Rear View Cameras

[Mike88]

Any recommendations for a rear view camera? I'm not bothered about the reversing element but want it mainly to get a decent view through the windowless rear doors in a panel van.

 

Are these cameras easy to fit? Channeling the wiring is not a problem but am concerned about the electrics. Does in it involve splitting wires for example?

 

Thanks.

[Derek Uzzell]

This is the result of a GOOGLE-search for previous reversing-camera forum discussions

 

http://tinyurl.com/hvmcv4u

 

and there’s more guidance here

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Buying-advice-for-reversing-cameras-/10000000008788088/g.html

 

http://www.parkingcameras.com/store/home.php

 

The majority of ‘simple’ cameras marketed for motorhome use are intended for (You’ve guessed it!) reversing, where the camera is steeply inclined downwards and has a wide viewing angle. As you are looking for the equivalent of a rear-view mirror, to minimise distortion it would be preferable to choose a camera with a narrower viewing angle. Such cameras are relatively uncommon though Brigade offers them

 

http://brigade-electronics.com/uploads/footer_assets/LIT0001_-_Product_Catalogue_2016_-_UK.pdf

 

There are also specialised cameras that have two lenses or can tilt or zoom, but the more sophisticated the system the more expensive it tends to be.

 

Overlooking ‘wireless’ camera systems, it’s usually a lot more challenging to tidily install the cabling between the camera and the monitor in the cab than connecting up the wiring itself. Electrical power for the camera will be provided through the cable that connects the camera to the monitor, so it’s really just a matter of identifying a suitable 12V source in the cab to power the monitor. The source (probably) needs to be ignition-controlled for the system to only operate when the motorhome’s motor is running, so you could power the monitor from a cigarette-lighter socket if you didn’t want to hard-wire it.

 

 

[AliB]

I would suggest a twin lens camera with one 90 Degree and one 120 Degree angle of view. These cameras are available at lower cost than you pay for a specialist Brigade camera.

You definately do not want to split wires as this could effect the power and fuse rating of that circuit. Simply take a 12V feed from a suitable point in the fuse box. Depending on your vehicle type I may be able to tell you a suitable fuse location but there will be number of suitable ignition switched circuits.

The best type of connectors for the camera and cable is the 4-Pin aviation type connector. Very robust with a locking screw. We supply a lot of HGV companies and they will only accept this type of connector.

I hope that helps.

[mildi]

I have a twin camera fitted to mine, it's been on there for about five years with no problem. Bought from the internet, I think it was about £200 and I had a local company fit it for me so can't comment on the fitting.

Over all very happy with it, very good picture quality even in poor light. One camer faces the rear and the other down for reversing, when reversing it switches to the reversing camera automatically.

[colin]

It's funny our different needs, I've driven vans for 40 plus years but never worried about having only wing mirrors, but with present van keep thinking about reversing cam, also not at all worried about wiring, but am about routing!

[Mike88]

Thanks all. I'm converting a 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro with my son who wants to join the motorhoming fraternity. At the moment the vehicle is a bare shell so routing the wiring is not an issue. As a complete newbie he wants a rear view camera even though I have not found a need for one myself.

 

AliB mentioned that if I could inform him the vehicle he might be able to inform me of the point in the fusebox for a 12v feed. Any advice is appreciated.

[Ali786786]

I installed a camera system with a 3.5"screen.

 

Got it off ebay a few years ago after i nearly reversed into someone but that's a story for another day lol.

 

the camera itself i installed in the rear number plate aera between the lights and fed the cable into the rear door and fed into the reverse light supply.

The screen, i attached to the plastic trim near the roof/ceiling courtesy lights and fed the cable back to the rear light cluster to supply power when the van is put into reverse.

You don't need to run any av cables as the screen and camera have a wireless function that transmite the video back to the screen once reverse is activated.

 

Brilliant system once installed with rear sensors too and surprisingly simple to fit once you have sat down and thought about the cable route.

 

Ali

[Ali786786]

Mike, i wouldn't bother putting a cable straight into the fusebox as you don't want the screen on all the time from ign.

Run the feed wires and tap in the rear light cluster and find the 12+ when reverse is on and neg wire. Don't forget to put in an inline fuse (maybe 2 amps) just to be on the safe side. I've seen some folk run the twin cable straight through the gaps in the body just under the roof without making sure it's secure and could cause chaffing of the cable.

 

Al

[AliB]

Mike88 - 2016-07-29 2:09 PM

 

Thanks all. I'm converting a 2006 Vauxhall Vivaro with my son who wants to join the motorhoming fraternity. At the moment the vehicle is a bare shell so routing the wiring is not an issue. As a complete newbie he wants a rear view camera even though I have not found a need for one myself.

 

AliB mentioned that if I could inform him the vehicle he might be able to inform me of the point in the fusebox for a 12v feed. Any advice is appreciated.

 

I thought I was being a bit reckless with that statement. The Vivaro is not a common campervan vehicle so I have not worked on one. I have tried searching online for a fusebox layout and there are so many different versions I may not point you to the right one. Most of the layouts show position 4 and 5 as vacant. You just need to check which one comes live when the ignition is turned on. Some layouts show position 25 is the reversing light fuse. You will only need to use this feed if you want to switch automatically between the 2 cameras of a twin lens system. As I note you want the camera permanently on when driving this will not be necessary with a single camera system.