a small camera in the front grill as I have quite a high car,Hyundai i800,and it helps prevent bumping into a post or whatever.

 

[ProfAlGoogle]

IMHO I fitted one to my last tow car, the camera is still attached to the roof of the caravan, I bonded it using siikoflex, and I found it to be more of a distraction and have not bothered with my present tow car. Far prefer the view from the external mirrors
As for reversing you can't beat the aid of a banksman. (Or should that be a well trained wife! Lol)

 

[johnandrew70]

I have fitted one using uPVC offcut,I used nuts and bolts from underside and it has stayed secure.I used the non setting sealant strip and a little silicon to fix it and it has been in place for probably 4 years now.I used a lead from Parking cameras with four pins and a waterproof cover to connect and ran the cable in the offside awning channel after applying silicon grease to aid sliding it in.I also have a camera fitted to the back of towing vehicle and unscrew the connector each time.I can post some pics if anyone is interested.The leads are now available on fleabay in different lengths much cheaper but when I fitted mine parking cameras only supplied them if you bought a camera from them.I use a clip on monitor over the mirror as a dash mounted one seemed to get more reflections.It has been very useful and people who have seen it seem to have been impressed.The monitor has 2 inputs so I have fitted a small camera in the front grill as I have quite a high car,Hyundai i800,and it helps prevent bumping into a post or whatever.

Some pics would be great, my camera has not got the four pin cable so i have bought a juction box with waterproof glands, I was handed a foot lengh of Upvc this evening wasnt sure whether i should cut it down to the same size as camera bracket or just stick the lot down and mount the junction box to this.
Still not sure how to power the camera as i want to be able to power it at night, i guess an inline switch connected directly to the battery would do it then its just a case of flicking the switch in the van when we set off.

 

[xtrailman]

I used the foam backed cable holders on the roof, but added a little adhesive too.

Is that cheaper than Sikaflex, which is quite expensive IMO.

Thats what i meant Ray.
I managed to acquire a tube of PU adhesive sealer from work, its used to stick spoilers and bodykits to cars its not sikaflex its made by T Euro, i was going to get a tube of sikaflex but one of the lads said they use this T Ero stuff in the workshops so i thought i may as well give it a go.
if its strong enough to stick spoilers and body kits it will be strong enough to hold a lightweight camera.
http://www.tradegroup.co.uk/products/sealers/p-u-sealer-cartridges/

 

[johnandrew70]

I used the foam backed cable holders on the roof, but added a little adhesive too.

Is that cheaper than Sikaflex, which is quite expensive IMO.

Thats what i meant Ray.
I managed to acquire a tube of PU adhesive sealer from work, its used to stick spoilers and bodykits to cars its not sikaflex its made by T Euro, i was going to get a tube of sikaflex but one of the lads said they use this T Ero stuff in the workshops so i thought i may as well give it a go.
if its strong enough to stick spoilers and body kits it will be strong enough to hold a lightweight camera.
http://www.tradegroup.co.uk/products/sealers/p-u-sealer-cartridges/

It was £2.99 to me trade. Well it would have been

I cut the upvc and mounted the camera to it today it has a lip on it which will fit nicely to the back of the van, just awaiting a few bits to come in the post then it should be action stations for Saturday, Also i think the weather is supposed to be good too.
Here is a pic of the camera mounted to the upvc.Sorry about the size of the pic i ca never figure out what size to put

Moderator Edit:
If you enter width 600 x height 400 for pictures you will be able to post a normal sized picture which fits the forum page.
I resized your picture for you.
(Parksy)

 

[DeliDave_]

The offcut I have is about 18 inches long,as I have a Bailey I sprayed it with some plasticote beige paint its not a perfect match but it works.I used a fused ignition controlled live to feed it and turn it on and off at the monitor,at night it can be distracting but its brightness is variable and has infra red so it works well in the dark.Power from van battery would work just as well
The lead I used is CAB 050 from Reversing Cameras UK tried to post a link but didnt work.The monitor is MON 291,I did have a bluetooth one but it was terrible sound and also didnt get picture straight away so I replaced it with a normal one.

I'll try and get some pics tomorrow and post