Author Topic: Rear View Camera  (Read 10358 times)

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Rear View Camera
« on: November 27, 2014, 07:49:55 PM »
I was getting grainy and intermittent dark images on my monitor. Cleaning the connectors helped some but the intermittent problem remained so I contacted the mfgr, Motion Analysis, and they offered to check it out for no charge. Found that the video board was shot and a replacement was $400+ (ouch!).

Opted to go with a Sony 420 TVL for <$60. I had to fabricate a mounting bracket out of Al angle to mount it and play with the tilt angle to get the view set so I could see beyond the back of my toad. This was important as the Liberty has a failure mode where the rear glass will open up while moving. Image is crisp and colors are sharp. The grid lines (3', 5', 7', & 10 ') from my  folded tow bar are not distracting. Oh, also had to add a voltage regulator in the supply line.

The camera came with IR for low light viewing. But since IR doesn't penetrate clear plexiglass I get a washout effect at night. Haven't tried it on the road yet so don't know if approaching headlights from rear will be enough light to turn off the IR LEDs. I tried inserting a light source near the camera but couldn't get it to work. I could get the IR ligts out but then got a reflection of the light source on the plexiglass.

If I was to do it again, I'd get a non-IR with a tilt-able mounting fixture. But overall I happy as most driving is in daylight.
Steve
« Last Edit: December 02, 2014, 12:02:36 PM by Carol Moffett »
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Rear View Camera
« Reply #1 on: January 03, 2015, 02:30:48 AM »
One time backing up in low light conditions and seeing nothing but the bright IR LEDs on the monitor convinced me I had to replace the Sony camera  http://www.amazon.com/420TVL-Weatherproof-Housing-Vehicle-Cameras/dp/B00B4RQWMI/ref=sr_1_14?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420251449&sr=1-14&keywords=sony+420+TVL+camera

I chose a Jensen unit   http://www.amazon.com/Jensen-Surface-mount-Back-up-Camera/dp/B00505LWNO/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1420251525&sr=1-1&keywords=jensen+backup+camera  It mounted relatively easily and seems to have good low light capability w/o the IR. Key is to get lens in approximately the same position as the original unit. I used an Al 90 degree angle piece, drilled and tapped it to place a threaded bolt to use for mounting the angle to the base in the coach. Then mounted camera with 1/2" spacer to the upright portion of the angle, centering the lens in coach cut-out. This camera comes with RCA jacks so you  need to get a female BNC to male RCA adapter (Radio Shack).
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp
The following users thanked this post: Carol Moffett

Edward Buker

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Re: Rear View Camera
« Reply #2 on: January 03, 2015, 01:44:49 PM »
Steve,

I still have the original camera on my coach whatever that is. So far I have not had to be in there checking it out. I drive almost completely during the day so night backing is not so much of an issue although mine works quite well at night.

Would you comment on the new cameras ability to handle high light intensity without producing the vertical band affect due to the suns reflections off of the toad. That is annoying and it wipes out some of the image. You may not have had a chance to tow in noon day sun yet but throw that question in "the vault" for the future if you do not have experience yet. It would be good to have a camera sensor and circuitry that handles the range of light levels that we experience without distortion. Maybe you have found it....

BTW I read your post on putting in hardwood flooring again and all the work involved with that project. Very nice job and a great deal of work. That is beyond the scope of time and work that I want to spend on my coach. Just thought I would pass along my compliments on a job well done.

Later Ed
« Last Edit: January 03, 2015, 02:03:46 PM by Edward Buker »

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Rear View Camera
« Reply #3 on: January 03, 2015, 03:37:56 PM »
Ed,
Thanks for the kudos on the floor job. I should get a chance to check out the camera performance later this month as I'll be driving an east/west track. Will let you know.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp

Steve Huber Co-Admin

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Re: Rear View Camera
« Reply #4 on: January 30, 2015, 02:19:12 AM »
I was reminded this evening that I was going to provide an update on the Jensen backup camera performance. Using it on the Quartzsite rally showed it to be a very viable camera with acceptable low light performance. It has a wider field of view than the original unit supplied by Beaver so you can see your toad hookup as well as well beyond the rear of the toad. I didn't get any bad or annoying reflections on the trip, driving most of the time in mid day sunlight. As I noted in an earlier post in this thread, key is to get the lens close to the plexiglas, certainly no further away than the original's camera lens.
Steve
Steve
2015-          07 Contessa Bayshore C9,  400 hp
2013-2015: 00 Marquis Tourmaline, C12, 425 hp
2005-2013: 01 Contessa Naples, 3126B, 330 hp
The following users thanked this post: Carol Moffett