Pete-B Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 Hi, We went to the NEC today, not particularly busy but had a pleasant time anyhow. We called in and had a chat with the guy on the DWS electronics stand. He seems to be a very honest and knowledgeable man and willing to talk and answer any questions. Anyhow for some time I've been thinking of getting some rear parking sensors and he had these on his stand. There were two types, wired and wireless both at the same discounted show price of £27. The wired ones came with all cabling and a warning buzzer. The wireless ones come with a visual display showing the distance and also a buzzer. I've heard a few people say the wired ones are more reliable so chose these but when I went to pay the guy asked what I was using them on and when I said motorhome he said "I think you would be better off with the wireless ones". I mentioned about reliability and he said "you get that problem with the reversing cameras but I haven't had a problem with my reversing sensors but of course if you do get any trouble with them I would happily swop them for you, I thought you can't get fairer than that. I just wondered if anyone out there has had any experience of these or could offer any advice or words of wisdom, thanks. Sorry should have said DRW Electronics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFour Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I have just bought some Dolphin Sensors for our MH. Bought the pack with 6 as they suggest 300 - 400 mm between sensors. These are wired and will be connected to the rear stop light. All you then have to do is mount the loud bleeper in a convenient place in the back. Our last MH had them fitted and the bleep was loud enough. You are expecting a lot for your £26 :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomag Posted October 12, 2016 Share Posted October 12, 2016 I don't see why he is expecting a lot for £26 my last 2 new motorhomes I have fitted sensors from EBay at £14 and they have both worked fine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 QFour - 2016-10-12 10:02 PM These are wired and will be connected to the rear stop light. Surely you want them wired to the reversing light and not the stop (I assume you mean brake) light (?) Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 If you do fit reversing sensors, be careful where you fit the centre ones. If you have a lower down cycle rack it may interfere with the operation of the sensors in its down position. Brian B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFour Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Keithl - 2016-10-13 6:57 AM QFour - 2016-10-12 10:02 PM These are wired and will be connected to the rear stop light. Surely you want them wired to the reversing light and not the stop (I assume you mean brake) light (?) Keith. Opppppps .. Typo .. Age Related :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Pete-B The ‘wired' system should be simplest to install as, once the black-box has been connected to the reversing sensors and to the reversing-light circuit, it should then just be a matter of connecting the buzzer to the black-box and deciding where to put the buzzer. (Fairly close to the cab I would have thought.) With the wireless system (I assume) you are going to have to power the dashboard display (from a dashboard socket?) and have the display turned on all the time when the vehice is being driven or switch it on when about to reverse. (You might want to check this out with DRW.) Cheap wireless reversing-camera systems used to be plagued by interference, but modern digital technology seems to have addressed this. http://sensors.drwelectronics.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 I have fitted 2 different sets of wired sensors from ebay on 2 different vans. They are not a substitute for looking behind because they are not 100% reliable. But they are worth having as a last line of defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted October 13, 2016 Author Share Posted October 13, 2016 Thanks for the replies and advice, much appreciated. After listening to what's been said, and, as we're going back to the NEC on Friday for another reason, I think I will change them for the wired ones. I was worried that the wires would not be long enough to reach the cab where I'd planned to have the buzzer. But as someone said it doesn't have to situated there, it could be put in a convenient place in the back somewhere as long has it can be heard. The only other thing is, not being a lecky expert, is it easy to identify and connect the power line to the reversing light? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Can the wiring affect on the lighting canbus system ? Or cause light failure on the dashboard.. Asking because I had a problem with the rear fog lights that caused all sorts of problems. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Pete-B - 2016-10-13 9:48 AM The only other thing is, not being a lecky expert, is it easy to identify and connect the power line to the reversing light? Thanks. Easy as getting to the reversing light to change a bulb. I connected them to the wire going to the reversing light bulb on my x2/50 van and have had no problems Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducto Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Hi Pete-B Having studied all arguments I think a camera is the best solution. Someone has said here thir sensors aren't reliable. At least camera is a view and passes the "Duty of Care/due diligence" test. All IMHO of course. BTW I'm brand new on here as of today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noody Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Ithink a camera is a good solution though in my case I spent three months (This time) researching users comments on reversing sensors-V-reversing camera and decided to trust the sensors I got used to fitted to our cars. I did wonder about me watching a camera whilst I'm reversing and my spacial horizon being limited by attention to that camera rather than just listening to beeps. Also, I'm concerned about paying £50 or £70 for something imported from China that I can get from China for a fiver including postage if I can wait for the two weeks delivery so whilst the back of my van is reduced to floor space and remnants of furniture I'm waiting for my cheap and tacky reversing sensor that is reputed to be identicle to those ten times the cost from uk dealers but without the marketing costs. So, it works or it it doesn't. The technology behind reversing sensors isn't rocket science though I wouldn't want to install something that entailed so much furniture removal that might fail. Who amongst you could recomend a product where the vendor would pay for all the re-installation work ? After a failure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducto Posted October 13, 2016 Share Posted October 13, 2016 Noody - 2016-10-13 6:56 PM Ithink a camera is a good solution though in my case I spent three months (This time) researching users comments on reversing sensors-V-reversing camera and decided to trust the sensors I got used to fitted to our cars. I did wonder about me watching a camera whilst I'm reversing and my spacial horizon being limited by attention to that camera rather than just listening to beeps. Also, I'm concerned about paying £50 or £70 for something imported from China that I can get from China for a fiver including postage if I can wait for the two weeks delivery so whilst the back of my van is reduced to floor space and remnants of furniture I'm waiting for my cheap and tacky reversing sensor that is reputed to be identicle to those ten times the cost from uk dealers but without the marketing costs. So, it works or it it doesn't. The technology behind reversing sensors isn't rocket science though I wouldn't want to install something that entailed so much furniture removal that might fail. Who amongst you could recomend a product where the vendor would pay for all the re-installation work ? After a failure. Yes but reversing cameras are only intended to give you a view of what you are reversing toward rather than the same view as a dashcam. You're talking about protecting your vehicle, I'm talking about protecting the vehicle and a child or person who might not see you reversing. "Watching a reversing camera while reversing" Surely it's just an image like that you would see in your mirrors as you reversed, except the camera image would give you a greater amount of information. This is ideal when you consider most Motorhomers have not done a great deal of reversing with longer vehicles. I'm reliably told reversing cameras are compulsory in the USA. We must follow that. Additionally, these things are available at a reasonable price, there is a firm who specialises only in them. Against the cost of an MH or the lifetime of knowing you could have prevented an injury or death £100 or £200 sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Noody - 2016-10-13 6:56 PM I did wonder about me watching a camera whilst I'm reversing and my spacial horizon being limited by attention to that camera rather than just listening to beeps. Yes, but you will be looking at the camera image whilst you are slowly reversing towards an obstruction from a few feet away. In those circumstances you only really need to see behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noody Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Yes-yes, I get the point and I suppose I'm making a case for myself rather that touting an opinion. In the case of my motorhome, if the manufacturers had pre-wired for a camera I would probably be going for a camera. At the very least so I can spot those who drive behind me so close I can't see them, in the case of parking a camera will show a lot more than parking sensors. Another problem I'm making for myself is when I fit my bike rack with a bike on it the sensors will need to be turned of unless there is another way around this problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 When I fitted my reversing sensors, I overcame the problem of cycle rack interference by fitting the two center sensors on the cycle rack. I fitted them to on two hinged flaps, so when the rack was down they would detect the distance from the rack to an object. When the rack was up ,and the flaps angled down slightly they would detect the distance from the back of the M/H to an object. Very reliable I find. Brian B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Len Salisbury Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 We have two cameras fitted front and rear with one monitor which sits on top of the dash. You may ask why a front one. Well our drive is short and I need to get as close to the electric door of the garage as possible. Using the front camera I can park our MH within one inch of the door and on our drive and not overhanging the pavement. I can switch the monitor display by pressing one of the buttons for either camera. The rear camera is mounted underneath the rear bumper and the front low down on the grill with wiring underneath the MH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noody Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 This is to me the finest example for the use of cameras fitted to a motorhome, I have managed for eight years without any such assistance. I don't need that sort of help because we have a huge private drive and parking area and to date my reversing has gotten to be more accurate without any aid, that's not to say I didn't have a small bump. It's the effectiveness of audible sensors fitted to my car that makes me think I can manage without going to camera. Notice, I said "manage". If the fun-fund was healthier I would have a camera though fitting it would probably have to be done by someone who has worked with motorhome. Right now a new SS exhaust system is the most important. Motorhome Eh, every year I need to spend to keep the van healthy and tidy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Ducto informs us "I'm reliably told reversing cameras are compulsory in the USA. We must follow that" Its no more than aiding the manufacturer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Ducto - 2016-10-13 8:02 PM I'm reliably told reversing cameras are compulsory in the USA... Apparently not until May 2018, and then relating only to new cars. http://readwrite.com/2014/04/16/backup-cameras-law-2018-nhtsa-safety/ A reversing-camera system is visual; a reversing-sensor system is audial. For maxiimum securiity when reversing fit both systems. Regarding the cable to the buzzer potentially being too short to reach the cab, this was the case when I fitted reversing sensors to my Herald motorhome years ago. However, the buzzer’s cable was simple 2-core and easily extended (I probably used loudspeaker cable.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ducto Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 Will86 - 2016-10-14 11:52 AM Ducto informs us "I'm reliably told reversing cameras are compulsory in the USA. We must follow that" Its no more than aiding the manufacturer. Same place was this: "More than 200 people are killed every year when cars are reversing—most of these deaths are children. Back-up accidents also injure more than 15,000 people each year." Being able to see if someone is in danger as you reverse is essential, If the camera isn't working get someone to watch you reverse. Anything that preserves body and soul plus the angst of a compensation claim that sometimes lasts ten years or more, has to be implemented. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noody Posted October 14, 2016 Share Posted October 14, 2016 This discussion has been so very helpful that I'm now doing almost a U turn as a result of Derecks comment. Yes, why not fit both. So right now after scratching my head for some time I found a route through the inside of my van, all the rear internals are removed enough for a cable to be pulled and poked through but I need to know the size of the aperture required to get the terminations through. I have to take the gas tanks out to prove the route then assuming it's a GO I need to find £200 at least that the fun-fund doesn't support considering a new SS exhaust system will have to be paid for next week. The, "Why not fit both comment comes as a result of driving my Golf. The sensors are skewed in such a way that I get a warning when I'm too close too near side though that would mean the system being live all the time rather than being live-switched from the the reversing switch. Something else I need to get my head around after some rest from considering the whole project. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noody Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 Can anyone advise me on the type of cable/conductor used between a reversing camera and the monitor, is it a particular type of co-axial ? What I would like to do now half of my van is taken to bits is to route a cable then complete the job when the fun-fund is healthier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted October 15, 2016 Share Posted October 15, 2016 With a wired reversing-camera system the cable connecting the in-cab monitor to the rear camera not only needs to carry ‘picture’ data from the camera to the monitor, but also needs to provide electrical power to the camera and (where the camera has an integrated microphone) carry ’sound’ data too. So if you get the cable-type wrong you may (at best) need to use adapters to allow the cable to connect to the monitor and/or camera or (at worst) lose functionality. This website http://www.2seetv.co.uk/sellerdeck/Vehicle_Cameras_MDVRs_and_Monitors.html belongs to a long-standing forum member (“AliB”) http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/view-profile.asp?uid=7927 Suggest you discuss with him the best way forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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